The 20 Greatest White Rappers of All Time

There’s no denying that when it comes to the rap scene, white artists have had to put in extra work to be taken seriously. In a genre and culture that has been historically dominated by African-American and Latino artists, white rappers have often been seen as outsiders trying to cash in on a trend.

However, there is a thriving and under-appreciated community of white rappers out there who are breaking all the rules and redefining what it means to be a rapper. Here is a list of the 20 greatest white rappers of all time.

1. Eminem

Eminem, born Marshall Bruce Mathers III, is a white rapper from Detroit who has achieved widespread success in the rap industry. He is widely considered to be one of the most talented rappers and producers in the business, and his life story was even made into a movie.

With more hit singles than we can count, including “Lose Yourself,” “Not Afraid,” and “Stan,” Eminem has proven time and time again that he is a master of his craft. Of course, we cannot forget “Godzilla” featuring Juice WRLD! Eminem was credited with a Guinness World Record in 2020 for rapping an incredible 7.5 words per second in one verse – the true king of rap.

2. Logic

Logic kicked off his music journey in 2010 with the mixtape “Young, Broke & Infamous”. His popularity rapidly increased when he dropped the Young Sinatra mixtapes. Logic’s biggest hit is probably “1-800-273-8255” featuring Alessia Cara and Khalid. The song is a powerful anthem about suicide prevention.

Logic’s track, “100 Miles and Running” is so fast that it will get your adrenaline pumping. Under nine seconds, he crammed in 69 words – which is faster than Eminem’s verse in “Rap God”. He truly was (is retired now) a master flow machine in the world of rap music.

3. NF

What NF does that other rappers can hardly do is tell a convincing story through his songs, which has helped him stand out from the crowd. Nathan John Feuerstein, more commonly known by his stage name NF, is a rapper from Michigan. People who understand and respect rap music know that NF is exceptionally talented.

Though his fame grows steadily, he has not yet achieved the level of success as some of his peers. His raps focusing on social issues, help audiences connect with his songs, as proven by “Let You Down” going platinum. The one thing that truly makes him stand out is his flow and beat types.

4. Yelawolf

It might come as a surprise to some that Yelawolf, one of rap’s more interesting singers, is from Alabama – a state known not for its hip-hop scene, but rather for country music. Michael Wayne Atha has shown great potential in rap music, particularly through his collaborations and short distributions.

Did you know that Yelawolf was introduced to hip-hop by his mother’s boyfriend, who worked as a sound designer for Aerosmith? Notable songs by him include “Pop the Trunk” and “Till It’s Gone.” Despite his success as a rapper, he still keeps ties to where he grew up in the south.

5. Mac Miller

Pittsburgh lost a beloved figure in the hip-hop community when Mac Miller passed away. His most popular song became a number-one hit after he died from a substance overdose. He was young when he first started gaining attention and accolades as a musician, only being a teenager.

Mac Miller was not only a rap and hip-hop artist, but he also drew inspiration from musicians of different genres like the greats of both the 80s and hip-hop. Miller had a knack for taking classic tunes and giving them a new life, often sampling and rapping over older songs.

6. Post Malone

Austin Richard Post, more commonly known by his stage name, Post Malone is an American singer that has made a name for himself in the rap and songwriting industry. His unique vocal style sets him apart from other artists by blending different musical genres.

He is also known for his single “Rockstar” which achieved commercial success, topping the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. This also became his first number 1 track and opened the door to further success.

7. Vinnie Paz

Vinnie Paz is widely recognized as one of the best rappers in the world. His unique style combines elements of hardcore punk and hip-hop, resulting in a sound that is both aggressive and catchy. Paz is also known for his complex lyrics, which often deal with dark subjects such as violence and addiction. In addition to his solo work, Paz is a member of the legendary hip-hop group Jedi Mind Tricks.

Whether you’re a fan of hip-hop or not, there’s no denying that Vinnie Paz is one of the most talented rappers in the game. With tracks like “End of Days” and “Slight Rebellion off Madison”, it’s easy to see why he is considered one of the greats.

8. R.A. The Rugged Man

R.A Talorburn, or his stage name R.A the Rugged Man is an American rapper and producer known for his creative lyrics and beats. He has had a fascinating hip-hop career that spans decades and defies easy explanation.

After proving himself as one of the most talented unsigned MCs, he caused a bidding war between multiple major labels. He was awarded a Gold record for his efforts on the “WWE Aggression” album, and his music could be heard in the video game “Tony Hawk’s Underground” which sold over a million copies.

9. Lil Dicky

When it comes to rap music, there are a lot of different styles and approaches. Some rappers focus on lyrical prowess, while others prioritize flow and delivery. Then there are those who focus on making entertaining and humorous songs. Lil Dicky falls into the latter category, and he is unquestionably one of the best and most interesting rappers in the game right now.

While Lil Dicky may not have the traditional rhyming skills of Kendrick Lamar or the lyrical depth of J. Cole, he more than makes up for it with his creative songwriting and comedic delivery. His songs are clever and catchy, and they always manage to get stuck in your head. Simply put, Lil Dicky is a refreshing voice in an often-stale genre, and he is quickly becoming one of the biggest names in rap.

