swap_horiz Biz Markie Alternatives

1

Public Enemy

Public Enemy emerged in the late 1980s as a politically charged hip-hop group known for dense, layered production and co...

Political 80S East Coast Conscious

9.3 Excellent

2

Rakim

Rakim, born Raymond Miles Scott, revolutionized hip-hop lyricism in the late 1980s with his complex rhyme schemes, inter...

Pioneer 80S East Coast Lyricist

9.3 Excellent

3

N.W.A

N.W.A., formed in Compton, California, rose to prominence in the late 1980s with their raw and confrontational depiction...

80S West Coast Group Gangsta

9.2 Excellent

4

Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five

Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five were pioneers of hip-hop music, developing innovative DJ techniques like quick mi...

Pioneer 70S Group Old School

9.2 Excellent

5

Run-DMC

Run-DMC revolutionized hip-hop with their stripped-down, minimalist sound—characterized by heavy drum machines, turntabl...

Pioneer 80S East Coast Group

9.1 Excellent

6

Eric B. & Rakim

Eric B. & Rakim released their seminal debut album *Paid in Full* in 1990, establishing Rakim as one of the most influen...

New York 80S Duo Golden Age

9.1 Excellent

7

Beastie Boys

The Beastie Boys, formed in the early 1980s, were a highly influential American hip-hop group known for their eclectic b...

Pioneer 80S East Coast Rap Rock

9.0 Excellent

8

LL Cool J

Jason James Everett, known professionally as LL Cool J, rose to prominence in the early 1980s as a pioneering figure in...

Classic Solo East Coast Old School

8.7 Great

9

Slick Rick

Ricky Walters, known professionally as Slick Rick, rose to prominence in the late 1980s with his distinctive storytellin...

Classic Storytelling Solo Old School

8.7 Great

10

Big Daddy Kane

Big Daddy Kane was a highly regarded and technically skilled rapper of the late 1980s and early 1990s, known for his int...

Solo 80S East Coast Lyricist

8.6 Great

11

GZA

GZA, a member of the influential Native Tongues collective, is recognized for his meticulously crafted, densely lyrical,...

New York Lyrical 1990S Rap

8.6 Great

12

Raekwon

Raekwon, a core member of the Wu-Tang Clan, is recognized for his intricate storytelling and vivid depictions of street...

New York 1990S Rap Wu Affiliate

8.5 Great

13

Pete Rock & CL Smooth

Pete Rock and CL Smooth emerged from the burgeoning Native Tongues collective in the late 1980s, crafting critically acc...

New York 1990S Duo Rap

8.3 Great

14

Salt-N-Pepa

Salt-N-Pepa were a pioneering female rap duo from Queens, New York, who rose to prominence in the late 1980s and early 1...

Classic Group Old School Female Mc

8.0 Great

15

Ultramagnetic MCs

The Ultramagnetic MCs, formed in the Bronx in 1988, are renowned for their densely layered, technically complex lyricism...

Experimental 80S Group Old School

7.9 Good

16

Doug E. Fresh

Doug E. Fresh was a pioneering American rapper and beatboxer known for his elaborate, multi-instrumental live performanc...

Classic Solo Harlem Old School

7.8 Good

17

Aesop Rock

Aesop Rock is a critically acclaimed American rapper known for his complex, densely layered lyricism delivered with rapi...

New York 2000S Abstract Rap

7.8 Good

18

Brand Nubian

Brand Nubian emerged in the early 1990s as a prominent voice within Native Tongues collective, known for their political...

New York 90S Conscious Group

7.8 Good

19

Kurtis Blow

Kurtis Blow was a pioneering figure in hip-hop music, credited with popularizing the use of sampling and establishing hi...

Classic New York Solo Pioneer

7.4 Good

20

Roxanne Shanté

Roxanne Shanté rose to prominence in the early 1980s as a prominent figure within New York’s burgeoning hardcore rap sce...

Female 80S Old School Queens

7.2 Good