The greatest lyricist of all time...

[Dpantherman]

and hey, I don't deny everyone else. im aware of everyone thats been posted

[The Saltman]

[Dpantherman]

im too exhausted and distraught to continue

[The Saltman]

and hey, I don't deny everyone else. im aware of everyone thats been posted

I know...im just saying...I guess we will have to agree to disagree

[The Saltman]

im too exhausted and distraught to continue

why because u lost?

[Dpantherman]

why because u lost?

:hand: NEVER!

[CharlotteBeer.com]

Like The Saltman said, this is about the best lyricist, not the best artist.

I think GZA is without a doubt the best lyricist, but I'll also admit there are probably better pure rappers than him.

[Carolina Husker]

For me it's Gza first and Andre 3000 second.

[Jangler]

[CharlotteBeer.com]

For me it's Gza first and Andre 3000 second.

I was also thinking Andre 3000 as second. I'd also throw Eminem, Mos Def and, though I know many won't agree with this, Black Thought from The Roots up near the top.

[Guild]

J. J. Cale

Doesn't really fit the theme of hip hop that you all seem to be going for...

Hip Hop isn't my thing though.

[mmmbeans]

bob dylan?

[TheSaint]

funny watcching people argue over the best lyricist with rappers being the default category

[CharlotteBeer.com]

funny watcching people argue over the best lyricist with rappers being the default category

Only because people aren't suggesting artists of other genres (save for the last two responses).

I was just discussing this with my wife, actually. At it's finest, hip-hop can be one of the most poetic genres out there. Even if you don't like the "sound" of hip-hop, I challenge you to read through some of the works of the aforementioned lyricists like GZA and Andre 3000. You'll find that more so than any other genre, hip-hop focuses on literary techniques like simile, metaphor, wordplay, puns and, of course, rhythm. If you like clever music, I think hip-hop -- good hip-hop -- is where it's at.