2012 Rap Draft
The NFL Draft just flew by. After a countless number of mock drafts, everything went as expected. Andrew Luck went number 1, RG3 went number 2, and Trent Richardson followed at #3. But I was thinking, why should sports bloggers have all the fun with mock drafts? Why can’t hip-hop have a mock draft? Let’s just imagine that every label released every rapper. Then the “national rap league” organized a draft in which labels would re-acquire new talent. Who would be the first pick? Find out what I think after the jump. Before that, take note that this is not a best rapper alive list. Basically, since they’re labels, who are they going to win with the most? Whether they win lyrically, or with record sales. Who’s going to be the best rapper for their label? That’s what this draft is about.
1. Eminem
When you think about it, Eminem is a no-brainer. He can sell records, he has a loyal fanbase, and he’s a lyrical……God. To some, he’s the best rapper of all-time. Additionally, everytime he drops an album, or just a mere song, it’s gold platinum, and the world shakes, just a bit. Hands down, Eminem would be the first pick.
2. Jay-Z
Coming in at #2 would be Jay-Z. Like Em’, Jay is very versatile, lyrical, and he’s very mainstream friendly. He’s a household name with a long trajectory. Excitement surrounds his every release making him very profitable. But, the only reason he’s behind Em’, is because Eminem is a monster when it comes to record sales. Jay-Z is good, but Eminem is on another level.
3. Drake
What? You’re surprised? Look, take your opinion out of the equation, and ask yourself, will a label make money off Drake? Of course. Aubrey has the youth in a trance. Drake has become a household name at the young age of 25. He’s a trendsetter. Whether he’s promoting the YOLO lifestyle or throwing a bar mitzvah, people love to talk about him. Whether he’s wearing batting gloves or dissing Common, people keep talking about him. Buzz has also translated into record sales for Drake. His sophomore album, Take Care, sold about 600,000 in its first week. And because he’s 25, he has a long career ahead of him.
4. Kanye West
Picking Drake over Kanye was a tough decision. Ultimately, I put Drake over Kanye because Drake is younger, and has more potential. Kanye West might be the better rapper, but he’s not always the most popular. Outside of hip-hop, Kanye is a PR mess. Him dating one of the most hated faces in America doesn’t help. Yes, ‘Ye does provide great music, but he’s a ticking time bomb sometimes. His arrogance isn’t very popular with the rest of the culture, and since it’s 2012, labels might need them to buy records. Remember, they’re not fans, they’re label execs. So don’t get your tie up in a bunch. Kanye would be the 4th pick.
5. Nicki Minaj
The fifth pick would be Nicki Minaj. Like it or not, Nicki is the most successful female rapper in history. Who wouldn’t want her? Like Eminem and Jay-Z, Onika is a household name. She’s performed in the Super Bowl, and she’s becoming an influential piece in pop culture. Y.U. Mad?
6. Lil Wayne
A few years back, Wayne might’ve been a top 3 pick, or even the 1st pick, but Rikers Island really changed Wayne. He’s not the same anymore. His punchlines don’t pack the same punch, his sense of fashion is horrible, and he’s starting to become a trend follower instead of a trendsetter. Wayne dressing up like an Odd Future member serves as proof. When Wayne is unique, he wears jeggings, and that hasn’t caught on like he would’ve hoped. A rappers image matters, and Wayne’s image is on a downfall. I hope I’m wrong, but Wayne’s prime has come and gone.
7. Rick Ross
Although Wayne has fallen off a bit, he’s still a lot more popular than a lot of other rappers. Rick Ross is one of those other rappers. When comparing Wayne and Ross, Wayne can still outsell, out-tour, and out-rap Rick Ross. Rozay is a solid 7th pick. Rick Ross’ internet grind is currently unmatched. He can drop a mixtape today, and tomorrow it’ll be all over the streets. His BAWSE image is similarly untouched. Labels would love that. UGH.
8. J. Cole
J. Cole’s Sideline Story didn’t include any chart topping singles. It wasn’t all over MTV, BET, or the radio, yet Cole World: The Sideline Story debuted at #1 with an impressive 218,000 copies sold in its 1st week. Cole also produced the entire album, and received little help from guest features or Jay-Z. Cole did it himself with no help, and that is very impressive of a young artist. Before Cole, many thought that lyricism didn’t have a place in mainstream America. However, in the Fall of 2011, Mr. Cole had the #1 album in America. Cole is good for 8.
9. Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar is at #9 because of J. Cole. Cole’s Sideline Story proved that lyricists are marketable in mainstream America. But for a lyricist to be profitable, people have to love the man behind the mic. Kendrick’s fans absolutely die for him. Much like Cole’s debut album, Lamar’s album will send shock waves through the industry. Expect big numbers in its first week, and expect labels to take Kendrick Lamar at number 9.
10. B.o.B
Bobby Ray can do anything. He can craft a top 40 hit, and he can rap, and people will love both. B.o.B is the most versatile artist in hip-hop. Most importantly, he can adapt to any environment and succeed. Every team needs a guy that can play every position.
