Eminem has been voted the greatest rapper alive by fans and readers of VIBE Magazine and its website.

Although Em hasn't released a full solo album since 2004's Encore, his fan base has shown that it remains tremendously loyal.

Vibe broke the competition down tournament style, placing a slew of emcees into four brackets: the Notorious BIG bracket, the 2Pac bracket, the Pimp C bracket, and the Big Punisher bracket. The number one seeds in each bracket were, respectively, Jay-Z, Eminem, Lil Wayne and Andre 3000.

After voting each week from July 21 to August 4, the final were decided. Eminem and Jay-Z made it to the final four, as expected. Somewhat unexpected was Game's defeat of Andre 3000 in order to make it to the semifinals, and Ludacris' defeat of Lil Wayne in order to claim the same spot.

Eminem, who had beaten Nas by a slim margin to claim a final four spot, and Jay-Z made short work of Ludacris and Game, respectively. The two legends faced off in votes, and after over 920,000 votes, Em beat out Hov, retaining 61 percent of the votes to Hov's 39 percent.

"It’s obviously an honor to have won the fans' support by being voted the Best Rapper Alive,” said Eminem to the fans on Vibe.com. “I don't think that there is any one rapper that is simply the best though. Everyone who was in consideration and many others are the best at certain things, and at what they do. But since VIBE's offering the distinction, hell yeah I'll accept!"



Em is one of my favourites but he isn't the best rapper alive imo.

Andre 3000 and Weezy beating The Game and Luda was puzzling.

LMAO @ their final four.

Luda getting some recognition, finally.

I suppose if a black guy can be the best golfer, a white guy can be the best rapper. Makes no sense, but fits somehow. Shows how diverse the country is becoming and I like that.

em is definitly the best

I suppose if a black guy can be the best golfer, a white guy can be the best rapper. Makes no sense, but fits somehow. Shows how diverse the country is becoming and I like that.

why is he black? why is he not chinese?

why is he black? why is he not chinese?

Cause he looks black. JK, hahaha. Don't get bent out of shape. I guess I should have said that he was "not white". Point being is that mostly white folks play golf since it's introduction and the same goes for blacks and rapping. Don't act like you did'nt get it anyways.

Cause he looks black. JK, hahaha. Don't get bent out of shape. I guess I should have said that he was "not white". Point being is that mostly white folks play golf since it's introduction and the same goes for blacks and rapping. Don't act like you did'nt get it anyways.

nah it's no problem but everyone makes it seem like tiger and barrack are strictly black when they are not if anything you can say obama is more white than he is black

nah it's no problem but everyone makes it seem like tiger and barrack are strictly black when they are not if anything you can say obama is more white than he is black

He's more black than I am.

Eminem's next album better be the best **** ever dropped after that long delay.

Motherfuсker pulled a Lil Wayne minus all the guest appearances.

When did Ice Cube, KRS and Rakim die?

Good, I thought it would have been someone like Lil Wayne they'd vote for. He is so overrated, it's not even funny. I like listening to some of his ****, but I don't get all the hype. He's okay at best.

When did Ice Cube, KRS and Rakim die?

When did any of those guys last make a banging single?

I got respect for Rakim, KRS, and Cube but those guys are expired.
Their era is done.
In terms of the game right now, those guys are dead.

When did any of those guys last make a banging single?

I got respect for Rakim, KRS, and Cube but those guys are expired.
Their era is done.
In terms of the game right now, those guys are dead.

Best rapper alive.

Think about that.


When was the last time a banging single was the defining term for best? When was the last time Eminem had one?

Whether their era is past, they are still the best MCs based on skill, classics and impact in Hiphop.


Those guys are still alive, have multiple classic verses, songs and albums. The impact on Hiphop created by these 3 is what even helped for Eminem into the MC he is. Dope MC but not close to being the best alive.

KRS is shot to pieces
His stuff is meaningless nowadays
The next chapter in his life is death.

Best rapper alive.

Think about that.


When was the last time a banging single was the defining term for best? When was the last time Eminem had one?

Whether their era is past, they are still the best MCs based on skill, classics and impact in Hiphop.


Those guys are still alive, have multiple classic verses, songs and albums. The impact on Hiphop created by these 3 is what even helped for Eminem into the MC he is. Dope MC but not close to being the best alive.

I said single because I know damn well none of those guys has made a worthy album in about 10 years.
...I was really trying to help them out by setting the standard so low.

I'm not saying they weren't great for their time, but it's a new day in age.
Those guys just don't got it anymore by today's standards.

You're still rating them from when they were in their prime.

eminem has done 0 since 2004....how could he be the the best alive? I think the best rapper alive right now is Nas.

eminem has done 0 since 2004....how could he be the the best alive? I think the best rapper alive right now is Nas.

