5. Lil’ Wayne - Tha Carter III
All rappers claim to be something completely unique, not ripping anybody’s style. Most of them are full of shit. But Lil’ Wayne isn’t There is absolutely no one like him at all, and never has been. This closest is ODB, but Lil’ Wayne harnesses his borderline insanity in a way ODB never was able to. Lil’ Wayne curated a great collection of beats, and pairs them with lyrics that are simultaneously bizarre and brilliant. On “Phone Home,” he declares himself a martian. Elsewhere on the album he makes an entire track out of a rap as medicine metaphor. He drops innuendo after innuendo about a lady police officer. Their are few rappers who really earn their swagger. But with a combination of a truly unique performance and absolutely genius lyrics, Lil’ Wayne does.
