Kanye West Sparks Controversy With His “12 Rap Kings” List – Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole Missing!
American hip-hop legend Kanye West has stirred up a fresh wave of controversy after releasing a list of what he calls the “12 Rap Kings” — his picks for the most iconic rappers in hip-hop history. As expected, the list has raised eyebrows and sparked heated debates across social media platforms.
Kanye’s Controversial “12 Rap Kings” List
The list, shared on Kanye’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle, includes himself alongside other rap greats. Here’s the lineup:
Lil Wayne
Kanye West (Himself)
Jay-Z
Drake
Biggie Smalls
2PAC (Tupac Shakur)
50 Cent
Eminem
LL Cool J
Run DMC
Nas
Rakim
Interestingly, Kanye West’s selection left out some modern-day giants like Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, and Travis Scott, prompting massive backlash from fans and hip-hop enthusiasts.
Why Kendrick Lamar And J. Cole Were Snubbed
The exclusion of Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole may not come as a complete surprise to those who have followed Kanye’s remarks about them over the years. The “Donda” rapper previously admitted that while Kendrick Lamar is “very good,” he just doesn’t like his music.
As for J. Cole, Kanye was vocal about his displeasure when J. Cole apologized to Kendrick Lamar over a diss track he made. According to Kanye, J. Cole “goofed” by apologizing, which seems to have left a bitter taste in Kanye’s mouth.
Fan Reactions And Heated Debates
Social media platforms exploded with divided opinions as many fans felt Kanye’s list was biased and outdated. Some accused him of being bitter and purposely ignoring the talents of Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole, two artists widely regarded as modern-day rap icons.
Others, however, praised Kanye’s list, arguing that his selections were based on cultural impact and lyrical prowess rather than mainstream popularity.
Opinion: Kanye’s List Reflects His Personal Bias, Not Hip-Hop’s Reality
While Kanye West is entitled to his opinion, one can’t ignore the fact that his list appears heavily biased and overly personal. It’s hard to deny the brilliance of his picks like Jay-Z, Biggie Smalls, 2PAC, and Eminem, but the omission of Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole feels more like a deliberate jab than a genuine assessment of hip-hop greatness.
Kendrick Lamar’s Pulitzer Prize-winning albums and J. Cole’s consistent dominance in the rap scene are feats that cannot be dismissed. If anything, Kanye’s list seems like a nostalgia-driven attempt to assert his own relevance in an ever-evolving hip-hop landscape.
However, it’s worth acknowledging that every rap fan and artist has their own list of greats. But Kanye’s omission of these two rap heavyweights certainly raises questions about his objectivity.
Engagement Questions:
Do you think Kanye’s list of rap kings is fair, or is it a deliberate snub against Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole?
Which artists would you include in your own “12 Rap Kings” list?
Does Kanye’s opinion still hold weight in the hip-hop community today?
