The 20 Greatest Hip-Hop Groups of All-Time

Hip-Hop music has seen a plethora of great groups over the years, some who have stayed together and others that were able to make a huge impact in a short period of time before going their separate ways. In making this list, I factored in longevity, impact on the game, personal preference (since it is my list), and most importantly the music itself. There were some that were difficult to keep off this list, but I knew that would be the case going in. Narrowing thousands of hip-hop groups down to 20 is no easy feat. So let's take a look and let the debate begin. Here is the 20 Greatest Hip-Hop Groups of All-Time:

20. Brand Nubian

Brand Nubian broke onto the scene in 1990 with the seminal One For All. The group provided social and political commentary on the disc and grabbed our attention with the classic single, “Slow Down.” Grand Puba left the group after the debut, but Sadat X and Lord Jamar released two more solid albums in In God We Trust which featured “Punks Jump Up To Get Beat Down” and “Love Me Or Leave Me Alone” and Everything Is Everything which featured “Hold On” and my favorite Brand Nubian song “Claimin’ I’m A Criminal.” Puba returned to the group for 1998’s The Foundation which featured the DJ Premier banger “The Return.” Their last album dropped in 2007, giving Brand Nubian a 17-year run.

Top 5 Brand Nubian tracks: “Slow Down,” “Punks Jump Up To Get Beat Down,” “Love Me or Leave Me Alone,” “Claimin’ I’m A Criminal,” “Hold On”

19. M.O.P.

I considered Mobb Deep, Black Moon and Atmosphere in this spot, but my personal love for M.O.P. gave them the nod. These guys have worked with everyone and have made every appearance count. When you get an M.O.P. feature, your song’s energy level spikes through the roof. They enjoy their street anthems and gun talk, but the fact is they are both really clever lyricists. M.O.P. has released solid release after solid release with their grandest entry being 2000’s Warriorz. The highlight of their career came with the success of “Ante Up” which eventually led to a deal with Jay-Z at Roc-A-Fella Records (unfortunately no album followed, because I would’ve loved a Just Blaze & Kanye produced M.O.P. album). They’ve got 18 years in the game and have collaborated with the likes of Jay-Z, Gang Starr, Busta Rhymes, Kool G. Rap, Pharoahe Monch, 50 Cent and Fat Joe.

Top 5 M.O.P. tracks: “How About Some Hardcore,” “Stick To Your Guns,” “Handle UR Bizness,” “Ante Up,” “Cold As Ice”

18. Cypress Hill

“Insane In The Brain” will always be the staple of Cypress Hill’s career, but they have done so much more in the 21 years they’ve been in the game. Their self-titled debut disc is a hip-hop classic and the follow-up, Black Sunday, proved there would be no sophomore slump for the California weed lovers. B. Real’s voice is one of the most distinctive in hip-hop history and DJ Muggs proved he’s among the best hip-hop producers to ever do it. They have had huge crossover success, as even non-hip-hop lovers have gotten behind their music. Cypress Hill was a part of the 1994 revival of Woodstock, they’ve been a part of Lollapalooza and Smokin’ Grooves. There aren’t many acts that can put similar accomplishments on their resume.

Top 5 Cypress Hill tracks: “How I Could Just Kill A Man,” “Hand on the Pump,” “Insane In The Brain,” “Cock The Hammer,” “I Ain’t Goin Out Like That”

17. EPMD

Erick & Parrish Making Dollars. It’s a simple acronym, but it’s awesome all the same. These two were the epitome of a hip-hop duo in the early ‘90’s. After a small beef, the two reunited for 1997’s Back In Business and continued to make music together for the next 11 years. They have put out a slew of classic songs and are responsible for starting the careers of Redman, Keith Murray and Das EFX.  

Top 5 EPMD tracks: “You Gots To Chill,” “Headbanger,” “Crossover,” “Da Joint,” “Never Seen Before”

16. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony

In the mid 90’s Bone Thugs were among the top in the rap world. They were in the same league as Wu-Tang in regards to popularity and they made a huge splash with the success of “Tha Crossroads.” They also appeared on tracks with 2Pac and Notorious B.I.G. in 1997 and you already know what that year means in regards to the Pac and Biggie saga. Twista may be the fastest rapper on the planet, but Bone Thugs were the first to make that style popular and bring it to the attention of the mainstream audience.

Top 5 Bone Thugs-N-Harmony tracks: “No Surrender,” “Thuggish Ruggish Bone,” “1^st of tha Month,” “Tha Crossroads,” “Down ‘71 (The Getaway)”

15. Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five

Pioneers of hip-hop as we know it today, Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five brought hip-hop music to a whole new level with “The Message.” Instead of another upbeat, party record, Melle Mel painted a darker image of the streets and what it meant to struggle in the ghetto. Grandmaster Flash is credited with inventing the first crossfader, which had a huge impact on music and Melle Mel is one of the dopest rappers to ever grace a mic. They were also the first hip-hop group ever inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The only strike against this group is longevity. “The Message” was released in 1982, but the group had split up by 1983.

