Strongly associated with the 2000s, it was one of the most creative periods in hip-hop, characterized by a host of artists who took rap to new heights and helped solidify it as popular culture's main genre. In this piece, we shall look at the eleven rappers who changed hip-hop forever during those historic ten years and dissect how they've resonated with us over time.

1. JAY-Z

In the 2000s, when it came to rap, they were not much bigger than Shawn Corey Carter, better known as JAY-Z. The proof is in his ability to go from the streets of Brooklyn to hip-hop royalty.

His records were highly praised and went double platinum, together with The Blueprint (2001), The Black Album (2003), and American Gangster. The projects presented his skillful wordplay, complex rhyme flows, and storytelling capabilities of a man who had lived through some rough times.

With far-reaching social and economic implications, JAY-Z transformed from a musician to a cultural megastar billionaire mogul. His impact on fashion, the business world, and popular culture solidified that his identity was more than just being a rapper.

Key achievements:

• Multiple platinum albums
• Numerous Grammy Awards
• Successful forays into business (Rocawear, Tidal)

2. Eminem

Marshall Mathers, better known as Eminem, took over the airwaves in the late '90s and held his reign solidly through most of the 2000s. He is known for his controversial lyrics, fast-paced delivery, and intricate rhyming patterns.

His albums “The Marshall Mathers LP” (2000) and “The Eminem Show” (2002) were both commercial behemoths as well as critical success stories. The way he combined the personal and social aspects of his introspection was a talent few possess but reached millions.

Eminem was undoubtedly a virtuosic technical rapper who, even through controversies and provocations, maintained his own brand of emotional honesty. He would forever expand the horizons of rap and inspire future generations.

Notable accomplishments:

• Won Oscar for "Lose Yourself" (8 Mile)
• The top-selling hip-hop artist of the 2000s

3. Lil Wayne

In the 2000s, Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., or Lil Wayne, became one of the most prolific and influential rappers in history. In the Hot Boys and then as a solo superstar, his rise from child prodigy to one of hip-hop's dominant voices is an all-time great tale of artistic development.

His distinctive voice, creative rhymes, and being a near-endless punchline machine made Lil Wayne incredibly popular with fans and peers. His impact on the generation of rappers behind him is reflective in an immeasurable way, with many naming his music as a primary sound to their borderlines.

Key contributions:

• One of the pioneers of through Auto-Tune rap
• Mentor to many artists careers (Drake, Nicki Minaj)

4. Kanye West

There is simply no overstating Kanye West's influence on 2000s hip-hop. West, who was basically a producer, had made the transition into rapping, and people doubted that would work until he proved everyone wrong.

His first album, the 2004 debut release "The College Dropout," presented an alternative to gangsta rap at a time when chart-dominating hip-hop had become inextricably linked with explicit criminality and violent street life. The soulful production on tracks like lead single "Through The Wire" worked like a Trojan horse for introspective lyrics questioning what it meant to be black and successful. Later albums like 'Late Registration' (2005) and 'Graduation' (2007) only showed his growth as an artist, shifting sounds with each new release.

In addition to his music, Kanye was also a cultural icon due to his fashion influence and the fact that he never seemed afraid of expressing how he felt about things. He knows how to create controversy and is praised for his live music so much that he centered in the hip-hop circle throughout this decennium.

Notable achievements:

• Multiple Grammy Awards
• Multiple chart-topping hits
• Epitome of a trend setter

5. André 3000

André 3000 (born André Benjamin) was half of OutKast and had left his mark on hip-hop by the turn of the millennium. Throughout the 2000s, his solo work and his work with OutKast reinforced once again his status as one of the generation's greatest rappers.

The 2000 album Stankonia and the double album Speakerbox The Love Below (double disc) platformed to be some of Andrés most creative with Stretching hip-hop's limits like never before. He showed on his solo disc, "The Love Below," that he could meld genres as well as any daredevil and try out different vocal deliveries.

The undeniable lyricism of André combined with his unique sartorial and musical tastes rendered him truly a one-of-a-kind in the rap world. It can also be detected in the music made by many subsequent artists, such as rappers pushing hip-hop boundaries and fusing it with different genres.

