Who is on Rap's Mount Rushmore?

Who is on Rap's Mount Rushmore?
===================================
Subscribe: bit.ly/3EHhMms
Patreon: / theneedledrop
Official site: theneedledrop.com
Twitter: / theneedledrop
Instagram: / afantano
TikTok: / theneedletok
TND Twitch: / theneedledrop
===================================

[@Quinnsula5]

The aesop rock love is amazing. When it comes to lyrically complexity nobody beats Aesop. Now he truly be Aesop rock.

[@robert.halpern]

+1, also unrivaled by all except MF DOOM in the sheer number of quotables. Feels like every song has at least one but so many have more than that (e.g. Get Out of the Car)

[@wheelz1325]

I just finished listening to this guy. I had to listen to all his records at least 3 times. It's just bar after bar.

[@Quinnsula5]

I just more recently got into him but I'm completely blown away. Andre 3000 is my favorite rapper of all time and i think like the perfect example of a guy who is like top 5 in every aspect of rap even if not number 1. Kendrick is like my second favorite rapper as lyrically from a story tell and message stand point he is unmatched. Though Aesop is easily making it into my top as he just so smart and quirky in the best way. Like his rhyming ability is just crazy, and like his flow is also very good. Also catalog wise aesop definitely make it into that position but even if your not a fan he just to talent and clearly skilled to be in this range. Honestly mount might be Andre 3000, Kendrick, Aesop rock, MF Doom. (Though might change as still alot of classic rap I need to get more familiar with.)

[@Quinnsula5]

@robert.halpern Andre 3000 I also think can be in the quoteables or at least outkast as a whole as I feel like big boi and Andre made sure every song has one or a few kinda by there nature and style kinda fair to count them. Also with Andre 3000 he is not trying the same way Aesop or Doom kinda are to make these quoteables as there styles just means you get so many. I totally agree as there's like unmatched in this. Like Solo reprise is an example were basically every line is like a Quoteable or has that power lol.

[@Bonobopantherienbionique]

​@Quinnsula5 Damn are you Suavis ? Also GKMC or TPAB ? And why

[@lukefitton7329]

Rakim & Nas absolutely have to be there in my opinion. There are quite a few solid options for the other two slots.

[@Bonobopantherienbionique]

Kanye et Kendrick imo

[@fin183]

Biggie and Em

[@MNightTomalan]

Nas is my GOAT. But I'm not sure there's room for him on my Rushmore. When I think Rushmore, I think influence, who helped shape and inspire the most. Rakim is an absolute lock for raising the bar of lyricism and flow, the amount of all time greats standing on that giant's shoulder is beyond refute. NWA as well for pioneering the lyrical subject matter that would dominate rap for 40 years. I'd put Pac up there as a hearts and mind pick as he probably inspired more kids to pick up a mic than anyone else. Don't know who my final slot goes to, but I'm not sure it'd be Nas. Also worth saying I don't know enough about the history of production in hip hop, so I've only really considered the rappers themselves.

[@Arawn505]

The lady from Blondie and Thom Yorke on "A Wolf At The Door" for the other two slots

[@Bababahbhsyevbdg]

​@@MNightTomalan what is bro yapping about

[@cartermize6651]

“I’ve been ignored for longer than you’ve been interested.” - Aesop Rock Glad he’s getting love

[@Tocinos]

Rap is like a mountain. Logic is right in the middle. 🏔️

[@middaymeds]

Idk man I'd say he's 3/4 of the way to the top if we're using the Peter Griffin metric.

[@Tocinos]

@@middaymeds I didn't talk about my race on the whole first album but black versus white bullshit was still the outcome

[@vb2388]

MF DOOM Nas André 3000 Jay Z In terms of rapping ability, discography, artistry etc

[@MNightTomalan]

My top four is Nas, Andre 3K, Kendrick and Black Thought. But I don't think any of those make my Rushmore, because to me "a Rushmore" of anything should be based on a different criteria than simply greatness or personal taste. For me, Rushmore should be reserved for the most influential and gamechanging, the true architects and pioneers of their field. Rakim is an absolute lock. Isaac Newton once said on scientific progress "If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants". Nas, Andre, Biggie, Jay-Z, Black Thought, Em, and countless others, if you've ever praised a rapper for their lyricism or flow, it's very likely because they're standing on Rakim's shoulders. NWA have a similarly strong shout. They pioneered the lyrical subject matter that would dominate rap for the better part of 40 years. Just like Rakim, they have a murderers row of all time greats standing on their shoulders. Third name that comes to mind instantly is 2Pac, your favourite rapper's favourite rapper. He didn't influence the music or soundscape nearly as much as Rakim or NWA, but he's more a pick for hearts and minds. Between his early focus on conscious hip hop, his social commentary, and massive mainstream media presence, Pac was able to penetrate the cultural zeitgeist more than any other rapper did before or has since and I'd wager nobody inspired more kids to pick up a mic than him because of it. Beyond that I'm a bit stumped for a fourth name. I know less of hip hop before Rakim, and know even less about the art of production so nobody else stands out as much as Rakim, NWA or Pac. If I were to throw out some names, I'd say Run-DMC for shifting the instrumental focus away from disco/funk and into literally any genre the artist wanted, GMF for creating entirely new DJ techniques, Slick Rick for elevating and popularising storytelling, Kanye for reminding the industry that production can be just as expressionate as lyrics, or Em for massively popularising rap within the white populace.