I agree, and I also agree with Travis, KRS is "shot to pieces". Last decent effort was 2006' "Life" and that was only average. KRS' last worthwhile effort was The Sneak Attack.

Hip Hop is dead.

eminem has done 0 since 2004....how could he be the the best alive? I think the best rapper alive right now is Nas.
Because he's still alive... LOL

They didn't say who's the hottest now.

I don't have a problem with anyone saying he is the best rapper alive. He very well may be. He doesn't fall into what a lot of people call "hip-hop", but Hip-Hop as it began IS dead like res says...

Eminem very well may be better than Jay-Z or Nas or LL Cool J based on the criteria you use...

I suppose if a black guy can be the best golfer, a white guy can be the best rapper. Makes no sense, but fits somehow. Shows how diverse the country is becoming and I like that.
Black guy best golfer (and maybe 2nd best if you count Singh), white guys taking over R&B (thicke, Timberlake), black women taking over tennis (Williams sisters), white guys winning NBA MVPs (Nowitzki, Nash), black guy hosting a country version of American Idol (Cowboy Troy), black guy leading the Presidential polls, the best heavyweight boxers all white...

...Stereotypes are taking a major hit nowadays...

Because he's still alive... LOL

They didn't say who's the hottest now.

I don't have a problem with anyone saying he is the best rapper alive. He very well may be. He doesn't fall into what a lot of people call "hip-hop", but Hip-Hop as it began IS dead like res says...

Eminem very well may be better than Jay-Z or Nas or LL Cool J based on the criteria you use...

neils, your driving me crazy latley....lmao. everything i say, you don't agree with. how about this...neils is a legend. Is that ok?:D

if you want to think eminem is the best rapper alive, fine. your right, it depends how you look at it...i see what you saying.

neils, your driving me crazy latley....lmao. everything i say, you don't agree with. how about this...neils is a legend. Is that ok?:D

if you want to think eminem is the best rapper alive, fine. your right, it depends how you look at it...i see what you saying.
I just mean he doesn't have to be recording to be "Best alive"

I'd say LL Cool J is the best alive, though he hasn't put out a classic album EVER...and I'd put Will Smith and Jay-Z, Nas, Eminem on that short list...and give different reasons for all of them.

I know we didn't used to disagree on everything...I'm just more unimpressed by the "new school" of rappers that get placed with the legends too quickly I think.... I don't buy the hype for Game, TI, OR Wayne...maybe I'm just getting older and crankier LOL

I just mean he doesn't have to be recording to be "Best alive"

I'd say LL Cool J is the best alive, though he hasn't put out a classic album EVER...and I'd put Will Smith and Jay-Z, Nas, Eminem on that short list...and give different reasons for all of them.

I know we didn't used to disagree on everything...I'm just more unimpressed by the "new school" of rappers that get placed with the legends too quickly I think.... I don't buy the hype for Game, TI, OR Wayne...maybe I'm just getting older and crankier LOL

i see what you were saying. my bad. i know what your saying about new school rap. i'm a jay-z/nas/pac/big etc. fan. i like the old stuff. give me reasonable doubt over the carter III any day of the week. i must say though, i personally think TI is talented. Game, hes alright sometimes. I'm not into wayne really, maybe a few songs.

even if i don't agree with everything you say, i respect your opinion because i can tell your a knowledgeable person. plus your from the boxingscene class of 2004. your neils, what would boxingscene be without neils? its would be like boxingscene with jack...can't happen. we need you...

i see what you were saying. my bad. i know what your saying about new school rap. i'm a jay-z/nas/pac/big etc. fan. i like the old stuff. give me reasonable doubt over the carter III any day of the week. i must say though, i personally think TI is talented. Game, hes alright sometimes. I'm not into wayne really, maybe a few songs.

even if i don't agree with everything you say, i respect your opinion because i can tell your a knowledgeable person. plus your from the boxingscene class of 2004. your neils, what would boxingscene be without neils? its would be like boxingscene with jack...can't happen. we need you...
I agree with Tuggers on Luda being underrated too...that's been my running jab at Godz Hand for not rating him

I dont think eminem is the best rapper alive, i think you gotta give that award to nas after dropping a cd like untitled....15 years since illmatic and hes still on top. You make a poll on most websites and untitled comes in 1st with ease, as the best cd of this year.

I like the way eminem handled it, saying that theres not really on rapper thats the best. Hes got alotta respect for the game and its history, alotta these young ****s can learn alot from him. Hes never been one of my favorites but line for line he can go toe to toe with the best ever, i cant even front on that.

This was a popularity contest. Im suprised to see eminem won...i would have guessed lil wayne would be the winner, hes got the most stans right now.

I dont think eminem is the best rapper alive, i think you gotta give that award to nas after dropping a cd like untitled....15 years since illmatic and hes still on top. You make a poll on most websites and untitled comes in 1st with ease, as the best cd of this year.

