Top 5 rap voices: Which rappers have the most original vocal performance

Determining originality in a genre can be a really challenging task, and often a contentious one. Rap and Hip-Hop has no shortage of artistic trailblazers and geniuses that have pushed the boundaries of human creativity whilst maintaining popular appeal. The greatest rappers have a combination of potent lyricism, unique vocal sound & delivery, energetic stage presence, and top-tier production. 

This article will examine five rappers who have all of these things in abundance. They have some of the most original vocal sounds in the game, and have been widely celebrated for their originality and creative prowess.

Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick blends storytelling, complex lyricism, and deep social commentary with a diverse range of flows and beats. His work on To Pimp a Butterfly and DAMN. showcase his ability to push musical boundaries, incorporating jazz, funk, and spoken word. 

One of the most valuable types of currency in the modern musical landscape is having an ability to be vulnerable and to empathise through masterful storytelling. In ‘DUCKWORTH.’ Kendrick weaves an immense narrative about a chance encounter between his father and Top Dawg Entertainment’s founder, coming to the conclusion that he would not be the artist he is had it not been for coincidence. The song finishes with an isolated phrase “so I was taking a walk the other day” drenched in reverb. It’s an incredible display of narrative skill, and it highlights his troubled family history through honesty and vulnerability. 

If you want to replicate Kendrick’s vocal sound on songs like DUCKWORTH., you need relatively dry vocals sitting over plenty of vocal chops. Another technique you can employ to mimic the production and vocal sounds on this song is through reverse processing. This is known as backmasking, and it can add a psychedelic, dream-like quality to your vocal sounds. Kendrick has a variety of different vocal flows too which constantly keep audiences guessing. He can switch from being delicate and gentle in his delivery, to suddenly being aggressive and hoarse. This range allows him to challenge so many different themes, and allows him to work with more experimental beats. Being dynamic with your vocal performance and production- coupled with introspective and reflective themes- will get you close to Kendrick’s overall vocal sound. 

Key ingredients: Dynamic vocal shifts, introspective themes, and theatrical stage performances.

MF DOOM

Known for his enigmatic persona and intricate wordplay, MF DOOM (Daniel Dumile) was an underground legend who approached hip-hop like a comic book villain. His alter ego, clever metaphors, and DIY ethos set him apart from countless other artists, and he developed a cult following through his mysteriousness and inimitable style. 

DOOM’s vocal sound was unique because of how it rewarded close and repeat listening. His rhyme schemes were labyrinthian and maze like, employing multisyllabic rhymes and a ridiculous amount of dense rhyming patterns. ‘Beef Rapp’ is a great example of this- take a look at the line “For a mil', do a commercial for Mello Yello. Tell them devils, "Hell no, sell y'all own Jello." In the space of two sentences DOOM manages to rhyme nine times without it sounding forced or awkward in any way.

DOOM was also excellent at pacing and breath control. In ‘America’s Most Blunted’ DOOM is able to fit incredibly complex vocal ideas into his bars through alternating the energy of his delivery, changing from fast to slow flows. Madlib’s beat is offbeat, and full of swing, and getting this delivery right can be immensely difficult. 

If you’d like to mimic DOOM’s original vocal sound, spend a lot of time making your rhymes as intricate as possible, examining which vowels and consonants work together seamlessly. Adding swing to your drum patterns is another way to facilitate a variety of vocal performances. Woozy and unusual beats make the vocalist work harder and can yield some really jazzy, interesting results. Of course the final link in the chain that added to DOOM’s vocal sound was his enigmatic persona. His ability to protect his identity gave him a confidence that translated to his vocal delivery, and this is a key part of what made his music so celebrated.

Key ingredients: Masked performances, dense lyrics, and unusual beats.

Missy Elliott

Missy Elliott is a visionary in integrating futuristic beats, outlandish visuals, and groundbreaking choreography. She continuously reinvented herself while influencing countless artists with her avant-garde approach. She frequently employed futuristic and unique vocal effects which sat in contrast with the dry, raw delivery of many other rappers. 

Complex rhythms and syncopation are a huge part of Missy Elliott’s vocal sound, and her vocals are often a percussive force that can move with the beat. This can be heard in ‘Work It’ and ‘Get Ur Freak On,’ where her delivery lines up with beat and the sitar underlick respectively. This is an incredibly effective technique to hammer home a hook in a track. 

