I love rap music man. I wasn't brought up on it by my parents, but my dad introduced me to Linkin Park and that started it all. Mike Shindoa was the first rap influence I had as he put down verses on Hybrid Theory, Meteora, and especially The Rising Tied. Other than that I picked up a lot of it from video games - believe it or not - and my dad's roommate Joe who played it a lot. Joe showed me 50 Cent, Eminem, OutKast, Big Pun, Game, Snoop, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Xzibit, Jay Z, and Goodie Mob, Nelly, and Pete Rock.
Then, in '07/'08, I used to wake up before school and watch MTV music videos before school. I caught a lot of great rap: Lupe Fiasco, Lil Wayne in his prime, Birdman, Chamillionaire, Mike Jones, Paul Wall, Ludacris, Common, Kanye, Dem Franchize Boyz, Lil Scrappy, Mims, Swizz Beatz, TI, and Jeezy.
Then when I hit high school I came across a lot more great rap music. I started blazin' at the end of my Sophomore year so I caught a lot of it getting high with friends too: ASAP Mob, Black Hippy, Logic, Wiz, B.O.B, Big KRIT, Big Sean, Chance the Rapper, Gambino, Chief Keef, Dizzy Wright, Hopsin, Joey Bada$$, Juicy J, KiD CuDi, King Chip, Mac Miller, Meek Mill, Nipsey Hussle, Tech N9ne, MGK, Hit-Boy, , and Wale.
Finally, in College I've picked up a bunch of good music too: Drake, J Cole, Fetty Wap, Lil Dirk, G-Eazy, Makonnen, QuESt, and more.
If I had to pick the GOAT, I'd pick Nas. My 5 favorites are A Tribe Called Quest, Logic, Nas, Lupe, and Eminem. RIP to Pac, Biggie, Guru, ODB, J Dilla, Big Pun, Pimp C, Eazy E, and Proof. Free Chilly Chill. Roll a blunt. That is all.