Rapping has become a social movement as of late. It seems that all the up and coming musicians are rappers with a social and political platform they also want to address.

But these rappers would have never been given the platforms they have now if it weren’t for the rappers who originally paved the way.

Rap TV explains how rap got its start in the Bronx of New York as a result of needing a way to express culture and deal with the hardships life there threw at so many. Since then, each decade, the comes sees a new wave of rap artists who elevate the art form to the next level.

When it comes to the greatest all-time rappers, there are some who will have their place in history forever. Their influence, originality, skill, and personality paved the way for future generations of rappers. The music industry would not be the same without them, and you need to know about these ten old time rappers to fully appreciate where the music is at today.

Here are the top seven  old time rappers you need to know about.

1.     Lil Wayne

Man, Lil Wayne made rapping so cool. He has been given the nickname Weezy and has a range of fans—from top athletes like Michael Phelps to young girls in high school—who all listen to his legendary tunes and use his raps for personal motivation. His success is unparalleled to many others in the industry. In fact, he even passed Elvis on the Billboard Top 100 Hits of All Time. That in itself says so much about what a legend Lil Wayne really is.

2.     Ghostface Killah

The Wu-Tang Clan dominated the hip hop scene in the 1990s, with Ghostface Killah leading the charge! His skill is still unmatched to this day! He is most known for his ability to rhyme in code and weave in clues throughout his lyrics that still to this day, are being decoded. He was one of the original rappers that proved being successful in this genre was not just about the talent to sing. It was about the skill to rap, freestyle, MC, and use your personality to get you to rapper fame.

3.     Andre 3000

An original member of Outkast, Andre 3000 has always been ridiculous in the best of ways! He helped lead the group to five successful albums, each completely different than the last. He has established himself as a legend of rap for the 21st century. He is completely different than other rap legends like Drake and Kanye. This is because he attacks his rap with crooner style. His uniqueness will be unmatched for years to come, we are sure of it!

4.     Eminem

The man, the myth, and the legend that is Eminem. The young boy from the ghetto in Detroit is a rapping legend for life. He was able to deliver powerful lyrics about problems society faces like murder and drugs through censored lyrics that were able to go mainstream. His ability to freestyle and rap with such technical perfection has always made him stand out. Eminem is still around today putting out legendary rapping tunes, and we are so thankful for that! He defined a whole movement in rap music that is still going strong today!

5.     Notorious B.I.G.

Just because he himself is no longer here does not mean his music and his legendary influence does not live on in the music industry. Notorious B.I.G. made rapping a storytelling game and took real-life examples from the street and turned it into song. His rhymes were delivered with technical perfection, his lyrics struck a chord with listeners, and his albums went viral. His unfortunate death prohibited more of his creative genius to be released, but we are so thankful for what he has left us to this day.

6.     Jay-Z

One of the most influential men in the musical industry—period. Jay-Z is a force to be reckoned with, and there is no slowing him down, even after being on the center stage for decades. He started out as a young Brooklyn rapper and, through his mean delivery of raps, transitioned to starting numerous rapping careers, dropping Billboard chart toppers, and influencing millions. Plus, his stardom got even brighter when he married hip hop sensation Beyonce. Together, the two continue to rule the music world.

7.     Lauryn Hill

Female power has never been stronger than it has been with Lauryn Hill. She is a very versatile artist who made her debut in the early 1990s. The combination of skill she showcases with her soothing vocals and technically perfected raps is something not many people can accomplish. She was one of the first that proved girls can rap too!

These seven legends have made the rapping world what it is today, and we are thankful their influence has paved the way for so many more rising stars.