Missy Elliott’s visionary status as a producer cannot be understated. She often runs her vocal through pitch-shifters, distortion, and other robotic effects. In ‘Beat Biters’ Missy accentuates her aggressive delivery with a harsh distortion throughout the chorus which is offbeat and unsettling- it’s another fantastic example of an artist managing to walk the tightrope between pop and the avant-garde. ‘Work It’ is another great example of reversed vocals being used as a hook. Her ability to sing and rap means she layers her vocals, and often has thick, lush choruses which add excitement to the climax of her songs. 

Her vocal sound and performance is further enhanced by her surreal visuals and next level video production. ‘The Rain ‘Supa Dupa Fly’’ has an incredible music video which adds to her aura and enigmatic nature as an artist. Her ‘trash bag’ outfit, billowing through a fish eye lens, subverted the way women in music videos were portrayed in the late 90s, perfectly aligning with her all round subversion of Rap and Hip-Hop. 

If you want to get Missy Elliott’s vocal sound, experiment with your vocal production heavily. Try and align your vocal delivery with any melodic hooks you have in your tracks, and supplement your delivery with surrealism and a subversive visual aesthetic. 

Key ingredients: Playful, rhythmic rhymes & delivery, experimental production, and vibrant, surreal music videos.

Andre 3000 (Outkast)

As one half of OutKast, Andre 3000's eclectic style combined Southern rap with funk, jazz, and rock. His rapping and vocal performance are widely regarded as innovative, due to his intricate lyricism, versatility, unique flow, and ability to rap & sing (similar to Missy Elliott). 

As mentioned earlier in the article, vulnerability is currency in the music industry, and Andre 3000 is able to draw inspiration from his own hardships and troubles through engaging storytelling. The iconic track ‘Ms. Jackson,’ balances poetic finesse and vulnerability about a difficult breakup, which makes the song relatable and heartfelt. ‘Spottieottiedopaliscious’ from ‘Aquemini’ is one of my favourite songs, and its masterful storytelling blends seamlessly with smooth production. The song tackles themes such as drug use, parenthood, poverty and love, with a slow-burning narrative. 

Compared to other artists in this list, Andre 3000's flow is far more unpredictable. He sometimes subverts typical rhythmic expectations and dances between singing, spoken word, and rapping. This isn’t due to any lack of skill, as can be heard in ‘B.O.B.’, where he reflects the energy and chaotic nature of the song with an urgent, rapid delivery. 

If you want to get close to achieving Andre 3000’s vocal sound, don’t pin yourself down in terms of production. Make use of experimental songwriting techniques and delivery in your vocal performance. Build your tracks using samples from a variety of styles, and don’t be pinned down by any one particular genre. 

Key ingredients: Genre-blurring sounds, vulnerable storytelling, and eccentric fashion.

Tyler, the Creator

Tyler's evolution from provocative and rebellious themes in Goblin to the introspective, genre-defying soundscapes of IGOR and Call Me If You Get Lost illustrates his innovative spirit. His music and visuals are raw, experimental, and deeply personal.

One of Tyler’s biggest assets is his unique voice. It’s raspy, instantly recognizable, but also able to convey a wide range of emotion. He’s perhaps one of the most open and courageous rappers of recent times, using his gritty voice to give power and weight to some topics that other rappers would avoid like the plague. His ability to tackle heavy topics through a voice which is simultaneously child-like and aggressive, is instantly disarming yet engaging. 

Tyler is also willing to experiment heavily with his delivery. On ‘Yonkers’ Tyler’s delivery is unaffected and almost dissociative, which contrasts against his softer delivery found on ‘See You Again.’ On ‘Tamale’ his delivery almost sounds like a cartoonish imitation of a cowboy. Integrating humour with his delivery and his ability to not take himself (or his delivery) seriously at times makes his music far more accessible and relateable, because it conveys a wide range of emotion.  

His surrealism is conveyed frequently through his production choices, and each album he releases normally includes a series of world-building skits that are dreamy, abstract or unnerving. This experimentation coupled with the consistency of his very distinctive voice is so effective in gluing the songs on his albums together, even when they are leaping across genres over a matter of minutes.  

If you want to get Tyler’s vocal sound, try and accentuate the more eccentric and distinctive parts of your voice instead of trying to hide them. They can be a really useful tool in building a sonic brand. Experiment heavily with production, but get your voice pinned down to maintain consistency, and be honest with your songwriting and lyricism. 

Key ingredients: Off-kilter beats, distinctive voice, and unapologetically honest performances.

About the author

Max McLellan is a composer, songwriter, and audio engineer with credits ranging across film, TV and radio. He provides composition, mixing, and mastering services through his company MKM Audio.