[@eightbitace1234]

Here’s mine: Black Thought Jay Z Nas Kendrick

[@fin183]

Based

[@2007NissanAltima]

Gay z lol

[@default3252]

I feel like some of these people are just listing their top four. No disrespect to Aesop Rock for example but how is he Mount Rushmore? Do we not all agree that the "Mount Rushmore" of something is a fun way of saying four of the most important/influential? It's a tough question though. Maybe Kool Moe Dee, Rakim, Nas, 2Pac?

[@Tocinos]

HE'S NOT ONE OF THOSE MUMBLE CRAPPERS LIKE mf doom

[@middaymeds]

Mount Rushmore is just a way of saying top four, always has been. If it's about influence alone, then you have to put Em up there, and ehhh I really don't wanna do that. Influence isn't always positive.

[@scunning_]

​@@Tocinosyou don't have ears

[@Quinnsula5]

It's can be top 4 in terms if favorite or best but also like have top but kinda each bring there own thing to the table. For example with Aesop rock when it comes to wordplay, vocabulary, lyrical ability very few touch him.

[@fin183]

Aesop is the best abstract rapper

[@jasonforpresident5678]

Eminem, Tupac, Biggie, Kendrick

[@BaggedBread]

i like em but nas is better. even em would agree w that

[@adamseers]

MF DOOM, Kendrick, Jay-Z and idk who else

[@nicpayne8258]

Everybody is sleeping on Wyatt James New Level Check out Flawless Imperfections

[@alexandremartins9]

For me Rakim, Nas, Biggie and in the future maybe kendrick could enter that conversation, but rn I would say one of the Wu Tang members

[@doctorduncan]

0:49 I knew it

[@FeartheAnimalBeats]

Yooo shoutout Aesop!!

[@paxtonpods]

FINALLY SOMEONE SAYS GURU

[@jesuisunstroopwafel]

TWICE

[@TheGamesReal]

Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Jarobi White

[@plum999o]

You do gotta do Guru twice

[@mequana]

Kendrick, André, Tyler, El-P Honourable mentions: Pusha, Big Boi, Mike

[@bumba5897]

Rakim, Chuck D, Andre and Nas

[@SpiderJAAM]

To me is Kendrick, Eminem, Nas and Andre 3K. Honorable Mentions: MF DOOM, Mos Def, Aesop Rock, Ghostface Killah, Biggie and 2Pac. And if we talk about Hip Hop artistry, then Kanye and Dr. Dre would be up there too.

[@nr1771]

I recognize Slick Rick and Black Thought in the last photo, but who are the other two?

[@Tocinos]

Ghostface Killa on far left, Aesop Rock on far right.

[@Quinnsula5]

Not sure for the first one but last one is Aesop rock.

[@nr1771]

@@TocinosThank you!

[@jackgriffin8314]

Carti , Ken , Lone , Homixide

[@adamquenano8563]

Favorite MT.Rushmore: Eminem MFDOOM Andre 3000 Aesop Rock For an objective one: Jay-Z 2Pac Biggie Nas

[@aquitetiredguy2158]

No, the “objective one” is biased towards 90s rap, nothing from the 80s 2000s or 2010s

[@adamquenano8563]

@@aquitetiredguy2158 Rakim and Kane are People I have in place a second mt Rushmore

[@GavinRobles-mw2ww]

Nas needs more credit the illimatic is the best rap album of all time only rivaled by to pimp a butterfly

[@techzenmg]

Nas, Kanye, DOOM, and Biggie. Andre and Jay too maybe

[@AM-wt9ev]

Poor Em 😶

[@LCH.RawMan]

in my mount rushmore of all time would be 'Pac, Cube, Rakim and DMX in my mount rushmore of lyricists would be Crooked I, Eminem, Black Thought and Royce da 59

[@ballerbeans670]

Nas, Kendrick, Andre, Black Thought

[@Free-4554]

0:43 bro needs to get off the fentanyl😬

[@Der_Zeus]

I will just say Nas, Jay-Z, Kendrick & Biggie... Tupac not being there because I had to pick Biggie over him and Rakim not being there because Jay just had the much better career and more creative output. Lil Wayne doesn't have the consistent ALBUM Discography to be on there, much like Eminem doesn't have that. I know some of you lot would now question my Nas pick, but honestly I just truly believe Nas is as unique as it gets for being a true Poet on the mic. He has way too much skill for him to be disrespected and he has arguably made the best Album of the Genre of all time. That's why that would be my personal Rushmore. But I can understand people might have different tastes...

