It's difficult to say whether Kendrick Lamar can really be called "new" anymore. He has been lauded as one of the most impressive young voices in hip-hop for several years, and most people with even a passing interest in the genre know who he is by now. However, there's no denying his unbelievable talents - and he has to top this list, as he's undoubtedly the most gifted rapper to burst onto the scene for years. Although he had been labelled as "one to watch" for a while prior to its release, the 2012 album Good Kid, m.A.A.d City was Kendrick's first statement that really made the world pay attention. An album that somehow combined flawless and intricate conceptual narratives with utterly accessible choruses and a raw, lo-fi aesthetic comprised of bizarre and eclectic samples, it was one of the best albums of that year (nominated for several Grammy Awards) and marked Kendrick out as a future star. In 2013, Kendrick's reputation exploded. A feature on a leaked Big Sean track, Control, took social media by storm. The verse was Kendrick's challenge to the rest of US hip-hop, demanding that other rappers step up to the plate and match the bar that he had raised. It's a stunning piece of lyricism that also eloquently shows off Kendrick's exceptional cadence. Now, in 2015, Kendrick has effectively taken over hip-hop. His latest album, To Pimp A Butterfly, is the best of 2015 to date and traces a line through African-American musical history via hip-hop, jazz, blues and soul. It's a masterpiece with deeply personal and political themes that never overshadow the album's aesthetic approach. Kendrick has the strongest flow, the most pertinent lyrical focus, and the most outstanding eye for production in contemporary hip-hop. He is already a legend of the genre. Which other rappers do you think belong on this list? Share your picks below in the comments.