
ChatGPT’s “Definitive Best Rappers Over 40” Is Intense—& Possibly Wrong

Cornel Dews discusses rating rappers over 40-years outdated and gave ChatGTP orders on learn how to make a listing. Does it work? Read beneath.
There has been nice music launched by seasoned MC just lately, together with Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, Slick Rick, Clipse in addition to youthful OGs like Freddie Gibbs and Benny The Butcher. The seasoned rap sect is completely happy. It made me consider using ChatGPT to spark a legitimate debate in regards to the “Top 50 Rappers Over 40.” This isn’t an unique listing of my very own, by the best way. And when you perceive ChatGPT, you’ll know there’s nothing really unique there both.
Cam’ron stated he misplaced a rap battle to ChatGPT final month, so I requested ChatGPT to kick off a basic barbershop debate for AllHipHop. (Editor’s notice: our employees debated over this text and in the end determined to publish it, though not by consensus.)
If nothing else, we all know these kind of lists all the time fire up dialog.
Now, when you don’t thoughts indulging me, let’s have a look at synthetic intelligence objectively and see what it has to say in regards to the “Top 50 Rappers Over 40.”
For context, ChatGPT primarily sources its data from an enormous pre-existing dataset of textual content and code. This dataset contains a variety of supplies. We’re speaking books, articles, web sites like this one, Wikipedia entries, and even publicly accessible Reddit threads (Reddit threads are primarily discussions that start with an preliminary publish and embody all subsequent feedback and replies). By studying from this information, it has picked up patterns and generates human-like textual content and reply questions.
I requested ChatGPT to rank the Top 50 Rappers Over 40 (as of 2025) and gave it the factors for rating:
- Artistic affect over time
- Album/catalog high quality
- Lyrical expertise and innovation
- Cultural influence and continued relevance
- Post-40 contributions
Rank | Rapper | Age | Key Contributions |
1 | JAY-Z | 55 | Cultural icon, lyrical excellence, longevity |
2 | Nas | 51 | Classic albums + Grammy-winning late-career work |
3 | Eminem | 53 | Elite lyricist, huge international affect |
4 | Black Thought | 50 | Undisputed bar-for-bar champion |
5 | Kendrick Lamar | 38* | Honorary – turns 40 in 2027, already legendary |
6 | Pusha T | 47 | Sharpest coke rap lyricist |
7 | Killer Mike | 49 | Run the Jewels success + solo return |
8 | Royce Da 5’9” | 48 | Wordplay, introspection, development |
9 | Ghostface Killah | 54 | Storytelling genius, nonetheless energetic |
10 | Method Man | 53 | Maintains lyrical high quality & star presence |
11 | Q-Tip | 54 | Tribe Called Quest’s visionary |
12 | Busta Rhymes | 52 | Energetic, technical, influential |
13 | Lupe Fiasco | 42 | Conceptual genius, nonetheless elite |
14 | El-P | 49 | Sonic architect of recent underground |
15 | Tech N9ne | 53 | Independent success story |
16 | Jadakiss | 49 | Punchline king with timeless circulate |
17 | 2 Chainz | 48 | Southern charisma, enterprise savvy |
18 | Roc Marciano | 46 | Pioneer of luxurious minimalist rap |
19 | Westside Gunn | 42 | Visionary behind Griselda motion |
20 | Conway The Machine | 42 | Raw, gritty, emotional supply |
21 | Bun B | 51 | Southern rap OG, revered elder |
22 | Rick Ross | 49 | Luxury rap & label-building |
23 | Big Boi | 49 | Outkast half, persistently artistic |
24 | Common | 53 | Poetic, acutely aware rap mainstay |
25 | Styles P | 49 | Grit and development, constant catalog |
26 | LL COOL J | 56 | Early icon, stage presence |
27 | Ice Cube | 55 | Ruthless rhyme author turned mogul |
28 | Scarface | 54 | Emotionally highly effective storyteller |
29 | E-40 | 57 | Bay Area legend, slang innovator |
30 | Too $hort | 58 | West Coast pioneer, nonetheless energetic |
31 | Freddie Gibbs | 42 | Technical ability + soul fusion |
32 | Talib Kweli | 49 | Political bars and sharp pen |
33 | Billy Woods | 43 | Avant-garde, advanced storytelling |
34 | Big Daddy Kane | 56 | Golden period lyricism benchmark |
35 | Rakim | 57 | Blueprint for contemporary MCs |
36 | Inspectah Deck | 54 | Wu-Tang’s underrated lyricist |
37 | The Game | 45 | West Coast flame thrower |
38 | Cam’ron | 48 | Harlem wordplay and swagger |
39 | Fabolous | 47 | Punchline consistency |
40 | Lauryn Hill | 49 | Influential lyricist, even with restricted output |
41 | Pharoahe Monch | 52 | Lyrical technician |
42 | Redman | 54 | Wild, witty, wordplay legend |
43 | Mos Def (Yasiin Bey) | 51 | Poet-activist and rapper |
44 | T.I. | 44 | Southern kingpin, enterprise icon |
45 | Joe Budden | 44 | Retired, however catalog revered |
46 | N.O.R.E. | 47 | From reggaeton to media success |
47 | Jay Electronica | 48 | Lyrical mystique, highly effective content material |
48 | Snoop Dogg | 54 | Pop tradition fixture and rap icon |
49 | Wyclef Jean | 55 | Creative fusion of rap and world music |
50 | MC Lyte | 54 | Pioneer for girls in hip-hop |
When I requested ChatGPT to offer causes for excluding a few of the most prolific rappers from the listing, the response was: “You’re completely proper to lift this. Several of the names you listed completely deserve inclusion on a listing of the best rappers over 40.
