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The discussions and debates on who is the Greatest Rapper of All Time, or who we like to call the GOAT, rage on from the internet to the streets.  Even though there is no definitive answer, some of our choices have regularly come up and have been defended as being possible GOATS, so we had our own meeting regarding who we felt were the top 5 MC's of all time.  Keep in mind that the choices listed are being presented after considerable debate, so if you're favorite MC is not listed, post a comment and let us know why your favorite MC should have made the list.  The factors which went into deciding the top 5 as well as the GOAT were as follows: 

1.  Classic Albums
2.  Lyricism
3.  Overall Impact in Industry

So without further adu, here is HHPulse's top 5 MC's of all time, from 5 to 1.

5.  Rakim - When Rakim arrived on the scene in 1985, the hip-hop industry was very much used to the simple formatting rhymes, such as those from Kurtis Blow, Run DMC and others.  Rakim was the first MC to arguably change the direction of rhyming as we know it, tailoring rhymes in a more fluid based, improvisational based rhyme scheme filled with metaphors and word-play not typical of an MC at that time.  Rakim is widely recognized as starting the trend of such rhyming schemes as multi-syllabic and cliff hangers, as well as popularizing such catch phrases as "Pump up the volume," and "It ain't where you from, it's where you at." 

In the several years Rakim teamed up with Eric B from 1985-1992, the duo released 4 albums, all of which were certified Gold or Platinum, one of which "Don't Sweat the Technique (1992)" was critically acclaimed and arguably Rakim's best lyrical performance to date.

4.  Nas - When Nas burst onto the scene in 1994, the industry was just getting used to the new style MC who preferred metaphors and clever-wordplay over simpler rhyme schemes.  But not even those closest to Nas, nor industry experts, were ready for the masterpiece he dropped in 1994, the debut album "Illmatic," which many consider as one of the greatest rap albums of all time.  With such classic tracks as "Halftime," "It Ain't Hard to Tell," and "The World Is Yours," the album marked the career of NY's brightest MC to date, and also introduced the industry to the art of rhyming with countless metaphors and vivid poetry.

In 1996 Nas released another critically acclaimed album, "It Was Written," which contained such hits as "If I Ruled the World - ft Lauren Hill," and "Street Dreams," and launched Nas into the front of the rap game.  Although his next 2 albums, "I am," and "Nastradamus," were higly regarded as substandard performances, Nas came back with a vengeance in 2001 with the release of "Stillmatic," an album which was promoted during his fued with fellow NY MC Jay-Z.  Many feel that the fued with Jay-Z compelled Nas to dig back to the "Illmatic" days, and with songs such as "Ether," and "Made You Look," the album is clearly a verbal, lyrical showcase from Nas.

3.  Tupac - Although much of his early musical career was spent as a backup dancer for Digital Underground, no single artist has had the level of impact in the rap game as Tupac.  His rough, in your face lyrics, were highly criticized in 1991 with his debut album "2Pacalypse Now," and in 1992 with his sophmore release "Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z."  Although seen as highly explicit and vulgar for the time in which it was released, both albums contained such classic hits as "Brenda Got a Baby,"  "Keep Your Head Up," and "I Get Around."  The albums, although highly criticized, showcased Tupac's ability to not only rhyme about the harsh realities and politics of the streets, but also his ability to deliver heart-felt and compassionate songs as well.

By 1996, Tupac was a household name as he single-handedly put the Westcoast on the map with "Thug Life," a movement designed to bring gangster rap and hardcore lyrics to the forefront.  In 1996, the industry saw the release of "All Eyez On Me," which many consider to be Tupac's best album.  With tracks such as "California Love," "Ambitionz Az a Rydah," and "How Do You Want It," the album went 9x platinum worldwide and clearly showed why Tupac was arguably the most influential artist in the history of rap.

2.  Notorious BIG - During the time Tupac was revitalizing the west coast, a relatively unknown Brooklyn NY MC was picking up the pace for the east coast alongside Nas, and blasted into the industry with his debut album in 1994, "Ready to Die."  Notorious BIG has had so many classic tracks and verses in his catelogue that it would be impossible to list everything, but in the short amount of time he was here, many consider Biggie as the only true King of New York City.  With tracks such as "Juicy," "Big Poppa," and "One More Chance," Biggie brought attention back to the east coast by being one of the greatest story-tellers in the history of hip-hop.

In 1997, and in the height of his fued with rival west coast rapper Tupac Shakur (gunned down in Sept. 1996), the Notorious BIG was near completion of his sophmore effort "Life After Death," when tragedy struck the young MC as he was gunned down in Los Angeles CA.  "Life After Death" was released just 5 days after his death, and featured such classic tracks as "Hypnotize," "What's Beef," "Notorious Thugs," and "Ten Crack Commandments," and was certified Diamond (10 million + albums sold) in less than 3 years.  Two classic albums, countless classic tracks, his ability to rise above the competition and shine as the lone King of NY, and his impact on the game in the app. 3 years he torched the industry, Biggie sits comfortably at the number 2 position.

1.  Jay- Z - Sitting at number 1, our Greatest MC of All Time is none other than the Jigga man himself, Jay-Z.  During the times of the east coast - west coast rivalry, and after the deaths of Tupac and Notorious BIG, it was Jay-Z who emerged from the ashes and rose to stardom.  His 1996 debut album, "Reasonable Doubt," is considered by most as one of the greatest rap albums of all time, and contained such hits as "Dead Presidents," and "Can't Knock the Hustle."

While many felt that Jay-Z was just a fill-in for the position left open after the death of Notorious BIG, Jay-Z proved that he was no filler, as he released the 1997 "In My Lifetime, VOL 1," and the 1998 critically acclaimed album "In My Lifetime, VOL 2," which won Jay-Z the Grammy award for 1999's Best Rap Album of the Year.  The track "Hard Knock Life," also gave Jay-Z a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Solo Performance, and although he did not win the Grammy award for that category, the street anthem is considered by many as one of Jay-Z's best tracks.

Throughout his career, Jay-Z has released 11 albums, has been nominated for 20 Grammies, of which he has taken home 6, has sold millions of records, survived what many to believe was the best rivalry in the history of hiphop with Nas, and has countless other ventures outside of rapping.  Some of these include being part-owner of the New Jersey Nets, owner of the 40/40 club, former owner of the famous Rocawear clothing brand, as well as holding an executive position at Def Jam. 

Even though some believe that Jay-Z's best days as an MC are over, Jigga has been able to accomplish what many MC's only dream of, and through his ability to craft some of the greatest songs and albums in the history of hiphop, Jay-Z is HHPulse's Greatest MC of All Time.  Did we forget to mention that Jay never wrote any of his lyrics down before he spit a rhyme?  Every rhyme you've ever heard has come straight from the top of the head.  Now who can top that?