Rap and hip-hop are often considered synonymous to one another, while at other times they are compared like two water tight compartments. In fact, rap is to hip-hop what a part is to the whole. Both rap and hip-hop are popular and influential genres in terms of their impact on western culture. Rapping differs from the spoken word poetry in that it is performed in time to a beat. Hip-hop culture germinated in 1970 in the New York City and sprouted readily among the African American and Latino American community. It did not take very long to find widespread acceptance in all forms of popular media the world over. Rap is usually distinguished from hip-hop in that it focuses on the current affairs while hip-hop is more about past and future. Rap is usually male dominated genre while hip hop is mixed culture. Rap is usually solo performance while hip-hop is a group affair.

1. Dwayne Carter Jr, (Lil Wayne)

Dwayne Carter Jr (commonly known by his stage name Lil Wayne) was born on September 27, 1982. He is a famous American rapper. He joined Cash Money Records at the age of nine, being the youngest member on the label. In 1997 he joined Hot Boys along with Juvenile, B.G. and Young Turk. His Platinum album The Block is Hot earned him fame;  over one million copies were sold in US. Lil Wayne released The Carter IV on August 29, 2011. It included 6Foot7Foot, How to Love and She Will. He won Top Rap Artist and To Rap Album awards for I Am Not a Human Being in 2011.   Lil Wayne’s releases Miss Me with Drake and No Love with Eminem were nominated for the Most Watched Videos of the Year 2011.

2. Birdman

Bryan Williams (popularly known as Birdman) was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on February 15, 1969. He is one of the most popular rappers of America. He is one of the founders of Cash Money Records. Along with his brother, he also formed an oil and gas exploration company which did not survive and was discontinued. Loyalty, featuring Lil Wayne and Tyga, was his first promotional single. His other works in collaboration with Rick Ross, Young Jeezy, Bun B and Drake were scheduled to be released in 2011.Forbes estimated that in the fiscal year May 2010 to May 2011 ,he grossed $15 million with a net worth exceeding 110 million in 2011.

3. Jay Z

Shawn Corey Carter (better known by his stage name Jay-Z) was born in Brooklyn, New York on December 4, 1969. According to Forbes, he is one of the richest American rappers, grossing over $ 37 million, with net worth exceeding $450 million in the year 2011. He is a renowned American rapper, song writer, and record producer. He has sold over 50 million albums worldwide and has received 14 Grammy Awards. Jay-Z and Kanye West gave a surprise performance of Otis at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards.

4. Ludacris

Christopher Brian Bridges (more often known by his stage name Ludacris) was born in Champaign, Illinois on September 11, 1977. He received his early education at Banneker High School in Atlanta, and studied music at Georgia State University. He wrote his first rap at the age of 9. He is a well known American rapper and actor. He co-founded Disturbing Tha Peace along with his manager, Chak Zulu. The imprint was distributed by Def Jam Recordings.Ludacris has won 3 Grammy Awards, a Screen Actors Guild , a Critic’s Choice award and an MTV Award. He left for France on July 07, 2011 to work on Ludaversal.

5. Kayne West

Kanye Omari West (better known as Kayne West) was born to Ray West and mother Dr. Donda West, in Atlanta Georgia on June 8, 1977. His father was one of the first black photojournalists, and his mother was a professor of English at Clark Atlanta University. After the divorce of his parents, Kayne West moved with his mother to Chicago, Illinois, at the age of 3. He received his early education at Polaris High School in Illinois and attended the American Art Academy. He also enrolled at Chicago State University but did not continue on account of his preoccupation with music. Kanye West ranked #3 in BET’s Top Ten Rappers of the 21st Century. His Collaborative album with Jay-z titled Watch the Throne was released in 2011. On April 17, 2011 at the closure of the Coachella festival, he earned unparalleled fame from fans and critics. According to Forbes, West was the third richest rapper,grossing $17 million in the year 2011.

6. Dr.Dre

Andre Romelle Young (popularly known by his stage name Dr.Dre) was born in Compton, California on February 18, 1965. He is an American rapper, record producer and an actor. He founded Aftermath Entertainment. He has produced the albums of many renowned rappers, including Snoop Dogg, Eminem, 50 Cen, and Game. As a producer, he introduced West Coast G-Funk style of music, characterized by a synthesize base and slow, heavy beats. Forbes ranked him as the third richest rapper in 2011.

7. Jeezy

Jay Wayne Jenkins (better known by his stage name as Young Jeezy or sometimes as Lil J) was born in Columbia, South Carolina on October 12, 1977. He describes his childhood as ’empty’. He spent 9 months in YCS (Youth Challenge Academy) in Fort Stewart, Georgia for possessing narcotics. He released his first single titled Thug Motivation 103, and Ballin’ featuring Lil Wayne on May 17, 2011. He released his second single off TM 103 on July 22, 2011. Following the devastating hurricane Katrina, Jeezy opened his house to victims and provided them with shelter.

8. Rick Ross

William Leonard Roberts II (commonly known by his stage name Rick Ross) was born in Carol City, Florida. He received his early education at Carol City Senior High School, and he later attended Albany State University. He performed at the BET Awards in 2011, which was aired on June 26, 2011. Ross was arrested in Shreveport for possessing marijuana. According to police records, his room at the Hilton in downtown Shreveport had a strong odor of marijuana.

9. Diddy

Sean John Combs(better known by his stage name Diddy) was born to Janice and Melvin Combs inHarlem, New York City on November 4, 1969. He graduated from the Roman Catholic Mount Saint Academy. Combs is a well known American rapper, record producer, singer and actor. He performed Coming Home live on American Idol on March 10, 2011. He appeared in Season One of Hawaii Five-0 on April 18, 2011. He won three Grammy Awards and two MTV awards.

10. Drake

Aubrey Drake Grahm(better known as Drake) was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on October 24, 1986. He entered into a recording contract with Lil Wayne’s Young Money Entertainment and Drake’s first studio album Thank Me Later was released on June 15, 2010 and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. Drake released his second album Take Care on November 15, 2011. Drake has worked with many other famous artists like Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Kayne West, Jay-z and Nick Minaj.

Conclusion:

Some raps are absurd, vulgar, related exclusively to money, sex, violence, gangs, crimes and drugs etc. There are other rappers who speak of the affairs of those who are less privileged and they represent their case strongly, utilizing the inherent force of rap. Rap has passed the test of time on its own merits and potential.