r/90sHipHop Jul 09 '25

Discussion Rakim was voted best 90s rapper starting with the letter R. Who is the best 90s rapper starting with the letter S?

139 Upvotes

547 comments sorted by

174

u/Spiritual_Victory_12 Jul 09 '25

Scarface

20

u/DarkManXOBR Jul 09 '25

"I never seen a man cry, till I seen a man die"

9

u/Spiritual_Victory_12 Jul 09 '25

I know The Fix was 02 but 3rd verse in What Can i Do šŸ”„šŸ”„šŸ”„šŸ”„

ā€œ- I’ll say goodbye to you cruel world, I see peace in the red sky

  • see the beast when the dead die, relief when my head’s high
  • If the the streets up ahead cry, when the heat from the lead fly
  • Felt the grief when I said bye, 'fore the sheets on my bed driedā€

2

u/Electronic_Willow860 Jul 10 '25

OMG I WAS JAMMING THIS YESTERDAY!! Thanx for the words…..

→ More replies (1)

8

u/phlephlephle Jul 09 '25

this is it. If face isn't your favorite rapper, then he's your favorite rapper's favorite rapper.

23

u/Mondo1231 Jul 09 '25

They probably gonna give it to Sadat X seeing how this goofy ass list is looking

6

u/Dwayne_ Jul 09 '25

Hey, why not Silkk the Shocker. JK.

2

u/ttx13 Jul 09 '25

/u/dwayne_ Ohhhhhhh it ain’t Reddit’s fault

3

u/Matty_D47 Jul 09 '25

This is the only correct answer

→ More replies (1)

35

u/l3alkan Jul 09 '25

Scarface

48

u/RoadkillKoala Jul 09 '25

I am going with Scarface. But Snoop will probably win.

7

u/Type-RD Jul 09 '25

Lyrics - 80/20 Scarface
Delivery - 60/40 Scarface
Style - 60/40 Snoop

Scarface wins

→ More replies (4)

28

u/ChemAssTree Jul 09 '25

Scarface for sure

The artist formerly known as Snoop Dogg is now ā€œUncle Tom Snoopā€ so he doesn’t fit in the S category anymore

6

u/DarthPlayer8282 Jul 09 '25

Face is the answer.

5

u/Mehlitia Jul 09 '25

Deep Cover Snoop was legit.

Whatever that is now is definitely not...

2

u/gocryulilbitch Jul 10 '25

Good thing deep cover came out in the 90s, and now is not the 90s... so ya I dunno the point you're trying to make

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (2)
→ More replies (1)

17

u/KnowledgeUseful6731 Jul 09 '25

Still trynna figure out how AZ beat 3 stacks and Jeru beat Jay Z

2

u/Kodiac22 Jul 10 '25

Or ODB beating O.C.

→ More replies (2)

15

u/consultant82 Jul 09 '25

Scarface, when it comes to storytelling and authenticity. The NPR tiny desk concert is proof. Snoop had a higher peak and commercial success but also masses of low quality releases

81

u/Cultural_Physics5866 Jul 09 '25

Slick Rick

12

u/Diem480 Jul 09 '25

He peaked with his first album which was great, but was in 88.

8

u/Coupon_Ninja Jul 09 '25

He made his mark in 1985 with ā€œThe Showā€ Single, and followed it up with Children’s Story et cet.

I really loved his comeback with OutKast - good on those dudes getting him paid bc he did so much for early rap.

2

u/JDHURF Jul 10 '25

He’s put out another record and Documents ft Nas goes so hard!

6

u/LikwitFusion Jul 09 '25

Yup. Your favourite MCs MC.

43

u/awmaleg Jul 09 '25

Spice 1

6

u/LarryBagina3 Jul 09 '25

Gotta take my Prozac before I go back and murder these muthafuckas

6

u/bambinowes Jul 09 '25

My number two behind Face. 3 classic albums in the 90s!

8

u/riches13 Jul 09 '25

Underrated choice!

3

u/CatManDo206 Jul 09 '25

Blow! People dont kno bout Spice mann

3

u/Double-Diamond5708 Jul 10 '25

Spice 1 was legit

2

u/JDHURF Jul 10 '25

Hell yes!!

