It is difficult to choose a criterion that can be used for ranking the best rappers in Russia... Do you prefer rappers who are famous for their punchlines - phrases that can "hook"? Or do you love the perfect flow of the text, to which the crowd begins to swing in a single rhythm? How about the charisma and artistry of the musician?
After all, every rap fanatic has a different set of values. For the list of the best rappers in Russia in 2019, we tried to select candidates, focusing on both personal preferences and Yandex research, good and bad reviews about concerts, as well as the opinions of music critics.
10. Ptakha (David Nuriev)
During his career, Ptakha managed to visit both a film actor (in Rezo Gigineishvili's "Heat" and in a cameo role in Fyodor Bondarchuk's "Inhabited Island"), and took part in numerous scandals with the most famous rappers in Russia, such as Drago, Guf, Basta and Oxxxymiron.
And in 2017, shortly before the presidential election, Ptakha presented a video clip for the song "Freedom 2.017", in which he ridiculed the protesters organized by Alexei Navalny, calling them "majors" and taking to the streets for "Uncle Sam's money." The elections have passed, and no new scandals involving Ptah have followed.
9. Face (Ivan Dryomin)
The young hooligan, who was taken to the police station more than once, grew up, grew wiser and now is no longer a hooligan, but writes songs about the times of stormy youth. And the nickname Face, according to the rapper, symbolizes his versatility and frequent creative metamorphoses.
Most recently, on February 1, 2019, Face released their first Slim mixtape, which included 9 songs (mostly in the trap genre).
His father, Timofey Dryomin, is not far behind his son. He became a video blogger and started a channel called "Timokha Against All", where he expresses his opinion about the work of popular Russian rap artists.
8. L'One (Levan Goroziya)
Even those who are far from delighted with rap celebrate the amazing energy at L'One's concerts. He sings sincerely, but without unnecessary pathos, not hiding his emotions on stage, and his lyrics not only "rock the audience", but also make you think about life.
The singer's musical collection contains both funny and touching songs, such as "The Simplest Song", in which Levan sings about his path to fame.
7. Timati (Timur Yunusov)
Many graduates of the "Star Factory" disappeared from the musical horizon immediately after a short minute of fame. But Timati is not like that, his rap star shines brightly and is not going to enter.
For several years he has been in the top 10 best rappers in Russia and has successfully integrated rap into the official Russian stage, actively demonstrating his patriotism and support for the authorities. And people who are far from rap are inevitably familiar with Timati thanks to the advertising jingle for Tantum Verde Forte.
You can respect the work of Timati, you can hate him, but it is impossible to deny that the name of this musician is constantly heard.
6. Slim (Vadim Motylev)
This rapper and beatmaker is known not only for his songs, but also for his personal conflict with another famous rap artist - Guf.In the video "Spice Baby" (Ptah also took part in his filming), he ridiculed Guf, his manner of speaking, named some of his weaknesses and repeatedly called his rival in the musical ring "a cunning Jew".
But once Slim, Ptakha and Guf were members of the Centr group - one of the most influential Russian hip-hop groups of the early 2000s. Perhaps this is just the case when "the darlings scold - only amuse themselves." And at the same time they earn good money.
5. Pharaoh (Gleb Golubin)
This is one of the youngest performers in the 2019 Russian rapper rating. He is 23 years old, which means that Pharaoh understands the aspirations, fears and hopes of modern youth like no one else.
Music critics call him and musicians like him the likeness of Justin Bieber and Kurt Cobain. Pharaoh's creativity cannot be called acutely social or deeply intellectual, well, let it be, but it is relevant and in demand among young people.
4.Noize MC (Ivan Alekseev)
In his tracks, one of the most famous and popular Russian rappers favorably combines rock melody and recitative. In 2007, he became the winner of the largest Internet competition - the seventh official hip-hop battle - held on the website hip-hop.ru, and then starred in the film "The Joke" (he also wrote the soundtrack for this film).
Many viewers have positive impressions of Noize MC's concerts. They praise the quality sound, good organization, and the way the performer puts on the stage.
Unlike Timati, Noize MC is not averse to “trolling” those in power. For example, the rapper rejected the proposal of the Nashi movement to write a hymn for them, but he composed the caustic song Nashe Movement.
3. Guf (Alexey Dolmatov)
If for every joke sounded that Guf died, the rapper was given an extra year to live, he probably could live forever. He is one of the founders of the cult band Centr and the winner of many awards: Rock Alternative Music Prize, MTV Russia Music Awards, etc.
In October last year, an unpleasant incident occurred with Guf - he was beaten in the elite Moscow club "Bunker-42". Its representatives say that the singer has a concussion and two broken ribs. It remains only to wish the rapper a complete recovery and success in his future career.
2. Oxxxymiron (Miron Fedorov)
For the first time, Miron tried to read rap at the age of 13, and, in an interview with Keep It Real, said that he was sure that he was the founder of Russian rap. Then this confidence disappeared, but he nevertheless entered the list of the most popular rap singers in Russia.
Perhaps the older generation will not be close to the work of Oxxxymiron due to the abundance of obscene vocabulary, but the younger generation listens with pleasure to this singer, who knows how to present his songs with high quality and not beaten, and often “clever”, inserting interesting metaphors, comparisons and forcing listeners to google certain terms. And educating young people is a good thing, isn't it?
Also, Oxxxymiron the fastest rapper in Russia and 7th in the world.
1. Basta, Noggano, N1NT3ND0 (Vasily Vakulenko)
The most popular rapper in Russia can be safely called "a man who made himself." To the heights of the Russian rap scene, he moved not thanks to high patrons or rich parents, but thanks to his own talents. He has an excellent rap style, honed over years of practice, he doesn't get lost or choked.
Basta masterfully handles rhyme, and he is focused on legal show business, which means that there is not much obscene language in the texts. He is a kind of rap analogue of the Don Cossack, who won't go into his pocket for a word, rude outwardly, but kind inside.