In his very first debut as a rapper, DMX released two #1 albums back to back within the same year. No other artist to date has ever accomplished this feat. His third album, his fourth album, AND his fifth album (another feat never before seen in the music industry) also debuted at #1. His sixth album missed the #1 spot by only a few thousand sales.

He often refers to "his dogs" in his rhymes, and seems to place a large emphasis on friends and comradery in his life.

Once he was asked, "Do you still smoke crack?"

In reply, he confirmed this, and stated that nobody'd like him if he didn't smoke crack.

(Guard, Mighty Blow, Piling On)

Eminem is one the top-selling musicians OR rappers of all time, selling well over 70,000,000 albums worldwide. This isn't for no reason. He's one of the greatest lyricists in the music industry, ever. I could go on and on, but Eminem is really an artist one just has to experience for oneself. Whatever you do, don't be fooled into only listening to the stuff they put on the radio. Eminem's talents go far, far beyond that.

He was THE only other rapper featured on any track of Jay-Z's classic album, <i>The Blueprint</i>, and most would agree, his presence dominates the track in which he is featured.

He also heads his own Detroit-based rap group, D12, his own record label, Shady Records, and was in large part responsible for the rise of 50 Cent and G-Unit.

Pick up a few of these:
"The Way I Am"
"No Apologies"
"When I'm Gone"
"97 Bonnie & Clyde"
"Stan"
"Drug Ballad"
"Til I Collapse"
"As the World Turns"
"Soldier" <-- I listen to this one while playing BBowl.

Clifford "Tip" Harris is one of the hottest emcees in the game today. He's widely known as the King of the South, but I personally just recognize him as the only southern rapper with serious mic and lyrical skills.

Check these out:

"Hurt" (featuring Busta Rhymes and Alfamega)
"Touchdown" (featuring Eminem)
"What You Know"

Noteworthy Young Buck tracks:

"Clean Up Man"
"Slow Ya Roll" (featuring Chester Bennington of Linkin Park, very smooth track)
"Black Gloves"

Noteworthy Lloyd Banks tracks:

"I'm So Fly"
"Southside Story"
"Smile"

Noteworthy 50 Cent tracks:

"In Da Club" (his best-known track)
"Ayo Technology" (featuring Justin Timberlake, a personal favorite of mine)
"Piggy Bank"