It’s always about Lil Wayne or Kanye West. Jay-Z or 50 Cent. Eminem or Ja Rule. But what about those artists that remain in the underground or have been mainstays in the independent hip hop scene for over 10 years? Most are better than all mainstream rappers. In fact, Eminem and Jay-Z are the only big time guys with great skills. The others are good rappers, not great.
6 Rappers You Probably Never Heard Of
#6 Slug – Atmosphere
Straight out of Minneapolis, Slug is at the helm of his group, Atmosphere, and holds fort with a very melancholy authority. If you like positive hip hop, Atmosphere is not for you as Slug mainly focuses on bad relationships and other depressing subject matter and can sometimes take it too far, but that’s also what makes him great. He stretches the limits and doesn’t care what you think.
#5 Pharaohe Monch & Prince Poetry – Organized Konfusion
In my opinion, this is the greatest MC duo the hip hop world has ever witnessed. If you look back over the history of hip hop, there weren’t many groups with just two rappers. Tribe Called Quest is another good one but compared to the lyrical and verbal deliveries of both rappers from Organized Konfusion, it’s not close. Don’t believe me? Download “Bring It On”, the remix, and tell me these two aren’t ridiculous rappers.
#4 Aceyalone – Freestyle Fellowship
Ask anyone who likes west coast indie hip hop about Aceyalone and they’ll tell you he’s one of the biggest reasons they were put on the map. Aceyalone has tons of songs, some solo, some with his buddies in Freestyle Fellowship, all showing a unique ability of style, substance and skills. He’s completely west coast, has some classic underground songs and remains an Los Angeles hip hop legend to this day.
#3 Del tha Funkee Homosapien – Hieroglyphics
The name says it all. He’s not funky, he’s funkee. Came on to the scene in the very early 90′s with “Mr. Dobalina” and “Dr. Bombay” from his frist album, I Wish My Brother George Was Here. It’s one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time in the same way 2001: Space Odyssey is one of the best movies of all time. It’s far, far out, unlike anything in rap anyone had heard at the time and showcased a talent that would never be duplicated.
#2 Lyrics Born – Quannum
Quannum is the most phenomenal group of hip hop talent in assembly today. Two incredible beat makers and 3 spectacular rappers. They’ve added more people in the last few years but the first five remain the only true talents. One MC is Lyrics Born, one of the few asian MC’s in hip hop and an amazing and completely different breed. He can rap fast, hard, and change his delivery so frequently in one song, it’s hard to fathom one guy doing it all.
#1 Gift of Gab – Blackalicious & Quannum
Also from Quannum, the best rapper of all time, in my opinion, is Gift of Gab out of Oakland, California. Listening to him rap is as beautiful as a song sung by a tenor. What makes him so awesome is his ability to marry his lyrics and flow to the music of his longtime DJ/Producer, Chief Xcel. It’s usually a very cool, harmonious tune that feels more like a great song than a great hip hop track. He’s been featured on many songs and has some excellent albums with Blackalicious. A classic hip hop song he did with DJ Shadow, “Swan Lake”, is worth a download.
Great list – I like how you made sure that these slept on MCs (and MC groups) are accessible to a hip hop listener looking for something different. I mean, Sage Francis and Aesop Rock can be great, but definitely a challenging listen.
Don’t forget that some mainstream rappers still have credibility! Don’t trash great rappers such as Lupe Fiasco and Little Brother just because they have a bit of mainstream success.
Good insight! Actually, of all the mainstream rappers to come out in the last 5-7 years, I’d say, hands down, Lupe Fiasco is probably the most skilled. I dig the Game a lot but don’t think he’s got Fiasco’s versatility.
You should have bumped the list ta 7 and added brother ali. C’mon! A sick albino rapper with nice delivery and profound lyrics, there is nothing, nor has there ever been anything like him. Just my 2 cents.
Brother Ali sucks, anyways, a lot of people don’t know this but Ice Cube produced Del’s “I wish my brother George was here.”
and del wrote some of ice cube’s shit
and del is ice’s cousin
I don’t think brother ali sucks at all, I also think that eyedea should be on this list and sage francis. Slug has become kind of a sell out since his last album, but i agree that hes still a pretty talented guy. Good stuff!
del rips it hands down
del schools all on this list
slug cannot be a sellout he and Ant just put out a album called “Free to Leak” its 6 tracks that are outstanding, Atmosphere also put out an album online called unreleased b-sides only a month before the last feature album. and a sellout without ant you wouldnt have brother ali atmosphere should get credit for producing so much they own rhymesayers without them theres no eyedae and abilities no brother ali or any of the countless artist on that label. and if you didnt know they also have a few albums under another label name for a few rock albums. thiese guys are insane everyone on this list is very talented
my bad its “LEak at Will” find it on torrents or sign up for the newsletter they released it right as the summer tour was ending, they also put on an insane show in clevelend i went too
Dude you must be the one sleepin.
Pharoe Monch,Dell the Funkee Homosapian,and Gift of Gab they been on the scene for a minute.I don’t know where you are from,but I live on the east coast andhave been listening to these brothers for years.As for your comment about Slug stretchin the limit,and not caring about what anybody thinks.Name me one rapper that does.I will check out the other artists you listed though,I’m always on the lookout for fresh new sound.Thanks.
Peace
You definitely should have included Cage, another tormented soul. His shit is sick as fuck, in more than one way.
yeh i have heard of all of them
What the fuck? Did you cats forget about Aesop Rock? Or is it just because his new shit sucks?
