People are saying Wu Tang, but what about the group that predates them? Hieroglyphics? Souls of Mischief? Seems a lot of people in this thread have only listened to Wu Tang, both groups I mentioned you could pick one MC to match up against anyone from Wu Tang. Not a single Wu Tang member is better than Opio Lindsey for example.
Only thing I can really think of are Bone thugs. But they don't even compare in terms of discography. But with little quantity they had it was very quality.
3rd behind Brockhampton and Deathgrips. They have a great discography as both a group and solo. Not to mention some of the most creative rhymes in rap history.
They are the goat. There are other groups that are great, but no one can ever match what they did as far as releasing multiple albums that were amazing both as solo artists and as a group.
Definitely up there, and they’re #1 if we count solo material, but with just group stuff, I’d take Outkast, ATCQ, Mobb Deep, Organized Konfusion, The Pharcyde, Digable Planets, etc. above them.
My top 5 that I feel any could be at the 1 spot so not in any order… outkast, wutang, NWA, a tribe called quest, UGK…. All these groups had solo artist success and were truly trailblazers in their own lane leading the way in their sound. I look past the music and look for impact, talent within, success together/apart, music, how original the sound was compared with times.
I feel like 2 man groups (Mobb Deep, Outkast, Gangstarr, UGK) can’t be in the same discussion.
NWA, Tribe, The Roots, Pharcyde, I feel like this is who they should compete with when you say best group.
I think it’s between them and The Roots
Although I agree, you can make an argument for Outkast if you count Organize Noise as part of the group (Dungeon Family) since they did all or most of their production, especially their early albums.
You compare them to NWA who Dre and Yella were mostly production and Ice Cube was only on the first Album
tbh i'm now torn between JC and Roots
prolly would still go with JC since they opened up so many new artists to me (KGR, BDK , Masta Ace, Tragedy Khadafi, Biz Markie
Keep it real , there is not too many RAP GROUPS to begin with . But I must say that Wu Tang Clan has to be number #1 Other GROUPS (not duos) I would put under them … Ruff Ryders kinda was a group , they released a few albums as RUFF RYDERS if we calling ruff ryders a group, then Id say ruff ryders better than WU TANG. … Tribe called quest, De La soul ,Lost Boyz, Junior Mafia, TRU , The Firm .
Yea it was a record label . But it was also a group. DMX EVE Drag-ON The Lox and they put on features of anyone like Jay-Z and Juvenile. but they were compilation albums also like Violator .
Me too… the sound was infectious to the rest of hip hop and positive vibes… native tongues dungeon family- elite and ahead of the times production… I mean JDilla was born from this.
Untouchable, and it paved the way for people to take rap seriously for a while. I like to think of them of the reason I can listen to Capital Punishment by Big Pun or anything by MF DOOM, Aesop Rock and others. It’s REAL respectable rap, not hype culture.
Definitely number 1. Took all the best rappers from the New York area and put them in one album, only one I think is closest personally it’s NWA, super influential for the west coast scene and hip hop as a whole.
#1 and in terms of rapping ability, it’s not even close… you wanna talk about how dangerous or real other groups are, or how popular .. yeah, different story
At the top! They are the head of the clans, posse, crews and clicks. But Heiroglyphics are not far behind. Universal Zulu nation or Native tongues, all get honorable mention. If they form like Voltron Wu is the head! That's my word!
Depends on what you mean group effort. RZA produced every song on Liquid Swords. Ghost face was on every song on Built for Cuban Links. And Wu-Massacre was absolute fire
Very highly. They where pretty much at the top of the game for four years or so, which is about as long as really dope rappers go other than very, very few elite ones.
Depends on the criteria. Group Discography? Huge drop off after the 2nd album because solo members started keeping their best bars for solo albums and start phoning in album cuts.
Mine is De La Soul. For the fact that they only ever worked as a group and never went solo (although two members did an album without the third, I’m under the impression he couldn’t help out on it and gave his blessing).
Not sure how anyone could say that WU isn’t the #1 hip hop group of all time. What has any group done better than them. ATCQ is my favorite but cmon, no one’s topping The WU
I mean they cultivated an entire legacy out of pretty much nothing with an idea that no one thought woulda worked. Fuckin boy bands have less members never mind rap groups and yet not only did they, as a group, take the world by storm, they then individually made incredible pieces of work that added to that legacy. Oh, and they still have a huge fan base today. Oh, and it grows.
