4. Macklemore
In case you've been hiding under a rock for the past year or so, Macklemore is one of the most talked-about names in the hip-hop world this year. He, along with producer buddy Ryan Lewis, have been dominating the scene with their infectiously optimistic take on rap and, as you're all most likely aware, their bizarrely brilliant début single 'Thrift Shop' and its follow-up 'Can't Hold Us' have become two of the best-selling singles of this year, the former topping charts all around the world. They've broken the international barrier unimaginably quickly and become one of the best-known and loved musical duos in the world right now. But it's not just the music that makes Macklemore one of the greatest rappers in the world right now. Yeah, début album 'The Heist' was a huge commercial and critical success and is musically very good - but what makes him one of the most in-demand rappers on the face of the planet is his message. In a world where hip-hop and rap are traditionally not the most er, friendly genres of music, there's a lot to be said for a rapper right at the forefront who's earned the respect of the community whilst also promoting a positive message. Macklemore is an advocate for all things good, most notably the eradication of homophobia, as referenced in most recent single 'Same Love' - he's not afraid to speak up for the people who don't have a voice, and he does so through his music, which, again, is really, really good. He's a different kind of rapper - he's a super nice guy, but he spits a mean bar as well. What more could you want?