XXL Opens the Vote for Rap’s Best Artist of the Last Decade

Who gets your vote when the conversation shifts from the hottest rapper right now to the best of an entire decade? XXL is putting that question to its readers, inviting fans to vote for the rapper they believe deserves the crown.

The publication’s best-rapper-of-the-last-decade voting page is the destination for anyone ready to make a pick. The supplied announcement keeps things brief: it calls on readers to participate without spelling out the contenders, voting schedule or eligibility rules.

That makes the immediate news straightforward: this is an invitation to weigh in, not an announcement of a winner. But the question itself leaves plenty to unpack before you cast a vote.

What Does “Best” Actually Mean?

A decade-long judgment asks more of listeners than choosing a favorite single or remembering a great feature. How much weight should go to albums? Does consistency beat an extraordinary peak? Should technical skill carry the same importance as the ability to make records people return to?

Those are different tests, and they do not necessarily produce the same answer. A listener prioritizing writing might choose differently from someone focused on delivery, range or replay value. Someone judging influence may approach the ballot differently again.

Commercial success can be part of that discussion, but it is not the only possible standard. Neither is personal taste something voters can neatly remove from the equation. The useful distinction is between saying an artist is your favorite and explaining why their work deserves to represent a whole stretch of rap.

Bring a Case, Not Just a Name

For anyone taking the prompt seriously, the strongest starting point is the music. Revisit the projects. Listen beyond the biggest singles. Consider whether your pick’s strongest moments add up to a sustained body of work—or whether one unforgettable run is doing most of the lifting.

There is also a basic practical step: check XXL’s page for the available choices and participation details. The short announcement provided does not establish the exact calendar years covered, so voters should not assume a particular window from the headline alone.

XXL has posed the question. Listeners get to supply their answer. Before clicking, decide what your version of greatness actually rewards.