What is the criteria in which you rate a rapper?

[NateA92]

Sucess?
Lyrics?
Vocal Ability?

What else do you look to to determine if a rapper is a top 5 of all time or a top 50?

I know that everyones taste is different. But what is the general consensus.

[Wic Kid]

When he has a lotta multies and can ride beats nicely, I'll give him a listen.

[mcZu]

people will slate on me for this, but i say success.

How dare you say that!?!?!?!?!?!Go hop on Souljah Boy's dick!!!

Just playing Scotty.

I say lyrics.

[DrRapid]

What comes first is the voice, it has to be distinguished from the rest. I could add flow to this, if a rapper delivers nicely then it just sounds better but then again, my favorite rapper doesn't have such a good flow. If a rapper has a boring monotonous voice then I will lose interest in his music. The rapper's song content has to be good for me to like him then.
The themes of the rapper's song has to be interesting, it doesn't necessarily have to mean variety but songs that I will actually bother listening to the lyrics and rewind back to hear words I didn't hear properly.
Production. I know most rappers don't produce their own music and this is not really a criteria for which I rate a rapper but I know I also rate sub-consciously by their production. If the beats are good then I will like his music more.
Finally for me, the lyrics in terms of internal rhymes/alliteration/similes/metaphors, etc. I know this is one of the most important things in rap really but this will not immediately grasp my ear and like the rapper. If a rapper who has all of those above has this then the rapper is ACE. Not many are like that for me so usually if I like rapper that rhymes well then it's a very good addition.

[classthe_king]

Multis, if he sounds good, which would be delivery, whether he has good beats. Im not going to listen to him if the beat sucks. And if he is entertaining.

I could give a fuckless about success

[Wic Kid]

people will slate on me for this, but i say success.

How dare you say that!?!?!?!?!?!Go hop on Souljah Boy's dick!!!

Just playing Scotty.

I say lyrics.

first of all, it's soulja. and secondly, i'm already on it.

No, its actually Soulja Boy Tell 'Em...

[DƎRDYPK]

lyrics & delivery

[embm]

lyrics & delivery

yep
multies
& also how pronouncin words like i luv how i understnd majority of wat Ems sayin
but 50 & so many othrs im wat did he say
ya kno
also he totly pronounces it 2 sound like the beat & shit ya kno

[Relapse.LP]

Word up to DrRapid.

No matter if you admit or deny it, every listener will sub-consciously like a rapper more if the production is better. Some of the dope underground MCs got crazy multies, but they got coarse beats, so they're overall music isn't as satisfying... It's a pretty sad thing in hip hop how people judge music, but that's how it is.

I personally believe that instead of saying a particular rap album is by Insert Artist, it should have the name of the rapper AND the executive producer on the front, so the proper credits are given. Putting the production credits in the booklet doesn't give enough kudos to the people behind the boards.

This is the order I judge an MC in from most important to least important...

1. Flow/Voice

If a rapper got a whack voice and a choppy flow, who the hell can listen past the minute mark?

2. Lyrical Content/Complexity

Despite having good flow, to balance it out, a good MC must have interesting topics to cover or the repetitiveness of the entire game will just bore the listener. And there should be decent rhymes as well. (Internal Rhyming, Multi-syllabic Rhyming, ABA Rhyme Schemes, ect.)

3. Delivery

Some songs just start out with a bang and the delivery of the rapper immediately grasps your attention. For example, like it or not, Lil Wayne, admittedly, has excellent delivery although lacks the grasp in lyrics and flow at times. Delivery means how you execute your rhymes with your voice. It's not the same as how you "ride the beat" or "flow".

Production is naturally included with Flow, because without a good beat, the song won't be as great.

[Wic Kid]

Word up to DrRapid.

No matter if you admit or deny it, every listener will sub-consciously like a rapper more if the production is better. Some of the dope underground MCs got crazy multies, but they got coarse beats, so they're overall music isn't as satisfying... It's a pretty sad thing in hip hop how people judge music, but that's how it is.

I personally believe that instead of saying a particular rap album is by Insert Artist, it should have the name of the rapper AND the executive producer on the front, so the proper credits are given. Putting the production credits in the booklet doesn't give enough kudos to the people behind the boards.

This is the order I judge an MC in from most important to least important...

1. Flow/Voice

If a rapper got a whack voice and a choppy flow, who the hell can listen past the minute mark?

2. Lyrical Content/Complexity

Despite having good flow, to balance it out, a good MC must have interesting topics to cover or the repetitiveness of the entire game will just bore the listener. And there should be decent rhymes as well. (Internal Rhyming, Multi-syllabic Rhyming, ABA Rhyme Schemes, ect.)

3. Delivery

Some songs just start out with a bang and the delivery of the rapper immediately grasps your attention. For example, like it or not, Lil Wayne, admittedly, has excellent delivery although lacks the grasp in lyrics and flow at times. Delivery means how you execute your rhymes with your voice. It's not the same as how you "ride the beat" or "flow".

Production is naturally included with Flow, because without a good beat, the song won't be as great.

Nicely put, I totally agree wit you. Except that Wayne stuff, cuz... You know, I cant stand him.

[gutawafang]

Eminem.

[Fa-Q]

Two things....wordplay and multis.... That's it

[NeverStop123]

How do you guys feel about 50 (putting all overated or underatedness aside)

[classthe_king]

50=G.O.A.T

[Relapse.LP]

50=G.O.A.T

Sarcasm or opinion? I can't tell.

How do you guys feel about 50 (putting all overated or underatedness aside)

Flow/Voice

Fantastic flow. Interesting voice which will catch your attention first time you hear it.

4.5/5

Lyrical Content/Complexity

Extremely repetitive at times, but has the ability to switch up the content occasionally. Major issues with lyrical complexity; needs to employ higher-level rapping techniques such as "multies" and "internals".

3/5

Delivery

Excellent delivery usually, although his voice could be a little louder and preferably, aggressive.

4.5/5

His production is generally great although a little lacking at times. The beats he chooses area always those hard-hitting "Dr. Dre"-sounding beats... Nothing wrong with that, but it could vary, IMO.