Country star Hardy shook things up in an interview, trading cowboy boots for rap beats as he named his top five rappers. When he crowned Eminem as No. 1, his tone wasn’t casual—it was decisive, like declaring the king of a kingdom he deeply admired. “Eminem’s on another level,” he said, eyes lighting up as he described the impact of the rap icon’s wordplay and storytelling.

Country music sensation Hardy shared his love for rap, revealing his Top 5 rappers and placing Eminem at the top.

Known for his chart-topping hits and Nashville songwriting prowess, Hardy took a moment to dive into the rap world during his appearance on Steve-O’s Wild Ride! podcast. When the conversation turned to the age-old debate of “Top 5 rappers”, Hardy did not hesitate to share his picks, with Eminem sitting firmly at No. 1:

Eminem is No.1 to me. I can go on and on about it. Andre 3000 is No.2 for me. He is unbelievable. I would say, Kendrick Lamar. I would put Wayne on that list, 1,000 per cent. He has bars that are freaking out of this world.

Hardy looked like he needed a little help finalising his fifth spot. Steve-O suggested Jay-Z, and Hardy agreed, adding, “I was thinking LA, but Jay-Z, yeah, 100 per cent”.

Interestingly, Snoop Dogg did not make Hardy’s list, even though Hardy released a remix of Snoop’s 1994 classic “Gin & Juice” and appeared in a video with Snoop and Dr. Dre. But with only five spots to fill, even legendary names get left out.

Hardy’s unexpected dive into rap rankings shows his broad musical taste and his respect for the artistry behind hip hop. Whether it is country or rap, he is clearly a fan of storytelling that resonates.