What solidified Monch’s artistry was his grim storytelling ability, metaphorical precision, and deft chopper flow, which made him a fitting collaborator with East Coast contemporaries such as Busta Rhymes, Method Man, Redman, M.O.P., and Talib Kweli. The sounds were fitting, as Monch has pointed to jazz greats Miles Davis and John Coltrane as his childhood musical guides. On the project, the South Jamaica, Queens native offered dexterous and poetic verses over abstract jazz samples from saxophonist Oliver Nelson and multi-hyphenate musician Quincy Jones. Armed with technical rhymes and animated delivery, Monch reintroduced himself on his 1999 solo debut, Internal Affairs.

Underground-rap legend Pharoahe Monch emerged as a leading act in the late ’90s after his rap duo with Prince Po, Organized Konfusion, had a temporary breakup. Despite the nostalgic nature of an all-time list like this, it’s important to remember that in time’s totality exists the beauty of now, and Ice Spice’s impact on her generation of New York rap is undeniable. Ice Spice will not be the exception to the rule still, however she evolves from here, the rookie of the year will go down as the epicenter of this blissful, deliciously women-led moment in New York rap. Queen Latifah was judged for carrying the same toughness as her macho peers. Cardi B’s longevity was ferociously doubted. The legendary Lil Kim was initially dismissed and comically reduced to a “botched” fashion statement. In the foundational year of their rise, women in this space are historically held to a higher, impossible standard. And despite a couple of crossover moments, the deluxe version of her debut reminds us that she’s still that girl at the “Deli.” Although we often see artists with distinct New York energy take off, seldom does that buzz translate to a massive national stage with this swiftness. In under 10 months, she has collaborated with everyone from London’s PinkPantherress to US pop sensation Taylor Swift and now-mentor Minaj-twice. Tracks like the later Nicki Minaj-assisted “Princess Diana,” and “Gangsta Boo” with fellow promising young spitter Lil Tjay best exhibit her pen’s cheeky wit with lines like, “Wanna be me, so she do my emotes/And my name in her mouth so I bet she gon’ choke.” Rather than sit comfortably on the princess throne once knighted by the queen, Spice has kept her foot on our necks and exhibited a special gravitational pull. Like a woman with something to prove, Spice released her first EP, Like.? five months after that single. What instead followed is a speedy, steady rise sustained by a distinct flow, alluring sexy drill sound, unsuspecting bars, and somehow both airy and hard-hitting delivery. Ice was, and is, having fun with it, and many assumed the moment would equate to an evanescent, flat-lined ascent. When “Munch” took over the streets of New York a year ago, the quicksand quality of Ice Spice’s rhyme and rhythm-courtesy of her sound crafter, RIOTUSA-amassed a crowd of head-scratchers and boppers alike.

Here are our picks for the best New York rappers of all time, so far: There are a few names on this list who may not have originated from New York, but their formative years were spent within the city, and their music certainly channels the essence of New York’s culture and sound. Skill, lyrical ability, and impact on the genre and culture in New York and beyond, were key factors in determining who made the cut. In homage to New York’s impact on hip-hop, the Complex Music team has curated a list ranking 50 of the greatest rappers from the city (and its surrounding areas)-from some of its founding fathers and mothers to young bloods who have injected new energy into the city’s sound in the last five years. Others like Nicki Minaj shattered gender norms and redefined female empowerment, while Jay-Z, a self-made artist who elevated himself from Brooklyn’s Marcy Projects to a global mogul, has cemented his name in the history books forever.

From Big L, whose gritty bars echoed through Harlem’s streets to the meteoric rise of Pop Smoke that electrified Brooklyn’s drill scene, New York’s rap scene boasts a wide array of voices that have been instrumental to the genre’s evolution and dominance throughout the decades. Thousands of rappers have grown from hip-hop’s birthplace throughout the course of its 50-year history. In the ever-evolving landscape of hip-hop, few places have played a more pivotal role in the genre’s legacy than New York.

I love hip hop new york