OutKast is named Billboard’s greatest rap group of all time.
Billboard is back with another new list in celebration of Hip-Hop’s 50 years. Earlier this year, the platform listed 50 greatest rappers of all time, and now they make a list of the greatest rap groups.
The list is based on the body of work/achievements (charted singles/albums, gold/platinum certifications, other awards), cultural impact/influence (how the group’s work fostered the genre’s evolution), longevity (years at the mic), lyrics (storytelling skills) and flow (vocal prowess).
Billboard named Outkast as the greatest group of all time. The rap duo of Andre 3000 and Big Boi is number one of the list. The second on the list is legendary Wu-Tang Clan, which includes members RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and Ol’ Dirty Bastard until his death in 2004. The third on the list if N.W.A, the group which originally had Arabian Prince, Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, and Ice Cube, with DJ Yella and MC Ren.
“Nah mean, I’m always gonna say I shoulda been higher but it’s a blessing to be recognized and it’s a good time to be recognized as well,” Rakim said in a conversation with TMZ. “It’s not really my place to say who else deserves or not, but OutKast pushed the envelope, a group that a lot of people got love for. So, you know we have to give the flowers to who earns them.”
In the greatest rappers list earlier this year, JAY-Z was named number one, followed by Kendrick Lamar, Nas, Tupac and Eminem.
.@Outkast are Billboard’s No. 1 Greatest Rap Group of All Time. 🏆
See the full list: https://t.co/hrJVTQkf35 pic.twitter.com/3VFEYYfRGY
— billboard (@billboard) June 29, 2023
Billboard reveals the top 5 greatest rap groups of all time. #BillboardNews pic.twitter.com/Sl2GWcmOjB
— billboard (@billboard) June 29, 2023
Check out the full list of rap groups below.
01) OutKast
02) Wu-Tang Clan
03) NWA
04) A Tribe Called Quest
05) Run-D.M.C.
06) Public Enemy
07) Eric B. & Rakim
08) Salt-N-Pepa
09) De La Soul
10) The Roots
11) Migos
12) Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five
13) Mobb Deep
14) Fugees
15) Naughty By Nature
16) Beastie Boys
17) Cypress Hill
18) Three 6 Mafia
19) G-Unit
20) UGK
21) Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
22) The LOX
23) Sugarhill Gang
24) The Diplomats
25) Hot Boys
26) EPMD
27) DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince
28) Geto Boys
29) Gang Starr
30) Clipse
31) Boogie Down Productions
32) 2 Live Crew
33) Goodie Mob
34) Brand Nubian
35) Pharcyde
36) Heiroglyphics
37) 8Ball & MJG
38) Big Tymers
39) Slum Village
40) Onyx
41) Little Brother
42) Heavy D & The Boys
43) Kid N Play
44) Kriss Kross
45) Pete Rock & CL Smooth
46) Yin Yang Twins
47) Rae Sremmurd
48) City Girls
49) Black Star
50) MOP
