My pick for the first 3 are easy. First the group who set everything off,Run-DMC, is no.1 by far. Second, would be probably one of the most influential groups of all time-Public Enemy. Third would be N.W.A. Now here's my whole list:

1. Run-DMC
2. Public Enemy
3. N.W.A
4. Eric B. & Rakim
5. Wu-Tang Clan
6. Heavy D. & The Boyz
7. Salt & Pepa
8. Whodini
9. Boogie Down Productions
10. Outkast
That's my list. What's yours?

No Tribe Called Quest or EPMD..

1. Run-DMC
2. Public Enemy
3. N.W.A.
4. OutKast
5. Eric B. & Rakim
6. Tribe Called Quest
7. EPMD
8. Wu-Tang Clan
9. DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince
10. TRU

Honerable Mention.

8Ball & MJG, Boogie Down Productuons, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
the Fat Boys.

1. De La Soul: For their continued growth, creativity and durability. Kelvin Mercer is one of the best MCs on the planet. Expanded the boundaries of hip-hop.

2. Public Enemy: Made 3 of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time and remains hip-hop's conscience. They changed hip-hop and pop music as a whole.

3. A Tribe Called Quest: Spearheaded the fusion of hip-hop and jazz, and responsible for any number of classic jams. Also, unlike most hip-hop acts, put on a great live show.

4. Eric B. & Rakim: Added an existential vibe to hip-hop, along with textured rhymes and CLASSIC beats.

5. Boogie Down Productions: A group with underground classics that are bangers today.

6. Run-DMC: The essence of hardcore old-school, brought hip-hop to the masses.

7. Digable Planets: Only made 2 albums, but both are classics.

8. EPMD: Arguably the best duo in hip-hop history. Extremely influential.

9. OutKast: Like De La Soul in many ways.

10. Madvillain: If they make a few more albums they'll be higher on this list.

Honorable mentions: The Beastie Boys, Brand Nubian, NWA, The Jungle Brothers, KMD, Wu-Tang Clan
[Edited 5/8/07 13:35pm]
[Edited 5/8/07 13:38pm]

1 - De La
2 - Eric B and Rakim
3 - ATCQ
4 - Wu
5 - X Clan
6 - Digital Underground
7 - Digable Planets
8 - 3rd Bass
9 - P.E.
10 - Camp Lo

Honorable Mention: Run-DMC, BDP, Stetsa, Brand Nubians, JBs, and of course The Afros!
[Edited 5/8/07 9:44am]

Wu-Tang Clan
Public Enemy
Run DMC
Grandmaster Flash & the Furious 5
Eric B. & Rakim
EPMD
NWA
Outkast
Afrika Bambatta & the Soul Sonic Force
Sugarhill Gang

10) A Tribe Called Quest - positive, uplifting and brilliant
9) Arrested Development - roots-oriented, positive, and often spiritual
8) De La Soul - the alternative side of Rap
7) Digable Planets - honored the forefathers of Jazz and added it to their awesome interplanetary vibe
6) The Roots - best live Hip-Hop band ever!
5) Public Enemy - Raw, political, speakers of a truth that is lacking today in Hip-Hop
4) Run DMC - kings of Rock, there is none higher!
3) Beastie Boys - the best white rap group ever who stays true to the essence and art form of the genre
2) Whodini - Sadly underrrated yet amazing musically and lyrically
1) Outkast - The best artists are often ones who create their own world, and Outkast is the best duo in Hip-Hop that has done so

NWF said:

Damn! How could I forget the Beasties?

NWF said:

A perfect description.

Other honorable mentions:

Gang Starr, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Ultramagnetic MC's, Main Source, Black Moon.

Digable Planets
The Fugees
A Tribe Called Quest
PM Dawn(but not strictly rap)
The Roots
OutKast

as you can see I don't listen to much rap
[Edited 5/8/07 13:43pm]

Run DMC
Cee lo and the group he started out with
Immortal Technic
Krs-1/BDP
Outkast
The Fugees
The Roots
Public Enemy
Digital Underground
.....and my personal fav: Wrecks N Effects
[Edited 5/12/07 8:21am]

Wu-Tang
BDP
Tribe
Eric B & Rakim
PE
Outkast
Run-DMC
Trecherous Three
Digital Underground
Stetsasonic

Graycap23 said:

I said groups. LL Cool J is not a group. He is a solo artist. Log him in my top solo rap entry.

Graycap23 said:

I said groups. LL Cool J is not a group. He is a solo artist. Log him in my top solo rap entry.