Top 10 MCs of 2018
#ListWeek is officially upon us my fellow hip hop heads. 2018 was a year of unprecedented output and quality in the hip hop world; I still feel a little overwhelmed at how much incredible music was released. My brain may never recover, but like many of you, I am more than okay with that fact.
We begin the year end lists with the MCs. Masters of ceremonies. The rhyme sayers. I’ll bring you through the 10 MCs I thought killed it the most these past 12. Criteria included bars/lyrics, rapping skill, originality, discography and consistency. Shoutout to the pillars. Shoutout Grand Master Herc. And shoutout this hip hop culture. Let’s get this party started!
– Benny P
10) Westside Gunn
Notable Feats: Supreme Blientele, Hitler Wears Hermes 6, FLYGOOD IS GOOD…All the Time EP, ‘Blood, Sweat & Tearz,’ ‘3 For 25,’ ‘Judas,’ ‘Dead Wrong,’ ‘London Fog,’ ‘Had Enough,’ ‘Echo Long,’ ‘Ray Mysterio’
9) J. Cole
Notable Feats: KOD, ‘Boblo Boat,’ ‘Tribe, ‘Album of the Year Freestyle,’ ‘Sojourner,’ ‘Off Deez,’ ‘A Lot,’ ‘Trippy,’ ‘OSOM,’ ‘Zendaya,’ ‘Say Na,’ ‘My Boy (Freestyle),’ ‘Shea Butter Baby’
8) Mach-Hommy
Notable Feats: Duck CZN: Chinese Algebra, Notorious Dump Legends, OTHER ONE, ‘Sell Me This Pen,’ ‘Blue Horseshoes,’ ‘Contagion Theory,’ ‘Rare Paradigms,’ ‘Bah-Humbug,’ ‘Positive Image’
7) Black Thought
Notable Feats: Streams of Thought Vol. 1, Streams of Thought Vol. 2, ‘I’m Gonna Make It,’ ‘Cojiba,’ ‘Roman Candles,’ ‘Diamond Cutters’
6) Mick Jenkins
Notable Feats: Pieces of a Man, or more; the anxious, ‘What Am I to Do,’ ‘Bruce Banner,’ ‘Cool,’ ‘Pirates,’ ‘Trust Nobody’
5) Sylvan LaCue
Notable Feats: Apologies in Advance, Florida Man, ‘3:33,’ ‘Answer Machines,’ ‘Tuesday,’ ‘Hour Glass,’ ‘January,’ ‘Capulets & Montagues,’ ‘Truth Hurts,’ ‘Pot of Gold’
4) Royce da 5’9″
Notable Feats: Book of Ryan, PRhyme 2, Funk Flex Freestyle
3) Saba
Notable Feats: CARE FOR ME, ‘Stay Right Here,’ ‘Ace,’ ‘Beautiful Smile,’ ‘Excited,’ ‘Where it’s At,’ ‘Papaya,’ ‘Blood,’ ‘Puddles,’ ‘Lights Went Down,’ ‘Dark Knight,’ ‘What Kings Do,’ ‘Dream a Geanie,’ ‘Unfriendly Black Hotties’
2) Milo/Scallops Hotel/Rory Ferreira
Notable Feats: budding ornithologists are weary of tired analogies, Nostrum Groocers, Sovereign Nose of (Y)Our Arrogant Face, opening up SoulFolks Records & Tapes
1) Roc Marciano
Notable Feats: Rosebudd’s Revenge 2, KAOS, Behold a Dark Horse,, Warm Hennessy, ‘The Appetite,’ ‘Golden Moments,’ ‘Respect My Gun,’ ‘When Dope Was Fresh,’ ‘Dice Game,’ ‘Kevlar Tux,’ ‘Dean Martin Steaks,’ ‘Ric Martel,’ ‘Dubs & Losses,’ ‘Take it All,’ ‘Supernova,’ ‘Let’s Begin,’ ‘Direct’ & ‘Roman Candles’
Honorable Mention (more possibly to come)
Chris Crack
Elucid
Kendrick Lamar
Millyz
J.I.D
Mac Miller
Earl Sweatshirt
Conway
Smino
Noname
Denzel Curry
JPEGMAFIA
Valee
Benny the Butcher
Freddie Gibbs
Delly Everyday
Rico Nasty
Trapo
Tierra Whack
Billy Woods
Tha God Fahim
DrxQuinnx
Pusha T
Elzhi
Jah-Monte
Travis Scott
Evidence
MIKE
Termanology
Curren$y
Katori Walker
Reason
Doctur Dot & Johnny Venus
Bas
Nick Grant
Ka
Cousin Stizz
YBN Cordae
Nipsey Hu$$le
Erick the Architect, Meechy Darko & Zombie Juice
Shane Reis
Young Thug
Logic
Kid Cudi
LGP Qua
Big K.R.I.T.
Joey Purp
Dave East
Pink Navel
Quadry
Domo Genesis
Nickelus F
Pink Siifu
Michael Christmas
Ivy Sole
Reason
B. Aull
K.A.A.N.
Chuck Strangers
Innanet James
Solace & AK the Savior
Jayy Grams
Von Wilda
Sarah Violette
tobi lou
Wiardon
Jean Grae
Quelle Chris
Nas
Lil Wayne
Slug
Michael Christmas
Jay Rock
Skyzoo
Joell Ortiz
IshDARR
Spose
Chris Orrick
Shad
Locksmith
Solemn Bringham
Maxo Kream
Jimothy Lacoste
Myles Bullen
Drake
Sheck Wes
K. Price
Jarv
Gunna
images via Royce da 5’9″, Funk Flex, Hot 97, Westside Gunn, J. Cole, Mach-Hommy, Matthew Bokor, Black Thought, Mick Jenkins, Sam Schmieg, Billboard, Sylvan LaCue, Jonathan Benavente, Royce da 5’9″, Jeremy Deputat, Saba, Jeremy Deputat, Rory Ferreira, Andrew Doench, Village Voice, Roc Marciano, HotSoupNY & All rightful photographers
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– Benny P