I consider the new school to be from about 2009 to now. Alot of young, up and coming rappers made their debuts in this time period. The “Top 5 All Time Rappers” list I made didn’t go in a particular order, but this one does. Here’s the list for the top five best of their generation.
5. Ab-Soul
I didn’t really get into Soulo’s music ’til almost a year ago, but I’m happy I decided to check him out. He got those type of lines that you gotta sometimes rewind the track and then you be like “Damn, that shit was nice”. He’s clever with the words if you haven’t noticed yet. What truly made me a fan of his though, is his very personal ‘The Book of Soul’ track. That song is definitely one of the best hip-hop songs that have dropped in the 2010s decade. If this list was based on lyricism alone, Ab-Soul would be #2.
4. J. Cole
It’s been said that he has the potential to be the next Tupac. I even thought that too when I heard The Warm Up Friday Night Lights, two mixtapes that shit on his two albums. I haven’t been a really big fan of his later material, but I’m still aware what he’s capable of. Tracks like ‘2Face’, ‘Lost Ones’, and ‘Lights Please’ showcase his talent. Put him in the 90s era and I think he’d fit in fine. He covers social commentary, insecurities, life struggles, and other relatable topics in his tunes.
3. Drake
The biggest star of his generation, no doubt. Anything this nigga touches turns to commercial gold. You knew who Migos was before Drake hopped on ‘Versace’? Me neither. Greatly influenced by Kanye West, and still managed to make his own sound and not copy him. I can’t name a single rapper before Drake that sounds like him. He especially has the crossover appeal since he can sing. So Far Gone was a fantastic mixtape, and he’s been here to stay ever since. Some may put him in a box for making emotional, “I’m tryna save these hoes” music, but he can go hard on a record when he wants to (5am In Toronto). From an artistic standpoint, it’s hard to deny that he’s very talented. Overall, he makes great music. Fuck Take Care though…
2. Childish Gambino
This dude is original, has plenty of personality on tracks, and arguably has the best wordplay of the new generation. I’ve been a fan of his since I heard his EP, and I enjoyed what I heard after that, except Royalty, he missed the mark with that one. He can be very personal with his music, talking about his past vices, suicidal thoughts, and self-loathing. I really like those type of joints from him, but I love his more fun, wordplay oriented songs like ‘You See Me’ and ‘Bonfire’. He ain’t a bad singer either, and he constantly experiments with his sound.
1.) Kendrick Lamar
The best of his generation. He has great flow, delivery, and is lyrically in his own league. He also makes the best projects out of the newer rappers. Section.80 and Good Kid, m.a.a.d. City were both very well-crafted projects, the latter of which even earned a perfect “XXL” rating from XXL Magazine. No other rapper on this list has accomplished that. If K.Dot keeps doing what he’s doing, he may even be Top 5 of All Time one day.
EXPhits 