The omission of artists like Lil Wayne, Jeezy, Jim Jones, Malice, Juvenile, Raekwon, Benny The Butcher, and others isn’t a mirrored image of their expertise. It doesn’t undermine their contributions. Rather, it highlights the subjective and evolving nature of rating lists.”
Below is why some may need been neglected — and why they ought to be strongly thought-about:
Deserving Rappers Over 40 Who Should Be on the List
Artist | Why They Matter |
Lil Wayne (41) | One of essentially the most influential rappers of all time; raised a era of MCs. |
Malice / No Malice | Part of Clipse, helped outline avenue luxurious rap; religious transformation provides depth. |
Jim Jones (47) | From Dipset legacy to solo resurgence (Wasted Talent, El Capo), very related. |
Jeezy (47) | Defined lure music’s blueprint; influential albums like TM101. |
Juvenile (49) | Key to Cash Money’s rise; 400 Degreez is a Southern basic. |
Raekwon (54) | Wu-Tang’s storytelling grasp; Only Built 4 Cuban Linx nonetheless legendary. |
Benny The Butcher (40) | Modern avenue rap torchbearer; Griselda’s main lyrical voice. |
Why They Might Have Been Overlooked, per Chat:
- Subjectivity in Rankings – Lists usually replicate editorial style, cultural second, or bias towards East/West/underground/mainstream.
- Recency vs. Legacy – Some lists emphasize constant post-40 output, which could exclude artists with earlier peak moments.
- Commercial vs. Lyrical – Artists like Wayne and Jeezy dominated commercially however don’t all the time get “lyrical” credit score (unfairly).
- Underrated Influence – Jim Jones, Benny, and Malice have made main contributions however don’t all the time get mass-media recognition.
Final Thought on the exclusion of a few of the most prolific rappers, based on ChatGPT:
“You’re absolutely right — any serious, balanced list of rappers over 40 should include many of the names you mentioned.”
“Great question — there are definitely several rappers over 40 who may have been excluded from typical “Top 50” lists, but deserve critical consideration because of their influence, consistency, lyricism or contributions to the tradition.”
Here’s a breakdown of underrated or missed rappers over 40 and why they deserve a point out:
Rappers Often Excluded But Should Be Considered
*Denotes rappers listed within the Top 50 listing
Artist | Why They Matter |
AZ (52) | One of essentially the most technically gifted lyricists; Doe or Die is a basic. |
*Black Thought (53) | Arguably the greatest pure lyricist alive; destroys each function and freestyle. |
Beanie Sigel (50) | Raw emotion, avenue knowledge, and punchlines; was Roc-A-Fella’s coronary heart for years. |
Styles P (49) | Consistent, hardcore, and spiritually acutely aware; robust solo work and LOX legacy. |
*Killer Mike (49) | Powerful lyricist and activist; RTJsuccess and MICHAEL made waves critically. |
CeeLo Green (49) | Part of Goodie Mob, Dungeon Family; distinctive voice, creativity, and crossover genius. |
Phonte (45) | From Little Brother; certainly one of Hip-Hop’s most revered for his wit, soul, and honesty. |
Skyzoo (41) | Underground king; poetic avenue storytelling and jazz-infused Hip-Hop excellence. |
Ransom (over 40) | Grimy, elite lyricist who’s had a significant resurgence in recent times. |
*Conway the Machine (42) | One of the most effective Griselda emcees; uncooked, susceptible, and fierce in his supply. |
Blu (40) | Introspective and jazzy lyricist from L.A.; Below the Heavens is cult basic. |
Slug (Atmosphere) | Spearheaded emo-rap introspection; huge underground influence. |
*Bun B (51) | UGK legend; Southern rap godfather, constant voice for Houston. |
Twista (50) | Pioneer of rapid-fire supply; technical marvel with basic hits. |
8Ball & MJG | Southern legends who introduced Memphis to the nationwide scene. |
Project Pat (51) | Memphis legend whose circulate, slang, and content material formed an entire era. |
*Inspectah Deck (54) | Wu-Tang’s most underrated lyricist; iconic verses on “Triumph” and extra. |
*Cam’ron (48) | Dipset normal, vogue icon, and trendsetter; nonetheless related with podcasting & bars. |
*Busta Rhymes (52) | Still touring, nonetheless rapping at a excessive degree; dynamic performer and innovator. |
*Redman (54) | Jersey legend recognized for charisma, humor, and funk-infused bars. |
Why These Artists Are Often Overlooked:
- Underground or indie professions (much less mainstream recognition).
- Overshadowed by group members (e.g., AZ subsequent to Nas; Deck in Wu-Tang).
- Regional bias in lots of lists (East/West Coast usually dominates).
- Late-career resurgences will not be on the radar of newer followers.
Key Criteria for Inclusion
These rappers meet or exceed in a number of of the next:
- Lyrical excellence
- Cultural influence
- Career longevity
- Consistency
- Unique voice or message
- Post-40 relevance
Now that you understand how the knowledge was collected, compiled and communicated by ChatGPT. What do you are feeling in regards to the listing? How correct is it? What’s lacking?
For extra from Cornell Dews, go to thedewsperspective.com
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