How Much Do Your Favorite Rappers Actually Rap?

Breaking down the MCs who love to showcase their singing abilities the most.

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Image via Complex Original
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Have you pressed play on a track in hopes of hearing some awe-inspiring rhymes only to find out that your favorite rapper has decided to harmonize all over the track? We've all been there, and with artists like Drake and Future populating today's hip-hop's landscape, the crossover game is at a height in the new millennium. More than ever, we have rappers singing, rapping, and sing-rapping.

Some rappers, like our current cover star Kid Cudi, have made a career out of this style. Many of the biggest rap songs out are, arguably, R&B records at heart. The days of boom-bap have slowly dissolved and given way to Auto-Tune enhanced crooning. How Much Do Your Favorite Rappers Actually Rap? Good question. Read on for a breakdown of 20 of the best hip-hop artists to master the art of melodic vocals.

Future

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Examples of Singing: "Turn On The Lights," "Loveeeeeee Song"
The fact that Future was featured on so many songs last year is a testament to the appeal of his siren-like singing voice. Needless to say, his utilization of Auto-Tune for both singing and rapping has really worked in his favor. "Turn On The Lights" poured out of every car all summer long, and since then, Future has even the most swollen of hip-hop heads considering a more sensitive definition of rap.

Conclusion: Even straight rap songs like "Same Damn Time" and "Itchin'" are manifestos of melody. Future can't avoid harmony no matter how hard the track is.

Bone Thugs-n-Harmony

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Examples of Singing: "Crossroads," "1st of tha Month"

Whether it's their soft, melodic voices on themes of immortality or sipping on 40s and rolling blunts, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony are pioneers of the "rappers belting out a few notes" thing. From the Grammy-winning "Crossroads" to their vocals on Biggie's "Notorious Thugs," Bone is pretty consistent with their crooning.

Conclusion: Bone Thugs-n-Harmony lives true to their own name.

Eminem

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Examples of Singing: "Hailie's Song," "Cleanin' Out My Closet," "Kim," "Puke" 
It's no small feat to strike a balance between singing about unconditionally loving one's daughter and threatening her mother on the same damn song, but Eminem likes to dance on thin lines.

Conclusion: About 95 percent of the time, Eminem is busy terrifying people with his minced words, and the singing gets saved for super personal subjects.

Ja Rule

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Examples of Singing: "Mesmerize," "Put It On Me"
When he wasn't being teased by 50 Cent for singing on his records, Ja Rule was busy singing on his records. Never one to miss an opportunity to lend his raspy vocals to a track, Ja Rule blessed the early 2000s with countless sing-along anthems.

Conclusion: It would be unfair to suggest that Ja didn't have some great hits during his day. Revisionist history isn't cool.

Missy Elliott

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Examples of Singing: "Sock It 2 Me," "All N My Grill," "Lose Control"
Missy's quirky style has served her career well. Upfront, she presented herself as an eccentric artist, and was never bound by the expectations of typical rap artists. From her debut LP to J. Cole features, she's always had a rep for her vocals.

Conclusion: Missy is an OG when it comes to singing and rapping—and she's one of the best to do both.

Drake

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Examples of Singing: "Marvin's Room," "Fnd Your Love," "Shot For Me"
When doesn't Drake sing? Yes, he spent the entirety of last year ripping guest verses and asserting himself as one of today's most talented MCs, but we always know that he's capable of coming with a straight R&B approach.

Conclusion: Drake sings just as much as he raps, and there's no point in protesting it because he pleases fans with both.

Nelly

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Examples of Singing: "Dilemma," "Country Grammar," "Just A Dream"

Nelly was singing on his first single, "Country Grammar," did the same on other massive singles like "Dilemma," and has always been a poster child for MCs who aren't afraid to switch up their style.

Conclusion: Rappers have been fiddling with melody since the beginning, but Nelly played a massive role in really putting the harmonious side of hip-hop on display for crossover audiences.

André 3000

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Examples of Singing: "Hey Ya," "Prototype," "Roses"
It's apparent from Outkast's discography that Andre is musically diverse, but he famously took the plunge with an all-singing album—2003's The Love Below. Along with partner Big Boi's Speakerboxxx, the record won Album of the Year honors at the 2004 Grammys. It's a good thing when 'Dre sings.

Conclusion: We'll take the singing or the rapping André 3000, so long as he's making music.

Lil Wayne

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Examples of Singing: "How To Love," "Lollipop," "Prostitute Flange"

Lil Wayne attempted to make rock music and still attempts to skateboard—a little but of singing is nothing. Auto-Tune and a recording studio obsession led to a flood of material that featured the rapper getting way more experimental with his raps than simply "rapping" them.

Conclusion: Weezy has rapped so much that even when he does a lot of singing, it'll be hard to ever displace his image as an MC.

