Every rapper or rap fan is expected to have their top five MCs list ready on deck at all times, much like knowing your go-to order at McDonald’s.
During a visit to Power 106’s L.A. Leakers last week, Russ was asked who would be in his starting five of rappers, and he listed off some big names. However, the Atlanta-raised rapper clarified these are his “favorite” rappers, not necessarily who he thinks are the best.
“My favorite is — in no order — [Eminem], Nipsey [Hussle], [J. Cole], Drake… Kanye [West],” he said.
As far as who he believes are the best rappers of all time, Russ made sure to add The Roots’ Black Thought, JAY-Z and Lil Wayne in the conversation of GOATs. “It’s a different conversation,” he said.
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Back in 2019, Russ revealed his favorite Hip Hop producers of all time, listing off Scott Storch, Dr. Dre, Kanye West, Boi-1da and Timbaland. “Those my top 5 producers in no order,” he tweeted. “I need the painting on some last supper GOAT shit.”
Russ has been on a press tour in support of his new album CHOMP 2, which was released on December 8. The 14-track effort finds Russ lyrically sparring with rap legends such as Jadakiss, Snoop Dogg, Ghostface Killah, Jay Electronica, Styles P and more.
The 29-year-old explained his intentions for the rap-heavy project series was to challenge other rhymers during a sit-down with Ebro Darden on Apple Music.
“I’m trying to just cultivate a home for people who want to rap and just go crazy,” he said. “Not any of this eight bars and then bridge, nah, rap for a minute and a half. And then you rap for a minute and a half and we’ll put a little hook in between just to get us through the shit, and let’s keep it pushing.
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“I’m trying to create that home because I know I’m a fan of that style of rap. You feel me? And I wish more artists who can rap and really go, would make these projects… Would do a CHOMP-like series, because I still like hearing rappers just rap on a beat for two and a half minutes, eight songs in a row. I still like that.”
Stream CHOMP 2 below.