10. Ubiquitous

Ubiquitous is a proven hip-hop artist who first gained notoriety as one-half of the rap group Ces Cru in 2002. He signed with Strange Music and released his album “Matter Don’t Money” in 2012. Ubiquitous is known for his unique delivery and complex rhyme schemes.

As one of the most successful and respected artists in the world, Ubiquitous is without question one of the greatest rappers of all time.

11. Aesop Rock

Aesop Rock’s moniker is a fascinating callback to the children’s fairy tale, Aesop Fables. However, what many people don’t know is that in the hip-hop world, he is also considered one of the leading East Coast rappers hailing from New York City. He first rose to prominence with his album, “Float”, and he has continued to produce great work like “Spirit World Field Guide” in 2020.

Aesop Rock is a renowned underground rapper from the late 90s and 2000s. He was one of the most successful alternative and indie hip-hop artists during that time. He has also collaborated with a wide variety of people, both as a producer and an artist.

12. G-Eazy

G-Eazy’s mixtape ‘The Endless Summer’ allowed him to tour with some of the biggest names in rap, Drake and Lil Wayne, in 2011. Currently signed with RCA Records, he is estimated to have a net worth of $12 million as of November 2022.

In 2017, he collaborated with Kehlani on a Britney Spears album single titled “Good Life.” The song became an instant hit, accruing over 13 million YouTube views in the month following its release. There’s no doubt that G-Eazy is one of the most successful rappers in the game right now.

13. Brother Ali

Brother Ali has released several albums over the years, eight of which have been well-received by critics. In addition to his solo work, he has also worked on partner projects and collaborations. This level of productivity has helped him establish a name for himself in the music industry.

Aside from his work in the rap scene, he is also an activist. His artwork mainly surrounds the topics of racial discrimination, slavery, and criticizing the United States government. Even though those are his dominant themes, messages of hope, acceptance, and going beyond tragedy are also prevalent.

14. House Of Pain

The American hip-hop trio House of Pain released three albums in the 1990s. The group, which consisted of DJ Lethal, Danny Boy, and Everlast proved to be successful.

“Jump Around,” an irresistibly catchy and popular song, immediately propelled House of Pain from an unheard white hip-hop group to near-celebrity status when it became a huge hit. This group released three albums together, but Danny Boy eventually went solo.

15. EI-P

El-P is an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer who has been a pivotal figure in the underground rap scene for most of his career. He is considered one of hip-hop’s most innovative and experimental pioneers, for his use of a lo-fi old-school style with a progressive rock edge.

El-P’s career in mainstream hip-hop began in 2013 when he formed the duo Run the Jewels. Prior to that, El-P had released four solo studio albums that were well-received by underground hip-hop fans.

16. Rittz

It’s not uncommon to see rap artists who have made it big to sponsor other up-and-coming talents that they feel have potential. Tech N9ne took Rittz under his wing after watching him perform and seeing lots of potential. He got signed to Tech N9ne’s label soon afterward and lived up to the hype by putting out great music.

Rittz has had great success with songs like “Next to Nothing” and many more. His first album “The Life and Times of Jonny Valiant” was released in 2013 to commercial success, peaking at number 8 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

17. Zack De La Rocha

Zach de la Rocha, a west coast rapper, has made a name for himself in the rap scene with albums like “Inside Out”. However, his most impressive credential is being part of Rage Against the Machine, a hybrid rap band that effortlessly broke barriers and increased audience sizes.

He departed Rage Against the Machine in October 2000 due to creative differences. Rocha also is the founder of his own music project, ‘One Day as a Lion.’

18. Macklemore

With hit songs like “Thrift Shop” and “Can’t Hold Us,” it’s safe to say that Macklemore is one of the most popular rappers out there. He is a rapper, singer, and songwriter who has released two solo studio albums.

Haggerty was raised Catholic and has Irish heritage. He first discovered hip-hop when he was six years old, thanks to Digital Underground. Macklemore is an independent hip-hop artist who has achieved great mainstream success.

19. Mike Shinoda

When people think of west coast rappers, Japanese heritage is not usually the first thing that comes to mind. However, Michael Kenji Shinoda has surpassed all expectations and become a co-founder of the very popular hybrid band Linkin Park.

After a few false starts, he finally found his footing in the music industry in the early 2000s and became an international star within just a couple of years. Though the band came to a halt because of Chester Bennington’s death, Shinoda is still a big name in the industry.

20. Action Bronson

Action Bronson has the stage presence of a B-rate movie, but he is skilled in both rapping and producing. For years, he collaborated with Warner Bros., and now he’s earning new fans by working on projects like the soundtrack for Suicide Squad while continuing to release hits like “Game Over! Man.”

Aside from his music career, Action Bronson is noted for his culinary expertise. And with a food show and a cookbook under his belt, it’s safe to say that he’s one of the most multi-talented rappers that have more than one successful career.

Final Thoughts

There are many great white rappers out there who have made a name for themselves in the rap industry. These 20 artists are just some of the most popular and successful ones. Each artist has their own unique style and story that has helped them to achieve success.

Mac Miller Featured Image (Top-Right) by: Nicolas Völcker, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Yelawolf Featured Image (Bottom-Left) by: Ryan Smith, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
NF Featured Image (Bottom-Right) by: Capitol CMG (Universal Music Group), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons