5. Saba
Chicago was one of the dominant cities putting out hip-hop in 2014. One of the innovative voices of the Chi-town hip-hop renaissance is rapper Saba.Coming from the same vein as Chance the Rapper and Vic Mensa, Saba embodies a jazzy and very vibrant sound that can be as mellow and soothing as it is exciting and new.
Saba’s 2014 project ComfortZONE graces jazz alongside traditional alternative hip-hop alongside more modern trap-ish influences. The project itself is arguably one of the best hip-hop projects of 2014. But the versatility and unique flow Saba possesses is what makes him a force to be reckoned with. If this emcee drops another project in 2015, he’s probably going to get a double-header.
– STONE
4. Freddie Gibbs
In an industry runs on a seemingly endless stream of scandals and controversy, Freddie Gibbs stands out as someone focused on his craft.
His career develops with the zen-like focus that he raps with. His flow is quick, descriptive, and steeped in tradition. But above all, it is real. He seems not to care about shock-and-awe techniques and doesn’t rely on an overly complex lexicon. What he raps about is just the truth and nothing more. Lines about EBT cards and laces in his number threes make you feel like you know exactly where he came from.
While this kind of down-to-earth flow seems like it might become boring, he manages to fit well with Domo Genesis and Earl Sweatshirt. If you haven’t already given this Gary, Indiana rapper a listen, you should.
– B.C.
3. Killer Mike
Killer Mike is one of the best rappers out right now. He’s been among the hottest rappers since 2011’s Bang 3, but on Run the Jewels 2, he’s in a rare zone that few rappers reach. Every verse on the album is technically flawless and laced with wit, humor and insight.
Killer Mike’s best asset is his ability to make technically proficient raps sound effortless. He is equally lyrical as someone like Kendrick Lamar, but unlike Kendrick’s hyper-technical-sometimes-straining rhyme schemes, Killer Mike is constantly in pocket and lets his bars and giant personality speak volumes.
– GOOSE
2. Pharoahe Monch
When Eminem said, “I still rap like I’m on my Pharoahe Monch grind,” on “Rap God,” it was for good reason.
Monch has proved himself to be a highly technical emcee that deserves to be named among some of the lyricists we uphold as Rap Gods in this game. His unique, spitting-behind-the-bar kind of flow combined with his intricate rhymes and ability to turn conscious themes on their head should put this criminally underrated emcee in conversations with some of the best to ever do it.
This year, it’s the rapper’s ability to dive into dark emotional, mental, personal, and even forbidden territory on his album, P.T.S.D.. With such grace, sonic affluence, and just straight-up dope, timeless music, all of this lands Pharoahe Monch on our list of some of the best rappers of 2014.
– KIA
1. Big K.R.I.T.
Big K.R.I.T. had some stellar releases this year. Besides his See Me On Top mixtape, the southern rapper blew away the competition with his sophomore effort Cadillactica.
K.R.I.T. follows in the steps of OutKast with his southern flavor blending effortlessly with his lyrical, intelligent, and creative lyricism. He also produces his own music, which gives him even more creative control of (and credit for) his music.
His lukewarm presence up until recent years was shattered by the crushing “Mt. Olympus” single that demonstrated not only K.R.I.T.’s lyrical and production abilities, but also his passion, force and power in the rap game. Bar-for-bar, Big K.R.I.T. is definitely a top-notch emcee and he wowed with his output in 2014.