I like the way eminem handled it, saying that theres not really on rapper thats the best. Hes got alotta respect for the game and its history, alotta these young ****s can learn alot from him. Hes never been one of my favorites but line for line he can go toe to toe with the best ever, i cant even front on that.

This was a popularity contest. Im suprised to see eminem won...i would have guessed lil wayne would be the winner, hes got the most stans right now.
And it was Vibe magazine, which I'm old enough to remember, was released pretty much just marketed to African Americans when it came out - I know it's more mainstream now, but still...this wasn't US Weekly or Rolling Stone -

shame nas didnt get the title because he deserves it after untitled

Eminem's first 2 CD's were great. Put for the past 2 years he hasnt been the same.

I have to go with Nas too for greatest rapper alive, and i'm not even a fan.

The fact that little wayne is even on that list just shows how gullible rap fans are nowadays, people listen to garbage.

And it was Vibe magazine, which I'm old enough to remember, was released pretty much just marketed to African Americans when it came out - I know it's more mainstream now, but still...this wasn't US Weekly or Rolling Stone -

I agree, I take back what i said....it was a popularity contest but only to an extent. If it was an all out popularity contest then lil wayne would be the best rapper alive.

I do think the best rapper alive is nas, i dont even have eminem in my top 4. I would ghostface killah 2nd, jay-z 3rd, and ice cube 4th. If Eminems new cd is real good he can get back in my top 4, not that it matters. Im sure hes very happy with the results of vibe magazines vote, my top 4 doesnt mean anything to him. But again, i got no problem with eminem winning.

Em is ill but he's not Illmatic. Catch my drift?

Anyway though Em is one of the most talented guys to touch a mic. In terms of word play and song writing abilities. He's one of the slickest/comical writers to ever come into the game. People place too much emphasis on Encore ignoring the rest of his albums which are mostly filled with good to great material.

I think Em could possibly be the best freestyle battle rapper alive but not the best rapper alive. Call me crazy but I think Jay is the best rapper alive at this point but not by far. Game....not even close and I don't even know how he got in the competition. I think TI rips Game a new one but to each is own I'm not going by this crazy competition because for some reason I believe there is politics involved.

Black guy best golfer (and maybe 2nd best if you count Singh), white guys taking over R&B (thicke, Timberlake), black women taking over tennis (Williams sisters), white guys winning NBA MVPs (Nowitzki, Nash), black guy hosting a country version of American Idol (Cowboy Troy), black guy leading the Presidential polls, the best heavyweight boxers all white...

...Stereotypes are taking a major hit nowadays...

Agreed wholeheartedly, you forgot to mention Darius Rucker crossing over into country and making hits.

he's light years better then wayne

I just mean he doesn't have to be recording to be "Best alive"

I'd say LL Cool J is the best alive, though he hasn't put out a classic album EVER...and I'd put Will Smith and Jay-Z, Nas, Eminem on that short list...and give different reasons for all of them.

I know we didn't used to disagree on everything...I'm just more unimpressed by the "new school" of rappers that get placed with the legends too quickly I think.... I don't buy the hype for Game, TI, OR Wayne...maybe I'm just getting older and crankier LOL


Respect for the Fresh Prince beyond his movies; you don't hear that alot nowadays.
He is definitely, like him or not, a forefather of Hip Hop. I was never a big fan back in the day, but there were millions of people in hoods all over the country that were, and I hate how people try to rewrite Hip Hop history to suit their current visions of "cool". We have footage of Tupac dancing to him as a teenager, that should be enough to qualify him as "real Hip Hop" to new schoolers and others.


Two Best DJJJFP songs IMO.


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Respect for the Fresh Prince beyond his movies; you don't hear that alot nowadays.
He is definitely, like him or not, a forefather of Hip Hop. I was never a big fan back in the day, but there were millions of people in hoods all over the country that were, and I hate how people try to rewrite Hip Hop history to suit their current visions of "cool". We have footage of Tupac dancing to him as a teenager, that should be enough to qualify him as "real Hip Hop" to new schoolers and others.


Two Best DJJJFP songs IMO.


<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/X_PDns23RWY&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/X_PDns23RWY&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>





<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Zgr5ceYhfuM&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Zgr5ceYhfuM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> I have to agree...I'm 32 and back in the day we use to listen to some pretty corny **** but nonetheless he was a pioneer of hip hop and whoever says he's not is full of ****. But one thing i'm glad for is that he gave up rappin' and started actin'!

But I don't agree that he is even close to one of the best rappers alive. Fresh Prince was not known for his rapping skills he was known for his punch lines. I agree that LL is one of the best rappers alive if you go back to his I'm Bad days or when he was battling Kool Moe D.