One of the best ways to understand an artist is to get to know their taste. It’s no surprise that Tech N9ne’s music and stage presence can be so dark and theatrical when you find out that he was a huge fan of Jim Morrison and The Doors.

In an attempt to get a feel for what drives the original and fresh sound of CES Cru, we asked them to name their five favorite emcees of all time.

Here’s what they had to say.

Ubiquitous

First of all I just want to say that Godemis finished his first because he’s smarter than me and a faster writer, so I had to pick my shit around his, with the exception of Kutty Slitz, who we both picked. I don’t want people to think I’m shallow just because I picked people from my crew and industry emcees.

1. Godemis

I picked Godemis because he’s the best and he’s my first pick.

2. Kutty Slitz

He’s the second best and a very influential person as far as my rhyme style and writing goes. That’s a large statement because I don’t really take shit from almost anybody.

3. Busta Rhymes

He was one of my original inspirations in rhyming way back in the 90s and has been a longtime favorite of mine. His career is super-admirable. I can only hope to have a career of his magnitude and consistency and longevity. That’s what I say about Bust. Super-original dude.

4 & 5. Nas & Jay-Z

Jay and Nas are the titans of the game and it’s beautiful that they clashed. I just respect how big they are and their influence, seperately and together, as businessmen, moguls and lyricists primarily though.

I feel like everybody that put on my list is an excellent writer.

Godemis

1. Kutty Slitz

That’s my guy. Words can’t even express. I hate to be dickriding so much but if I can boil it down, not only can he write excellent rap songs and is an excellent writer but he can match any kind of song and write any song you want. He can write a rock song, negro spirituals and he’s just a super-worldly, really smart guy and just one of the greatest dudes I’ve ever worked with and we go way way back.

2. Elzhi

I think he’s just one of the most slept-on guys forever. I know he gets a lot of respect but he’s a phenomenal writer. He’s like a super-charged 18-year-old Nas on fucking heroin. He just writes bananas and he’s real dope.

3. Jay Electronica

I felt like he had a false start in the game but he writes really well and he always references these weird Japanese Anime comic book characters and shit that I’m into and I feel like sometimes when that dude raps, it feels like we knew each other when we were kids or something. He raps bout conspiracy theories and shit. He’s sorta Afro-centric but not as much as Common Sense. I dunno, I just love Jay Electronica.

4. Aesop Rock

Even though I don’t know what he’s talking about half the time. Aesop Rock writes very well and always outside the box regardless of the climate of the game, what’s popular, and what shit sounds like. He’s always going to do his own shit and not break at all and I just really respect that. Even when he makes some shit that’s too weird for me I just respect his integrity.

5. Eminem

He’s what Tiger Woods is to golf. Eminem just came and just fucked the game up and broke all the barriers and influenced the game in the last decade in ways that nobody has and probably it’s going to be a long time before that comes around again. I may not see that in my lifetime. Eminem: super influential in the game. Broke down barriers and shit and did it with his fucking pen and that’s what’s up.

Don’t miss CES Cru at CES FEST 2012

Click here for tickets!

Click here to download Matter Don’t Money and The Deevil for FREE!

• What did you think of the emcees on this list?

Leave your thoughts in the comments section below!