Key contributions:

• Launched Southern hip-hop into mainstream pop culture.
• Broadened the breadth of sounds that could be included in rap
• Shaped a generation of cross-genre artists

6. Nas

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Nasir Jones, better known as Nas, maintained a strong presence in hip-hop during the 2000s. Leveraging his already extremely high-caliber reputation as a lyricist, Nas dropped a few highly praised albums during this time frame.

Albums like Stillmatic (2001) and God's Son (2002) saw Nas once again confirm his place as one of the best storytellers and social commentators in Hip-Hop. His storytelling prowess was unmatched, and he had a knack for offering biting social critiques that distinguished him from many of his contemporaries.

His impact on the culture stretched far beyond his mu, from his years-long quarrel with JAY-Z, which nearly reached Shakespearean proportions, to some of the most iconic dis songs in Hip-Hop, to his insightful interviews and public statements that elevated him as a genre statesman.

7. 50 Cent

Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson shot to super-stardom in the first half of the 2000s like a comet. His 2003 debut LP, Get Rich or Die Tryin', was an immediate classic in exactly that area, fusing street tales with radio-friendly hooks and polished production.

The mystique and appeal of 50 Cent were boosted all the more by his backstory, having survived an attack in which he was shot nine times; it's a life or death comeback story akin to none other. He went on to have his name and that of the G-Unit watermarked over the next decade.

In addition to his music, 50 Cent became a successful businessman and investor in clothing, beverages, advertising products for athletes, etc. A larger-than-life figure with an ability to sell even the most simplistic of lines, he remains one of hip-hop's great characters from that decade.

Key achievements:

• Multi-platinum debut album
• Marketing accomplishment( Vitamin Water deal)
• Helped to popularize mixtapes as a marketing tool

8. T.I.

Clifford "T.I." Harris was important in terms of what he did to popularize Southern hip-hop during the 2000s. A unique mix of street narratives and pop sensibilities, he became one of the best-selling rappers in history during his nearly 20-year career.

While albums like “King” (2006) and “Paper Trail” (2008) demonstrated T.I.’s facility for hit singles, they also upheld his integrity as a lyricist. His soulful voice and larger-than-life personality set him on a path to become not only an accomplished music artist but also a naturally gifted actor.

His ascent also helped to further push Atlanta into the center of rap, legitimizing its status as a southern outpost capable of turning out superstar talent. His effect on the trap music subgenre goes far beyond what words describe.

Notable contributions:

• Helped popularize trap music
• Has mentored several of the best ATL artists on the come-up

9. Ludacris

Christopher "Ludacris" Bridges, is one of the most entertaining and financially successful rappers of the 2000s. Thanks to his clever wordplay, animated delivery, and larger-than-life personality, he was a fan favorite throughout the decade.

Ludacris balanced out his radio-friendly hits with more personal, introspective tracks throughout albums like "Word of Mouf" (2001) and "Release Therapy" (2006).  Outside of music, however, Ludacris made a foray into acting with the "Fast and Furious" franchise. With his great personality and humor, he was a perfect fit for music videos and the big screen.

Key accomplishments:

• Multiple platinum albums
• Successful acting career

10. Common

During the 2000s, Lonnie “Common” Lynn held down one pole of hip-hop's titanic mast. His introspective lyrics and jazz-infused production help me differentiate him from many other industry-based rappers.

Through albums like Like Water for Chocolate (2000) and Be(2005), Common demonstrated his thought-provoking lyricism, delving deep into the social ills he hoped to correct with his music. Working with producers such as J Dilla and Kanye West, those collaborations produced some of the best-reviewed hip-hop of that era.

Not content with defining hip-hop in the mid-90s, Common quickly established himself as a powerful voice of social and political reason. His cogent interviews, as well as his activism and open letters to an array of rappers he believed could use some direction, became pivotal elements in conversations surrounding the place for hip-hop music within broader cultural contexts.

Notable achievements:

• Grammy Award Best R&B Song: "Love of My Life"
• Transition as an actor successfully
• Respected for his politically-themed lyrics and activism