The Best Rappers Alive of 1998
Honourable mentions:
Method Man
Redman
Busta Rhymes
Mos Def
N.O.R.E.
5. Inspectah Deck
Notable releases: N/A
Key guest appearances: Big Pun – “Tres Leches (Triboro Trilogy)”, Killah Priest – “Cross My Heart”, Gang Starr – “Above the Clouds”, Streetlife – “S.O.S.”, Pete Rock – “Tru Master”, Method Man – “Spazzola”
4. Big Pun
Notable releases: Capital Punishment
Key guest appearances: Pete Rock – “Verbal Murder 2”, Noreaga – “Banned from T.V.”, Fat Joe – “Bet Ya Man Can’t (Triz)”, Fat Joe – “John Blaze”, Digital Underground – “The Mission”, DJ Clue – “Fantastic 4”, Kid Capri – “Block Party”
3. Jay-Z
Notable releases: Streets Is Watching (soundtrack), Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life
Key guest appearances: M.O.P. – “4 Alarm Blaze”, R. Kelly – “We Ride”, Timbaland – “Lobster & Scrimp”, DMX – “Blackout”, DJ Clue – “Gangsta Shit”, Juvenile – “Ha (Remix)”, Kid Capri – “Like That”
2. Lauryn Hill
Notable releases: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
Key guest appearances: N/A
1. DMX
Notable releases: It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot, Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood
Key guest appearances: The LOX – “Money, Power & Respect”, Onyx – “Shut ’em Down”, DJ Clue – “It’s On”, Jermaine Dupri – “Get Your Shit Right”, Cam’ron – “Pull It”