The Most Famous Rappers & Hiphop Music Artists of All Time
The phrase “most famous rappers’ is used to describe Hip-Hop artists who are exceptionally popular. It has nothing to do with wealth, wards, or lyrical dexterity. However, to be famous as a rapper, you need to meet the criteria listed in the previous sentence.
This article will discuss the 10 most famous rappers of all time according to Viz Crapht. Kindly read further and get the full details.
10 Most Famous Rappers of All Time According to Viz Crapht
Here are our 10 most famous rappers of all time:
1. Tupac Shakur
Tupac Shakur‘s mum and many of his family were members of The Black Panther revolutionary party and their beliefs informed Shakur’s music. Shakur was particularly concerned with the struggles and violence of inner-city life.
His five studio rap albums including ‘Me Against the World’ and All Eyez on Me’ remain very influential.
Pac became involved in the East Coast – West Coast Hip Hop rivalry, particularly with Notorious B.I.G. which to an assault on Shakur in 1994. In 1995 Shakur was convicted on sexual assault charges and served 11 months.
In September 1996 he was shot in a drive-by shooting by an unknown shooter and died in hospital six days later.
Born: June 16, 1971
Birthplace: East Harlem, New York, USA
Generation: Generation X
Chinese Zodiac: Pig
Star Sign: Gemini
Died: September 13, 1996 (aged 25)
Cause of Death: Murdered in a drive-by shooting
2. Snoop Dogg
After being discovered by Dr. Dre in 1992, Snoop rose to fame as a rapper and has sold over 30 million albums worldwide.
Born: October 20, 1971
Birthplace: Long Beach, California, USA
Age: 52 years old
Generation: Generation X
Chinese Zodiac: Pig
Star Sign: Libra
3. Jay-Z
Jay-Z is arguably the most successful rapper ever. He is also one of the most critically acclaimed, his most popular albums include “Reasonable Doubt” (1996), “The Blueprint” (2001), and “The Black Album” (2003). Jay-Z announced his retirement from rapping in 2003, only to return in 2006.
Jay-Z went into music management roles, becoming President of the Def Jam label, signing Rihanna, and fostering Kayne West’s career. Jay-Z has continued to expand his business empire, starting Roc Nation, an entertainment company, a clothing line, and a sports bar chain.
In 2008 Jay-Z married singer Beyoncé Knowles, and the couple have collaborated on some projects.
Born: December 4, 1969
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
Age: 54 years old
Generation: Generation X
Chinese Zodiac: Rooster
Star Sign: Sagittarius
4. Eminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III, known professionally as Eminem, is an American rapper who revolutionized hip hop in Middle America and is lauded as one of the genre’s greatest artistes. Eminem’s extensive impact included breaking racial barriers for white lyricists and embodying the voice of the American underclass, transcending music boundaries, and influencing artists across various genres.
Eminem’s career started with the release of his debut album Infinite in 1996 and continued with the Slim Shady EP in 1997. He then signed with Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Entertainment, which led to his mainstream breakthrough with The Slim Shady project in 1999. His subsequent albums, The Marshall Mathers Project in 2000 and The Eminem Show in 2002 achieved global success and were Grammy-nominated for Album of the Year.
Following Encore in 2004, Eminem faced a period of prescription drug addiction, prompting a break in 2005. He made a triumphant return in 2009 with Relapse and upheld his musical strength with Recovery in 2010, the year’s best-selling album worldwide. His later works, such as The Marshall Mathers LP 2 in 2013, Revival in 2017, Kamikaze in 2018, Music to Be Murdered By in 2020, and Death of Slim Shady, maintained his presence.
In addition to his music pursuit, Eminem took to the screen with the semi-autobiographical film 8 Mile in 2002. His song “Lose Yourself” from the film’s soundtrack won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. He has further extended his influence by founding Shady Records with Paul Rosenberg, boosting the careers of rap artists like 50 Cent and D12.
Eminem’s record sales exceed 220 million globally, designating him as one of the world’s best-selling artistes. He reigned as the best-selling music artist in the US during the 2000s and 2010s. His accolades include 15 Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, and his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.
Born: October 17, 1972
Birthplace: St. Joseph, Missouri, USA
Age: 51 years old
Generation: Generation X
Chinese Zodiac: Rat
Star Sign: Libra
5. Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., popularly known as Lil Wayne, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter who rose to prominence as one of the most influential hip-hop artists of his generation. He is also the CEO of Young Money Entertainment.
