Rakim is the GOD. KRS-ONE(Knowledge Reign Supreme Over Nearly Everybody for those that didn't know) is a clear number two of all time. The man though is and will always be RAKIM. The man changed the syntax and rhythm of the way emcees did their thing.
Take 7 emcees put 'em in a line,
Take 7 more brothas who think they can rhyme
It'll take 7 more before I go for mine
And that's 21 emcees ate up at the same time
No one and I repeat no one was doing stuff like that when he came out. It was basically lollypop rhyming (you know, let's make the last word hit in time with the beat) Basically people like RUNDMC, Whodini, UTFO, Fatboys, Kurtis Blow, etc. Don't get me wrong, I love KRS. But he's numero dos not uno. I'm peace
Uh oh, I smell a snake (Where's the crocodile hunter when you need him, Crikey!!!)
Trey