PENSAR -The List

For as long as I can remember, hip-hop fans, critics and trendy tastemakers have been debating the who's who of hip-hop. But, in recent years, a few industry heads have decided to document the conversation in print via a top ten sort of list.


Most notably, people have been asked to give their top 5 rappers of all time or even top 5 alive. You can imagine the amount of controversy this has caused being that there are so many artists who have shared their rhymes with us, that it is hard to choose the best of the best or even, the best of the worse. In 2008, VIBE magazine, in the same manner in which the NCAA chooses its sweet sixteen, decided to create a voting bracket to put the age-old question (Who is the best rapper alive?) to rest. Out of 100 carefully chosen rappers (it can be argued that rappers were not appropriately matched) readers of the mag took to the internet to vote crowning Eminem the best rapper alive. You can imagine how this would upset the hip-hop community and those with differing opinions.


Well, the engines began turning and in 2009, XXL decided rather than debating the greats, they would showcase the new. So, in 2009 the magazine debuted the XXL Freshman 10 list which included Asher Roth, Wale, B.O.B., Charles Hamilton, Cory Gunz, Blu, Mickey Facts, Ace Hood, Curren$y and Kid Cudi.


The list sought to shine light on artists across the country who were both adept in their craft and positioned for mainstream success. However, it created an uproar among the hip-hop community especially those demanding to know why so and so and so and so did not make the list. However, the artists chosen from that list and the list in the two following years since have gone on to become some of today's best new artists.


To some artists the revealing of these list can be detrimental to their ego, motivation and overall gusto as an artists. Not making a list can fuel jealousy and thoughts of "it should have been me". On the other hand, being named the next big thing can put pressure where it is not wanted or needed. Artists may feel they have to be a certain type of way or force themselves into the mainstream.

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