It depends on how you define King status. I don't think there is one king or g.o.a.t. in rap...there are many categories to be considered and it changes from time to time.
80s Rakim, LL Cool J, Run DMC, Public Enemy
90s Ice Cube, Nas, Tupac, Biggie, Lauryn Hill
2000s Eminem, Jay-Z, Kanye
Listen to the first 4 Outkast albums and then you know why he is a top 5 lyricist. There are just a few groups in hip hop that have constantly dropped such high quality music. It is possible to judge each members individual talent in a group and to compare it with others from the genre.
His...
Andre 3k is top 5 lyricist. Dude can put out one rap track in a year and shot down the whole rap game. 4 outta 6 Outkast albums are classics, so this speaks for both artists.
Slick Rick for sure...he is GOAT in the storytelling category.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rt-ZE3OtKH0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_jGgZ35W5s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFG4_YiB6ek
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p77TOOcT3e4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3aSRVatQAw&feature=channel
Great album and definately a classic. But not greatest Hip Hop album of all-time, if you compare them to other duos releasing music. Outkast - Aquemini shits all over them.
I general i think the greatest hip hop albums are
1) Public Enemy It takes a nation to hold us back
2) Rakim Paid in Full...