Introduction
When it comes to rapping, speed isn‘t everything—but it sure is impressive. The ability to spit rhymes at lightning velocity, cramming an improbable number of syllables into each bar, is a skill that has enthralled hip hop fans for decades. Fast rapping pushes the boundaries of what seems humanly possible, as MCs turn their voices into percussive instruments, unleashing torrents of words that can leave listeners‘ heads spinning.
But just how fast can rappers go? Who are the quickest MCs on the planet? In this article, we‘ll break down the world of fast rap, from how speed is measured to the techniques that allow certain lyricists to leave others in the dust. We‘ll count down the top 100 fastest rappers and profile some of the most remarkable speed demons to ever grab a mic. Whether you‘re a hip hop head or just amazed by verbal dexterity, this is your guide to rap‘s high-speed elite.
The Need for Speed: A Fast Rap Primer
First, let‘s lay down some basics. The two most common ways to measure rap speed are syllables per second (SPS) and words per minute (WPM). SPS is more precise, taking into account the density of rhymes, while WPM is a blunter but more intuitive metric. Generally speaking, rapping at 4-5 SPS is considered quick, 6-7 SPS is blazing fast, and anything above 8 SPS is in the superhuman range.
Of course, sustaining those speeds for a whole verse is very different than a brief burst. To earn real fast rap cred, you need to be able to maintain your pace, keep your words clear and intelligible, and still ride the beat. The fastest rappers can spit entire songs, switching up flows and cadences, while never letting the breakneck momentum flag.
So where did fast rapping originate? You can trace the style back to 1980s icons like Kool Moe Dee and Busta Rhymes, who stood out by bringing a manic edge to their deliveries. In the ‘90s, acts like Bone Thugs-n-Harmony and Twista helped solidify speed as its own subgenre. By the 2000s, fast rapping was a calling card for countless underground MCs seeking to flaunt their technical prowess. Today, with rap more popular than ever, fast MCs are cementing their legacies by racking up official speed records.
The Top 100 Fastest Rappers
Without further ado, let‘s get to our ranking of the 100 fastest rappers in the world as of 2024. To compile this list, we‘ve drawn on research by speed rap scholars like Dax and NahDah Vebb as well as our own analysis of recent records. Note that this only covers peak speeds—consistency and clarity also factor into placement.
- JJKILLAH3RT – 17.8 SPS
- Kaito – 15.6 SPS
- OKmaybe – 15.4 SPS
- BingeBengeASMR – 15.3 SPS
- Yungxblood – 14.1 SPS
- Outsider – 13.9 SPS
- IshowSpeed – 13.4 SPS
- Twiztid Insane – 13.3 SPS
- Crucified – 13.2 SPS
- DoofyLit – 13.2 SPS
- Bushido Zho – 13.1 SPS
- Dax – 12.9 SPS
- Goku – 12.8 SPS
- Twisted Insane – 12.5 SPS
- Mac Lethal – 12.1 SPS
- Krayzie Bone – 12.1 SPS
- Twista – 11.9 SPS
- Daveed Diggs – 11.8 SPS
- Busta Rhymes – 11.6 SPS
- Tech N9ne – 11.6 SPS
- Eminem – 11.3 SPS (Guinness World Record holder – Rap God verse)
- Token – 10.9 SPS
- Kendrick Lamar – 10.2 SPS
- Logic – 10.0 SPS
- Joyner Lucas – 9.8 SPS
- Yelawolf – 9.7 SPS
- Kool Moe Dee – 9.6 SPS
- Lil Dicky – 9.5 SPS
- Tone Loc – 9.4 SPS
- Watsky – 9.4 SPS
- CES Cru – 9.2 SPS
- R.A. the Rugged Man – 9.0 SPS
- Kaan – 8.9 SPS
- NoClue – 8.8 SPS
- Rebel XD – 8.5 SPS
- Mostafa Holmz – 8.4 SPS
- Nizi19 – 8.4 SPS
- Kilo Jugg – 8.3 SPS
- Ohno – 8.2 SPS
- Akinyele – 8.2 SPS
As you can see, rapping over 10 SPS puts you in truly rarified territory. Topping the list is Detroit rapper JJKILLAH3RT, who in 2021 set an astounding record of 17.8 SPS on his song "Most Wanted." Close behind are Japanese phenom Kaito and the mysterious OKmaybe, both breaking 15 SPS.
Further down, you‘ll spot some more familiar names. Influential vets like Krayzie Bone, Busta Rhymes, and Twista are still hanging with the new generation. Eminem, of course, holds it down with his "Rap God" verse, one of the most famous speed flexes of all time. And Kendrick, Logic, and Joyner Lucas rep for fast rappers who also happen to be megastars.