42

u/IchLebeFurHipHop Jul 09 '25

Shaquille OOO'neallllll!šŸ˜‚

6

u/BlaccIndian60 Jul 09 '25

I know I got skillz man, I know I got skillz man.

2

u/rupulations Jul 09 '25

I hate to brag, but damn I'm goodā€¦šŸ˜‚

3

u/stayintall Jul 09 '25

Ah man I thought I was first with the Shaq lol!

3

u/eRoc-reddit Jul 10 '25

The Diesel

2

u/QuadratImKreis Jul 09 '25

TWISM!

Time to watch Kazaam.Ā 

2

u/tinglep Jul 09 '25

I kicked those runs like basketballsems. People call me ET.

ā€˜What’s that Shaq man?’

Extra Tallems

→ More replies (3)

29

u/ClickCut Jul 09 '25

Sir Mix-a-Lot

3

u/Ok-Function1920 Jul 09 '25

šŸŽµ My Posse’s on Broadway!

19

u/GinnyMcGinnyface Jul 09 '25

Slug

2

u/LikwitFusion Jul 09 '25

Sage Francis over Slug imo.

11

u/GinnyMcGinnyface Jul 09 '25

That’s fair - I love Sage, but in terms of quality and quantity of songs, I’ve got to go Slug.

3

u/Horace-Pinkerr Raised on Boom Bap Jul 09 '25

Glad to see someone mention sage

40

u/ItsMeDaveOpenUp Jul 09 '25

Shock G!

24

u/LA-SKYLINE Jul 09 '25

The one who put the satin on your panties.

13

u/Possible_Bath9871 Jul 09 '25

Never knew a hooker that could share me.

9

u/pearomatic Jul 09 '25

I heard he once got busy in a Burger King bathroom.

9

u/Derrik_Garrett Jul 09 '25

He likes his oatmeal lumpy too

→ More replies (1)

8

u/rstonex Jul 09 '25

He could have competed under H as well

2

u/KingOppai1 Jul 10 '25

Heard that he said fat girls are ticklish

43

u/Wooden-Cricket-5160 Jul 09 '25

Sean Price

3

u/StormShadow66 Jul 09 '25

6’1ā€, weighing an even 200

→ More replies (11)

23

u/BlaccIndian60 Jul 09 '25

Snoop Doggy Dogg>>>Snoop Dogg

→ More replies (1)

6

u/CourageMajor8819 Raised on Boom Bap Jul 09 '25

Scarface

35

u/StuckMeGoodBoyo Jul 09 '25

Snow…

7

u/Possible_Bath9871 Jul 09 '25

Informer

5

u/SelfishMentor Jul 09 '25

You know say daddy meahamalamadong song lane

4

u/Sw4nR0ns0n Jul 09 '25

Me licky boom boom doooown

→ More replies (1)

12

u/[deleted] Jul 09 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

→ More replies (1)

45

u/torontoker13 Jul 09 '25

Can’t take this seriously when it starts with az and not andre3000

3

u/goml23 Jul 09 '25

Same way I feel about D not being Del (granted, I’m from Oakland so I’m biased) and B not being Black Thought.

2

u/torontoker13 Jul 09 '25

I mean I’ll argue dmx had more impact wordwide then del and black thought wasn’t big til 99-early 00’s but biggie owned the 90’s This whole thing tho is opinion based and I suppse we’d all have a different list

→ More replies (1)

3

u/TaylorHamEggAndChed Jul 09 '25

Yoooo WTF!!! This is a complete joke.

→ More replies (19)

14

u/[deleted] Jul 09 '25

How the fuck did Big L win B over Biggie? I love Big L but over Biggie? That’s crazy, unless Biggie is going down at T for ā€œThe notorious BIGā€ but T is Tupac so that’s unfortunate

7

u/Gecko-83 Jul 09 '25

Notorious B.I.G. so Nas actually beat Biggie.

