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100 Greatest Alternative Rap,
Hip-Hop Artists

Criteria: This list of alternative rap and hip-hop music artists was based on innovation, creativity, popularity, and significance. These artists operate outside of the traditional subject matter and/or musical approach that is associated with mainstream hip-hop at any given time. It is NOT based solely on 'underground' artists.

Last Updated: 2023-12-28
Newly added names are in  Red 
Alternative Rap, Hip-Hop Artists
  1. A Tribe Called Quest
  2. Outkast
  3. The Beastie Boys
  4. De La Soul
  5. Gang Starr
  6. The Roots
  7. Queen Latifah
  8. Stetsasonic
  9. The Pharcyde
10. Digital Underground
11. Talib Kweli
12. Common
13. The Fugees
14. Arrested Development
15. Digable Planets
16. Lauryn Hill
17. Run the Jewels
18. Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott
19. Mos Def
20. Kid Cudi
21. Brand Nubian
22. Kanye West
23. Wyclef Jean
24. Black Eyed Peas
25. Ultramagnetic MCs
26. Tha Alkaholiks
27. Kool Keith/Dr. Octagon
28. Channel Live
29. Organized Konfusion
30. KRS-One (later work)
31. Jeru the Damaja
32. Jurassic 5
33. Goodie MOB
34. El-P
35. MF Doom
36. Black Sheep
37. Jungle Brothers
38. Pete Rock & CL Smooth
39. Busta Rhymes
40. Company Flow
41. Jedi Mind Tricks
42. Cee-Lo Green
43. Dead Prez
44. Slum Village
45. Little Brother
46. Esham
47. Main Source
48. 3rd Bass
49. Pharoah Monche
50. Big L
51. Del the Funkee Homosapien
52. Aesop Rock
53. Blackilicious
54. Black Moon
55. Dilated Peoples
56. Souls of Mischief
57. Clipping.
58. Bahamadia
59. Aceyalone
60. Leaders of the New School
61. Dan the Automator
62. Nappy Roots
63. The Coup
64. Prince Paul
65. Antipop Consortium
66. Death Grips
67. Guru
68. Boogiemonsters
69. Lords of the Underground
70. Peanut Butter Wolf
71. The Beat Junkies
72. Atmosphere
73. Thirstin Howl III
74. Deltron 3030
75. Poor Righteous Teachers
76. All Natural
77. X-Clan
78. Grand Puba
79. Dream Warriors
80. JVC Force
81. Cities Aviv
82. N.E.R.D.
83. Spearhead
84. Intelligent Hoodlum
85. P.M. Dawn
86. Camp Lo
87. Funkdoobiest
88. Witchdoctor
89. Da Bush Babees
90. Kwame
91. Gorillaz
92. Lil Uzi Vert
93. Armand Hammer
94. The Beatnuts
95. Isis/Lin Que
96. Raw Fusion
97. Jean Grae
98. Sadat X
99. Q-Tip
100. Handsome Boy Modeling School

Album Reviews
good kid, m.A.A.d. city
  by Kendrick Lamar - 2012

good kid/m.A.A.d. city album cover




Rap gruop A Tribe Called Quest
A Tribe Called Quest

Rap duo Outkast
Outkast

Rap trio The Beastie Boys
The Beastie Boys

Rap trio De La Soul
De La Soul

Rap duo Gang Starr
Gang Starr

Rap group The Roots
The Roots






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