What Does A Rapper Do? With Real Examples

Rappers are some of the biggest celebrities in the world. Their music and talents transcend time from the 1970s to today, remaining well-known and still listened to by fans.

Rappers are the geniuses behind this music; they are the people who bring these songs to life with their unique voices and conviction in them. Whether they base their work on motivation, inspiration, sexualization, or hilarity, rappers make a name for themselves.

Here we’ll talk about what wrappers do and examples of rappers who created such a strong fan base through their craft.

What Is A Rapper?

The definition of a rapper is essentially someone who spits rap music, but rappers are much more than the people who perform these songs. A rapper is a musical artist that takes words and strings them together into a rhythm and flow that works.

A rapper is their music, voice, brand, and the messages they convey to the world. The topics rappers choose to sing about impact the music industry and its career. 

What Does A Rapper Do?

Rappers convey messages and powerful emotions through their voices, but rap music is also a catchy outlet for listeners looking to have fun and dance. Rappers help other rappers and focus on pushing themselves and boundaries to create ground-breaking art.

Most rappers write their songs, help write songs for other people, and collaborate with other well-known artists to bring us the songs we love. Rappers change perspectives and the world around us.

Rap music is one of the most popular genres in the world. Rappers do much more than hop on stage, jump around, and drop bars. They are their music and take it seriously because they have fans that hold them in high regard.

Rapping is impressive lyricism, songwriting, and art. Rappers are what makes a rap song more than a song.

10 Examples Of Rappers

There are hundreds of famous rappers worldwide, all with their brands and voice. The names listed are only a few examples of the most well-known rappers worldwide, but they are ten of the best in the game, all for different reasons.

Lil Wayne

Lil Wayne writes and performs his songs, many being well-known and played on the radio, streaming devices, and at various clubs and parties. What makes him one of the best wrappers is his ability to freestyle.

He rarely jots down lyrics but raps them as he thinks of them. Freestyling is an impressive talent to have. Many greats have this skill, so what sets Lil Wayne apart is the uniqueness of his voice and flow.

One of his most well-known songs is “A Milli,” for its rich lyrics and flow. Lil Wayne has won five total Grammy Awards for albums and songs. 

Eminem

Eminem is known worldwide for his freestyling and even has a movie based on his rough start and inevitably rise to fame called 8 Mile. He won his first Grammy for his first debut album, which was only the start of his long successful career.

Eminem won fifteen Grammys with forty-four nominations, making him the second artist on this list with the highest number of wins. 

With emotional songs like “When I’m Gone” and lyrically bizarre and hilarious songs like “Without Me,” Eminem deserves the title of one of the best rappers in the world.

Dr. Dre

Dr. Dre is an American rapper and record producer who set the paving stones for other artists on our list.

Dr. Dre founded NWA and co-founded Death Row Records while working towards a solo album. He’s multi-tasked in all areas of the music industry and has produced ground-breaking work. Dr. Dre won Grammys for Best Rap Solo, Best Rap Album, Best Rap Performance, and more for a total of six Grammy awards. But his impact on the rap world and music industry goes deeper than music.

Dr. Dre discovered rappers Eminem and Snoop Dog, giving them the chance to create such an iconic rap legacy. Artistry can detect artistry, and Dr. Dre left his mark on the future of rap.

Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj has been the most iconic female rapper in the industry. She created a name for herself while promoting women in the rap game since her fame began in 2007. Before becoming an independent artist, she started with Young Money, a rap ensemble that included Lil Wayne.

Most well-known for her album Pink Print and one of her first famous songs, “Super Bass,” Nicki Minaj has earned herself the Queen of Rap title.

Snoop Dog

Snoop Dog was discovered by Dr. Dre and featured on his album “The Chronic,” and then became one of the most iconic rappers of all time. Known for his consistent intake of marijuana and rapping about it, Snoop Dog also has a distinct voice that fits his brand.

He’s gone from being a featured artist on one song to being nominated for Grammys and producing his music. His 2005 song “Drop It Like Its Hot” is one of his best songs for its iconic sound.

Drake

Drake is one of the artists on this list that paved his way by working hard and finding a flow that matched his well-known voice. Drake started as an actor in the TV series Degrassi: The Next Generation before releasing his debut single “Over.”

Drake has won four Grammys throughout his career, his first being for Best Rap Album, one of the most prestigious awards for his album “Take Care.” Drake takes profits from ticket sales to promote charities such as Houston Food Bank, Keep Houston Beautiful, and the T.J. Ford Foundation. Drake continues to make music that his fans and others enjoy immensely.

Jay-Z

Jay-Z is another infamous rapper who started in Brooklyn in a bad neighborhood full of violence and drugs. Rap was his escape and became his passion and career.

He’s now one of the most successful rappers in the game, married to one of the most famous women in the world, Beyonce.

With his collaborations with her on multiple Top-Charted songs, and his most famous song, “Empire State of Mind” with Alicia Keys, Jay-Z is a rap superstar that thrives with other artists and on his own.

Jay-Z has the highest number of Grammy wins out of all the artists on our list, including Eminem. He’s won twenty-four total Grammy Awards out of eighty-three nominations.

Post Malone

Post Malone is a newer artist on the scene but has quickly made a name for himself. He’s single-handedly altered some opinions on rap with his beautiful voice and iconic lyrics. While all the other artists paved the way for him, he’s an example of how rap always evolves.

Like most recently discovered artists, Post Malone turned a SoundCloud career into a legit superstar success. His most famous songs are “I Fall Apart” and “Sunflower,” Post Malone adds a twist to rap and combines it with soft tones and a great singing voice.

2Pac

2Pac is one of the most infamous artists on our list because he altered the rap game entirely. He was vulnerable with his music and made poetry out of a genre deemed radical and inappropriate.

2Pac told stories, and his death shook the entire world because of how loved he truly was by other artists, fans, and anyone who knew him. His voice was powerful and inspiring, and he set ground-breaking styles and techniques for the music industry, let alone the rap industry.

Many artists today strive to reach 2Pac’s influence and talents, but very little can.

Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar became famous and well-known after his first album, Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City, but his career began by touring with Lil Wayne in 2009. He was mentored by Dr. Dre afterward and got recognition from Drake and Snoop Dog.

Lamar received praise from these artists before and after his debut album and won four out of five Grammy nominations. He is impressive for his reputation with his fans, but with other award-winning artists.

Like the others on our list, he is considered one of the best rappers. His newest album, DAMN, was just as popular and regarded with even more positive feedback.

What Does A Rapper Do? Final Thoughts

So, what does a rapper do? While rap music can be controversial for its blunt, explicit, sexual lyrics and tones, it is also a form of art and expression. The rap industry has artists who want to see one another grow, and rap artists are creators of this craft.

Rap artists put time and effort into their craft and take it as seriously as any artist of any other genre. Rappers make songs that bring emotions to life. Whether it’s taken seriously or not, they have talent.

All of the artists listed above have gone on to do amazing things, even though most of them started from very little. Rappers do more than perform; rappers inspire and pave the way in the music industry.