Forever Slept-On: 10 Most Unappreciated Rappers

Neither legendary nor forgettable, these unsung rap heroes are rarely honored for their invaluable contributions to society. Some more culturally-influential than others, we’ll never understand why they’re not more celebrated than they are today.

Here are the ten most unappreciated rappers ever. Take a look.[bossip_ad_a]

Young Dro –

Very few human beings have a more colorful mentality than Dro—trap philosopher and painter of mental masterpieces. Before Dro, Whirlwind-blue, Sad-blue and IHOP-blue weren’t colors that existed. Now, 43% of southern rappers swear they’re Dro. Pay homage.[bossip_ad_a]

Big Boi –

½ of iconic Hip-Hop duo Outkast, AntwanLuciousLeftfootDaddyFatSacksPatton has always been unfairly trapped in 3 Stack’s glittery shadow. Famously slept-on, Big Boi’s effortless wit and razor-sharp flow were always respected but never enough to detach him from Outkast.[bossip_ad_a]

Project Pat –

It will never matter that he raps like there’s a period between every word. Project Pat-tah is, and will always be, for the people. Without the wonderfully-ratchet “Chickenheads”—a true American classic—the world would be colder and crueler than it already is.[bossip_ad_a]

Ja Rule –

There was a time, lifetimes ago (before 50 ended his everything), when Ja was a Thug&B superstar, beloved by millions. Most won’t admit to singing “Put It On Me” at ignorant levels in the shower, but HE paved the way for successful rapper/crooners like Future Vandross and Drake.[bossip_ad_a]

Trick Daddy –

No rapper was more important to their city’s success than Mayor Daddy Dollars, who put international superstar Pitbull, man-boob model Rick Ross and Trina on. Lover of kids, Polo apparel and fish sammiches, Trick made timeless holey-drawls classics for the streets.[bossip_ad_a]

Malice (The Clipse) –

Malice will always be Luigi to Pusha T’s Mario but deserves his own appreciation day for overlooked lyrical gems on classic albums. Without him, there’s simply no Clipse.[bossip_ad_a]

Noreaga –

Nore’s a classic example of a terrible, yet charismatic rapper with impeccable (Neptunes) production. At one point, N.O.R.E. was the face of NY Hip-Hop (for like 19 days) with hits that soon turned into classics but never seemed to gain the recognition he deserved.[bossip_ad_a]

Cam’ron –

Killa Cam is either the greatest or worst rapper you’ve ever heard, at any moment, who once said he gets “computers putin.” Hate or love the wildly-inconsistent Harlem MC, you have to respect his underrated catalog.[bossip_ad_a]

Redman –

Known more as Method Man’s BFF with the impoverished lifestyle (as seen on “MTV Cribs”) than a dope MC with classic records, Red will always be one of the most underrated (and funniest) MCs ever.[bossip_ad_a]

Lady of Rage –

She’ll probably never get the credit she deserves for opening minds to the idea of a female rapper that’s not hyper-sexualized, but she should.[bossip_ad_a]