S. Samuel
[Each week, SOHH asks two entertainment personalities to name their Top 5 rappers of all-time. To make things tricky, we've created a "Hall of Fame" of emcees (see right) who are universally respected and therefore may not be mentioned. After Terrell Blair gave his top picks last week, Carmelo Anthony's music protege Diego Cash rolls out his fave five.]
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Raekwon. On any song Raekwon has ever rapped on, he comes on. His presence is so strong whenever he’s on it. It doesn’t even matter what he says, it’s just something about the way his raps are and the presence on those tracks. -
Game. I just like the way Game puts albums together. With every album, they are all complete. With Game albums, you ride with them from start to finish.
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50 Cent. I put 50 there because he changed the game. You look at how Jay-Z and Diddy came and got their success and 50 really came in and did the same thing. He’s done the same things as Jay-Z and Diddy. Musically and the way he puts his artists out and the success they’ve gotten, no one else has been able to do that. His image is different than Jay-Z and Diddy, but he handles himself the same way.
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Bun B. I have to put Bun B in there. I just respect him. I’ve talked to Bun plenty of times and he’s always kept his word. You don’t come across too many people like Bun B. Lyrically-wise, too, but on the flip side, I respect him so much. He’s a prime example of being a good person and doing good business.
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Pharrell. I’m not just a rap fan, I’m a fan of music. With all the hooks he’s been on, I’ve loved them. All of those Jay-Z tracks and the sh*t he was doing with Slim Thug was crazy. Everything’s he got on hook-wise has been crazy.
Raekwon. On any song Raekwon has ever rapped on, he comes on. His presence is so strong whenever he’s on it. It doesn’t even matter what he says, it’s just something about the way his raps are and the presence on those tracks.
Game. I just like the way Game puts albums together. With every album, they are all complete. With Game albums, you ride with them from start to finish.
50 Cent. I put 50 there because he changed the game. You look at how Jay-Z and Diddy came and got their success and 50 really came in and did the same thing. He’s done the same things as Jay-Z and Diddy. Musically and the way he puts his artists out and the success they’ve gotten, no one else has been able to do that. His image is different than Jay-Z and Diddy, but he handles himself the same way. 
Bun B. I have to put Bun B in there. I just respect him. I’ve talked to Bun plenty of times and he’s always kept his word. You don’t come across too many people like Bun B. Lyrically-wise, too, but on the flip side, I respect him so much. He’s a prime example of being a good person and doing good business.
Pharrell. I’m not just a rap fan, I’m a fan of music. With all the hooks he’s been on, I’ve loved them. All of those Jay-Z tracks and the sh*t he was doing with Slim Thug was crazy. Everything’s he got on hook-wise has been crazy.