Top 5 Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five tracks: “Freedom,” “Superrappin’,” “The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash On The Wheels of Steel,” “The Message,” “White Lines”

14. Geto Boys

When I think of Southern hip-hop, the first person I always think of is Scarface, which then brings you directly to the Geto Boys where ‘Face’s career began. If you don’t think of the Geto Boys when you think of hip-hop pioneers, then you don’t know your history. They combined gangster rap along with “horrorcore” before that word even existed. They are the reason so many artists have made a name for themselves coming out of the South. And they released one of the greatest songs in hip-hop history with “Mind Playing Tricks On Me” (which also had a great video). As the years went by, the group focused more on social, political and personal topics and shifted away from shock value content they became famous for and were able to make the transition seamless as we saw them all develop as lyricists and MCs.  

Top 5 Geto Boys tracks: “Mind Playing Tricks On Me,” “Damn It Feels Good To Be  A Gangsta,” “Six Feet Deep,” “Yes, Yes, Y’all,” “G Code”

13. Gang Starr

We’ve seen some great duos in hip-hop history and we’ll see another on here shortly. But when you think of MC/DJ combinations it’s hard to come up with a better pair than Guru and DJ Premier. With Gang Starr, you have arguably the greatest producer of all time (I rank him No. 2) and possibly the most underrated MC of all time in Guru (Guru and Black Thought might be 1A & 1B in that category – sounds like an idea for another list). You can identify a Premo beat the minute you hear it and you can pick Guru’s voice out instantaneously. That monotone flow never sounded so good over a Premier banger. And Guru could spit too. He had lyrics for days. The group had longevity as Gang Starr put out albums from 1989-2003 and would probably still be in the game today if it wasn’t for the untimely death of Guru.

Top 5 Gang Starr tracks: “Step In The Arena,” “Ex Girl To The Next Girl,” “Code of the Streets,” “DWYCK,” “The Militia”

12. The Fugees

After hearing “Nappy Heads (Remix),” I was blown away. Lauryn Hill absolutely beasted that track and Wyclef’s singing both on the hook and his Louis Armstrong impersonation were excellent. Unfortunately their 1994 debut, Blunted On Reality, failed to live up to its lead single. In fact the album was pretty lackluster. But two years later, the talents of Hill and Wyclef were realized on the 1996’s classic The Score. L-Boogie’s vocals on “Killing Me Softly” brought the Fugees a Grammy and made them a household name. From there, all three went solo with ‘Clef delivering another classic with The Carnival, before Lauryn Hill owned 1998 with the 5-time Grammy winning album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. From there the Fugees stayed apart (except for a reunion at Dave Chappelle’s Block Party) and haven’t delivered any classic material over the past decade-plus. But 1996-1998 delivered three classic from the group, Wyclef and Ms. Hill respectively, a feat that is hard to top.

Top 5 Fugees tracks: “Nappy Heads (Remix),” “Vocab (Remix),” “Ready or Not,” “Fu-Gee-La,” “Killing Me Softly”

11. Boogie Down Productions

The group that launched the career of the “Teacha,” KRS-One, Boogie Down Productions is responsible for countless classic records. BDP brought tales of street life, political commentary and social matters to the table. KRS also repped his hood, beefing with MC Shan over the birthplace of hip-hop (which resulted in MC Shan’s “The Bridge” and “Kill That Noise” and BDP’s responses of “South Bronx” and “The Bridge Is Over”) and lived and breathed the culture of hip-hop. The group put out 5 albums over a six-year span starting with the critically acclaimed and highly influential Criminal Minded. KRS has gone on to have a long solo career and remains one of the brightest torch bearers of hip-hop culture.

Top 5 Boogie Down Productions tracks: “South Bronx,” “The Bridge Is Over,” “My Philosophy,” “You Must Learn,” “Love’s Gonna Get’cha (Material Love)”

10. Beastie Boys

Every white rapper can thank the Beastie Boys for paving the way for them. In a culture dominated by urban life and street tales, the three white boys from Brooklyn broke through with frathouse inspired party anthems that got the attention of Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons and led to one of Def Jam’s greatest signings. The Beastie Boys kicked the door down with 1986’s Licensed To Ill and had been a staple in music up until 2011, before the passing of Adam Yauch (MCA) this past May. The Beasties matured greatly from 1986, giving involved in political movements, bringing back their punk and rock roots and using their music for more than just party anthems. That’s not to say the Beasties didn’t still know how to make fun music or have a good time, but their maturation and experimentation as a group speaks volumes to their talent.

