Ice Cube
He spoke so much truth through his lyrics, yet struck fear in those that didn't understand the music because of the gangsta persona.
Tupac
Do I even need to say anything. The best to ever do it, in my opinion. He touched on every subject through his music and touched so many.
Jay-Z
His lyrics are phenomenal and his flow is matched by very few. He has changed the game forever.
Nas
He continues to re-create himself, yet be himself at the same time. His last two albums (Hip Hop Is Dead, Untitled) were things we would expect only from Nas, yet it was new to hip hop.
Outkast
They put Atlanta on their back and have pushed the musical boundaries far beyond what anybody else has. Andre 3000 is one of the best to ever do it, and Big Boi is not far behind. They have not done wrong yet.