[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 Sudz Sutherland reveaed his top picks, New York rapper Denzil Porter unleashes his fave five.]
Common. That’s who I grew up listening to. I’m saying Common because that’s my favorite artist.
Beanie Sigel. I’ve got to name Beans. The reason why I loved Beans is because of the aggression and the grittiness. There’s something about Beans and his storytelling ability was crazy. I was a Beans listener heavy from the Roc-A-Fella days.
The LOX. I got Beanie Sigel and the LOX on one list. That’s crazy. I have to say the LOX because I grew up on the LOX. I’m from the uptown Bronx area, White Plains Road, so Yonkers is right across the bridge from me. Mount Vernon is right down the road from me. The LOX is stuff I grew up on.
Andre 3000. It’s unbelievable for people not to recognize how much of a lyrical genius he is. One thing I would always listen for with Andre 3000 is his technique. I’m not just listening to the beat and the hook and the punchlines, I’m listening to the technique. How is he gonna tell his stories? I never heard anybody tell a story like Andre 3000. It’s on another level.
Lupe Fiasco. Lupe and Andre, it’s just technique. They’re crazy. Lupe’s storytelling game is retarded. I don’t know how to explain it. I know it took him a while to master it. That’s another thing I looked up to. He admited it took him time to master his technique and that was dope.