[The Tens] The 10 Most Unappreciated Emcees In Hip Hop
In hip hop there is often talk of who the greatest rappers of all-time are. Unfortunately, that list isn’t gauged solely on skill. Rather, the so-called greatest rappers are shoved down our throats for a variety of things that have less to do with lyrical ability and more to do with commercial appeal. But then you have those emcees that are often forgotten about when the topic of great emcees comes up. These are rappers who have superb lyrical ability but for one reason or another are criminally slept on. So the good folks of TheWellVersed got together and we argued about who the most unappreciated lyricists are. We had a massive list of that we had to chop down to ten rappers. This isn’t a G.O.A.T. list so don’t ask questions about where Jay-Z is at. This list is all about those whose lyrical capability far too often goes unnoticed. And before you say “I’ve always thought such and such was dope, so how is he unappreciated,” remember that just because you like them doesn’t mean everyone else does too. In the case of emcees like Bun B and Redman, they don’t get enough credit for what they have accomplished on the mic. So, without further adieu, TWV presents The 10 Most Unappreciated Emcees in Hip Hop.
Blitz the Ambassador!
Illogic and maybe the late great Eyedea as well.I know he passed away but he should of had a better spotlight cast upon him while he was still alive. Copywrite too, damn it I think I could come up with my own list. There are a lot of under appreciated underground artists…
Dope post! pretty accurate list as well….. personally I voted for DOOM.
No women? What a shame
Which female rapper would you put above those? That’s why.
She’s on the poll, man.
Jean Grae.
I don’t know who these are all unappreciated by, because everyone on this list (aside from Bun B, maybe) have been some of my favorites for the better part of 10-20 years, respectively. Great article Dre, love this shit. Side note; I have the “Imperfections of Cee Lo Green” coming in on vinyl via Ebay this week :) Had to cop that classic.
I agree !! I’ve brought and supported everyone of the list on more than once occasion except for Bun B. No one on that list is under appreciated. Unless you’re talking about todays fans !!
I agree with this list. Been a huge fan of everyone for as long as they have been out. I voted for Doom. A few more I would say would be Blu, Elzhi, Ghostface, and Bahamadia.
I’m so glad someone finally mentioned Bahamadia…arguably the best female lyricist I have ever seen yet no one even knows the women exist. Go listen to “Rugged Ruff” if yall wanna see what I’m talking about…and I actually voted for Immortal Tech but DOOM is definitely worth the vote as well alongside Lupe
CL Smooth is honestly incredibly underrated. I´d also add Jeru The Damaja. Superskilled, easily on par with Pharoahe Monch. Elzhi perhaps? Raekwon? GZA?
I’ve been screaming for Years, and Years and years and years and years the DE LA SOUL is the most slept on group in Hip Hop History. Thanks for recognizing PLUG 1 my (Personal) favorite MC of all time. Peace to De La Soul.
Beast 1333 is the most lyrical of all! blows all these guys out the water. He in my opinion is the most unappreciated Emcee in the world. Check him out on google or on Immortal Techniques new album the Martyr.
asher roth anyone?
No AZ? Fuck Outta Here
That’s wat i’m saying !!!
R.A. The Rugged Man aka Crustified Dibbs. Legend in his own right. Totally agree with this list though.
No eLZHi?
No Black Milk?
Jesus Christ.
They’ve gotta be underrated to make an underrated list so here’s 10…sonny cheeba, esoteric, mc solaar, junior disprol, apathy, sage francis, eyedea, mac lethal, reks, virtuoso….you knows it.
Ghostface Killa — the wizard of poetry … pretty tony… Iron Man
Treach is the most underrated rapper of all time
WHERES CROOKED I?!
Really? A complete jack move.
http://www.steadybloggin.com/philaflavas-10-most-underrated-emcees-of-2011/
Tech N9ne and Z-Ro should be on top of this list.
That’s wat i’m saying !!!!!!
Bun B is off the chain, but I think than man you missed out with was CELPH TITLED. The gatalogs was the greatest four album single release ever
Joell Ortiz should def be on that list. He’s an animal & gets no love or respect.
Canibus and Killah Priest…..to deny them a place, if not in the top ten at least on the voting poll,
is a serious statement of disrespect…..
This is just the pefrcet answer for all forum members
K-Rino
K-Rino
K-Rino
K-Rino
yeah K-Rino should be on there too….
I second Blitz The Ambassador.
Number one on my list tho gotta be Last Emperor. He’s been gone for a while, but I’m having trouble finding any emcee at his level.
As for women, Akua Naru is off to a good start, hoping to see more from her. My future hopes are in her and Jay Electronica. If he’ll ever release an album.
Also: Cise Star & Akin from Cyne, Wise Intelligent from Poor Righteous Teachers.
murs should be on there. no west coast love at all on the list. and bun b us a legend, not unappreciated..
BEANIE SIGEL!!!
For a list of unappreciated emcees, they’re all pretty damn appreciated. Anyone with half an ounce of credibility would put at least half of them in their Top 10 list.
Joell Ortiz and Elzhi should have made the list….
I like how a blogger like Sean Deezil expects to steal an Eminem freestyle rhyme and pawn it off as his own (I doubt you even thought of Pos before he spit that rhyme on the BET Cyper). Stop biting, bitch nigga. Or give credit when credits due. Gone.
Dope list, Andreas. Much respect for placing Pharoahe Monch, Big Boi and Black Thought.
As this comment thread was going to turn into an opinion poll anyway, I’d have shouted for eLZhi, Royce Da 5’9″, Freeway and Consequence, too.
Rubbish. Who of these peolpe are underappreciated?
Word, I forgot about that steadybloogin post;
http://www.steadybloggin.com/philaflavas-10-most-underrated-emcees-of-2011/
I wouldnt consider guys like Redman or Brother Ali on a unappreciated list although Pos and Black’s names cant be listed enough. I’d replace Red and Ali with Brother J from X Clan and another Brooklyn Bomber A to the Z!.
Bgn TKO is right too! K Rino is out of this world too. He is crimnally underrated!
Aw, come on… no AZ? Really?
a good list for the most part, though i dont think cee-lo deserved to be there considering his recent success, even though he aint rapping…WHERE IS CANIBUS? he shud have been at the top of the list, considering how he is probably one of the most skilled mc’s to ever touch the mic, yet forgotten…
Pretty good list. I was surprised to see Pos, because he’s severely underrated and most don’t see that. His lyrics are on point. I usually see Redman in alot of top 20 lists, but he is slightly underappreciated. He does get credit, but not like he should..
To be one of the 15 greatest lyricists in hip-hop, he is slighted a little bit. I used to think it was a stigma about being from Jersey, because most hip-hop fans are fickle like that..
Chino XL hands down.
AB-SOUL & GILBERE FORTE!
Not even on the list K-RINO. Most under rated MC ever. Still spittin bar for bar in 2012 been doin it since 86 or longer