Top 25 Influential Rappers of All Time 2Pac. The essence of an MC - lyrics, flow, stage presence (ie. ... Eric B. & Rakim. ... KRS-One. The Blast Master/The Teacher - the self-ascribed walking embodiment of hip hop. ... Nas. Probably the most introspective rapper to ever make an album. ... Ice Cube. ... The Notorious B.I.G. ... Jay-Z. ... Big Daddy Kane. More items...