As an MC you are supposed to believe you are the greatest. If you don’t have that confidence then maybe this business is not for you; especially when you consider some of the rappers who claimed they were the best.
Since Hip-Hop gave birth to Rap music, artists have always tried to separate themselves from the rest of the pack. It’s the nature of the sport. Sometimes the boasting is fitting and other times it falls on deaf ears.
Most recently Childish Gambino said he is second to none lyrically and put Drake on notice in one fell swoop. Regardless of the reaction garnered, these bold declarations of greatness should be duly noted—whether such claims are taken seriously is another story, though. .
So we present 15 rappers of note who claimed they were the best. Let us know who you think needs more people in the comments section.
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Photo: Instagram
1. LL Cool J
Mr. Smith told us he was the greatest of all time on “4,3,2,1,” went to toe to toe with a hungry Canibus and then named his follow up album G.O.A.T.
2. The Notorious B.I.G.
B.I.G. not only solidified the King Of New York crown but told us he was the best while he was alive and even after his untimely passing.
3. KRS-One
The Blast Master was recording, touring, spearheading the Stop The Violence movement, battling a couple of MCs and leading the BDP crew. He earned the right in our eyes.
Photo: Judy Eddy/WENN.com
4. Kendrick Lamar
Do we have to remind you when Kendrick put everyone who is anyone in Rap on notice?
5. Lil Wayne
Weezy said he was the greatest rapper alive on many occasions and no one has legitimately taken him to task yet.
6. Jay Z
Not only has Jay told us numerous times he is the best, his moves as a businessman solidified him as one to be considered as such.
7. Nas
Even though Nas once said “never put me in the top ten b*tch, it’s disrespect to the life that birth the verses” on “My Will,” he did go on to rhyme that “pardon the rest of my ni**as, but I’m the best who’s ever did it” on “I Do It For Hip-Hop.”
8. Eminem
Slim first really acknowledged his greatness last year on “Rap God.”
9. Nicki Minaj
Nicki got right to things when she made the song “I’m The Best.” So with that claim why the need to spread the cheeks though?
Photo: Shannon McCollum / WENN
10. Pusha-T
On the “Chevy Riding High” remix Push made it clear what he thought of himself: “If he claim king and he claim best, then I guess you can call me God.”
Photo: WENN
11. Kanye West
He named his last album Yeezus. That is all
12. Drake
Drizzy has his own of style of boasting which hit an all time high when he recently said “if I’m not the greatest then I’m headed for it.”
13. T.I.
Tip has claimed king of the south and beyond many times.
14. Snoop Dogg
Snoop has claimed being king of the west coast and once said in an interview “I could be king of New York if I wanted to be.”
15. Papoose
Lyrically Pap thinks he is the best and isn’t shy about saying it wherever he goes.