Top 5 Beastie Boys tracks: “Paul Revere,” “(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party),” “Hey Ladies,” “So What’cha Want,” “Sabotage”

9. Eric B. & Rakim

Remember when I wrote you’d be hard pressed to find a better MC/DJ combination than Guru and Premier? Well, here it is: Eric B. & Rakim. Their debut album, Paid In Full, is the most quoted and sampled record in hip-hop history. No, I don’t have statistical evidence to back that claim up, but I’m confident that it is. Rakim changed the way MCing was done, weaving internal rhymes inside his bars and deviated from the simple rhyme patterns that earlier MCs developed. Every song on Paid In Full is jam packed with quotables and Eric B. matched Rakim with some of the best samples you’ll ever find on a record. Eric B. & Rakim would go on to release three more albums before splitting up.

Top 5 Eric B. & Rakim tracks: “I Ain’t No Joke,” “Paid In Full,” “Eric B. Is President,” “Microphone Fiend,” “Juice (Know the Ledge)”

8. De La Soul

If you want to talk about consistency, look no further than De La Soul. The group that launched the era of “hippie rap” or “alternative rap,” De La has been cranking out great hip-hop for the past 23 years. De La has released eight albums over their career and every one was on point. They delivered two classics with 3 Feet High and Rising and De La Soul Is Dead to start their career and haven’t ever fallen off since. They collaborated with legendary producer Prince Paul on their first few albums and of course helped launch the Native Tongue crew alongside the likes of A Tribe Called Quest, Jungles Brothers, Monie Love and others. Posdnous could also find his way on the most underrated MCs list as he has delivered quotable after quotable over the years. You don’t last 23 years in the game if you’re not doing something right and quite frankly De La has never steered us wrong.

Top 5 De La Soul tracks: “Me, Myself & I,” “Buddy,” “Ego Trippin’,” “Stakes Is High,” “Oooh”

7. The Roots

The greatest live hip-hop group of all time and the best hip-hop group in the world today. Think about it, what hip-hop group still recording music together is better than The Roots in 2012? I’ll wait. They are the backing band for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, they were the live band for Jay-Z’s unplugged performance, they’re Grammy award winners and have consistently put out top notch material for the past 20 years. The group has evolved steadily since its 1993 debut, Organix, dropping a classic in Things Fall Apart and last year’s brilliant concept album, undun. Like De La Soul, the Roots have never released a disappointing album and with the lyrical dexterity of Black Thought and the musical genius of ?uestlove, I’m not sure they ever will disappoint.

Top 5 Roots tracks: “Proceed,” “Clones,” “You Got Me,” “The Seed 2.0,” “Dear God 2.0”  

6. N.W.A.

One of the most controversial groups in music history, N.W.A. got everyone’s attention thanks to a little song called “Fuck The Police” off their debut album Straight Outta Compton. And while that song grabbed N.W.A. headlines initially, it’s the star power and storied career of its members that sticks out 24 years later. N.W.A. consisted of Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, DJ Yella and MC Ren. That’s three of the biggest names in hip-hop history in one group. Of course Cube left after the group’s debut and went solo causing the remaining members to take shots at Cube over the course of their 100 Miles and Runnin’ EP and their second full-length, Efil4zaggin. And then that was it for N.W.A. But gangsta rap, the G-Funk sound (which Dre created on Efil4zaggin) and the greatest West Coast group of all time was born thanks to the partnership of Dre, Cube, Eazy, Ren and Yella. Not to mention one of the most influential albums ever made in Straight Outta Compton.

Top 5 N.W.A. tracks: “Straight Outta Compton,” “Fuck The Police,” “Express Yourself,” “Dopeman,” “Alwayz Into Somethin’”

5. Public Enemy

Political, militant, unrelenting, menacing and powerful, Public Enemy created a sound all to its own and left the party starting, fluff music for everyone else. You won’t find a blatant attempt at radio play in Public Enemy’s catalog. They made the music they wanted to make and spoke on the issues that mattered most to them. Chuck D. has one of the greatest voices in hip-hop history and the Bomb Squad is a legendary production team. Oh, and then there’s the best hypeman to ever do it in Flavor Flav. P.E.’s run from 1987-1991 is among the best in the game, as they put out classic records and unleashed the signature sound of the Bomb Squad on the world. P.E. is the reason I became a hip-hop fan, so I will always have some bias towards them, but their impact and influence on the genre can’t be denied.

Top 5 Public Enemy tracks: “Rebel Without A Pause,” “Fight The Power,” “Welcome To The Terrordome,” “Can’t Truss It,” “Shut ‘Em Down”

4. A Tribe Called Quest

After watching Michael Rapaport’s Beats, Rhymes & Life documentary, I immediately wanted to throw a Tribe record on, but I was also really sad that the group broke up. Tribe has put out some of the biggest records of my childhood and teen years with songs like “Check The Rhime” and “Scenario.” Q-Tip has one of the illest voices in hip-hop history and was a true crate digger when it came to finding samples for his production. Phife Dawg was the perfect complement to Tip on the mic, as the two outdid one another song after song. The impact A Tribe Called Quest has had on hip-hop is unquestionable and immeasurable. The group released three consecutive classic albums to start their career. Who else can claim the same?

