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 Erica Mena dished out her fave five, "Love & Hip Hop" star Yandy Smith gives the scoop on her top picks.]
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Missy Elliott. Missy is in my top five because she has constantly re-invented herself. She has set the standard for female rappers above and beyond anything I’ve ever seen in a female rapper. It’s not because she’s selling sex or overly sexy, it’s based on lyrical and solid content that she’s been able to maintain who she is. She’s doing something different. -
Busta Rhymes. Busta is surely on my list for his longevity and the way he also re-invents himself. He stays relevant. Always. He can get on a track with a 15 year-old or he could get on a track with a 45 year-old. He will bring the hotness to whoever and he can attach himself to any demographic and sound dope.
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Joell Ortiz. He makes you feel the music and he’s just dope lyrically. His delivery is dope.
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Jadakiss. Jadakiss is slick and he puts things together in ways that’s so clear but in such a slick way. You’ll listen to him and be like, “Oh sh*t! That’s hot!” He’s just slick with it and puts words together that are just meant to be together and you’d never would have thought go together. He’s dope.
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Juelz Santana. If you remember, him and Lil Wayne were neck in neck and then he just fell back for a second. I’ve been to his studio a few times and I hear the stuff he has and I’m like, “Juelz, you have some incredible music. It’s just got to get out there.” He’s dope. He’s like Jadakiss with the way he can put things together and you’ll be like, “Oh snap! Did he say that?” Juelz is dope.
Missy Elliott. Missy is in my top five because she has constantly re-invented herself. She has set the standard for female rappers above and beyond anything I’ve ever seen in a female rapper. It’s not because she’s selling sex or overly sexy, it’s based on lyrical and solid content that she’s been able to maintain who she is. She’s doing something different.
Busta Rhymes. Busta is surely on my list for his longevity and the way he also re-invents himself. He stays relevant. Always. He can get on a track with a 15 year-old or he could get on a track with a 45 year-old. He will bring the hotness to whoever and he can attach himself to any demographic and sound dope.
Joell Ortiz. He makes you feel the music and he’s just dope lyrically. His delivery is dope.
Jadakiss. Jadakiss is slick and he puts things together in ways that’s so clear but in such a slick way. You’ll listen to him and be like, “Oh sh*t! That’s hot!” He’s just slick with it and puts words together that are just meant to be together and you’d never would have thought go together. He’s dope.
Juelz Santana. If you remember, him and Lil Wayne were neck in neck and then he just fell back for a second. I’ve been to his studio a few times and I hear the stuff he has and I’m like, “Juelz, you have some incredible music. It’s just got to get out there.” He’s dope. He’s like Jadakiss with the way he can put things together and you’ll be like, “Oh snap! Did he say that?” Juelz is dope.
