Chris Rock has once again doubled down on his long-running admiration for hip hop, naming Kanye West as his number one rapper of all time during a recent episode of Fly on the Wall. The comedian placed West at the top of a personal ranking that also included Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, Nas, Jay-Z, Ice Cube, and Eminem.

Framed as both a tribute to lyrical craft and a reflection of his own musical upbringing, the list highlights Rock’s long-standing connection to the genre. Rock’s elevation of Kanye West to the top spot is consistent with comments he has made over the past decade. He has frequently praised West’s wordplay, production style, and willingness to embrace controversy.

In a widely discussed appearance on Hot 97, Rock placed Kanye alongside artists like Nas and Jay Z, signaling that his admiration sits comfortably within hip hop’s established greats. By naming West first again, Rock also points to the rapper’s broader cultural reach.

The two have collaborated on skits and shared public moments, with Rock singling out ‘My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy’ as one of the greatest albums ever made. For him, the choice reflects a sustained belief that Kanye’s mix of technical ability, boldness, and vulnerability sets him apart from his peers.

That creative crossover between music and comedy also shapes Rock’s recent work in more unexpected ways.

A surreal turn in Goodnight, Lamby

The upcoming Cannes Classics debut, Goodnight, Lamby, has brought Chris Rock into a more whimsical and visually experimental space, blending live action with animation. Produced under Darren Aronofsky’s banner, the film features Rock voicing Copernicus alongside Paul Rudd as a father guiding a young child through a dreamlike journey.

The project draws heavily on Dustin Yellin’s sculptural work, creating a world that feels like a living storybook. The narrative follows a child searching for a missing toy across imaginative landscapes, shifting from oceans to cosmic spaces while maintaining an emotional core.

Rock’s performance leans into gentle humor and curiosity, offering a contrast to his stand-up persona. With music contributions from Maggie Rogers and a Cannes Classics premiere, the film positions itself as both an artistic experiment and a family-focused story, reflecting Chris Rick's broadening involvement in the creative field, perhaps inspired by his no. 1 rapper, Kanye West.

What do you think about Chris Rock naming Kanye West the greatest rapper of all time? Let us know in the comments.

Written by

Pratham Gurung

Edited by

Adiba Nizami