Top 5 Underrated Rappers

The only thing worse than a corny rapper is an underrated rapper. Given the root of anger doesn’t stem from the same tree, I still detest both type of rappers. It’s just frustrating when such a great rapper is over looked. When talking about “underrated rappers,” five names come to mind. Unless you can read minds (don’t look above) and know who I’m talking about, hit the jump.

Fabolous

Look up Fabolous’ Wikipedia discography right now. No seriously look it up. I’ll be here when you return 30 minutes later. Yeah, I’ll still be here after you look at his discography and say, “oh that’s a Loso track? Let me listen to that.” In case you ain’t know so, Loso is responsible for “Breathe,” “Make Me Better,” “Baby Don’t Go,” “Throw It In The Bag,” “Everything, Everyday, Everywhere,” “You Be Killin’ Em,” “Body Ya,” and “Lights Out.” Those are just songs too. Let’s not even talk about his TINC mixtape series with Dj Drama. Loso’s metaphors can go head to head with any rapper in the game. He has some serious knockout punchlines. But that doesn’t mean that you should go all Antonio Margarito on us. Don’t act like you don’t see nobody.

Tech N9ne

The one they call Tech N9ne is undoubtedly the underground king. Strange Music is a blueprint for all labels in the industry, whether they’re major or independent. Not only is Tech N9ne an underrated entrepreneur, he’s an underrated MC. Maybe it’s because of his speedy delivery, but you guys don’t seem to catch his lyricism. He can do anything that your favorite rapper can do. Internal rhyming, club tracks, go ham tracks, deep tracks, suicide tracks, whatever you want. Killer and All 6’s and 7’s are huge pieces in Tech’s catalog. Tech N9ne is also the first independent artist to sell 1 million albums. Stop treating Tech like he has a red nose. You know what I’m sizzlin’?

E-40

E-40 has been in the game since, damn, probably before you were born. E-four-oh has been rapping since 1990, and he’s still working hard, and he’s still relevant. Just a few months ago, E-40 dropped 3 albums in one day. E-40 has also been an instrumental piece in the development of Bay Area hip-hop, most notably the hyphy movement. His linguistic skills can also amaze the deafest person. However, longevity is probably the only reason I’m writing this. E-40 is a true legend. How many 44 year old rappers can successfully pull off a track like”Function?”

Lloyd Banks

Has Banks ever dropped a limp album? Most of his work goes hard. Sometimes 50 Cent overshadows Lloyd Banks, but pay attention. Hunger For More 1 was slept on and HFM 2 followed in its predecessors footsteps. Even Kanye West thinks Banks is underrated! Although, he might not be a top 5 MC like Mr. West claims, Banks is a superb rapper. Just because he looks like he’s sleeping, that doesn’t mean that you should sleep on him. Be on the lookout for V6 as well. G-G-G-G-G-G-Unit!

Ice Cube

Without Ice Cube, N.W.A. would’ve simply been another rebellious group. They would’ve had a lot of street cred, and great production, but their raps would’ve been below par. Nothing against MC Ren, but Ice Cube is responsible for writing most of N.W.A.’s hits. Eazy-E also owed a lot of his solo success to Cube since he wrote “Boyz-N-The-Hood,” and most of  Eazy-Duz-It. Aside from his ghostwriting, and group work, Cube has had a legendary solo career. Sadly, he’s never mentioned as one of the greatest MC’s. I don’t even think he’s mentioned in top 10 lists. Honestly, a lot of east coast rappers receive too much credit because they’re from NY. I won’t mention any names though. I’ll just keep it Drake subliminal for now. What would hip-hop do without “It Was A Good Day,” “Jackin’ For Beats,” “Check Yo Self,” “Wicked,” and “We Be Clubbin’?” Gangster rap would have a huge hole in it without Ice Cube. He was as important as 2 Pac in the development and success of west coast gangsta rap. Don’t wait until his death to include him on top 10 greatest MC lists. Give the man is credit. Check yo self befo’ you wreck yo self.

Of course, this is a top 5 list, meaning that only 5 rappers can make the list. You’ve heard from me, now it’s your turn. Who are some of the most underrated rappers in hip-hop?

Written by @QuezKHH, like me on facebook.

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