Kanye West Reveals His ‘12 Rap Kings,’ Sparks Controversy
Renowned rapper and producer Kanye West has ignited debate within the hip-hop community after unveiling his list of the 12 greatest rappers of all time.
Sharing the selection on his X (formerly Twitter) account, West named:
- Lil Wayne
- Kanye West (himself)
- Jay-Z
- Drake
- The Notorious B.I.G. (Biggie Smalls)
- Tupac Shakur (2Pac)
- 50 Cent
- Eminem
- LL Cool J
- Run DMC
- Nas
- Rakim
“There are 12 rap kings,” he wrote, listing the names without further explanation.
However, the list quickly sparked controversy, as many fans questioned the exclusion of hip-hop heavyweights such as Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, and other modern rap icons.
West has previously made it clear that he is not a fan of Kendrick Lamar’s music, despite acknowledging the rapper’s talent. In 2024, he also criticized J. Cole for apologizing to Lamar after a brief lyrical feud involving Drake. According to West, Cole’s decision to back down was a mistake.
As the debate over West’s ‘Rap Kings’ list continues, fans remain divided on whether his picks truly represent the greatest figures in hip-hop history.
