jay-z and biggie smalls want to have a word with you sir.
I'd actually suggest that talib kweli, mos def, common, black thought, wu tang, all belong in the same conversation... but I'm sure my personal taste is influencing my rankings.
I acutally have about the same taste as you... and I agree Jayz COULD be apart of the conversation.. I ABSOLUTELY HATE that biggie gets all that credit for 2 GREAT albums... You Can't be the best with 2 LPS...
Biggie style did change the game, and it was different... but I refuse to think that Biggie was on Pac's level. Pac made approx 10 great albums, and had just as much as an influence on rap...
I don't have a problem with those that like Big more than Pac. It's two very different styles.. But you can't compare the two over their career..
Tupac made a great album, Makaveli, in less than 2 weeks... Biggie made 2 great albums in his career...
My Top...
Tupac
Nas
Jayz
Bone Thugs (I know this will be disagreed with)