You may remember a couple of months ago, VH1 released their list of the Top 100 Greatest Hip Hop Songs. Well, I know quite a few hip hop fans who highly disagree with the list, myslef included. I was contacted recently by a few other hip hop bloggers who are interested in coming up with a better list… a list that most any hip hop fan can appreciate.
So I’ve been tasked with coming up with my personal Top 100 Greatest Hip Hop Songs by the end of the year. This is where I need your help. Hip Hop music has been in existence for over 30 years and there are a ton of songs to go through. I want to know what you think should be on the list.
What are the most important songs in hip hop history?
I’ve included VH-1’s list below. Feel free to tear it apart, debate amongst yourselves, and comment on what you feel should be on the list. This should be fun… I got about a month to complete my Top 100 and it’ll be nice to say you all were a part of it.
VH-1’s Top 100 Greatest Hip Hop Songs
100 Biz Markie : Just A Friend
99 Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz ft/ Ying Yang Twins : Get Low
98 Warren G ft. Nate Dogg : Regulate
97 Eve : Who’s that Girl
96 DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince : Parents Just Don’t Understand
95 L’Trimm : Cars With The Boom
94 Master P ft. Sikk, Fiend, Mia-x and Mystical : Make ‘Em Say Ugh
93 N.E.R.D. ft. Lee Harvey and Vida : Lapdance
92 Yo-Yo : Can’t Play with my Yo-Yo
91 Chamillionaire ft. Krayzie Bone : Ridin’
90 Pete Rock & CL Smooth : They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y)
89 Cam’ron : Oh Boy
88 Jungle Brothers : What U Waitin’ 4
87 Wyclef Jean ft. Refugee All Stars : We Tryin’ to Stay Alive
86 Heavy D. and the Boyz : Now That We Found Love
85 Black Star : Definition
84 UTFO : Roxanne Roxanne
83 2 Live Crew : Me So Horny
82 Chubb Rock : Treat ‘Em Right
81 PM Dawn : Set Adrift On Memory Bliss
80 Three 6 Mafia ft. Paula Campbell- Hard Out Here For A Pimp
79 DMX : Ruff Ryders’ Anthem (Stop Drop)
78 Arrested Development : Tennessee
77 Cold Crush Brothers : Cold Crush Bros. at the Dixie
76 Big Punisher ft. Joe- Still Not A Player
75 Lil’ Kim ft. Lil’ Cease- Crush on You
74 EPMD : You Gots To Chill
73 Black Sheep : The Choice Is Yours
72 J.J. Fad : Supersonic
71 Whodini : Freaks Come Out at Night
70 3(rd) Bass : Pop Goes the Weasel
69 Common : I Used to Love H.E.R.
68 T.I. : What You Know
67 Mase : Feel So Good
66 House Of Pain : Jump Around
65 Spoonie Gee and The Treacherous Three : Love Rap
64 The Roots : What they Do
63 Kid ‘n Play : Rollin’ With Kid N Play
62 Digable Planets : Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)
61 Slick Rick : Children’s Story
60 L.L. Cool J : I Need Love
59 Ol’ Dirty Bastard : Shimmy Shimmy Ya
58 Ludacris ft. Shawna- What’s Your Fantasy
57 Big Daddy Kane : I Get the Job Done
56 Busta Rhymes : Woo-Ha ! Got You All In Check
55 Terror Squad ft/ Fat Joe and Remy : Lean Back
54 MC Lyte : Cha Cha Cha
53 Lox ft. DMX and Lil’ Kim : Money, Power, Respect
52 Foxy Brown ft. Jay-Z : I’ll Be
51 Doug E. Fresh & the Get Fresh Crew : The Show
50 Lil’ Wayne : Tha Block Is Hot
49 Boogie Down Productions : My Philosophy
48 Nas : One Love
47 Young MC : Bust A Move
46 De La Soul : Me, Myself, And I
45 Geto Boys : Mind Playing Tricks On Me
44 Method Man ft/ Mary J. Blige : I’ll Be There For You/You’re All I Need to Get By
43 Game, The ft. 50 Cent : Hate It or Love It
42 Roxanne Shante : Roxanne’s Revenge
41 Funky 4 + 1 : That’s the Joint
40 Run-DMC : It’s Like That
39 Tone-Loc : Wild Thing
38 Coolio : Gangsta’s Paradise
37 Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock : It Takes Two
36 Nelly : Hot In Herre
35 Queen Latifah ft. Monie Love : Ladies First
34 Cypress Hill : Insane In The Brain
33 Bone Thugs-N-Harmony : Tha Crossroads
32 Puff Daddy & The Family ft/ Notorious B.I.G., Lil’ Kim and The Lox : It’s All About The Benjamins
31 Kool Moe Dee : How Ya Like Me Now
30 Tribe Called Quest : Check the Rhime
29 Digital Underground : The Humpty Dance
28 Ice Cube : It Was A Good Day
27 Beastie Boys : Hold it Now, Hit it
26 MC Hammer : U Can’t Touch This
25 Fugees : Killing Me Softly
24 Eric B and Rakim : Paid in Full
23 Outkast : B.O.B.
22 Naughty By Nature : OPP
21 Afrika Bambaataa & Soul Sonic Force- Planet Rock
20 Kanye West ft/ Jamie Foxx : Gold Digger
19 Ice T : Colors
18 50 Cent : In Da Club
17 Sir Mix-A-Lot : Baby Got Back
16 Missy Elliott : Get Ur Freak On
15 Eminem : Stan
14 Tupac : I Get Around
13 Wu-Tang Clan : C.R.E.A.M.
12 L.L. Cool J : I Can’t Live Without My Radio
11 Jay-Z : Hard Knock Life
10 Kurtis Blow : The Breaks
09 Salt-N-Pepa : Push It
08 Snoop Doggy Dogg : Gin and Juice
07 Notorious B.I.G. : Juicy
06 N.W.A. : Straight Outta Compton
05 Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five : The Message
04 Run-DMC ft/ Aerosmith : Walk This Way
03 Dr. Dre : Nuthin But A ‘G’ Thang
02 Sugarhill Gang : Rapper’s Delight
01 Public Enemy : Fight The Power
{ 40 comments… read them below or add one }
my biggest issue with these lists is that they put influence over quality.