I’ve heard of every one. Way to dig deep, idiot.
what about busdriver? aesops old shit was alot better, new shit aint bad, del is still the man tho, atmosphere still throws it down, as for brother ali, just cause hes albino, he gets props, all though his lyrics are hit or miss, not a fan i guess.
P.O.S. you gotta give him props too
everyone knows who these dudes are… they are def not slept on
Everyone DOES NOT know who these guys are, actually. Go ask someone normal (not a true hip-hop head like yourself) if they know any of these emcees. You’ll notice in the title the word “PROBABLY” which refers to the general population that listens to music. Obviously, you know more about hip-hop than your normal person judging by your comment. I’m glad there’s still real hip-hop heads out there like you even if you disagree with my list. Be good, man.
Did you you mean the best rappers you’ve never heard of if you are a pillow chewin-sandbaggin-suburbanite-simpleton..
Lyrics Born? An abortion to the ears.. How about Cool Calm Pete to represent the Asian persuasion?
Left out Dose One…hard to handle at first but definitely the thinking mans emcee..Pure talent…Best lyrics
You’re claiming these are rappers that suburbanites would listen to and then you mention DOSE ONE??? Dose is sick but let’s not forget what he raps about: nothing. Just because you use big words and have a great sense of vocabulary doesn’t mean you’re a great rapper. Maybe if he could come off a little more coherent on subject matter he’d be better than Slug but he doesn’t so he’s not. Also, in regards to Dose and the fact that you seem to be slobbering over his peni, why don’t you go ask some people in Watts and Brooklyn if they’ve heard of Dose One. Next time leave the suburbanite part out because, unfortunately, you made yourself look WAY more suburbanite by mentioning Dose in the first place.
what about devin the dude? best hip hop show i’ve ever been to… oh and as far as heiro goes, opio and casual are way more ill than del. this list is not that great
Yes, Devin the Dude is a nice rapper but not the best. Want to see a great hip hop show, check out J5. Not taking anything away from Devin but he couldn’t hold a candle up to Charlie 2na.
Saying Casual and Opio are better than Del is laughable but we can all dream.
People Under The Stairs for the win.
Nice list! I really like all of these artists.
But come on: why not mention RA the rugged man? Check out his part on “uncommon valor: a vietnam story” on the Jedi Mind Tricks album “servants in heaven, kings in hell”. It’s ridiculous!
Good looking out. I will check out the Rugged Man. Thanks.
They say gangsta rap is dying. I tend to disagree, it’s just changing forms and merging with new styles. What we’re doing is a prime example. Check out Kryptik – V.I.P Ft. Crooked I, just google it, I don’t wanna spam a link. if far
I respect the fact that you put yourself out there. Good shit. But including Atmosphere, Blackalicious, Pharaohe Monch, Aceyalone and DEL… DEL man… is a bit arrogant. No disrespect, but I dont think you giving your audience enough credit.
Yes, the ‘average’ kat bumping Snoop (after he got all shiney with his sexual seducation..what happened to snoop?) and TPain might not know these dudes. But I think your average fan of hiphop is pretty up on all of these dudes.
Seriously, how can you not put Binary Star on this, or at least One Be Lo…Masters of the Universe is one of the best hip hop albums to drop this past decade and one of the most slept on. P.O.S. def should be on there, and definitely Brother Ali, Gift of Gab’s a given but Slug? C’mon now…he’s not one of the nicest…Oh and Elzhi and Black Thought should definitely been on this list if we’re talking about nicest rappers people ain’t heard about…Of course every knows The Roots..or should at least, but Black Thought is seriously slept on as an emcee..
Absolutely right. One-Be-Lo or Senim Silla NEEDS to be on here. Binary Star is one of the most profound and erudite hip hop groups I have ever heard. A very very strong contender
Seriously this list is retarded. If you would like the music of these artists then you have already heard of them, as they are pretty much some of the most famous and successful rappers in the backpack/underground category. You can’t really compare this music to what Lil Wayne, Jay Z, Eminem, E-40, etc.etc. do because they don’t play to the same audiences. You wouldn’t compare Led Zeppelin to the Beach Boys…and if you can’t conceptualize why that matters then you probably don’t understand music well enough deserve to even think you can make a list that matters.
Slow down, pedantic, you’re babbling about nonsense. The rappers you mentioned are just that: rappers. To say I know nothing about music just reinforces the fact that you know nothing about true hip hop. Good try though.
I like the list. Seems to me that a good chunk of the people I’ve talked to that listen to mainstream rap only listen because they don’t know where (or are too lazy to look for) new underground artists. Mainstream is “easy”.
I think it’s a great list that could possibly turn some “mainstreamers” on to more of an underground stream.
Keep it up.
Can find me, my hip hop, and free albums at: http://www.besatree.com
I kno it’ s not hip hop or rap, but the best ryhmes I ever heard were from Polar Bear, the spoken word artist, ‘jessica’ is mental. Roots Manuva is pretty standard too, but I’m assuming most of you kno him, the British ones at least.
I think that anyone from the Typical Cats should have been mentioned. Also Del did not write for Ice Cube and Ice Cube did not produce for Del. They are cousins on there mom’s side. I meet Del many times and chilled in SF with him.
FUCK Yes! Qwel!!!!!!!
if you havent yeard of the emcees on this list you should re-evaluate your life. you’ve wasted most of it already.
I agree with almost all of those artists on the list, i like el-p and p.o.s. doomtree in general has put out a lot of quality stuff and dessa’s badass!