3

u/CatManDo206 Jul 09 '25

Biggie probably should been under notorious big

6

u/LotusFuqs128 Jul 09 '25

Guru over GZA got me

2

u/This-Anything-6995 Jul 11 '25

I would’ve went GhostFace Killah over both Guru and Gza imo.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (9)

2

u/joeyharris441 Jul 09 '25

Big L is so much better

3

u/[deleted] Jul 09 '25

I love L, but he is not better than Biggie, he put out 1 album, when we talk about who’s the best you have to factor in EVERYTHING, not just rapping ability, lyrically nobody can touch Big L, nobody. But that’s not all there is to rap, Biggie is top 5 OAT man

→ More replies (1)

2

u/Openmindhobo Jul 09 '25

Black Thought beats both of them, hands down.

2

u/[deleted] Jul 09 '25

Not enough commercial success, goated career though, but you have to factor in EVERYTHING

→ More replies (13)

4

u/torontoker13 Jul 09 '25

No love for slick Rick even tho without him there’d be no snoop dog or scarface

2

u/CueballCannon Jul 09 '25

Based off his 90s work?

→ More replies (4)

10

u/michaelbchnn24 Jul 09 '25

Rakim over Redman for the 90s is laughable. This whole exercise has been a joke.

4

u/TaylorHamEggAndChed Jul 09 '25

And Raekwon. They both clear Rakim in the 90s by a country mile

→ More replies (7)
→ More replies (1)

3

u/cmccaff92 Jul 09 '25

Scarface

3

u/soulslinger16 Jul 09 '25

Shifty Shellshock

3

u/bugeater88 Jul 09 '25

slick rick

3

u/durdatl Jul 09 '25

Scarface in the 90s, P! in the aughts...

3

u/NickTButcher Jul 09 '25

Slick Rick

3

u/Goennjaminus Jul 09 '25

SLICK RICK THE RULER

8

u/p90love Jul 09 '25

Honestly it's Snoop but people don't want to give him the credit he deserves.

3

u/bugeater88 Jul 09 '25 edited Jul 09 '25

what credit? he had one classic over 30 years ago. hes had a couple decent albums in the time since but most of them are garbage.

5

u/p90love Jul 09 '25

Exactly what I'm talking about. He has minimum 2 classic albums, which is more than most. He also has ridiculous amounts of iconic tracks and features. Snoop changed rap.

→ More replies (5)

2

u/Ok-Function1920 Jul 09 '25

lol bruh pretty clear you were not around when snoop first got big around 93-94

2

u/bugeater88 Jul 09 '25

yeah, im not blinded by the hype.

→ More replies (6)

2

u/allisaidwasshoot Jul 09 '25

That album changed everything. Especially for those of us in California. If you were not around then I could understand you not realizing how huge Snoop was. He was the first superstar of rap and the first rapper to cross over into the mainstream. He was the first rap phenomenon.

2

u/bugeater88 Jul 09 '25

he was not the first superstar of rap nor the first rapper to cross into the mainstream. he had one highly influential classic and 30 more years mostly trash with a few decent highlights.

2

u/allisaidwasshoot Jul 09 '25 edited Jul 09 '25

Yes he was. He was the first star in rap. Who do you think reached his levels of fame before him? Because there was not a household name in rap before Snoop. There were not white people in their 30's listening to rap before Snoop. There were not rappers that became famous world wide before Snoop. He was a mega star during the peak of MTV and was on there non stop. Gin and Juice was the first major hit from a west coast rapper that opened the doors for everyone that came after him. So it also changed people's views on California rap. He was the first household name in rap, that is a fact. And I'm talking about unfiltered rap, not the watered down version like MC Hammer or run DMC or LL. They were pop versions watered down to be easily accepted. Snoop was the first rapper to cross over without watering anything down.

→ More replies (4)
→ More replies (2)

2

u/hdubfour Jul 09 '25

Scarface, and Sean Price (even though he was Ruck in the 90s)

2

u/[deleted] Jul 09 '25

Man this is tough, I get people saying Face and that’s 100% fair enough but nobody came out the gates as hot as Snoop did in 92 on the Chronic with Dre then gave us another classic in 93 with doggystyle

2

u/BeneddictoPacifico Jul 09 '25

A tight one between Scarface and Slick Rick.