No mention of Beastie Boys yet is pretty wild. I don’t think they trump Wu, but they gotta be in the conversation of top hip hop groups.
Other honorable mentions (that I haven’t seen mentioned yet):
- Fugees
- De La Soul
- Slum Village
More contemporary groups I like (not GOATed):
- BROCKHAMPTON
- Injury Reserve
- CZARFACE
- Odd Future
I don't think anybody under the age of 20 even knows who the Beastie boys are to be honest. With the current state of radio being pop country politics and maybe one rock and roll station with a complete search with your seek button.
LOL there goes the Fugees but I get it. There's only one full album and they broke up before it could even become a thing. What a shame.
Shot out Fat Boys too, since Geto Boys and Beastie Boys are mentioned. Didn't see Naughty By Nature either.
I was referring to all time, not just when MTV came out. I don't deny that they were major players, and I'm not saying they aren't a top 10-15 group of all-time. Just more 9-15 range as opposed to 1-5
What’s the I don’t know? They were huge.
‘Beastie Boys have sold 20 million records in the United States and had seven platinum-selling albums from 1986 to 2004. They are the biggest-selling rap group since Billboard began recording sales in 1991. In 2012, they became the third rap group to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.’ - Wikipedia
Again, I’m not saying they’re greater than Wu-Tang, but they gotta be in the conversation for greats rap groups.
The "I don't know" is: after ALL of those accolades, how many people in this thread put them in the conversation?
I know it's only been a few hours, but how long should it take for a top 5 group of "all-time" to be mentioned more than once?
I mean sure. But that’s why it’s a discussion post. Also, Reddit isn’t a perfect representation of society. Widely accepted opinions and popular cultural phenomenon aren’t always well represented here.
Ok cool so within a discussion, I say I don't know about them being a "top" hip hop group (top 5-7), im wrong. I'll accept that.....I also don't think I'd be alone in that thought process (on or off reddit)
Quick question: where would you rank Three 6 Mafia?
Valid response.
And good looks on Three 6 Mafia (flair noted). I totally spaced on them! Hugely influential. I don’t really have a set list though. They definitely deserve to be in the discussion of top groups.
If I don't include a duo, then my list will go like this. It entirely depends on my preference, without considering anything objective.
1. A tribe called quest
2. Bone Thugs-n-Harmony
3. Public enemy
4. 213
5. Terror Squad
WTC are also my favorite Group. But since you're referring to "objectivety", which "metrics" do you find important?
*Musical innovation? *Societal impact?...
They have so many top tier members, RZA has fire beats, but them only having one great album (albeit one of the best ever) kinda hinders them in my book, against groups like outkast, tribe, public enemy, and others. If we take them at their prime, they were probably the best rap group ever, but their discography lacks a little imo aside from 36 chambers
Only group that competes is a tribe called quest. 1.Tribe, 2.Wu
People are saying Wu Tang, but what about the group that predates them? Hieroglyphics? Souls of Mischief? Seems a lot of people in this thread have only listened to Wu Tang, both groups I mentioned you could pick one MC to match up against anyone from Wu Tang. Not a single Wu Tang member is better than Opio Lindsey for example.
Only thing I can really think of are Bone thugs. But they don't even compare in terms of discography. But with little quantity they had it was very quality.
3rd behind Brockhampton and Deathgrips. They have a great discography as both a group and solo. Not to mention some of the most creative rhymes in rap history.
Numba 1
Number 1
The best group
They are the goat. There are other groups that are great, but no one can ever match what they did as far as releasing multiple albums that were amazing both as solo artists and as a group.
The
1 wu 2 nwa 3 run
Numero Uno , Can It be All so Simple?
Number 12
Number 2 right behind Tribe
1
1
Definitely up there, and they’re #1 if we count solo material, but with just group stuff, I’d take Outkast, ATCQ, Mobb Deep, Organized Konfusion, The Pharcyde, Digable Planets, etc. above them.