[@georgefoord7087]

Eminem, 2PAC, Ice Cube and Kendrick

[@HeavenlyMashups]

Eminem, Kanye West, Pusha-T, and Joey Bada$$ for me

[@dumpster_mcgee_96]

Nas, DMX, and Outkast, if we’re talking personal favorites. If we’re talking social influence, then it’s Nas, Jay-Z, Tupac, and Biggie.

[@thialhoinj1971]

Kanye, Eminem and kendrick have made more classic albums.

[@dumpster_mcgee_96]

@@thialhoinj1971 edit: Tl,dr: I can accept Kendrick (he’d definitely make my top 10, maybe even top 5 depending on the day), but Em and Ye are too uneven. you could talk me into putting Kendrick in DMX’s place, but Kanye and Eminem have had too many flops in my opinion. Kanye has been kinda downhill post-808’s and Eminem has been 50/50 at best for the last 20 years. Yes, Kanye’s College trilogy and Eminem’s SSLP and MMLP are legendary, but they kinda lost their edge. Sure, Ye and Donda were good, but not “best of the best” good. Outkast stayed on a high note from beginning to end and Nas is still making bangers to this day.

[@thialhoinj1971]

@@dumpster_mcgee_96 eminem has the a decade of Dominance, the best 3 albume run ever. Unless you say kanye isn't a rappers you can't deny he has the best discography in rap even in music. The guy has made like 8 classic albums. It's not up for debate kanye is the best artist of all rappers. Nas, jay-z, pac, biggie is a great list tho.

[@dumpster_mcgee_96]

@@thialhoinj1971 I don’t think all of Kanye’s albums are classics. Yeezus was alright, Jesus is King was an interesting trial, and Watch the Throne wasn’t as good as it should’ve been. Eminem has an amazing three album run, but he’s never recaptured that magic for more than a song at a time in the last 20 years. If you’d put them on your list, I absolutely respect that and, depending on the day, I may even get behind it, but I personally think that there are better, more consistently good artists. If we were just talking highest highs, then they’d absolutely have a shot at the top 4.

[@nrenjenightmare5708]

My guy completely disregarded MBDTF. But yeah, Kanye ain't up there. I think Biggie, Nas and Rakim are 100% up there

[@Irish_Potato_egg]

My all time: 1. Nasir Jones 2. Biggie 3. Aesop Rock 4. Big L This year: 1. Nasir Jones 2. Aesop Rock 3. J. Cole 4. Kenny Lamarison

[@CoOl-yc6er]

Nas, Big, Pac, Scarface

[@justinmacdonald6289]

MF DOOM Jay Z Eazy E Kendrick Purely on Influence and ability to preform elite level tracks with consistency

[@casamigosocean]

Aesop rock sneak 😭

[@doglog3934]

Fym, Aesop is goated

[@jaycyclondo]

