Scarface 
Mr. Brad Jordan also known as Scarface is one of the greatest storytellers we have walking the earth. His stories are for the common man but given with the sophistication of gangster and a gentleman. He has recorded 13 solo studio albums, but his crown jewel to me is his first album Mr. Scarface is Back (1991).I heard him say in previous interviews that his best work was 2002’s “The Fix” but in reality, you can make an argument that everything he makes is great. Throw in the fact, that he has 10 studio albums with The Geto Boys, and you have the most accomplished artist in the game. A tipping point to me is that Scarface came out when most Southern rappers wasn’t getting any mainstream attention. He blurred the demographic prejudice that existed toward southern rap, and made everyone listen, and respect his talents. Nothing short of amazing when you consider that southern hip hop is now the dominant force inside the industry. A trailblazer, poet, and one of the best
Jay- Z
Jay-Z has more consecutive number one albums than any artist in history. He has more number one albums than Elvis, when you think about that, it kind of put things in perspective when you contemplating his legacy and what he brings to the game. I remember me and my friends riding around listening to his first album Reasonable Doubt (1996).
Not the Def Jam copy, but the first one on Priority with the drugs and cash on the C.D. Nobody in my neighborhood was playing it at the time. And most people didn’t know who he was, but that made me feel special. I look back at that and say “I help introduce Jay-Z to the world” Although that may be a little far fetch the 1990’s was, a cool period for hip hop. I t is commonly referred to as the “Golden Era” It has happens to be the time when I fell in love with Hip Hop. Acknowledging that, I have to admit, my list reflects that period and the music of that decade a little bit more. But when dealing with an artist like Jay-Z, it is hard to argue his status, no matter what age you are. He is still drops relevant music while being over 40, setting a new expiration date for rappers coolness. He has done this while setting up a business model that has made him a multi millionaire in the process. A true no brainer on my list.
2Pac 
Widely regarded as the “Greatest rapper of all time” 2Pac was the first and probably rap’s only icon. He truly surpassed immortality to the point, that some of his fans still think he is alive He dropped five studio albums before his passing, all of which except one (2pacalypse Now) went at least platinum. The beauty of 2Pac music is that it represents emotion, he somehow put his whole life on wax, from the cradle to the grave, and we pretty much know everything about Pac’ story and stills never get old. His work ethic allowed him to have just as much if not more material released after his death than before his death. His movies, and other body of work made us appreciate him, but his commitment to what he believed and his willingness to fight for his beliefs made us respect and admire him. He was the first rapper to drop a double album and has sold over 100 million copies of his music. No one has had the impact of 2Pac on the rap game. I remember being in college and him dropping his final album “The Don Killumanti: 7 Day Theory”. The local record store had to open the store at midnight to accommodate the lines of people there to buy the album I never saw any thing like that before or after. I know he gets some flack for his flow and lyrics, but no one was able to tap in your emotions like Pac. He made you feel a certain type of way and you didn’t disagree with that feeling, because it was real.
This Article First Appeared inThe Black Truth News Volume 2 Issue 2 January 2011