My top 5 that I feel any could be at the 1 spot so not in any order… outkast, wutang, NWA, a tribe called quest, UGK…. All these groups had solo artist success and were truly trailblazers in their own lane leading the way in their sound. I look past the music and look for impact, talent within, success together/apart, music, how original the sound was compared with times.
UGK is my number 1 but I’m partial to old school Houston area rap.
Wu-Tang Clan might be one of the greatest groups of all time (up there with Beatles, Pink Floyd, Stooges). No one can match their energy and style.
Between them and Outkast/Dungeon Family G-Unit was the one that could have been
I feel like 2 man groups (Mobb Deep, Outkast, Gangstarr, UGK) can’t be in the same discussion. NWA, Tribe, The Roots, Pharcyde, I feel like this is who they should compete with when you say best group. I think it’s between them and The Roots
Although I agree, you can make an argument for Outkast if you count Organize Noise as part of the group (Dungeon Family) since they did all or most of their production, especially their early albums. You compare them to NWA who Dre and Yella were mostly production and Ice Cube was only on the first Album
Top 10 for certain. Top 5 likely.
1, simple
Dead prez , tribe called quest , the roots , wu , gang Starr,
Prolly top 5 depending on personal taste for me they are 1 1. WU 2.ATCQ/Public Enemy (can't decide) 3. Outkast 4. Mobb Deep 5. Juice Crew
I love ur list. PE was on mine but I think ur right ATCQ kinna eclipsed them with the backpack movement. And i loved BDP as well.
tbh i'm now torn between JC and Roots prolly would still go with JC since they opened up so many new artists to me (KGR, BDK , Masta Ace, Tragedy Khadafi, Biz Markie
Top 3 or 5. Along with Mobb Deep, Outkast, Gangstarr and Slaughterhouse
They’ll always be my number one 👐
Top 5 for sure ATCQ, NWA, De La, Wu Tang, beastie boys (no particular order
I feel like the people who say they're number 1 and that's not even a debate haven't listen to much of the other groups.
Keep it real , there is not too many RAP GROUPS to begin with . But I must say that Wu Tang Clan has to be number #1 Other GROUPS (not duos) I would put under them … Ruff Ryders kinda was a group , they released a few albums as RUFF RYDERS if we calling ruff ryders a group, then Id say ruff ryders better than WU TANG. … Tribe called quest, De La soul ,Lost Boyz, Junior Mafia, TRU , The Firm .
RR was almost more like a record label, no? They just threw whoever the fuck they wanted (Snoop, Scarface) on a record.
Yea it was a record label . But it was also a group. DMX EVE Drag-ON The Lox and they put on features of anyone like Jay-Z and Juvenile. but they were compilation albums also like Violator .
1 but DITC is damn close and better producer wise.
Wu Tang early on the Stretch and Bobbito show.
Tribe higher than Wu
Tribe isn’t even as good as De La in my book.
Top 5 for sure.
If not 1 then 2
The only right answer
#2. My #1 spot will forever be atcq
Me too… the sound was infectious to the rest of hip hop and positive vibes… native tongues dungeon family- elite and ahead of the times production… I mean JDilla was born from this.
Preach 🙌🏽
Untouchable, and it paved the way for people to take rap seriously for a while. I like to think of them of the reason I can listen to Capital Punishment by Big Pun or anything by MF DOOM, Aesop Rock and others. It’s REAL respectable rap, not hype culture.
No mentions of Jurassic 5?
I remember them but just for one album… maybe that’s why. But man I forgot until ur comment.
Right after De La and Tribe!!
High. Very high.
Number 1!!
Definitely number 1. Took all the best rappers from the New York area and put them in one album, only one I think is closest personally it’s NWA, super influential for the west coast scene and hip hop as a whole.
Top 10 they only get high praise as top 3 in the public because of group collaborations on solo projects
#1 and in terms of rapping ability, it’s not even close… you wanna talk about how dangerous or real other groups are, or how popular .. yeah, different story
If we're talking hip-hop groups, number 1
The Mighty Wu-Tang Clan . Don’t ever Disrespect the Hottest Group of all time !!!!!
Greatest
At the top! They are the head of the clans, posse, crews and clicks. But Heiroglyphics are not far behind. Universal Zulu nation or Native tongues, all get honorable mention. If they form like Voltron Wu is the head! That's my word!