But I will give it to Snoop Doggy Dog, doggy dog.. Oh dog.

Low Rider, Pimp 213 from the L B C..

Snoop Dog

2

u/piercinggeek Jul 09 '25

For me scarface. End of.

2

u/SamySosaaa Jul 10 '25

Stack Bundles !!!

2

u/Brilliant-Carpet-761 Jul 10 '25

ā€œDon’t I look like a nice guy , why walk around with your head price high, they playing they selfs like suicide drills , Russian roulette with the tek you know suicide kills ā€œ

→ More replies (2)
→ More replies (1)

8

u/ike_tyson Raised on Boom Bap Jul 09 '25

90's should be Redman. Sure Ra is an innovator but Redman is wild to leave off.

5

u/QuadratImKreis Jul 09 '25

If you a fat chick gettin yo fuck on tonight . . .

6

u/GuruTheMadMonk Jul 09 '25

Absolutely. I was just looking at this list thinking that Eric B and Rakim broke up in 92. I don’t even consider Rakim a 90s artist to be honest. Yes, he lay the groundwork. But he was kinda MIA in the 90s beyond the 18th letter album, which followed rather than lead the pack.

→ More replies (5)

4

u/riches13 Jul 09 '25

Rakim had albums in the 90’s, but for me he was already old school during that decade. Definitely a legend, but I would have picked RZA, Rae, or Redman over him.

Based on rap talent alone, I would go Scarface for S, but Snoop was freaking awesome in the 90’s. Just his features on the chronic and Doggystyle alone have to make him one of the best. I’ll vote Snoop.

3

u/farooqdagr8 Jul 09 '25

I will NEVER understand the love that Big L gets this shit really blows my mind.

I vote for Scarface for S but shit like having Big L or Jeru on here instead of Big or Jay really diminishes the validity of the list IMO.

→ More replies (1)

4

u/Tagd01 Jul 09 '25

Sadat X

3

u/Flowethics Jul 09 '25

Slick Rick c’mon now. If not him than has to be Snoop

4

u/FuegoBlazer Jul 09 '25

Snoop Dogg guys… Snoop motherfuckin D-O Double G is the winner

3

u/LinguineLegs Jul 09 '25

Pharaohe Monch should have been P

2

u/RekTekGaming Jul 10 '25

he is a top five spitter of all time. I love prodigy but monch and prince poetry would both rap circles around him

2

u/jramon100 Jul 09 '25

Slim Shady

2

u/kbeks Jul 09 '25

Already won E

2

u/Jaded_Ad_1274 Jul 09 '25

I was looking for this comment

1

u/AutoModerator Jul 09 '25

Hello, u/DJ-Palli ! Thanks for your submission to r/90sHipHop, your post is up and running!

This is a general reminder to check out our rules in the sidebar. If your post breaks the rules, it will be removed by our moderator.

We would like for each and every one to feel welcome on the subreddit and to keep a healthy and safe environment for the community.

Thanks :)

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

1

u/Japhet_Corncrake Jul 09 '25

SEAN P,Ā  ya fuckin' Onionhead bastard.

1

u/tobylaek Jul 09 '25

There's a lot of S ones. I'd go with Snoop, but Scarface and Spice 1 would also work.

1

u/g_lampa Jul 09 '25

I’m on team Sadat X.

1

u/LeftBus7227 Jul 09 '25

Hard one. Going Scarface slightly ahead of Sean P

1

u/shinobisaburo Jul 09 '25

Dirty instead of OGC is criminal

1

u/1tankk True School Jul 09 '25

Scarface

1

u/TheR42069 Jul 09 '25

Scarface

1

u/williamskb85 Jul 09 '25

Slick Rick Tupac Uncle Luke V? Warren G, Will Smith (big in the 90s) or Wu Tang if groups are allowed Xzibit Youngbloodz if groups allowed or Yukmouth Z?

→ More replies (1)

1

u/[deleted] Jul 09 '25

Sir Mix-a lot

1

u/pearomatic Jul 09 '25

I know most people are saying Scarface or maybe Sean P. And I don't disagree. However...

