[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 Aaradhna whipped out her fave five, Slum Village's T3 unrolls his choices.]
Black Thought. He’s incredible. He never forgets a lyric. He’s doesn’t just know his lyrics, he knows everyone else’s lyrics. He’s flawless as an emcee. Punchlines. All that. He has all the ingredients to make up a great emcee. He’s my number one, number two guy.
Pharoahe Monch. He’s like a guy that can do anything lyrically too. He can do anything. He can rap, he can sing, he can flow. He’s ridiculous. When he had the group back in the day up through now, he’s done it all. He’s a real lyricist.
Mos Def. He’s a pioneer. He’s a singer, he’s a rapper, he can do it all.
Common. He’s a generation jumper. He’s been doing things in the 90’s, in the 2000’s, everything. He’s a longevity guy and he’s got the lyricism. He’s a multi-talented guy as well.
Royce Da 5’9. I have to put Royce in there. He’s going into my top five picks.