Born in New Orleans, his entrance to the music industry came at the young age of 11 when he joined Cash Money Records, beginning a career that would span decades. He had early success in a group project with Hot Boys, followed by his multi-platinum debut solo project Tha Block Is Hot in 1999.
Growing up in the Hollygrove neighborhood of New Orleans, Carter had a challenging childhood. At the age of two, his parents divorced, and he was subsequently raised by his mum, a cook, who had him when she was just 19 years old. Carter’s father left the family, leaving his stepfather Reginald “Rabbit” McDonald to be the man he considered his real father.
Lil was a bright student who was placed in a gifted program at Lafayette Elementary School and later attended Eleanor McMain Secondary School. However, he dropped out at age 14 to dedicate himself to music. At 12 years old, young Wayne endured a self-inflicted gunshot wound, which he later characterized as a suicide attempt.
Carter’s early career saw him join Hot Boys in 1997, with their debut project Get It How U Live! quickly followed by Guerrilla Warfare in 1999. His breakout project, Tha Block Is Hot, also released in 1999, went platinum. Subsequent albums Lights Out in 2000, and 500 Degreez in 2002, continued to build his reputation, with the former achieving gold certification.
Between 2004 and 2006, Carter released Tha Carter and Tha Carter II, which demonstrated his developing talents. During this period, he also collaborated with mentor Birdman on the album Like Father, Like Son in 2006. His mixtapes and features on tracks like “Gimme That” by Chris Brown and “Make It Rain” by Fat Joe maintained his momentum as a rising star.
Tha Carter III, released in 2008, became a landmark achievement for Carter, selling over a million copies in its first week and earning him four Grammy Awards. He followed up with We Are Young Money, a collaborative effort from his label’s roster in 2009, and his experimental rock-influenced album Rebirth in 2010. I Am Not a Human Being and Tha Carter IV were also released during this period, with the latter selling 964,000 copies in its initial week.
After announcing Tha Carter V in 2014, Carter faced legal battles with Cash Money Records, which delayed its release. He subsequently released the Free Weezy Album in 2015 and finally, Tha Carter V in 2018, marking the resolution of his contract issues. In 2020, Funeral debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, and as of 2023, Carter released the single “Kat Food” while working on Tha Carter VI.
In his personal life, Carter has four children with different mothers, and while he has been engaged multiple times, he has not married. His health has been a topic of concern due to several seizures attributed to a neurological condition, which he openly addresses.
His philanthropic work includes the One Family Foundation, and he has delved into various business ventures like the cannabis industry and sports media. In 2021, he was pardoned by President Donald Trump, following a series of legal issues, including arrests and lawsuits.
Born: September 27, 1982
Birthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Age: 41 years old
Generation: Millennial
Chinese Zodiac: Dog
Star Sign: Libra
6. The Notorious B.I.G.
Born Christopher Wallace in Bedford-Stuyvesant, New York The Notorious B.I.G. was a pioneering gangsta rapper famous for his rivalry with West Coast rapper Tupac Shakur who was shot and killed a mere six months after Tupac himself.
After a youth spent dealing in drugs and performing under the name ‘Biggie Smalls’, Wallace was signed by Sean Combs to Uptown Records and later followed him to Combs’ own label Bad Boy. In 1993 he made his recording debut on Mary J. Blige’s “Real Love” remix, releasing his debut album “Ready to Die” in September 1994. The album was a major success selling over four million copies and spawned a number of successful singles.
After West Coast rap star Tupac Shakur was shot and robbed in November 1994, Shakur, who survived, accused Combs and Wallace of planning the attack. This initiated a heated rivalry between the West and East coast rappers and the two artists continued to taunt each other through their music.
Run-ins with the law followed before Shakur was murdered in September 1996 in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas. Wallace’s own death followed in March 1997 when he was shot in a car leaving a party in Los Angeles. The case remains unsolved with a number of documentaries and books suggesting various theories.
Wallace’s second album “Life After Death” was released as planned, the title now ironic. It was major success and Wallace became the first artist to achieve two No. 1 pop hits posthumously for “Hypnotize” and “Mo Money, Mo Problems”. Combs, now called “Puff Daddy” and Wallace’s wife Faith Evans later recorded the single “I’ll Be Missing You” in his memory which went on to win a Grammy and become one of the best-selling singles of the year.
Born: May 21, 1972
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
Generation: Generation X
Chinese Zodiac: Rat
Star Sign: Gemini
Died: March 9, 1997 (aged 24)
Cause of Death: Murdered in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles
7. Kanye West
Consistently recognized as one of the greatest and most controversial artists of the 21st century, West’s musical innovation on albums such as The College Dropout, Graduation, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and Yeezus won him plaudits from music commentators and commercial success. With a total of 21 Grammy Awards to his name, he is one of the most awarded artists of all time.
