[jujumantb]

Its tough to put a list like that together..

notables IMO would be..
KRS-1
Black Thought
Tribe
De La Soul
Mos Def
Talib
Common

I'm sure there are plenty others that deserve a mention, but these are guys I have listened to extensively and feel they do things with the genre that others dont, with lyrics and beats and influence. So often I can reflect on their lyrics, its like a great painting... gives a new dimension to just listening to music.

Slug
Murs
Eyedea
MF Doom
Brother Ali

I'd put these guys on, I feel their lyrics are on par easily with the artists above, but I'm hesitant to put underground on the list especially since there are probably hundreds of guys just like these I've never heard of that are just as talented.

Pac and Pun have their place, but I dont know if I'd even give em top 10 for my criteria of best rappers, I have never been moved by any of their stuff.