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 David Rush unveiled his picks, Coalmine Records CEO Matt Diamond lists his fave choices.]
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Pharoahe Monch. The guy uses his voice like an instrument withe the artistic faculties to boot. He’s been my favorite hands’ down since Organized. He’s one of the few artists that’s managed to maintain his allure over the years by sticking to his ethos of not releasing disposable music. When he drops a track, you know it’s gonna be dope. -
Black Thought. I chose Black Thought for almost the same reasons as Monch. In my opinion, if you’re going to be in the Top 5, you have to project your voice a certain way. He possesses the rare talent of delivering his words in such a way where he can project his voice where every word is distinguishable from the next like a note.
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Mos Def. What can I say here…he’s so soulful. He uses his voice as if it’s a trombone the way he makes his words bend with sponteneity. He speaks on socially-conscious issues while still coming off charismatic. He’s one of a kind in that respect.
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Andre 3000. I admire Three Stacks for his brutal honesty without having to sacrifice any lyricism. He’s very left of center in his delivery…he’s like the Jimi Hendrix of hip-hop.
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Big Pun. Pun’s delivery is the equivalent of an uzi submachine gun. The amount of words he was able to get out in such a short period of time combined with the sheer adrenaline used to deliver his lyrics was a gift. He was the man…I keep ’em in the iPod when I need to get amped for workouts or long runs, etc.
Pharoahe Monch. The guy uses his voice like an instrument withe the artistic faculties to boot. He’s been my favorite hands’ down since Organized. He’s one of the few artists that’s managed to maintain his allure over the years by sticking to his ethos of not releasing disposable music. When he drops a track, you know it’s gonna be dope.
Black Thought. I chose Black Thought for almost the same reasons as Monch. In my opinion, if you’re going to be in the Top 5, you have to project your voice a certain way. He possesses the rare talent of delivering his words in such a way where he can project his voice where every word is distinguishable from the next like a note.
Mos Def. What can I say here…he’s so soulful. He uses his voice as if it’s a trombone the way he makes his words bend with sponteneity. He speaks on socially-conscious issues while still coming off charismatic. He’s one of a kind in that respect. 
Andre 3000. I admire Three Stacks for his brutal honesty without having to sacrifice any lyricism. He’s very left of center in his delivery…he’s like the Jimi Hendrix of hip-hop.
Big Pun. Pun’s delivery is the equivalent of an uzi submachine gun. The amount of words he was able to get out in such a short period of time combined with the sheer adrenaline used to deliver his lyrics was a gift. He was the man…I keep ’em in the iPod when I need to get amped for workouts or long runs, etc.