Outside of music, his controversial actions at award ceremonies – in particular his interruption of Taylor Swift at the 2009 MTV Music Awards – and his outspoken nature have generated much negative publicity. His work in fashion and his marriage to reality TV star Kim Kardashian have also been the subject of intense media scrutiny.
Born: June 8, 1977
Birthplace: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Age: 47 years old
Generation: Generation X
Chinese Zodiac: Snake
Star Sign: Gemini
8. 50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III, better known as 50 Cent, is an American rapper, actor, and entrepreneur who came to fame with his 2003 album Get Rich or Die Tryin’ and further established his presence in the industry by founding G-Unit Records the same year.
With a successful leap into television, particularly as the producer of the series Power from 2014 to 2020, and with over 30 million albums sold globally, 50 Cent has won numerous awards, including a Grammy, and Billboard has named him one of the best rappers of all time.
Born in Queens, New York, Jackson’s mother died when he was young, leading him to be raised by his grandparents. With a troubled youth that included boxing since age 11 and involvement in drug dealing, he faced serious consequences by age 19, serving six months in boot camp for a narcotics charge.
Adopting the moniker “50 Cent,” inspired by a Brooklyn criminal of the 80s, Jackson embarked on his music career with guidance from Jam Master Jay. His initial popularity grew from the controversial track “How to Rob,” but it was his brush with death from a shooting in 2000 and the subsequent release of the mixtape Guess Who’s Back? in 2002 that set the stage for his major breakthrough.
Eminem’s discovery of Jackson in 2002 was a pivotal moment, leading to a record deal and the release of his celebrated album Get Rich or Die Tryin’. However, the period was also marked by rivalries, including a high-profile feud with Ja Rule and various legal issues.
2003 saw Jackson’s venture into the business world with the establishment of G-Unit Records, which boosted the careers of artists like Lloyd Banks and Young Buck.
Jackson’s second album, The Massacre in 2005, confirmed his status, but his subsequent work, including Curtis in 2007 and Before I Self Destruct in 2009, experienced a drop in sales. He attempted a musical comeback with Animal Ambition in 2014, but by then, his focus was shifting more towards his film and TV production efforts, with Power becoming a notable success.
Beyond the entertainment world, Jackson saw significant financial gain from his investment in VitaminWater, especially after its acquisition by Coca-Cola. Additionally, he ventured into book publishing and launched a line of headphones. His philanthropic work includes the G-Unity Foundation and a goal to feed a billion people in Africa through a partnership.
Jackson’s personal life has not been without controversy, including legal challenges and disputes with other rappers such as Ja Rule, The Game, and Rick Ross. As a father of two sons, Marquise and Sire, he has lived in various residences, notably a Connecticut mansion previously owned by Mike Tyson.
Born: July 6, 1975
Birthplace: Queens, New York, USA
Age: 49 years old
Generation: Generation X
Chinese Zodiac: Rabbit
Star Sign: Cancer
9. Kendrick Lamar
Labeled the “new king of hip-hop”, Kendrick Lamar has won 17 Grammy awards and in 2018 became the first rapper to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music for his album “Damn”, marking a significant milestone for the music genre.
In 2022, he co-headlined the Emmy Award-winning Super Bowl half-time show.
Born: June 17, 1987
Birthplace: Compton, California, USA
Age: 37 years old
Generation: Millennial
Chinese Zodiac: Rabbit
Star Sign: Gemini
10. Nicki Minaj
Minaj stayed with her grandmother in Trinidad until the age of 5, when she and her brother re-joined their parents in Queens, New York City. She graduated from Fiorello LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, in Manhattan.
She has sold over 100 million records worldwide. Behind only Taylor Swift, Minaj is the female artist with the second-most entries on the Hot 100 (including solo and features), accumulating over 100 chart entries. Her nineteen top 10 singles are the most for any female rapper.
She has won severals awards, including 8 American Music Awards; 12 BET Awards; 5 MTV Awards; 4 Billboard Music Awards; and a Brit Award. Billboard ranked her as No. 7 in their Top 10 Female Artists of the 2010’s, as well as the No. 1 female rapper.
Born: December 8, 1982
Birthplace: Saint James, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Age: 41 years old
Generation: Millennial
Chinese Zodiac: Dog
Star Sign: Sagittarius
The list of mos famous rappers of all time is endless. However, the names discussed above are our top 10. KIndly drop a comment in the sectipn below regarding your perception of the list.