Aight, ima look way to deep into this here. Get ready. So, we’re prioritising two main things for this, quality and importance to the genre, their impact and influence. But that isnt the only thing I think needs taken into account, I think those who perfect a style that they didnt create should also get representation, such as Nas, who is my first pick. Definitely a lock for me. Imo he is the greatest rapper of all time, bringing Rakim’s revolutionary use of rhyme schemes and literary devices even further and changing the game forever, with arguably the best rap album ever made, he is one of the greatest in my eyes for this. I could go on more about nas, but itd go on for a while and I think my second pick would be the one who I just mentioned, Rakim. He was the first to really push how rhyme schemes, flows, etc to a fully impressive level, he has classic albums and revolutionised the genre as a whole. You could switch him for other names like Big Daddy Kane or KRS-One or even Kurtis Blow, but I think Rakim done it best and most skilfully. I would include the other names i mentioned for doing very similar things, but I want to bring in some representation for other eras rather than exclusively the founders, which is why my next pick would be Kanye. While not the greatest rapper, he is a phenomenal producer who has blended, changed and created some of the most interesting sounds in hiphop to fit his humourous style while tackling some deep and introspective concepts. I also think he has one of the greatest discographies in rap, and his influence is undeniable. Of course his production alone isnt what gets him here, he wouldnt even be my go to for a producer exclusive rushmore, Id have J Dilla, Madlib, and Dre above him, theres an argument to be had for the fourth spot there tho, anyways im getting sidetracked waffling on here. Lastly, with most of the greatest influences being covered, I think it comes down to quality mostly for the last pick, while still holding a great influence and importance. You could go for Kendrick as a more modern answer, maybe JayZ, Biggie, Lil Wayne, DOOM, maybe even Eminem, but ultimately I choose Andre 3000, him and big boi put Atlanta on the map while rap was dominated entirely by NY and LA, and he has one of the greatest hiphop discographies with outkast, amazing lyricism, versatility, unique flows, and paved the way for Atlanta to flourish in the coming decades. His influence extents out of ATL tho, with his way of forming flows being replicated by many. So, in conclusion: Nas, Rakim, Kanye West, Andre 3000 I would definitely not be opposed to names like Big Daddy Kane, Tupac, DOOM, Kendrick, JayZ, KRS-One, Lil Wayne, Biggie or Ice Cube making an appearance either

[@fin183]

Bro forgot eminem

[@jaycyclondo]

@@fin183 if you want, he just isnt as important as the ones I named. The most he done was bring rap to a white and suburban audience, which was revolutionary dont get me wrong, but I feel like impacting the actually internal genre is whats more important for this conversation, to which he hasnt done an extraordinary amount

[@fin183]

@@jaycyclondo but he is the best lyricist oat in my opinion so I think he deserves to be there solely based on his pen game

[@jaycyclondo]

@@fin183 thats kinda subjective tho, id disagree. Nas, DOOM, Black Thought and maybe even Kendrick would be ahead of Em on pure, raw lyricism for me.

[@owengreaves9997]

👏👏👏

[@nbabackcourtmedia]

I would go Andre 3000, Kendrick, Lauryn Hill, Nas

[@middaymeds]

Not enough output from Lauryn to be there, but I understand the impulse to put her there based on quality alone.

[@nbabackcourtmedia]

@@middaymeds not a ton of output sure but she’s far and away one of my favorites ever and her impact is insane, so I gotta put her up there.

[@Kacpermenix]

Eminem, Tupac, Biggie, Jay Z

[@OffTheHenny]

Kendrick needs to be on there idc who else

[@popeisyiyi1613]

MF DOOM Black Thought Nas Andre 3000

[@G.H.M.]

Mine is Nas, Lil Wayne, Eminem, and Kendrick

[@smugod]

I feel like Jay Z and Kendrick need to be on there, and I would either put Biggie and Pac or Nas and MF DOOM

[@RogueSpartan2958]

Heat me out: Wayne Tyler Kendrick Rocky

[@leprechaunlake]

Eminem, outkast, 2pac, and wutang

[@FeartheAnimalBeats]

MF DOOM, black thought, Kdot, Aesop rock

[@Ismael-kc3ry]

Nas, Kendrick, Black Thought, JID

[@andreasmller-srensen7255]

Nas, Kendrick, Andre 3000, MF DOOM

[@tylerhackner9731]

Nas, Kendrick, 2pac, biggie, jay-z

[@sidtheshuckle]

My mt Rushmore is Nas Ghost Tupac and Biggie yea ik it sounds generic but at least give me flowers for putting ghost in here

[@lovethelord7330]

Nf is fire

[@EJFF.]

Nas, Big, Pac, Jay-Z. Any other artists makes no sense, when you think of rappers those are the undisputed legends.

[@leobergmiller873]

🐐s: Nas, Andre 3k, Jay-Z, Kendrick Rushmore: Rakim, Nas, 2pac, Kanye (could maybe switch 2pac out for Jay-Z or Eminem)

[@IronCardinal181]

Rakim/Andre3000/BIG/Pac

[@TenguTalks]

Kendrick Run-DMC Missy Elliot Biggie

[@doglog3934]

Wasted ur spot by putting Missy Elliot

[@Heavy_In_240P]

Kendrick, Peggy, MF DOOM, Nas

[@Itlit44]

JID, Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott, j.cole

[@alonargus]

Black Thought

[@-Akkus]

Mount rapmore.

[@owengreaves9997]

Tupac Nas Biggie and Rakim if it’s the greatest/top figures Nas Doom Pac 3k if it’s personal

[@20usuario]

80s: Rakim 90s: Nas 2000s: Eminem 2010s: Lupe Fiasco

[@HeavenlyMashups]

What about 2020's?