Nate Dogg

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Examples of Singing: "Regulate," "21 Questions," "Xxplosive," "Area Codes"
The late West Coast legend built a reputation off lacing people with brilliant hooks, and every single time, he was singing his heart out. Nate Dogg had a gift for drawing you into a track and consuming any and all listeners with his uncanny knack for cadence and melody. Even after his untimely death, he remains one of the most recognizable voices in the game.

Conclusion: Why was Nate Dogg even referred to as a rapper for all of his career?

Kanye West

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Examples of Singing: "Heartless," "Runaway," "Love Lockdown"

We've come to learn that Kanye does it all and enjoys pushing boundaries. The rapper made a bold move in 2008 and dedicated his entire 808s & Heartbreak album to singing, and it proved an excellent catalyst for confronting the pain in his life at the moment.

Conclusion: Kanye's singing is heartfelt, but even when he's killing it with the harmonies, there's always the anticipation for him to spaz out on a rap.

Nicki Minaj

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Examples of Singing: "Save Me," "Starships," "Super Bass"
Is she a rapper or pop star this week? Honestly, we know damn well at this point that Nicki Minaj is both. She went from the witty "Itty Bitty Piggy" raptress to the sparkly singer on every pop fan's playlist and occupies both spaces with ease.

Conclusion: The only that's pop is her endorsement, ock. Well, that and the entire second half of Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, but that album is dope.

Kid Cudi

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Examples of Singing: "Erase Me," "Day 'n' Nite," "All Along"

Kid Cudi has always had a style of his own. For almost all of his music, you can make the case that he's both singing and rapping, at the same time. He's a consistent fan of harmony and melody, but his lines are always delivered with the inflection and intensity of a rapper.

Conclusion: No matter how the vocals come out, Cudi's a rapper at heart, but more than anything, he comes across as a full-fledged artist without limits.

Lauryn Hill

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Examples of Singing: "Doo Wop (That Thing)," "Everything Is Everything," "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You"
It's useless to debate whether Lauryn Hill sang or rapped better. Lucky for us, there's no real reason to decide. When Lauryn wasn't rapping, she was belting out angelic high octaves and sending chills down our spines. The industry impatiently awaits her official return.

Conclusion: Lauryn can rap any time she likes but we live for her impassioned vocal abilities.

Big Sean

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Examples of Singing: "Memories (Part II)," "24K of Gold," "Don't Tell Me You Love Me," "I'm Gonna Be"
Big Sean's never sang on his singles, but as soon as you delve a bit into his catalog, there are plenty of examples. He's only one album into his career, so there's the possibility that his singing will become more prevalent as he grinds on.

Conclusion: Sure, Big Sean likes to hold a tune when he can, but he's more focused one earning respect as a rapper first.

Flo Rida

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Examples of Singing: "Whistle," "I Cry," "Right Round"

From Madonna to Rick Ross, Flo Rida lends his chops to artists from all over the spectrum of musical genres. Know why? Because his voice is parasitic. Wake up with any Flo Rida hook in your head, and it's going to be a long day. He's nailed whistling, singing his own hooks, and verses.

Conclusion: Yo, Flo Rida is a straight master the pop/rap sing-song. We know you hate him, but that doesn't change the fact that he has a gazillion No. 1 hits.

Wiz Khalifa

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Examples of Singing: "Roll Up," "Young, Wild & Free"

Wiz likes to drop catchy melodies in his songs. "Young, Wild & Free" is a prime example, showcasing his versatility, tight bar, and weed references simultaneously. Dude was crooning all over mixtapes before he blew up and kept the trend going on some of his first major singles like "Roll Up" and "No Sleep."

Conclusion: Wiz's signature flow will always be a mix of both styles of delivery.

B.o.B

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Examples of Singing: "I'll Be in the Sky"

You know why this guy sounds good on songs with Bruno Mars and Hayley WIlliams? Because he understands them. B.o.B is a beast with the pop sensibilities, and he's been successful with the formula.

Conclusion: B.o.B plays guitar, too. He's clearly not worried about labels.

Max B

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Examples of Singing: "Drug Baby," "So Harlem," "You Gotta Love It"
It was always a blessing whenever Max B slurred his way onto a track, singing with every ounce of passion in his lungs. These days he's locked up for what's likely the rest of his life, but his legend lives on the young artists he influenced.

Conclusion: It'd be a tragedy of the guy who coined "wavy" didn't attempt to get his falsetto on every once in a while.

Lil B

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Examples of Singing: "California Boy," "All My Life"
Even though "California Boy" was released as the Based God's first foray into rock, are any of Lil B's "rap" songs really, truly rap? Call it what you want: stream of consciousness, cloud rap, a tortured genius drowsily talking over instrumentals—B's in a category all his own.

Conclusion: It's impossible to explain any of Lil B's artistic choices. He's a God.

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