Nicki Minaj, ‘greatest rapper of all time’, ranked on Billboard

Nicki Minaj is on the top.

Billboard and Vibe are ranking the top MCs of all time as hip-hop celebrates its 50th birthday this year. Before announcing the final top 10, the magazine first unveiled its list of the Top 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time.

Based on the following factors, the editorial team determined the rankings: body of work/achievements (charted singles/albums, gold/platinum certifications), cultural impact/influence (how the artist's work aided the genre's evolution), longevity (years at the mic), lyrics (storytelling skills), and flow (vocal prowess).

Lil' Kim, Lauryn Hill, and Missy Elliott are among the female MCs on the list, but Nicki Minaj is the only female in the top 10.

“She’s undeniably blazed the trail for the next generation of female MCs, while at the same time, building a legacy whose impact is hardly limited to the hip-hop world,” writes Billboard.