Top 5 A Tribe Called Quest tracks: “Can I Kick It?” “Bonita Applebum,” “Check The Rhime,” “Scenario,” “Award Tour,” “

3. OutKast

Andre 3000 and Big Boi form the best duo to ever grace a mic. Throw in the production of Organized Noize and you have some of the best hip-hop music ever created. They started their career as teens on some true player shit for 1994’s classic Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, before going to a futuristic sound on their sophomore disc, ATLiens. Then they combined the two styles for the best album of their career, 1998’s Aquemini. Big Boi and 3 Stacks followed that disc with another solid outing in 2000’s Stankonia, which included the greatest ‘Kast song you’ll find in “B.O.B.” Now the album that got the most attention was 2003’s Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, which saw Big Boi tearing up the mic on disc 1, before Andre 3000 went the funk/soul/R&B route on disc 2. The album won the Grammy for Album of the Year, putting a feather in the storied career of OutKast. There have been talks of a new OutKast album at some point, which would be incredible, but with Big Boi’s second solo disc about to drop and Andre 3000 working on his solo effort, we’ll have to wait and see if it ever comes to fruition.

Top 5 OutKast tracks: “Player’s Ball,” “Elevators,” “Rosa Parks,” “Da Art of Storytellin’ (Part 2),” “B.O.B.”

2. Run-DMC

How do you describe the impact Run-DMC had on hip-hop? They were the first true “rock stars” of hip-hop music. Run-DMC is cited as an influence by everyone, their rhymes are quoted by other rappers and in popular culture (watch Dogma and listen to Matt Damon singing the hook to “Run’s House”). They had the world dressing up in tracks suits, with thick gold rope chains, black fedoras and unlaced Adidas. They are the first hip-hop act to go platinum and multiplatinum, the first hip-hop group to have its videos aired on MTV, and the first to get a Rolling Stone cover. Run-DMC brought hip-hop to the masses and did so with some of the best hip-hop music you’ll ever find. And let’s talk about the music. Their debut album featured the classics “Rock Box” and “Sucker M.C.’s” before dropping the classic Raising Hell two years later with “Peter Piper,” “It’s Tricky,” “My Adidas,” “You Be Illin’” and the crossover smash “Walk This Way” with Aerosmith. Not that this weighed my decision in any way, but Run-DMC is also responsible for “Christmas In Hollis,” the greatest hip-hop holiday song of all time.

Top 5 Run-DMC tracks: “King of Rock,” “Rock Box,” “Sucker M.C.’s,” “It’s Tricky,” “Run’s House”       

1. Wu-Tang Clan

How many elite MCs can you put in one group? And then you add one of the greatest producers to ever do it? That’s just not fair. But that’s the Wu, the illest ensemble ever to grace the rap game. Method Man was the original star, while Raekwon and Ghostface formed a tag team within the group, RZA laced the group with some of the grittiest production we’ve ever heard, GZA threw lyrical dart after lyrical dart, Inspectah Deck slayed every verse he was on, U-God brought that baritone voice and wit and then Ol’ Dirty Bastard put a bow on the whole thing with his off the wall antics and vocals. Then Masta Killa and Cappadonna were brought along, providing even more lyrical onslaught. Enter The 36 Chambers is the greatest hip-hop album of all time. It is No. 1 on my list and No. 1 on the list of many. Then you add Tical, Return To The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, Liquid Swords and Ironman (each a classic if you ask me) before the highly anticipated double-disc, Wu-Tang Forever. That’s 6 classic albums in a four-year span. And if Wu-Tang Forever was a single disc, you’d have 7 classics. Truly, Wu-Tang Clan ain’t nuthin’ to fuck wit.

Top 5 Wu-Tang Clan tracks: “C.R.E.A.M.” “Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthin’ To Fuck Wit,” “7^th Chamber,” “Protect Ya Neck,” “Triumph”

Honorable Mention: The Beatnuts; Mobb Deep; Black Moon; Smif-N-Wessun; Jurassic 5; Blackalicious; People Under The Stairs; Pete Rock & CL Smooth; The Alkaholiks; UGK; Atmosphere; Little Brother; Dilated Peoples; Sugarhill Gang; Organized Konfusion; Reflection Eternal/Black Star; The Artifacts; The Pharcyde; Onyx; The Clipse; Digable Planets; Naughty By Nature; Black Sheep; Das EFX; Whodini; Capone-N-Noreaga; Goodie Mob; Nice & Smooth