Top 7 Rap Artists in the World 2016

Modern rap, according to many, was an American movement that began in the late 80s. Everything started with the group N.W.A (Niggas With Attitude), formed by Ice Cube, Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, Yella and MC Ren.

These artists revolutionized the way of rapping, giving a more gangster approach to their lyrics and rebelling against the police for their negative outlook against Black culture in their neighborhoods.

One of their greatest achievements was the revolutionary song Fuck The Police, which influenced the movement and was taken as an offense by the police and the US government at the time. It wasn’t long before they shared the scene with the gods of rap, Tupac and Notorious B.I.G in the 90s.

Nowadays, we have another new group of “boys with attitude”. Check them out!

This year’s greatest rappers

Big Sean

In February 2015, Big Sean released his third album, Dark Sky Paradise, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, his first to reach the top spot. In February 2016, Dark Sky Paradise was officially named platinum.

Drake

We all know this 29-year-old Canadian. However, you might not know that in January 2016, he released the song Summer Sixteen from his upcoming album, Views from the 6. Drake launched it in April of this year. Last month, Drake also announced that had signed an agreement with Skepta and his label Boy Better Know. This makes Drake the first non-British artist to join the label.

G-Eazy

This 26-year-old US rapper released his first album, These Things Happen, in 2014. The album reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Hip-Hop and Top Rap Albums charts and has sold over 265,000 copies to date. In December 2015 came his highly anticipated second album, When It’s Dark Out, whose publication has helped him reach a more international audience. In January of 2016 he announced his second world tour.

J Cole

This American rapper and producer is the king of lyrics. He tells stories through his songs and has a variety of chill songs and others with that are more fast-paced. Of course, we’ve been waiting a long time for his next album. His first album, Cole World: The Sideline Story, debuted at No. 1 on the US Billboard 200 Top R&B Albums and Top Rap Albums way back in 2011, and sold more than 218,000 in the first week.

His second and third albums, Born Sinner (2013) and Forest Hills Drive (2014), also reached the number one spot on the US Billboard 200. In February 2016, it was confirmed that his third album had sold 1.1 million copies in the United States alone.

Kanye West

20 years after his arrival in the world of rap, Kanye remains one of the most powerful pioneers. Three years after his last album Yeezus, the seventh album by the rapper, The Life of Pablo, finally arrived last month. The album is inspired by the lives of Pablo Picasso and Pablo Escobar. You can’t listen to the songs on the album by Spotify or YouTube yet, but you can hear some songs through Kanye’s SoundCloud, for example the song “30 hours”.

Kendrick Lamar

The 28-year-old American born in Compton released an album in March of last year, To Pimp a Butterfly, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, selling 324,000 copies in the first week and setting the record for streaming on his first day on Spotify with 9.6 million views. Kendrick also won five Grammys this year, including Best Rap Album for To Pimp a Butterfly. In March, Lamar launched a collection of 8 songs that were not completed for that album, and even this “unofficial” compilation debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

Tyga

This US rapper continues to grow year after year. He released his new album, Rawwest Alive, in January this year through his own label, Last Kings Records. In the album, he collaborates with Chris Brown, Rick Ross, 2 Chainz and Goapele.