The National Post revealed their list of The Top 10 Rappers in Canada
The National Post’s words are italicized in red and my commentary is written below it.
10. Michee Mee: Still no other female Canadian MC has carried the weight of Michee.
What? Are you kidding me! What about Eternia?
When you think female rappers in Canada, these two names immediately come to mind. Michee Mee is a pioneer for sure but Eternia has been bringing fire to the microphone for over ten years. I think she is absolutely amazing and it’s a crime that she isn’t on this list.
9. D-Sisive: Started as a battler. Still battling.
I think D-sisive deserves to bit a bit higher up on this list.
8. Buck 65: He raps about baseball. Enough said.
Not mad at this entry at all.
7. Saukrates / Maestro: It’s a tie at number seven. These two are old school but Saukrates is killing it with his new song about Emily Haines. And without Maestro, there’s no list.
Okay, hold up. There wouldn’t be a Canadian hip-hop scene without Maestro. How can you possibly not give him his own ranking here?
Saukrates is a legend and I think he deserves to hold down this spot. Maestro should be higher.
6. Classified: Actually one of our truest hip-hoppers, Class has personality and rugged lyrics. If Canadian rappers were American, Classified would be from Brooklyn or the Bronx (instead of Nova Scotia)
Love Classified. Nice analogy here too.
5. K’naan: He’s colourful, charismatic, and a terrific writer blessed with a golden voice. His next move could be anything. Here’s hoping he decides to stay rap.
K’naan is incredibly hot right now and he’s got mad talent. No doubt about that.
4. Drake: Singlehandedly keeping Lil Wayne alive while he’s in prison, Drake is not only the most popular Canadian rapper of all-time, he’s also the smoothest, and nearly the best.
I hate to say it, but I think Drake is over-rated. His rhymes are quite simple (cat – hat, kind of stuff) I know that he’s got legions of fans worldwide though. I admit to enjoying some of his stuff. I just find that he can be hit and miss.
3. k-os: Gotta love his rock star approach and his lyrics. Who else drinks white wine in the morning when he must meet the press?
Loved this cat when he first came out. Love hearing him on the radio too.
2. Kardinal Offishall: The big boss of the Canadian hip-hop game, Kardi’s been number one for so long that it’s only his recent pop moves with Akon that found him losing ground to Shad. Kardinal is still a serious MC, though. There’s nothing we’d like more than rocking to him retake his crown.
Truly unique artist. Kardi deserves to be high on this list.
1. Shad: He had us convinced with his first Polaris-nominated record,The Old Prince last year, and blew us away. TSOL just dropped in the U.S., where he’s currently touring with k-os. Kanye – get ahold of this man, before you’re opening for him.
I completely agree with placing Shad at Number 1. Nice job National Post!
I’d like to rewrite this list a little. I don’t know what criteria was used for them but here is mine; lyrics, influence, and longevity.
10. K’naan
9. Buck 65
8. K-os
7. Saukrates
6. Kardinal Offishall
5. D-sisive
4. Classified
3. Eternia
2. Maestro
1. Shad
I’d love to hear your opinions,
Do you agree with The National Post’s list?
Would you rearrange the artists?
Who would you add?
Who would you leave out?
6 responses to “The Top 10 Canadian Rappers”
how isnt drake on your list? This is a joke….
Hi Anonymous,
Do you listen to Canadian hip-hop?
There are some amazingly gifted emcees that spit lyrics. Drake is okay as far as pop artists go but he really isn't a great emcee. He's hit and miss.
I think that Drake might prove himself one day and legitimately make his way on to this list. For now, he's a hot new artist in the pop scene and might disappear like so many of those artists tend to do.
I seriously don't think you can take away anything from the artists that I did list in my Top 10. They earned their spots. I stand by the list, square and square.
Thanks for your comment.
In my opinion Kardinals the best but K-os is my favourite so my bad if my list is biased towards him lol
1. Kardinal
2. Classified
3. Maestro (#2 and 3 are pretty close)
4. Shad
5. K-os
6. Saukrates
7. Eternia
8. D-sisive
9. Buck-65
10. Michie Mee
I don't know much about Canadian Hip Hop (which is a shame, cuz i'm canadian lol) but I know for sure Drake should never be compared to these greats.
Hi Anonymous #2
You know enough about Canadian hip-hop. That's still a great list.
Thanks for adding to the discussion!
You are crazy national post! Drake should be on the list.
Here is my top 4 Canadian rappers
1.Drake
2.Classified
3.K'naan
4.Shad
Hi Anonymous,
Speaking in terms of influence, Drake hasn't made a mark. he sounds too much like Lil Wayne. His rhymes are simple and straight forward. He really hasn't brought anything new to the game. His latest album is a complete snore-fest. I really don't expect to see him having a lengthy career. In my opinion, he can't hold a microphone alongside any of the true emcees on this list.
I'm glad to see that you give Class and Shad some shine though. They are true lyricists. They both have unique styles and step up their game constantly.
We're all entitled to our opinion, but when you weigh what Drake has done in the terms of lyrical content, delivery, flow, and musicianship, he really doesn't measure up.