1. Rakim Rakim was one the made me fall in love with Hip-Hop music. Paid In Full is probably the most influential Hip-Hop album of all time.
Some people say he has limited subject matter, but I strongly disagree. He has catchy songs (I Know You Got Soul, Don't Sweat the Technique), controversial songs (The Mystery), storytelling abilities (Mahogany, The Ghetto), and many other kinds. What I love most about him and his music is his flow and delivery.
His flow is the only one I've ever heard that COMPLETELY mesmerizes me. His delivery is a love/hate thing. Either you think it's monotonous and boring, or like me, you feel that it's unique and very appealing.
On his solo work he changed his rhyme pattern to multis for ages, but retains his hypnotic flow. But, I'll always believe that his group work is untouchable. And he used James Brown samples, my favorite Funk artist.
2. Nas Illmatic is probably my 2nd favorite Hip-Hop album of all time. I feel that no one portrays the struggles and life in the NYC projects like him.
His descriptiveness and word choice is two of many things that add to it. Amazing storyteller, delivery, rhyme schemes, flow, and almost everything else. He may not be the most consistent, but when he puts out something outstanding, it's OUTSTANDING.
His music sucks you into the life he's describing, and makes you feel like you are experiencing it. 3. Big Daddy Kane Set It Off and the rest of the Long Live The Kane album was what made he love his work.
He had charisma, AMAZING flow, and, from what I heard, one of the best live shows in Hip-Hop history. He was probably one of the originators of the metaphors, similes, and swagger that everybody just loves seeing nowadays. What was most unique about him was how he could instantly switch his flow and rhyme scheme (eg.
Warm It Up Kane). 4. Black Thought One of the most underrated emcees ever.
The Roots 90's work was amazing, and Illadelph Halflife and Things Fall Apart are some of my favorite albums. I love the Roots' Neo-Soul vibe and conscious Hip-Hop is my favorite subcategory, which kind of explains why Mos, Talib, and Common are on my top 10. I also feel like his flow and rhyme scheme are like a modern carbon copy of Rakim.
5. Big Pun The greatest Latino emcee ever. Even though he was like 500 lbs when CP came out, he was still able to spit the way he did.
His breath control was amazing considering his weight. One of the greatest flows EVER. Capital Punishment is in my top 10 Hip-Hop albums.
My favorite emcee of the late 90s. One line summarizes his greatness, and everyone knows which one I'm talking about. RIP.
No order 1. Jadakiss 2. Tupac 3.
Biggie 4. Cassidy 5. Eminem.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.