Who would be "The Beatles" of rap?

Question

I have heard of Eminem described as the "Bob Dylan" of rap, so it begs the question, woh are 'The Beatles" of rap

Answer 1

It just depends on what aspect of the Beatles you are referring to. The Beatles are certified as the highest selling band of all time based on American sales of singles and albums(1) So in that sense it would be Tupac Shakur. He is recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records as the best selling hip-hop artist, with over seventy-five million albums sold worldwide(2) Then again he is just an artist not a band, The Beastie Boys are the highest selling hip hop group/band, even though nobody really wants to admit that after Hello Nasty. Run DMC which seems to be the common answer was the 2nd rap act to appear on American Bandstand, the first being The Sugarhill Gang in 1980. The Sugarhill Gang only had three members same as run dmc, Beatles had four. I would have no problem saying The Sugarhill Gang helped influence Run DMC. The Sugarhill Gang are widely regarded as having "invented" hip hop. Much like The Beatles led the mid-1960s musical "British Invasion" into the United States. On the other hand Jason "Jam Master Jay" Mizell was shot, widely believed to be over 50 cent and a blacklist, and so was John Lennon by Mark David Chapman who claimed the book The Catcher in the Rye would explain his perspective and motivation. Many people believe it to be a politically based assassination much like with Tupac, tough call. Another factor is that the Beatles where from Liverpool, England, Foreigners comming to America to make it big, which the did. Cypress Hill is a mostly-Latin American hip hop group but, their from South Gate, California. While on the subject of foreigners we should bring up DJ Kool Herc who was born in Kingston, Jamaica and is a musician and producer who is generally credited as the pioneer of hip hop(4) I encourage anyone to look up and to disagree with anything I said above. I believed this question deserved more of an answer than just Run DMC and yes I realized I didn't give you an answer just some food for thought.

Answer 2

Probably Run DMC, there was alotta good groups that never got the right credit, Slum Village, ATCQ, The Clan, The Roots, Lords Of The Underground...etc

Answer 3

Run DMC/Public Enemy/Dem Franchize Boyz

Answer 4

Run DMC

Answer 5

Run DMC.

Answer 6

RUN DMC/WU-TANG