Here is my list:
1. Nas-- Mainly cuz of Illmatic and Gods Son. Has a large vocabulary and creates lyrics that carry heavy weight.
2. T-Rock--The best rapper that you dont know. Yeah people say that T.I. and Lil Flip earn the status of king of the south, but have you really heard T-Rocks songs...especially from Conspiracy Theory? Truly, a great rapper hidden in sercrecy.
3. Tupac-- The face of Rap. This man single handedly lead the charge from the west to put the whole west side into the rap game. If it was not for Tupac, there probably would not be as much influence with west side rap.
4. Eminem-- The best white rapper around and an influence to a large audience below the age of 20. Can sway the audience with his lyrics and the style of his music.
5. Three Six Mafia (Juicy J and DJ Paul)-- With so many albums into the fray of rap music, its a given that 36 Mafia is on this chart. Great lyrics that will get u believing that you could beat the *** out of anyone.
6. T.I.-- The self-proclaimed "King of the South". This man owns many businesses and is fast become an icon in the rap era. His latest album brought his popularity to the grid iron map and his lyrics boosts his status no matter how you think of him.
7. Lil Flip-- The beef between Lil Flip and T.I. always recreates a died down version of the beef with Biggie and Tupac. With appearances on 36 Mafia and his strong lyrics, Lil Flip is a rapper to be reckoned with.
8. Notorius BIG-- One of the many rappers from New York, Biggie was considered the equal of Tupac but in my list he is number 8 because of the help he needed to provide his music to the audience which leads to the annoying but ever so there...P. Diddy.
9. Jay-Z-- The man who can spit lyrics like a volcano shoots out lava in an eruption, his lyrics will blow you away with all the content in his rap style. His song Dead Presidents is a great one and strongly resembles his lyrical skills.
10. Geto Boyz-- With so many songs and the rappers so old, its hard not to put them in here. Their one song, My Mind is Playin Tricks on Me, is truly a great song with a great beat and smooth lyrics. Many of their songs are different in comparisons and they can hit you from any side at any time with any song.