The Groove

The greatest instrumental hip hop artists of all time

9 artists ranked by the Groove — music.nw’s own measure of renown. Not an opinion, a fact computed from the record. Why?

This board is decided by who has rated so far. That is not a verdict on this corner of the record — it is the shape of who has voted. Rate what you love and the number moves.

No. 1

J Dilla

United States of America · 1974–2006 · instrumental hip hop

3.346

Why this number?

The full board

2 Flying Lotus

United States of America · 1983– · electronic 2.357

3 Madvillain

United States of America · 2002–2020 · hip hop 1.547

Beastie Boys

United States of America · 1979–2014 · hip hop 1.320

5 DJ Shadow

United States of America · 1972– · trip hop 1.278

6 Ratatat

United States of America · 2001– · electronic 0.528

7 Fatboy Slim

United Kingdom · 1963– · big beat 0.305

8 Eric B. & Rakim

United States of America · 1986–1992 · hip hop 0.225

9 RJD2

United States of America · 1976– · instrumental 0.220