If Hip-Hop fans are honest, they can admit the 1990s was a time of both innovation and supreme levels of struggle rap before the term was coined. Although it was the decade that gave us classics from Public Enemy, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and Wu-Tang Clan, among many others, there were plenty of other acts that should have saved their studio time – and also the ears of suffering listeners.
To be fair, calling a rapper wack is sort of a cheap shot and really depends on personal tastes. However, we’re pretty certain that there is an undeniable truth to the fact that there are some “MCs” who should have chosen another profession.
Hip-Hop Wired takes a look back in time and lists 10 of the wackest rappers of the 1990s on the following pages. Did we miss anyone? Please let us know in the comments.
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Photo: Michael Buckner
Pras
Praskazrel “Pras” Michel became a household name as part of the New Jersey rap trio, The Fugees. But it wasn’t because of his rap ability. In fact, it was his atrocious and weak bars that made him standout for all the wrong reasons.
Lil Wayne
Weezy F. Baby may be a big star now, but his stuff in the late 90s was lacking to say the least. Sure, he was just a teenager at the time but that doesn’t excuse the weak sauce raps.
Master P
While Master P willed himself into a success with his No Limit Records label, he did so with a limited rap skill set that seemed to borrow from the worst parts of the West Coast’s G-Funk sound.
Baby/Birdman
Yes, we know Birdman, he of clasped and rubbing hands, is sitting on millions as Cash Money’s co-top banana. But let’s talk about those raps, shall we? Matter of fact, let’s not do that.
Silkk Tha Shocker
Try to find merit in Silkk Tha Shocker’s haphazard, offbeat flow. We dare you to try. You won’t find anything, we promise.
Diamond Shell
A little known name on the entry, Diamond Shell had a link to the game via his big brother Biz Markie. Shell had nothing coming with the raps, and reportedly hung up the microphone for law school. Good move, Shell.
Sen Dog
Hey, there’s no denying that Cypress Hill is dope. But whoever gave the green light for hype man Sen Dog to rap should be fired.
Vanilla Ice
photo: WENN
Vanilla Ice faked his way to fame after fabricating his life, reportedly getting shook down by Suge Knight and other bad news. But it was his mediocre rapping that betrayed him most of all.
Marky Mark
photo: WENN
Mark Wahlberg wisely saw greener pastures as a Hollywood actor because as a rapper, he was going nowhere fast with the Funky Bunch backing him up. Please don’t rap again, Mark!
10. Fred Durst
photo: WENN
Fred Durst fronted the band Limp Bizkit and found success, somehow. If you’re wondering how bad of a rapper he was, however, look up “N 2 Gether Now” featuring Method Man. We dare you to make it through Durst’s verses.
