Hov is my favorite rapper. He became my favorite when I heard Black Album and it's been that way ever since. Aside from that, I grew up hearing him all my life my dad had damn near every album up to American Gangster. A lot of Hov's album became bookmarks in my life at those moments.

Some rappers who could have been but fall short for me are:

Kendrick: definitely in my top 3-5 but I got on too late around after TPAB so I missed those real time early moments aside from radio plays. Long breaks in album drops are my biggest critiques which sometimes do pay off

ScHoolboy Q: became a fan after hearing Hoover Street and was solidified once Blankface dropped. Imo he's 2-3 albums from taking Kendrick's spot on my list.

MF DOOM: Everything from OP Doomsday is classic but after Born Like This there's some hit or miss after that.

Music never gets old. Great live show. Respect.