Nas Names His Top 10 Hip-Hop Lyricists to Rolling Stone Mag

In the recent issue of Rolling Stone, Nas chose to name his top 10 lyricists along with a song from each to explain their placement. Now Nas is a 'Top 5 Dead or Alive' MC, so to see his list is, very interesting to say the least. Shouts out for having Kool G. Rap at #3 on his list. Anyhow, this is Nas' Top 10:

1. "My Downfall" - Notorious B.I.G., 1997
-The lyrics are about how he's acing the shadows of death, despite all of his success, and he's giving it to you in a way that makes it seem so real.

2. "If My Homie Calls" - 2pac, 1991
-He's just saying to his boys that he's going to be a friend no matter how big he gets.

3. "Road To The Riches" - Kool G. Rap & DJ Polo, 1989
-The way we're rhyming now? He was already doing it then .

4. "A Bird In The Hand" - Ice Cube, 1991

5. "Paid In Full" - Eric B. & Rakim, 1987

6. "I'm Single" - Lil Wayne, 2010
-I'm recently divorced, so I feel what he's saying.

7. "Tears of Joy" - Rick Ross, 2010
-Ross is at the pulpit here.

8. "The Moment I Feared" - Slick Rick, 1988
-It's cinematic. He's at a hip-hop show and ices this girl who played him, then he's in prison getting violated by some dude. This was unheard of.

9. "Empire State of Mind" - Jay-Z, 2009
-This song is huge. It sounds like Broadway. It's New York's modern anthem.

10. "Queen Bitch" - Lil' Kim, 1996
-At the time, females rappers didn't appeal to the street, but Kim came with the vulgarity, sexuality and gangster shit.