Billboard and Vibe have named American rappers Jay Z and Nicki Minaj as the best male and female rappers of all time.
The top 50 list was developed to mark the 50th anniversary of hip-hop music this year.
Before announcing the final top 10, the magazine had been gradually releasing its list of the Top 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time.
The editorial team determined the rankings based on the following criteria: body of work/achievements (charted singles/albums, gold/platinum certifications), cultural impact/influence (how the artist’s work aided the evolution of the genre), longevity (years on the mic), lyrics (storytelling abilities), and flow (vocal prowess).
While female rappers such as Lil Kim (No. 31), Lauryn Hill (No. 30), and Missy Elliott (No. 19) are on the list, Nicki Minaj is the only woman in the top 10.
She has undeniably blazed the trail for the next generation of female rappers, while also building a legacy whose impact is far from limited to the hip-hop world, Billboard writes.
Jay-Z was named the greatest rapper of all time after a three-decade career. He was chosen for his longevity, breadth of accomplishments, and contribution to hip-hop.
See the top 10 list below:
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