Profiles in Speed
Now that we‘ve seen the rankings, let‘s zoom in on a few of these high-velocity virtuosos:
Twista
The Chicago native born Carl Terrell Mitchell was arguably the first rapper to make speed his calling card. Coming up in the ‘90s, Twista turned heads with his "chopper" style, spitting with a rapid-fire, staccato rhythm that evoked automatic weapons. His famous verse on Do or Die‘s 1996 "Po Pimp" was a shot across the bow, proving that rapping could be pushed to new velocities.
While he never quite achieved mainstream stardom, Twista‘s dizzying flows were a huge influence on the generations of fast rappers to follow. His 2004 hit "Slow Jamz" with Kanye West and Jamie Foxx brought him closest to household name status, but speed will always be his claim to immortality. Twista‘s personal best is a blistering 11.9 SPS.
Daveed Diggs
Before earning acclaim as an actor and member of experimental hip hop group clipping., Daveed Diggs made waves in the fast rap underground. The Oakland native‘s dexterous double-time earned him the crown in a televised speed rap battle on CBS‘s now-defunct "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson."
But Diggs‘ real showcase was "Rap God" from clipping.‘s self-titled 2013 album. Inspired by Eminem‘s song of the same name, Diggs‘ take is even faster and more lyrically intricate. He tops out at a jaw-dropping 11.8 SPS, making him one of the quickest to ever do it. Thankfully, Diggs‘ more recent success hasn‘t pulled him away from his speed rap roots.
NoCanDo
One of the most impressive fast rappers to emerge in recent years is NoCanDo. The Tulsa, Oklahoma native born Anthony Wilson turned heads with his appearance on the "Guerrilla Bars" YouTube series, where he delivered a barrage of breakneck bars over Drake‘s "No Tellin‘" beat.
NoCanDo‘s relentless flow and clever wordplay set him apart from typical fast rap, proving he can go bar-for-bar with the greats at any speed. His peak velocity hovers around 8.8 SPS, but it‘s his stamina that really astounds. NoCanDo barely seems to pause for breath as he strings together minutes-long speed barrages. With a tireless drive to master his craft, this guy has the potential to snatch speed rap‘s top spot before long.
Fast Rapping 101
Now that we‘ve met some of fast rap‘s standouts, let‘s break down what goes into their lightspeed lyricism. At the most basic level, fast rapping requires four key skills:
- Breath control: Being able to take in air quickly and efficiently to fuel your rapid-fire flow
- Articulation: Keeping your words clear and precise even at high speeds
- Rhythm: Staying on beat no matter how fast you‘re going
- Stamina: Maintaining your pace for prolonged periods without burning out
How do fast rappers put it all together? The details of each MC‘s technique are as unique as their style, but most rely on a combination of drilling tongue twisters, studying complex rhyme schemes, and building up their cardiovascular endurance. Many train their breathing using specialized exercises and even physically shape their mouths to better form sounds.
But raw technical ability is only part of the equation. To be a truly great speed rapper, you also need creativity, personality, and lyrical skills. The best fast MCs don‘t just rattle off words quickly—they craft complex rhyme patterns, tell vivid stories, and pack their verses with witty punchlines and memorable hooks.
When you put it all together, fast rap becomes a unique art form that‘s equal parts athletics and aesthetics. The physical challenge of pushing the voice to its limits meets the mental challenge of maintaining flow and clarity. Add the right amount of style and swagger, and you‘ve got a recipe for jaw-dropping displays of skill.
The Fast Track Forward
As we‘ve seen, fast rap has come a long way from its underdog origins to taking a place on the cutting edge of hip hop. Dedicated MCs around the world continue to push the boundaries of speed and lyricism, turning in new records every year. In 2022 alone, we saw at least a dozen rappers clock speeds over 10 SPS.
Where does fast rap go from here? Some see Eminem‘s "Rap God" as the pinnacle of the art, an unreachable bar that has left speed-obsessed MCs chasing an impossible standard. But others believe fast rap is just getting started. With global interest in hip hop at an all-time high, and new generations of artists competing to make their mark, the stage is set for even more incredible speed records to come.
As long as there are MCs who see velocity as the ultimate test of skill, fast rap will have a vital place in hip hop culture. The sheer thrill of witnessing a rapper‘s superhuman speed will always draw in fans, whether on record, on stage, or in viral videos. And as fast rappers find fresh ways to blend speed with substance, they‘ll continue to stretch the boundaries of what hip hop can be.
So whether you‘re already a fast rap stan or just discovering this special art for the first time, get ready for a wild ride. Hip hop‘s high-speed elite are accelerating into the future, and they‘re not slowing down any time soon. Blink and you might miss them.