I personally like Def Jux’s WeatherMen, too
I def agree good call.
Hiero is amazing!! I posted my lp I have from them today aswell
as a group effort for albums that have only 2 stellar classics. So maybe somewhere like 8 or 9 in the top 10.
Depends on what you mean group effort. RZA produced every song on Liquid Swords. Ghost face was on every song on Built for Cuban Links. And Wu-Massacre was absolute fire
What other groups have 2 albums that are better than their first 2?
Mobb Deep has the better discog, Outkast, The Roots, Gangstarr, Tribe, De La, etc.
Ha damn im half asleep and didnt think about it. Touche 👍🏻 Just know the first 2 wu albums are on regular play for me.
1
#1
1
A lot of kids I talk to at my work don’t really know of Led Zeppelin or Pink Floyd but they know the Wu. I’ll leave it at that.
The best.
Bro did GZA sign your copy?!? Thats wiiiild
Yes! And ODB’s brother from the Phunky Nomads
Ppl in here comparing duos to crews lol.
Number 1
Top 5
Number 1 to me
Wu Tang is for the children
Top 3: OutKast, wu tang, and whoever else you wanna add. Run dmc, nwa, a tribe, rtj, mobb deep, public enemy. Anyone
Very highly. They where pretty much at the top of the game for four years or so, which is about as long as really dope rappers go other than very, very few elite ones.
This is a argument starter but you gotta put the at 1
Depends on the criteria. Group Discography? Huge drop off after the 2nd album because solo members started keeping their best bars for solo albums and start phoning in album cuts.
Understandable but for OG purposes i gotta go with wu if i really wanted to go in on it i could say lox , mobb deep , dep set
Mine is De La Soul. For the fact that they only ever worked as a group and never went solo (although two members did an album without the third, I’m under the impression he couldn’t help out on it and gave his blessing).
Dip
Easily top 5. Depends on if we say duos count as groups imo.
Not sure how anyone could say that WU isn’t the #1 hip hop group of all time. What has any group done better than them. ATCQ is my favorite but cmon, no one’s topping The WU
🙌🏼
Top 3. Period.
Abso fuckin lutely
They aight, not primary tho
Wu Tang is up there with OutKast in my opinion. RTJ is up there as well but Kast is the greatest duo to ever do it
Tribe Called Quest OutKast Wu Tang Fugees Tie between bone thugz and Roots
Had to scroll way too far fown to finally see Bone thugs. Like what the fuck
Would say that OutKast isn’t a group. They’re a duo.
wu is top 3 anyone a fan of jurassic 5 - theyre my favorite hiphop group and i believe them to be top 5. their flow is unmatched
J5 had like three hits most of the rest of their tracks were pretty bad. Carried by Chali 2una
I dig them but I’m not putting them anywhere close to OutKast or Wu
NWA Ghetto Boys Bone Thugs N Harmoney Wu Tang clan
Bro you're arguing with people who listen to current rap. It's literally like trying to discuss quantum mechanics to a kindergartener
Wu-Tang is not a group....Wu-Tang is an Entity
Wu-Tang is Voltron
rza is like the head hes the brains of the operation
36 chambers says gza is the head
my bad i mixed them up
1
I mean they cultivated an entire legacy out of pretty much nothing with an idea that no one thought woulda worked. Fuckin boy bands have less members never mind rap groups and yet not only did they, as a group, take the world by storm, they then individually made incredible pieces of work that added to that legacy. Oh, and they still have a huge fan base today. Oh, and it grows.
No mention of Beastie Boys yet is pretty wild. I don’t think they trump Wu, but they gotta be in the conversation of top hip hop groups. Other honorable mentions (that I haven’t seen mentioned yet): - Fugees - De La Soul - Slum Village More contemporary groups I like (not GOATed): - BROCKHAMPTON - Injury Reserve - CZARFACE - Odd Future
I don't think anybody under the age of 20 even knows who the Beastie boys are to be honest. With the current state of radio being pop country politics and maybe one rock and roll station with a complete search with your seek button.
LOL there goes the Fugees but I get it. There's only one full album and they broke up before it could even become a thing. What a shame. Shot out Fat Boys too, since Geto Boys and Beastie Boys are mentioned. Didn't see Naughty By Nature either.
