NEW YORK, NY — "Who are the Top 10 Rappers of the 21st century?"  BET posed this question to nearly 30,000 viewers and fans.  Votes were tabulated on BET.com and the Top 15 rappers were selected.  Premiering on Friday, October 15 at 8 p.m.*, BET assembled an elite "Hip Hop Supreme Court" of some of the hottest producers, hip hop deejays, and the industry's biggest influencers to narrow down the list and rank the top 10 coveted positions.  Hosted by "Chief Justice" Big Tigger; Jermaine Dupri (producer), Diamond Kuts (DJ – Power 99, Philadelphia), Greg Street (DJ – V103, Atlanta), Tony Neal (Core DJs), Timbuck2 (DJ – 107.5, WGCI, Chicago), Boi 1da (Producer), Chloe Hilliard (Editor, VIBE), Chuck Creekmur (CEO, Allhiphop.com); DJ Vlad (CEO, VladTV.com) make up the distinguished "Hip Hop Supreme Court"  judges.

To be eligible for the top 10 rappers of the 21st century, the rapper must be a solo artist who released his or her first solo album in 1999 or later.  These requirements exclude hip-hop heavy weights The Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur, Jay Z, Nas, and Snoop from the list.  Rappers will also be evaluated on the criteria of flow, lyricism, subject range, cultural impact, sales and digital swagger.



During the intense round table debate, Big Tigger controlled the boardroom and laid down the rules as the judges engaged in a no holds barred dialogue about the 21st century rappers who have changed the game of hip-hop during the past 10 years.    

Top 15 Rappers of the 21st Century
Voted on by BET.com and Mobile Users
(In alphabetical order)

50 Cent
Drake
Eminem
Eve
Fabolous
Game
Gucci Mane
Jadakiss
Kanye West
Lil Wayne
Ludacris
Nelly
Rick Ross
T.I.
Young Jeezy

Let the debate begin.


*All times are ET/PT.