Best Rap
Updated Daily
Kendrick Lamar remains a benchmark for lyrical excellence and thematic depth in contemporary rap. His albums are often cohesive, narrative-driven works that tackle complex social, racial, and personal issues with unmatched poetic skill. He masterfully blends jazz influences with modern trap sounds,...
Lazy Sunday is a Saturday Night Live Digital Short that aired in 2005 and helped establish the show's online-short format. Created by the Lonely Island and performed by Andy Samberg and Chris Parnell, it presents the two as earnest rappers spending a low-key day in New York. Their rhymes center on m...
The Notorious B.I.G., born Christopher Wallace in Brooklyn, New York, was an American rapper who became one of the most influential figures in East Coast hip-hop. His debut album 'Ready to Die' (1994) is widely regarded as a landmark of the genre, featuring singles like 'Juicy' and 'Big Poppa.' He w...
I'm on a Boat is a 2009 comedy rap song by the Lonely Island featuring singer T-Pain. Presented as a Saturday Night Live Digital Short, its video follows Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer, and T-Pain as they extravagantly celebrate a yacht trip while Jorma Taccone is left behind. The song parodies boastf...
"Natalie's Rap" is a digital short that aired on Saturday Night Live in 2006, featuring actress Natalie Portman in an unexpected departure from her typical roles. The three-minute segment shows Portman adopting an aggressive gangsta rap persona, explicitly contradicting her public image with profani...
"Jack Sparrow" is a 2011 Saturday Night Live Digital Short and musical comedy video produced by The Lonely Island. The premise involves the comedy trio attempting to record a standard, upbeat club rap about the nightlife at a club, only to be repeatedly interrupted by singer Michael Bolton. Bolton,...
The ongoing conflict between Drake and Kendrick Lamar represents a significant rivalry within contemporary hip-hop. Both artists are central figures in modern rap, achieving immense commercial success and critical acclaim. Their exchanges, primarily through diss tracks like Kendrick’s ‘Not Like Us,’...
GZA is a highly respected New York rapper known for his complex lyricism and profound delivery within the hip-hop genre. He gained prominence as a member of the Wu-Tang Clan and later through his critically acclaimed solo work, particularly *Liquid Swords*. His dense, often abstract style makes him...
Tyler the Creator continues to defy genre conventions with his experimental and innovative approach to hip-hop. His production skills are as impressive as his rapping ability, creating a unique and distinctive sound. His willingness to push boundaries and challenge expectations has earned him criti...
Raekwon is a New York rapper known primarily for his contributions to Wu-Tang Clan’s legacy. His distinctive style, often categorized as “mafioso rap,” offers detailed narratives of urban life and criminal activity. He is particularly appreciated by hip-hop fans and music critics who value complex l...
Friendos is a rap video sketch from the April 14, 2018, episode of Saturday Night Live hosted by Donald Glover. It features Glover, Chris Redd, and Kenan Thompson as members of the hip-hop group Migos attending group therapy, with Kenan Thompson playing Quavo, Chris Redd as Offset, and Glover as Tak...
Lil Wayne is a highly influential American rapper who achieved widespread recognition during the late 1990s and 2000s. His innovative lyrical style and prolific recording output shaped southern hip-hop and established Young Money as a significant force. He remains a respected figure within the rap g...
Anomaly is a 2014 studio album by American Christian hip-hop artist Lecrae, released through Reach Records. It combines rap with explicitly Christian themes while addressing identity, faith, social expectations, and the tension between commercial culture and personal conviction. The album debuted at...
"Rap Album Confessions" is a comedy sketch from the television series "Key & Peele" that parodies the concept of authenticity in gangsta rap. Set in a recording studio, the sketch features two rappers whose verses inadvertently confess to highly specific, unsolved crimes. As they continue to record,...
Freddie Gibbs, formerly Mykal Watts, is a prominent hip-hop artist recognized for his deeply introspective lyrics. He delivers raw narratives centered on experiences within Gary, Indiana and broader themes of street life, addiction, and interpersonal relationships. His work resonates with listeners...
Christopher "Big Pun" Arnold Scott was a prominent hip-hop artist known for his intensely lyrical style and powerful delivery. His work, rooted in the Bronx's underground scene and part of the Terror Squad group, showcased a raw talent that resonated with audiences. Big Pun’s impact on rap is signif...
Pete Rock and CL Smooth emerged from the burgeoning Native Tongues collective in the late 1980s, crafting critically acclaimed, jazz-infused hip-hop with seminal tracks like “Umin Possible” and “Mecca.” Their music prioritized soulful samples and introspective lyricism, establishing a distinctive so...
Earl Sweatshirt is a prominent American hip-hop artist recognized for his intensely personal and abstract lyricism. His work explores complex emotions like anxiety and isolation through dense, atmospheric production. He’s particularly notable within the Odd Future movement and appeals to listeners i...
Church Music is a studio album by the David Crowder Band, released in 2009. Conceived as a continuously flowing sequence, it combines contemporary Christian worship songwriting with electronic programming, rock instrumentation, folk textures, choral passages, and references to older hymns. The album...
Rehab is a 2010 studio album by American Christian hip-hop artist Lecrae, released through Reach Records. Its songs frame spiritual change through the metaphor of rehabilitation, addressing dependence, identity, temptation, relationships, and Christian faith. The album combines rap with contemporary...
Anderson .Paak is a versatile artist blending hip-hop with elements of funk, soul, and R&B. His distinctive style incorporates live instrumentation and draws from his extensive experience performing across various genres. He appeals to listeners interested in authentic musical expression and innovat...
Rakim Athelaston Mayers, known as A$AP Rocky, is a prominent figure in hip-hop music. He gained recognition for his unique approach blending rap with fashion sensibilities, particularly streetwear trends popular in Harlem during the 2010s. His work has shaped contemporary hip-hop’s visual and sonic...
Danny Brown is a prominent figure in experimental hip-hop. Born in Detroit, he’s recognized for his intensely personal and frequently disturbing lyrical content. His work delves into themes of addiction, trauma, and societal disconnection within the underground rap community. He appeals to listeners...
Vince Staples is a Compton-born rapper known for his stark, often bleak depictions of street life and social commentary delivered through dense lyricism and minimalist production. His work frequently explores themes of violence, poverty, and systemic injustice within the Black community.
Malcolm James McCormick, known professionally as Mac Miller, was a prolific and innovative American rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer who rose to prominence in the late 2000s and early 2010s with introspective lyrics and genre-bending musical styles.
Marshall “Chance” Thomas is a Chicago-born rapper and songwriter who rose to prominence through independent releases and viral hits, known for his soulful lyrics, passionate performances, and significant philanthropic work within his community.
Aesop Rock is a critically acclaimed American rapper known for his complex, densely layered lyricism delivered with rapid-fire flows and intricate rhythmic patterns, often incorporating surreal imagery and philosophical themes into his music.
The Rap Game UK is a British music reality competition series that premiered on BBC Three in 2019, serving as a spin-off from the original American version.
Lupe Fiasco is a critically acclaimed American rapper and songwriter known for his complex lyricism, intricate rhyme schemes, and socially conscious themes explored across numerous commercially successful albums like “Food & Liquor.”
