Rappers have taken the world by storm, with trending rappers, such as Kendrick Lamar and Lil Baby, taking over the entertainment scene. There are a number of rappers out there who have revolutionized music and contributed insane style to the genre. Not in any particular order, here are the Top 10 Underrated Rappers of All Time.
Top 10 Underrated Rappers of All Time
1.Twista
From the gritty streets of Chicago’s West Side, Twista is one of the top 10 underrated rappers of all time. Twista started rapping at the young age of 12. Most people don’t know that Twista was awarded the fastest English-speaking rapper in the world by the Guinness Book of World Records in 1992. His album Kamikaze in 2004 topped the Billboard 200 charts and featured more mainstream rappers such as Kanye West and Jamie Foxx in the hit song “Slow Jamz”.
In addition to his tongue twister rapping, Twista often used unique styles and beats, like in the song “Overnight Celebrity” from the same album, where Violinist Miri Ben-Ari provided an amazing background beat to the hit song, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 charts at number 6 and the Hot Rap Songs charts at number 1 in May of 2004.
2. Shoestring
Standout member of the Dayton Family, who in the early 90s helped to start the gangsta rap craze that has continued to grow. Taking their gritty experiences from the trenches of Flint, Michigan, Dayton Family was a hard-core rap group that even the biggest rap fans of today may not have heard of. They are missing out, however, because the poetic style and impressive rhymes made way for the gangsta rap revolution of the late 90s and early 2000s.
Shoestring contributed to some of the best songs from the group, including “FBI”, “Dope Dayton Ave”, and “Dead or Alive”. He also has some notable solo tracks in albums like “Cross Addicted”. Shoestring made large strides in the rap game and had the strong influence of gangsta rap, making him one of the top 10 underrated rappers of all time.
3. AK-47
Member of Do or Die. The group gained fame in the mid-90s with their hit single “Po Pimp” featuring none other than Twista. Also hailing from Chicago, AK-47 has delivered hard-knock lyrics while blending an R&B style that has you bobbing your head while asking your chic, “Do you wanna ride, in the backseat of a Caddy…” AK-47 has released albums as a solo artist, such as “More Than a Conquer” in 2006 and “Swimming with Sharks” in 2023. Both albums are worth listening to if you are a strong supporter of the rap game. There are fans out there who believe AK-47 is one of the top 10 underrated rappers of all time.
4. Bun B
Straight from the dirty south, Bun B, mostly known for being one of the two-member team UGK (Underground Kingz), has contributed to the rap genre in his own work as well. He has a critically acclaimed album called Trill, which he released in 2005, and Trill OG in 2010. What makes Bun B one of the top 10 underrated rappers of all time is his undeniable talent, with his raw style, he is also known for his charm. Bun B is definitely the perfect representation of sweet southern rap.
5. J. Cole
Another southern rapper who grew up in Fayetteville, North Carolina, J. Cole, started producing beats and writing his own raps as a teenager. His raw debut mixtape, The Come Up, caught the ear of rap entrepreneur Jay-Z in 2007, who signed him to Roc Nation in 2009. In 2011 his first studio album titled Cole World: The Sideline Story was a rap sensation with hit songs such as “Can’t Get Enough” and “Work Out” blended catchy rhyme lyrics with swaggy R&B beats, the album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and went on to become certified platinum.
Cole has a smooth sound and writes smart raps. He has since founded his own label, Dreamville Records. Despite his success, he hasn’t gotten the recognition that other successful rappers have received, making him one of the top 10 underrated rappers of all time.
6. Juicy J
From Memphis, Tennessee, the South reigns supreme in the rap game, and Juicy J is no exception. Contributing to the success of the group Three 6 Mafia, Juicy J provided vivacious style to the group even earning them an Academy Award for best original song with their hit “Its Hard Out Here for a Pimp” featured in the blockbuster starring Terrance Howard, Hustle and Flow. Juicy J is an expert at creating beats and has produced tracks for big hitters such as Nicki Minaj and T.I.
His sound is versatile with creative style and beats that can be heard in the club or bass hitting in your ride. Juicy J is definitely one of the top 10 underrated rappers of all time.
7. Missy Elliott
A spectacular entertainer, Missy Elliott isn’t just a female rapper, she is a visual artist. Her performances are stellar, and her rap style is one-of-a-kind. She changed the game of the rap genre and blazed a path for female artists to find their unique styles, making way for female rappers such as Nicki Minaj and Cardi B.
Missy Elliott has collaborated with big-time producer Timbaland and won several Grammy awards, such as 2002’s Best Rap Solo Performance for “Get Ur Freak On” and 2004’s Best Female Rap Solo Performance for “Work Out”. Missy Elliott influenced rap to the point that it changed forever, incorporating trendy pop sounds with her stand-out rap lyrics, giving her a solid space on the list of top 10 underrated rappers of all time.
8. Kilo Ali
Bringing big base hits straight out of Atlanta, Kilo revolutionized rap in the early 1990s. His sound wasn’t like anyone else’s at the time, or since then, honestly. He was heard in all the hot clubs and didn’t care what anyone thought of his slick lyrics that brought sex to the forefront of rap. With his dirty hits like “Love in Ya Mouth” and “Nasty Dancer”, he trailblazed through the rap genre, creating room for bold sexual content that hung on and never let go.
Kilo Ali may be little known to the Gen Z crowd, but he should always remain a club staple. After all, who can resist dancing when the DJ spins out “Nasty Dancer”? We couldn’t have a list of underrated rappers of all time without adding Kilo Ali.
9. Fabulous
Brooklyn rapper Fabulous has the swag and poetic sound that makes rap music so great to listen to. He has some little-known mixtapes that feature fire flow, and he has produced collab hits with some of the greatest in the industry. His adaptability makes him a first-class artist because he can showcase his talents on many different levels and appeal to all flavors. In the early 2000s, he released unique hits like “Young’n (Holla Back)” and “Can’t Deny It”. Fabulous has released several notable albums since then, however, they are underappreciated, giving him a reason to be on the top 10 underrated rappers of all time.
10. Lil Boosie (Boosie Badazz)
From Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Lil Boosie is known as a “reality rapper” for bringing his street life experiences out in his music. He also has a distinct voice, making his rhymes exclusive and his collaboration irreplaceable, contributing to well-known hits such as “Wipe Me Down”.
His singular success was halted due to legal issues, including a 5-year prison bid. Despite his challenge, he has a following for his original mixtapes and his solo albums, For My Thugz and Bad Azz, making a name for himself in the southern hip-hop scene. Lil Boosie is considered by many to be one of the top 10 underrated rappers of all time.
While you can’t talk about rap without hearing about one of the G.O.A.T.’s, there are a plethora of rap artists out there that have represented the rap game with innovative style, relatable tracks, and unprecedented beats. These rappers, amongst others, are the underrated rappers of all time.