Who would be your first pick?
Written by @QuezKHH, like me on facebook.
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114 Responses to “2012 Rap Draft”
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There should be a Rap Draft pick for LYRICAL TALENT..
In football they draft people because they are talented..
Not because theyll sell tickets..You dont see em hiring a backflipping acrobat
player that can do put on a show while makin his way to the endzone..
“Fuck record sales and who the machine markets best.”
With that said..
Joe Budden
Joell Ortiz
Royce
Crooked
Eminem
Yelawolf
..Just keep Shady Records a team..
I.D.G.A.F… thats the end of all battles there..
Jay Z is only around cuz theres a “prestige” about him.
Anyone from Shady can take anyone else in the game..
And if they marketed “talent” and well put together music..
We wouldnt need to listen to these snappy beats with crappy lyrics.
Its about delivery, emotion, projection..pain..coming out on top of all the bullshit..
Machine Gun Kelly is annoying and sounds the same..on EVERY SONG.
Same to Whack Miller…Idk how the fuck he thinks hes so good..he aint..
B.O.B.. when he unleashes that demon inside.. and stops rappin bout Merlot and shit..
This is stupid. Im tired of writing..
Im not a hater..
I just want that real shit.
@Define, I feel you on that
@Define, clearly u are a hater cuz u randomly started ranting about 2 rappers that were’nt a part of the coversation… whiny bitch
Take bac w hat I said about Machine Gun..
His voice and flow sound the same alot..
doeant do anything that sticks out really..
but hes a good kid.
little too cocky for no good reason though
Wayne
drake
birdman
tyga
jae millz
nicki
mack maine
twist
chuckee
gudda
@ymcmb, is this the denied entry list?
Fuck you eminem sucks@MosDef,
Emenim
Jay – Z
Rick Ross
Kanye West
Meek Millz
Childish Gambino (Donald Glover)
Lil Wayne
Game
Bun B
Tyga
if ur draft is based on everything- not just a person’s image and style- Wayne should be #1, not because of his MC skills, but b/c he’s brought us 2 of the biggest stars music has ever seen in Drake and Nicki. You think those 2 would exist w/o Lil Wayne…negative. Even if you say Wayne is falling off because he wears jeggings, which is beyond fuckin stupid, he is a visionary who will one day own a billion dollar record label. Yea, I’d take Lil Wayne. He’s the smartest businessman out of anyone on this list. You can rock with Shady all you want…ill be laughing to the bank as Wayne said…..L.M.A.O.
@Jason, based on what u just said that would make birdman the #1 draft pick because he made the record label and wayne… and we all know birdman is not #1 draft pick material…thats why what u said makes no fuckin sense
and how the hell u put BOB on this list and not include T.I. who produced his fuckin album…and owns the record label BOB works for…
1. Wayne (no one touched him from 05-now and he still sells millions + is CEO)
2. Birdman/Slim (they’re brothers so they count together and are the masterminds behind YMCMB)
3. Diddy
4. Eminem
5. Jay-Z
6. Dr. Dre
7. Usher (he owns Justin Beiber and is making fuckin bank)
8. Justin Beiber (fuck it, he raps now + outsells everyone)
9. T.I.
10. Kanye
that list will make you the most money which was the whole point of this correct? you want best rappers, that’ll be a diff list.
@Jason, the title says “RAP” in bold…birdman,diddy,usher,and justin beiber all should’nt even be valid for this list
you should’ve put nas on this list
In lyrics, Kendrick ruins everyone else’s careers.
Eminem is gay
ATTENTION PEOPLE, THE REAL LIST HERE
These are the only ones u need if ur a record label nd like it or not, it’s the truth
1. Eminem – highest sales of all time, no questions asked
2. Drake – sold 700,000 without Birdman first week nd can only go up
3. Lil Wayne – to all the people that hate him, like it or not, he sells by the ton nd proved by having the highest selling album for 2 yrs in his career…u would rather have him on ur team than not
4. As much as i hate saying this, Kanye West looks weak right now. Watch the Throne sold less than both than the YMCMB boys nd it was a combined album with JAY-Z! I have him ahead because he has consistently sold more than Jigga in recent years.
5. Finally Jay-Z. He has consistently put out #1 albums nd off the top of my head, i think all of them have been platinum + with these new 360 record deals, i would be making money off of his other business ventures. He is last because just like Kanye, they are no longer the biggest in the game and their record sales have declined.
Feel free to share ur opinion on this 🙂
Man I don’t even need 10 draft picks with the lame ass emo rappers of today’s time. I’ll take Eminem and Jay-z and trade my other picks for some old school soul and R&B singers. Matter of fact I’ll take some pop singers over a lot of these rappers out at” this moment”.