[@enton0858]

​@@HeavenlyMashupsice spice

[@josh-qj2zu]

Mori calliope with 4 different expressions

[@lugarespecial]

Chance The Rapper Logic Nav Ronnie Radke

[@dripp_dropp]

kanye, kendrick, nas, DOOM

[@jackied962]

Vanilla Ice, Eminem, Riff Raff, Jack Harlow

[@RyanTheSharkie69]

No marky mark?

[@Nootathotep]

Four Kendrick voices

[@EthanLoi.]

Chuck D Andre 3000 Kendrick Lamar

[@teabagmcguffin409]

Redman Nas Guru Lil' Wayne

[@Thron2111]

How is beastie boys one head on Mount Rushmore?

[@wheelz1325]

MF DOOM WU TANG (EVERYONE) NAS Kendrick Lamar

[@EveForbiddenFruit]

The disrespect for Debbie Harry hurts my soul

[@hypersnake7904]

Kanye, Kendrick, Dilla, Rakim

[@xxx_donvanvliet_xxx]

2pac Nas Eminem Wayne

[@youngbricksyg266]

Id go Dre, rakim, ice t, & probably kanye, id probably say that they're the most influential hh artists oat, you could throw kool mo dee in there too, or melle mel, even tho i hate melle mel, cant deny his influence & impact on the game

[@Jacob_Hingst]

DOOM, Kendrick, Andre 3000, Lil Xan

[@RecruitedAndrew]

L,L,L,W

[@vamburker5950]

MF DOOM, kendrick, 2pac, biggie

[@yemescudi]

Kanye, Kendrick, Drake and J Cole are the right answer.

[@dudubungles9679]

Aesop Rock MF doom Biggie Nas :)

[@joshiepx_]

Ye, Kendrick, Jay-Z, Eminem

[@noahjohnson8246]

Not people disrespecting blondie I’m done for

[@isaacnewton3514]

Jay Z Nas Tupac Biggie

[@NIGHT-GAURD]

My picks Brockhampton Ween Tyler the creator MF DOOM

[@thehellenkelleroftrashtalk244]

Bro kanye talked about u

[@ninjasrose1653]

On (my) Mount Rushmore... 1. Nas 2. KA 3. MF DOOM 4. billy woods 5. Ghostface Killah

[@dudubungles9679]

Ghost love ❤

[@TheMorganRose]

Rakim, KRS-One, Chuck D, Big Daddy Kane as far as the architects of the genre

[@xenophon2199]

Aesop rock deserves it

[@debonaire_nerd]

The Mount Rushmore of rap is dictated by Blackstone. See what I did there? In any event, rap has no place in rock. There, I said it.

[@Darwinmonkey]

kanye kanye kanye kanye

[@Tocinos]

once and once and once

[@Mighty_Atheismo]

Day 21 of asking you to bring back Cal Chuchesta

[@blind3d.4]

aesop rock, mf doom, kendrick lamar, jay z is the objectively correct answer

[@blind3d.4]

/hj not objective obviously

[@thatsafactjacksampson]

a bunch of people did the "only white people are on MY list" trick (yes, i know some of them are jokes)

[@Tocinos]

After all, rap is like a mountain.

[@20usuario]

Well, mostly white boys love meatride tyler, kanye, kendrick and all these black folks

[@weenieh23]

Logic Tom McDonald MGK G Eazy and Dream

[@0ddst0ff33]

Imagine lmao

[@weenieh23]

@@0ddst0ff33 definitely close to a few white dudes picks

[@0ddst0ff33]

@@weenieh23 I don't think Tom McDonald fans even know who Logic is, I posted a pic of Kendrick to there Reddit asking what there thoughts were and they said "I don't know who that guy is, I don't listen to igsinificant artists"

[@SJMAOS]

Dr Dre should be on mount Rushmore. Il

[@Metal_Screamer]

Nas, Biggie, Aesop Rock, Kendrick.

[@DavidDobbins-lz4ou]

Eminem Rakim Biggie 2Pac

[@hsf__]

Rakim pac em kanye

[@awokeninsanity]

big L MF DOOM black thought krs one

[@lrba5524]

Gimme Grandmaster Flash, Rakim, Nas, and Kendrick. Maybe swap Rakim for Chuck D. You could prolly swap Kendrick for Kanye, but fuck Kanye. Anyway, i think that list does a pretty good job covering all your bases when it comes to the most linear progression of hip hop which i think is Early Innovations - Golden Era - Gangsta Rap - ... idk whatever you call this era. West Coast Pop Rap?

[@MelMelodyWerner]

easy. Lil Baby Baby Keem DabBaby Baby Yung