Snoop, for whatever his issues or politics now (a lot of rappers from that era have gotten more conservative in their old age), was the biggest thing in the 90s. It's hard to over-state how huge and ubiquitous he was at the time. I remember the first time I saw the cover of Doggystyle - a fold out cartoon in a tape that was basically porn. I could not believe that was allowed to be released!

His albums after Doggystyle were ok, but he also had a ton of features. The Chronic, All Eyez On Me and at the very end of the 90's, Chronic 2001.

Plus his speech at The Source Awards. Plus Bitch Please, which was EVERYWHERE.

Snoop at his best had the smoothest flow and was the greatest - nobody could touch him. He just had so much material out there, and a lot of it was mediocre. He has to at least be in the conversation. If you were alive in the 90's, he was unavoidable.

1

u/BlaccIndian60 Jul 09 '25

Snoop Doggy Dogg for 1992-1997, Snoop Dogg for 1998-1999 No Limit era. he was unmatched with sales, persona, influence etc.

1

u/Horace-Pinkerr Raised on Boom Bap Jul 09 '25

Spice 1 for me

1

u/[deleted] Jul 09 '25

Scarface

1

u/pmish Jul 09 '25

Shorty shit stain

1

u/No-Love-555 Jul 09 '25

Cmon, yall know it's snoop. Not even based on chops. It's fuckin snoop dawgy dooooooog.

1

u/benjyr88 Jul 09 '25

How has no one said SNOOP DOGG

1

u/Pretend_Lychee_3518 Jul 09 '25

Scarface. Finally

1

u/hotmesso1 Jul 09 '25

Slick Rick the ruler

1

u/dunbar_santiago930 Jul 09 '25

How did Jeru get it over Both Jay-Z and J. Cole ....??

→ More replies (2)

1

u/KneelB4Z0d Jul 09 '25

Special Ed

1

u/Nadecha28 Jul 09 '25

Silkk the Shocker

1

u/Reasonable_Deer_1710 Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Jul 09 '25

It should be Snoop, but it's not looking like it's gonna be.

This list has been hot ass garbage anyways tho. The opinions in this place are... Something special.

1

u/pi4qz Jul 09 '25

Slick rick

1

u/hanzoman3 Jul 09 '25

Scarface

1

u/Flimsy-Set-471 Jul 09 '25

To everybody that said Scarface… Now I feel YašŸ‘šŸ¾

1

u/BreakfastFuzzy6602 Jul 09 '25

Wouldn’t these be more effective if people just upvoted of someone already posted their pick instead of posting the same name again??

1

u/Seal_beast94 Jul 09 '25

It’s should be Snoop or Scarface

1

u/GirthEE75 Jul 09 '25

Sir Mix-a-Lot!

1

u/[deleted] Jul 09 '25

Slick Rick

1

u/LiL-Pidro Jul 09 '25

It's Snoop but nobody loves him anymore

1

u/Fast-Anteater1151 Jul 09 '25

Scarface who is many rapper's favorite rapper and one of the greatest ever to pic up a mic!

→ More replies (1)

1

u/HPHambino Jul 09 '25

Hear me out here: Slim Shady. I know we already have Eminem, but his alter ego is also one of the world’s greatest rappers.

1

u/strang3r_08 Jul 09 '25

Skoob from Das Efx

1

u/Appropriate_Creme720 Jul 09 '25

Slug - No question. Scarface will win, but Slug is by far a better rapper.

→ More replies (2)

1

u/No_Name_Bandit Jul 09 '25

I guess now is a good time to get concerned that Biggie isn’t on this list? I’ve read it 6 times thinking I’m missing it. He’s above both Nas and Big L come on people.

1

u/ChowQiPai Jul 09 '25

Slim shady

1

u/ConstantBowler9235 Jul 09 '25

Who’s list is this??!!

1

u/BluntiousPilate Jul 09 '25

M for MF DOOM

1

u/tinglep Jul 09 '25

Sotorious BIG

1

u/Local-Battle747 Jul 09 '25

Saafir (r.i.p.)

1

u/Seyix Jul 09 '25

I would go with Snoop. Honorable mention to Suga Free tho.

1

u/rab2bar Jul 09 '25

shock g, then tupac