While emcees and rappers are mostly lauded for their lyrical capability, there’s something astonishing about having voice control, diversified delivery and for whatever reason, having a voice that stands out.
When discussing the art of rap, lyrics, record sales, popularity and winning infamous battles are often key ingredients. Hip hop critics very seldom consider an emcee’s voice an instrument as they would their R&B or soul singer counterparts. From accents to ad-libs to animation to baritone to simply being born with a unique voice, HotNewHipHop wants to recognize some of hip hop’s most distinctive voices.
While this should not be considered a complete list of rappers with unique voices, it nonetheless gives you a good scope, from newcomers to veteran MCs.
Scarface
Hailing from Houston, Texas and one-third of the hip hop trio the Geto Boys, Scarface’s baritone voice is definitely instantly recognizable. It accentuates his prolific poetic tales about the hood and helps transcend his candor.
Stand Out Tracks:
“Mind Playing Tricks On Me” (Geto Boys)
“Smile”
“I Seen a Man Die”
Jean Grae
Born in Cape Town, South Africa, but hailing from New York City, Jean Grae is an underground hip hop staple. Surprisingly, her monotone delivery is what makes her lyrical capability unexpected. Using that to her advantage, Jean effortlessly paints pictures with her rhymes.
Stand Out Tracks:
“Love Thirst”
"I Rock On"
"Uh Oh"
“Kill Screen”
Kendrick Lamar
Compton’s K Dot is one of hip hop’s most prolific storytellers. He uses aggression, diverse delivery and animation in his rhymes. One moment it’s as if Kendrick is sitting in a chair upon a rug and graciously telling a story, the next it’s as if he is standing on that same chair. Although the TDE rapper doesn’t need much to capture his audience’s attention, he sporadically places an emphasis on certain anecdotes.
Stand Out Tracks:
“Blow My High (Members Only)
“Backstreet Freestyle”
“Swimming Pools(Drank)”
“Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe”
Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj, born Onika Tanya Maraj has garnered massive criticism for her quirky animated rhymes, often portraying a myriad of personas (Nicki Lewinsky, the Harajuku Barbie, Roman Zolanski, Martha, etc.) These antics are justified being that the Trinidadian rapper is an actress at heart and a graduate of New York City’s famed performing arts high school, LaGuardia. Whether you hate or love the Young Money artist’s capability to switch accents and personalities on wax, it’s that which has made her one of the most recognizable voices in hip hop.
Stand Out Tracks:
"Itty Bitty Piggy"
"Monster"
"Roman's Revenge"
"Roman Holiday"
Danny Brown
Known for rapping about pill poppin', felatio, white girls and the gritty streets of the Motor City, the Detroit rapper’s squeaky voice is what helps bring his rhymes to life. The Fools Gold artist is not only unafraid to take risks when it comes to his personal style, but he’s courageous on wax, rhyming over electronic dance music, which makes his pungent rhymes even more intense.
Stand Out Tracks:
“Need Another Drink”
“Guitar Solo”
“I Will”
“Blunt After Blunt”
“Dubstep”
"Dip"
Bahamadia
Reppin’ the city of Philadelphia, the hip hop veteran hit the scene with her 1994 breakout single, “Total Wreck.” Using similes to dominate her flow, with a true East Coast sound, Bahamadia captivates her audience effortlessly with a monotone delivery. Her laid back and smooth utterance may tend to make listeners forget that her rhymes are packed with punch.
Stand Out Tracks:
“Uknowhowwedo”
“3 The Hard Way”
“Total Wreck”
ScHoolBoy Q
Another distinctive voice of the TDE label, ScHoolboy Q’s deep and intimidating voice plays to his advantage. It accentuates his candor and often vile lyrics.
Stand Out Tracks:
“What They Want”
“Man of the Year”
“Collard Greens”
“Studio”
Missy Elliott
The highly praised rapper, singer-songwriter and producer is often lauded for her creative videos, comedic rhymes and capability to produce some of the hottest R&B and hip hop records. However, what’s not often mentioned is Missy’s ability to swiftly mesh rhymes, adlibs and sound effects.
Stand Out Tracks:
“The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)”
“Get Your Freak On”
“Gossip Folks”
“Work It”
The Chicago rapper, singer-songwriter is crafty with his uttered rhymes, mixed with soulful melodies. His high-pitched voice is what helps him stand out and places emphasis on his Midwestern tales and metaphors.
Stand Out Tracks:
“Juice”
“Smoke Again”
"Everybody's Something"
“Confident” (Justin Bieber)
“Child’s Play” (SZA)
Hailing from Vallejo, California with a thick West Coast accent and flamboyant rhymes, E-40 has one of hip hop’s most recognizable voices. Forty often dabbles between swift and lackadaisical rhymes, similar to the dribbling of a basketball.
Stand Out Tracks:
“Sprinkle Me”
"1-Luv"
“Captain Save a Hoe”
"Hurricane"
"Hope I Don't Go Back"
“Tell Me When to Go”
Lil Bibby
Lil Bibby is a fresh face to the rap game, with only one mixtape to his name, Free Crack. Nonetheless in the short time he's been around he's left an impression, if not for his alarmingly deep voice then for his revealing and honest rhymes about the city of Chicago. Bibby's deep, gruff voice works to his advantage, as it makes his rhymes instantly discernible, while his slow flow gives everything the feel of molasses.
Stand Out Tracks:
"Stressin"
"Water"
"Know Something"
"Dead Or In Prison"
Lil Wayne
There are plenty of idiosyncrasies to Lil Wayne's style, but none as immediate as his voice. Over the years, it's gone from a puny southern spazz to a lean-soaked grovel, and has now somehow made it's way back up the register to a sort of nasally sneer.
However, they don't call him Weezy for nothing, and his borderline-asthmatic delivery is the one part of his voice that has remained consistent throughout. It's what inspired that double-take moment when you first heard him spit, long before you were rewinding him back in 'did he just say that?' euphoria.
Stand Out Tracks:
"A Milli"
"Upgrade"
"I Feel Like Dying"
"Hustler Muzik"
"Sky Is The Limit"
"Go DJ"
