I could do a personal rap canon, but the thing is, what affects me apparently didn't effect everyone else the same way...
I mean, I was raised by a guy who basically taught me "Look, the 90's was where everything fell apart. Once you go past '92, most of it all turns to shit." Which is hilarious because everyone has this weird notion that '88-'96 is the peak years.
So like, I remember DMX's Debut being THE GREATEST MOMENT IN MUSICAL HISTORY. Yes I was a scrawny little white kid who would beg my dad to play the cassette after he'd pick me up from Religious Education classes (because I was not hard); but I also remembered the kids from Queens who I'd hang out with also knowing every song off that album, and all their big brothers, and all their dads, and etc. You ask people about those times now, and they get this brainwashed face where they remember "Money, Cash, Hoes", and they're convinced The Roc was that great musical moment.
Another thing; I believe in the KISS style of MCing, so whereas everyone loves Beans as a rap-genius, I hear a guy who can't really flow on beats with no charisma. Wheras, oddly enough, I though Bleek was swagged out, just, never could say anything you could remember.
PERSPECTIVE!