um...... what?

If SlowGroove is talking about the mainstream then I'd say he's right. He doesn't get much mainstream recognition/coverage. Wack rappers like Ross are getting the recognition.

it's because they're soluble. DOOM is never going to gain mainstream recognition because of the intelligent nature of his work. Nor would he want to dumb down so as to get a guest spot on the next abysmal Lil Wayne album.

I'd argue that DOOM is more celebrated and critically acclaimed by the underground community, than Ross is in the mainstream world. Hip hop fans don't like Ross, Wayne, Tyga, etc, pop fans do.

I don't know man, I've met several hip-hop heads who like both Wayne and Ross. (never met a hip-hop head/Tyga fan though, hahaha)

I wouldn't call myself a Tyga fan but I did like most of the songs he had on his first album





and this song off of one of his mixtapes

^Yep, it's all about taste. I would argue that Tyga is easily better than Rick Ross.

Not in order, more than 10 technically but here you go

AZ(underrated, incredible)
Raekwon,GZA,GFK,The Meth(most of the wu)
Pac(not the best lyrically, but great charisma and a pioneer)
Big(Amazing flow)
Immortal technique(story telling is outstanding)
Big L (brilliant freestyler, one of if not the best freestyler)
KRS ONE(nuff said)
Nas(absolutely brilliant)
Rakim(what can be said about rakim that hasn't been said, this guys flow is well, the best)
Ice cube(wrote most of dre's and eazys sh!t back in the day, so by default, he earns a spot. One of the greats)
Eminem(genius when it comes to lyrical ability)

Honorable mentions;
Kool G rap
Scarface
Big daddy kane
Black thought
Big pun
Fugees
Mc ren
A tribe called quest
Redman
DMX
Snoop
LL cool J
Mobb Deep
Mos Def

1.Nas- Stormed the scene and had such a big influence for people like eminem etc. Great lyrics and storytelling.
2.Villian/MF Doom- So unappreciated but they are just so gifted and put together some of the best tracks I have heard to date.
3.Tupac-Pioneer really gripped people in his songs and had a ton of charisma
4.Biggie-Delivery,punches,lyrics. He was a giant
5.Rakim- he is the man plain and simple like people say he is your MC's favorite MC.
6.Black Thought
7. AZ- Very underated but his content is amazing.
8.Eminem- Minus MF DOOM, Slims the best wordsmith on this list in my opinion. whether you like him or not, his flow/schemes and punches are just some of the best. his downfall why he landed lower was because his sometime lack of direction in his rhymes.
9. Jay Z- Nuff said.
10. Big L- His over vulgar content and a legendary freestyling skills put him on my list.

Notable Mentions-
Beastie Boys
LL Cool J
Kool G Rap
Mos Def
Common
Wu tang- Im a huge fan like im sure a lot of people in forums. If anyone would've landed in the top ten it was going to be GZA or Inspectah Deck
Del the funky homosapian. or Deltron 3030. Personally one of my favorite MCs
Immortal technique