We are now in the final round of the Org's Best Rapper Alive Poll.

It began with nominations of 5 to 10 MC's. http://prince.org/msg/8/285586

The list was reduced to 25, and the voting process for the top 5 ended yesterday. http://prince.org/msg/8/285586

Now, we are in the final stages. Vote for 1, and only 1, MC as the Best Rapper Alive, from these 5 (2d-round results are listed in parentheses.

Rakim (22)

Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone (18)

Chuck D (15)

Nas (12)

Big Daddy Kane (7)





Voting will end on Wednesday 10.29.08 at 9pm EST.
[Edited 10/26/08 7:59am]
[Edited 11/3/08 11:13am]

Rakim.

Rakim.

Just like knowledge, I think Kris reigns supreme over nearly everyone...

...but that "nearly" is accounted for by Rakim. He ain't no joke.

The 18th Letter.

The R

This is really hard. I'd say Nas is holding up better than the rest of the list, but then, he's a lot younger. So I guess you have to honor a collective body of work.

I'm going to say Chuck. I'd rather go with too-prolific than once-every-10-years.

KRS one is too much of a gasbag (though I still love him).

"and of course N-A-S are the letters that spell...."

Rakim.

Rakim

I respect Rakim no doubt but my vote gotta go to the TEACHER!
KRS-One
[Edited 10/26/08 22:16pm]

Flowers2 said:

I think that's a legally/morally binding vote in favor of The Leader.

"Timeless, cuz age don’t count in the booth
when your flow stays submerged in the fountain of youth."

I love Rakim, but I'm gonna have to go with Kris.

Few people can hold a candle to the R where signature technique is regarded, but subject matter and stylewise KRS has shown what I think is superior breadth and cultural sophistication.

Nas, he's had more consistency overall I feel. I do love Ra though.

Tony M.

I guess I'm a little late to the party, but not seeing Humpty (Digital underground) in this top 5, or in first or second round for that matter, is ludicrous! His flow is natural, he's funny, number one in my book!

As for the top 5...

Sander said:

I love Shock G as much as the next guy (more probably, because DU is my favorite West Coast group), but he isn't one of the top 5 greatest rappers of all time.

It's gotta be Kane, i cant believe he got the least votes outta these 5 in the last round! Crazy!
Looks like Rakim is gonna win though...he woulda been my second choice! lol

P.S. why were Vanilla Ice and Young MC not nominated?? theyre so cool
[Edited 10/27/08 15:18pm]

Rakim

Sander said:

yeah, I did put him originally, but I erased him.. I replaced him with Latifah

My top MC of all time would be Rakim. Nas is a better lyricist but the voice, the presence, and the flow go to Rakim. The D.O.C. might've been up there had his career not been cut short. As it is, Andre 3000 and NAS are numbers 2 and 3 for me respectively with the D.O.C. and Cube rounding out my top five.

Flowers2 said:

Yeah, I was voting for Latifah throughout this whole contest. I love her style on the mic and her versatility.

KRS-One.

"Manhattan keeps on makin' it, Brooklyn keeps on takin', Bronx keeps creatin' it and Queens keeps on FAKIN' IT."

Big Daddy Kane

My vote goes to Rakim. His impact is immeasurable. When you are the single most influential MC in the genre, you earn the title.

Results as of Tues. Evening 10.28.08

Rakim 10

KRS-ONE 4

Nas 2

Big Daddy Kane 2

Chuck D. 1

A little more than a day left!

KRS-One

I respect the great veterans Rakim, KRS and Chuck D and Kane, but I have to go with Nas because he keeps getting better.

BTW, Andre3000, where does he rank? I know more than a few ranked him.