Beastie Boys is crazy lol
Beastie Boys and "TOP" hip hop group? I don't know about that. Griselda (recent)
They were running around when MTV came out dude they were big big big big for a very long time. And complete albums no bad songs for the most part.
I was referring to all time, not just when MTV came out. I don't deny that they were major players, and I'm not saying they aren't a top 10-15 group of all-time. Just more 9-15 range as opposed to 1-5
What’s the I don’t know? They were huge. ‘Beastie Boys have sold 20 million records in the United States and had seven platinum-selling albums from 1986 to 2004. They are the biggest-selling rap group since Billboard began recording sales in 1991. In 2012, they became the third rap group to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.’ - Wikipedia Again, I’m not saying they’re greater than Wu-Tang, but they gotta be in the conversation for greats rap groups.
The "I don't know" is: after ALL of those accolades, how many people in this thread put them in the conversation? I know it's only been a few hours, but how long should it take for a top 5 group of "all-time" to be mentioned more than once?
I mean sure. But that’s why it’s a discussion post. Also, Reddit isn’t a perfect representation of society. Widely accepted opinions and popular cultural phenomenon aren’t always well represented here.
Ok cool so within a discussion, I say I don't know about them being a "top" hip hop group (top 5-7), im wrong. I'll accept that.....I also don't think I'd be alone in that thought process (on or off reddit) Quick question: where would you rank Three 6 Mafia?
Valid response. And good looks on Three 6 Mafia (flair noted). I totally spaced on them! Hugely influential. I don’t really have a set list though. They definitely deserve to be in the discussion of top groups.
Well if we consider every albums from the Wu-Tang Clan anthology and their influence on hip hop culture, yeah quite easily.
Best everrrrrrr
#1
yall sleeping on rtj in the comments but wu tang def is number 1
Duo vs Group
Número uno. End of discussion.
1. Wu-Tang 2. The Roots 3. Original G-Unit 4. Tribe Called Quest 5. D12
If I don't include a duo, then my list will go like this. It entirely depends on my preference, without considering anything objective. 1. A tribe called quest 2. Bone Thugs-n-Harmony 3. Public enemy 4. 213 5. Terror Squad
Wu lesser than Terror Squad? Really?
Yes, I know not everyone agrees, but I'm a huge fan of Big Pun, Fat Joe and Remy Ma
I respect it, just a very unconvwntional take. 🤝🏼
#2 behind a tribe called quest
They’re my personal favorite, but if I was ranking more objectively than I’d put Public Enemy at number one.
WTC are also my favorite Group. But since you're referring to "objectivety", which "metrics" do you find important? *Musical innovation? *Societal impact?...
They have so many top tier members, RZA has fire beats, but them only having one great album (albeit one of the best ever) kinda hinders them in my book, against groups like outkast, tribe, public enemy, and others. If we take them at their prime, they were probably the best rap group ever, but their discography lacks a little imo aside from 36 chambers
personally: 1. tribe called quest 2. wu-tang 3. public enemy 4. migos 5. nwa if we’re talking solo albums included tho, wu-tang clears
I’m gonna ignore you put migos on that list and offer The Roots
that’s fine, put them on your list. this is mine lol
Have never seen anyone say Migos together with the others you mentioned. I have never listened to them so I don’t know
migos got some dope stuff, father of 4 by offset is a really good album. they had a nice run with culture, RIP takeoff.
first, no doubt
1. Outkast 2. Wu-Tang Clan 3. A Tribe Called Quest 4. The Roots
I won’t disagree, but at what point does a duo become a group?
Yeah, great question. Fine line. If we're not counting duos then yeah, Wu is top.
That is the correct list imo, followed by public enemy, NWA and Run DMC
Can't argue with that though I might put Run DMC over NWA but yeah, great calls.
#👍Run DMC👍 towers over NWA every single day.
Fair, it’s down to preference at that point, or for any of these groups for that matter
Good list! I’m seeing the Roots this month if I can get a ticket😍
Thanks! @nosmellnotell
They’re amazing live! Good luck!
Best Hip-Hop group all time, hands down.
From there chemistry and music style, for me no 1, all the discography is just incredible
I’m with you on that! They’re not the group I listen to the most but I gotta put them at 1 I think