1- Eminem: look at his fan base, his sales, & his lyrical ability….enough said
2- Wayne: again album sales Carter 3 sold 1,005,545 copies in its first week, I Am Not A Human Being had 110,000 downloads its 1st week & following its physical release, it featured an increase in sales and topped the chart, becoming Lil Wayne’s second US number-one album and the first studio album since Tupac Shakur’s “Me Against the World” in 1995 to reach the top slot on the Billboard 200 while its artist was jailed, Carter 4 on November 16, 2011, the album was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, for shipments of two million copies in the United States, as of February 2012, the album has sold 3.5 million copies worldwide, & if he went back to the Carter 3 type of rap he wuld b a beast….again
3- Kanye: good rapper, dope producer, & gets a lot of media attention (negative & positive)
4- Drake: he’s wat the people listen to these days, he can sell & will make money
5- Wale: dope lyricist, he has talent, u culd use him to prove to people that sum artists still care bout lyrics
6- Meek Mill: on its release “Dreamchasers 2” knocked the internet’s biggest mixtape site offline under the strain of 1.5 million clicks in little over 5 hours, people like his music, he will sell if u promote his music the right way
7- JayZ: his name is already known thru out the rap game, & it’s bout sales & how much money they can rake in for u….he’s a fuckin business man he will bring the money to the table, & if he’s not already then he’s a soon to b legend in the game
8- T.I.: dope rapper, pretty much everyone has heard about him due to his arrest(s), he has his own television show so that means he’s more exposed to the people from the media
9- Usher: he signed one of the biggest names in the music industry so he has an eye for talent & will help u bring in new talent that people will want to hear, more sales = more money & he is a talented artist himself
10- J. Cole: he’s a lyrical story teller (like NaS, Pac, & Slick Rick) he has a future in this game, his album Cole World: The Sideline Story debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, with 218,000 units sold in the first-week following its release,
those r my draft picks. u may have ur arguments but look at the facts not the opinions, look at the album sales, its about who will rake in the most dough for ur label
1.LIL B
2. LIL B
3. LIL B
4. LIL B
5. LIL B
6. LIL B
7. LIL B
8. LIL B
9. LIL B
10. BASED GOD
SWAG
totally agree with the rankings, KHH
…but, what’s with Wiz Khalifa & Nas?
They should be around!
(And A$AP Rocky as a newcomer like Kendrick Lamar, too)
Eminem sucks@BEST RECORD LABEL,
1. Slim Shady (Best Alive In Every Category)
2. Jigga ( Most Number 1 Albums “Now He’s On The Beatles Ass”)
3. Kanye West (Genius, intriguing)
4. Drake (Commercial God)
5. Wayne (Not The Same No More But Record Sales)
6. Jeezy (Hood Politics Will Always Prevail With This Man)
7. Ross(Hottest In The Game Right Now)
8. J Cole(Potential Is Threw The Roof)
9. Meek Milly (Racked Up Racked Down!)
10. T.i. (He Will Be Back To His Paper Trail Shit Soon)
This is the stupidest shit i’ve seen in my life. Lil Wayne and Nicki over J Cole and Kendrick Lamar?! You’re out of your fuckin mind….heres the real list:
1) Jay-Z
2) Eminem
3) Kanye West
4) Drake
5) Kendrick Lamar
6) J Cole
7) Lil Wayne
8) Nicki Minaj
9) Rick Ross
10) Big Sean/Meek Mill/ or Wale
1-Eminem
2-Slaughterhouse
3-Snoop Dogg
4-Yelawolf
5-Dr.Dre
6-The Game
7-T.I.
8-Drake(not a fan but he is popular no)
9-Nicki Minaj
10-Tyga(again not a fan but he popular 2)
Also by singing eminem and slaughterhouse ur gettin Bad Meets Evil in there 2 and they are an amazing rap duo
A lot of these lists are fucked first of all yall fucks that don’t have wayne or drake on your list your smoking some good shit that dmx shit all bias weezy gay drake soft as shit comments aside sales don’t lie isn’t it the legend hov himself who said men lie women lie but numbers don’t? Well according to numbers since this draft is about labels and labels really mostly just care about how much money you making them and majority or a good chunk of that is through your albums check the numbers on sales just in the first week
Lil Wayne- Tha Carter IV- 964,000
Jay-Z And Kanye West- Watch The Throne-436,079
Drake- Take Care- 631,466
Just saying and if we are supposedly being realistic and taking age into account drake and wayne are alot younger than jay-z and stand to this for awhile just like jay z and i am hov all day. Though i do agree wayne lyrics have fell off he has not fell off or everyone else just doesn’t care and he still selling more than anybody.
1. EMINEM
2.Joe Budden
3. Styles P
4. meek mill
5. Joell Ortiz
6. J Cole
7. Krews
8. T.I.
9. The weeknd
10.Deso
1. Eminem
2. Tech n9ne
3. Slaughterhouse
4. Krizz kaliko
5. Kutt calhoun
6. Yelawolf
7. Stevie Stone
8. Prozak
9. Rittz
10. ¡Mayday!
this guy made the worst list ever with the rappers who fucked up main stream rap completely
My list
1.big L
2.rakim
3.tupac
4.diabolic
5.big pun
6.nas
7.guru
8.immortal technique
9.q-tip
10.chuck d