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What makes a multi-million dollar rapper? The radio and a huge marketing budget. What defines a good rapper? In short, talent. But let's take a look at some of the best and see what they have in common.

The first thing that defines a good rapper is creativity. The best rappers are story tellers. Think Nas and Illmatic or Jay-Z and Reasonable Doubt. When a rapper can introduce a new style and a new rhythm over the music they will go down as one of the best in history. When Tupac Shakur made "Brenda had a Baby" it changed the game. When everyone else was rapping about killing police officers and rival gangs, Pac rapped about a young girl who was unmarried and pregnant. "They told me Brenda had a baby, but Brenda barely had a brain," he said and rocked the rap world on its heels. Those MCs considered the greatest in the game are entertaining story tellers.

The next thing that defines a good rapper is "flow" - the ability to command and manipulate the English language so that you can arrange lyrics that are witty and make sense. The Notorious B.I.G. said, "I'll make your mouth piece obese like Della Reese." We can understand this line and the words are all used in context. I'll hit you in the mouth and swell your lips as big as Della Reese. Got it. Now, contrast that with Lil Wayne's lyric, "I'm richer than Nicole and I'm a lion like her daddy." Huh? He's talking about Nicole Richie and her father, Lionel. Witty but he couldn't pull it off in context.

The last thing that defines a good rapper is a distinct voice. All the great ones have a voice that is recognizable at the first syllable. The Notorious B.I.G. - Baby! Baby!, Method Man, Queen Latifah, Busta Rhymes, Slick Rick, KRS ONE, Nas, Tupac, Mos Def, and Jay-Z all have very distinct and memorable voices that are as much a part of their rap as the lyrics themselves. Their voices compliment their style of storytelling and the cadence of their flow. Busta Rhymes' voice will never be mistaken for Kanye West. Tupac will never be confused with Puff Daddy.

A good rapper has his or her original style. The rapper that can take command of their natural voice, creativity, and flow may not have multi-platinum selling albums, but they will have a long career in hip hop. It is the ability to tell stories with a distinct voice that will keep loyal hip hop fans listening for years to come. Long live Phonte and Common!

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