Hip-hop is just as strong as ever in 2017 with Drake, J Cole and Kendrick Lamar largely considered the leaders of the new school in most circles; however a myriad of new artists have burst on the scene and become household names as well; a few examples include: Cardi B, Rae Sremmurd, Post Malone, Lil Uzi Vert, Chance the Rapper, Lil Yacthy, Migos, 21 Savage and a host of others. It’s a new music climate with new artists gaining well-deserved acclaim and popularity. In fact, hip-hop is dominant enough at this point that 3 of the 5 artists nominated for Album of The Year for the 2018 Grammys are hip-hop artists including: Childish Gambino, Jay Z and Kendrick Lamar. Lorde and Bruno Mars round out the top five but it cannot be understated how incredible it is for the majority of nominations for the Grammy’s most prestigious award to be hip-hop artists. A question that often arises is whether or not rappers today would’ve had success during the 90s which is most often considered the golden age of hip. What if the debate is reversed and we envision which rappers then would have success now? It is ultimately a fortuitous question but still fun to explore.
When taking a closer look at what makes current hip-hop artists successful it can be debated that success in the mainstream music industry requires skills not all successful rappers of the past may have been able to adjust to. Success for current rappers requires idiosyncrasies that endear them to listeners. Lyricism always helps with an artist’s fan base but personality, creativity, production and overall image are the driving forces of successful artists today. The focus of this piece will be to predict how the personalities and music styles of hip-hop artists in the past would transfer to today. The five hip-hop artists below are artists that would have the adaptability and skillset to achieve as much success now as they did during their prime era. A few of the artists listed below are still making music but the purpose of this list is to predict their success if the prime of their careers were to happen today.
5. Outkast
Outkast was an eccentric group then and the same would be true now. Not only were they eccentric but they were an incredibly talented duo as well. Their release of ATLiens in 1996 displayed the talent they possessed especially with songs such as Elevators, ATLiens and Wheelz of Steel. Not only did they possess talent but charisma as well. Could you imagine if Outkast reached their prime during this era of hip-hop? The creativity, the production, Andre and Big Boi’s personalities and chemistry would have the same effect on the listening audience now as it did then. As big as Outkast would be the next person on the list might blow you away.
4. Snoop Dogg
What’s his name? Snoop Doggy doooogggg. Considering Snoop is recognized by kids just as much as adults it is a testament to how much his persona transcends eras. When looking objectively at Snoop Dogg’s discography during the 90s; his only classic Doggystyle was released in 1993; however the album’s impact and sound resonated long after its release. He was a huge contribution to another classic during the 90s which was The Chronic released in 1992 and was credited as a writer in a majority of the tracks. Snoop Dogg’s flow and delivery was and still is a revelation. No one else could quite pull off his flow which manages to sound rhythmic, laid back, and cool at the same time. There is no question his popularity would translate to today’s hip-hop.
3. Lauryn Hill
Is there any doubt the legendary Lauryn Hill would make this list? Lauryn’s style is the epitome of today’s top rappers who do not hesitate to use their singing and rapping ability to make music. The unfair part is just how exceptional she is at both. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was arguably the most capacious album of the 90s and definitely her career. She won multiple Grammys for the album and was the first hip hop artist to win Album of the Year. Her talents extended beyond just that album she was also part of the Fugees prior and they did have a Grammy award winning album with The Score. Songs such as Ready or Not, Killing me softly, and The Score are top tier songs that exhibit her talent; however her magnum opus The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill displayed how much ability she truly has. In today’s music zeitgeist she would be just as relevant as she was then. Her unique sound and persona would leave her as one of today’s top stars.
2. Notorious B.I.G
It doesn’t matter if you call him Biggie Smalls, Biggie, or The Notorious B.I.G; either way you acknowledge him there is no question he was and still considered one of the GOATs. Few would doubt he would be just as relevant today as he was then. His incomparable rhythmic flow and his persona put him at the forefront on any track. On a slow, smooth track such as Big Poppa he shows his storytelling and masterful flow that you can’t help but bob your head to. Then he can flow fast and sound just as masterful on a track like Notorious Thugs with Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. No matter the track or the feature he always stood out and made his presence felt.
1. Tupac
Tupac is an interesting case in which his relevance to the culture of hip-hop does not was not much about his music but his impact on the culture. When Tupac is mentioned as one of the greats, it is often a discussion on his atypical personality. The balance he had in keeping it hood but offering his philosophical opinions on society in general was not quite like anyone else. He was the cool dude you could come to for advice on absolutely anything. If you ever needed someone to back you up when things were about to get real, he got you; needed someone to discuss religion, he got you. He had such a wide range of ideas, thoughts and was such a deep thinker that you could seek general advice on anything in society from him. He was the quintessential face of rap in the 90s because he was such a versatile human being. Today’s music zeitgeist appreciates complexity and variety not just in the music artists make but also their personalities. Tupac was able to check all the boxes and then some.
