Every artist is built on the voices that came before them — and these five legends helped mold the way I write, spit, and think as 8ighty6ixBones.
These aren’t just my favorite rappers — they’re the DNA of my sound and message.
1. 2Pac
Pac wasn’t just a rapper — he was a voice for the unheard. His passion, pain, and poetry made me realize that music could be bigger than bars — it could be a movement. His ability to speak truth and vulnerability at the same time inspires my most personal verses.
2. Eminem
Slim Shady showed me how to wield words like weapons. The rhyme schemes, the aggression, the raw honesty — he made me fall in love with the technical side of rap while never holding back emotionally. His influence is all over my energy and cadence.
3. Drake
From hooks to harmonies to heartbreak — Drake made it cool to be introspective and melodic without losing credibility. As a fellow Canadian, he gave me the blueprint to blend emotion with confidence and balance raw verses with catchy choruses.
4. J. Cole
Cole is all about substance. His ability to make you think while still vibing to the beat is unmatched. He taught me that you don’t need a gimmick when your pen is sharp. That lyrical integrity is something I aim to reflect in every track I drop.
5. Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick's artistry is next level. The way he plays with voice, story, and flow — all while challenging the system — is genius. He taught me the importance of layers, meaning, and risk-taking in hip-hop.
👇 Who Inspired You?
Who influenced your taste in rap?
Drop your top 5 in the comments or tag me on Instagram @8ighty6ixbones.