I mean, I understand the influence and “importance” of Push It, and its a dope track with an addictive beat, but top 10 ever is literally pushing it. I mean I don’t highly disagree with this top 10, shit it IS more respectable than a list Rolling Stone would’ve come up with or something, the standards and voting styles for stuff like this just don’t match up with my feelings on it
Here are a few gems… all different styles that shined in the 80’s and 90’s..
Special Ed – I got it made
Souls of Mischief – 93′ till infinity
The D.O.C – The formula
Too Short – Life is,, too short
Poor Rightous Teachers _ Rock dis funky joint
The Pharcyde – Passin me by
I agree with zamora’s list a here’s a few more gems, they are as follows, lol :
ATCQ & various artist – Scenario Remix
Busta Ryhmes – Put Your Hands Where My Hands Can See
Dr. Dre & Snoop – Deep Cover
Juvenile – Ha
Sugar Hill Gang – Rapper’s Delight
Concious Daughters – Funky Expedition
Luniz – I Got 5 On It
Goodie Mob – Who’s That Peepin’ In My Window
Outkast – Players Ball
Newcleus – Jam On It
If you take the time to read all this then you’ll find sum pretty dope shit that i think makes it a top 100 hip hop song, Enjoy }}
93 Till Infinity
T.R.O.Y,
I Used To Love H.E.R,
Bonita Applebum,
Award Tour,
Get By,
Its All Real,
ATLiens,
Fuck The Police,
Mo Money Mo Problems,
It AInt Hard To Tell,
Whats Golden,
Feelin It,
Mass Appeal,
Microphone Fiend,
When I Be On THe Mic,
[anythin off of The Chronic, or Chronic 2001],
‘88,
The Light,
Two Turntables & a Mic,
Rappers Delight,
Walk This Way,
Gettin Jiggy With it,
The World Is Yours,
Lyrics To Go,
Umi Says,
All Falls Down,
[anythign off of JayDee Donuts],
Paid In Full,
Nas is Like,
C.R.E.A.M,
Pasing Me By,
Hell On Earth,
The Fugees Ready Or Not,
Cant Stop The Prophet.
! Thats it. Feel free to agree or disagree.
oh yeah and 6th Sense too, lol.
I just wrote a massive as list, and tis not frekin showing.. -.- wtf
Here’s a few they left off and also lesser known tracks but because of their depth and creativity, I feel they should be included…
1. Ras Kass – Nature of the Threat
2. Ras Kass – Interview With a Vampire
3. Canibus – Second Round K.O.
4. Canibus – Poet Laurette II
5. Chino XL – Wordsmith
6. Company Flow – Linda Tripp(one of the best diss songs ever)
7. Outkast – Aquemini
8. Outkast -Spottieottiedopalicious
9. Nas – No Idea’s Original
10. Jay-Z – Hovi Baby
11. Common – Testify
12. Nas feat. Jay-Z – Black Republican
13. Mos Def – Mr. Nigga
14. dead prez – Hip Hop
15. Wu Tang Clan – Impossible
16. Eric B. and Rakim – Follow the Leader
17. Big Daddy Kane – Raw
18. Mobb Deep – Shook Ones. pt 2
19. Onyx – Throw Ya Gunz
20. Gangstarr – Mass Appeal
as for VH-1’s list, Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power” is one of the greatest songs but to me BDP’s “My Philosophy” is the best song of all time mainly because every word KRS-One says applies PRECISELY even to this day!
Peace
I got you Be. My spam filter didn’t like you.
I see everyone’s list is hella tight…Shook One’s Pt. 2 shoulda been up in there, that’s one of the illest beats ever….Eminem proved that in 8 mile I can remember as soon as that beat came on in the movie, evryone in the movie head was on nod and he ripped that freestyle over that beat and the movie theater went off
Here’s a few more
Junior Mafia – Get Money
Junior Mafia – Players Anthem
Ahmad – Back in the Day
MC Lyte – 10% dis
Audio Two – Top Billin’
Kool Moe Dee – Wild Wild West
Eric B & Rakim – Ain’t No Joke
P.S. – the list everyone has submitted will crush the list VH1 put together
When u get the list together and decide u wanna put up a compilation, holla at me I don’t mind finding or uploading the songs to help out…
Keep It 100 & Gutta, Uno !!!
So far of all the songs posted here by people, theres about 77.. theres a good head start for ya Kev, haha.
dylan
dylan
dylan
and dylan..
nuff said
^^^ becuz i spit hot fiya! lol. damn, geratest 100 of all time? i feel ike i’m votin for barack all over again! but yeah, ppl on here know the deal. madd songs i was thinkn of is already listed so lemme try and add some more… mc lyte – paper thin, rakim – juice(know the ledge), slick rick – lodi dodi, dipset – dipset anthem, wu – it’s yours & wu-tang clan ain’t nothin to fuck wit, notorious b.i.g. – who shot ya & dreams & kick in the door and victory, and, and …jay-z – cashmere thoughts & allure & and, and … busta – put ya hands where my eyes can see, 2pac – keep ya head up & brenda’s got a baby, ll cool j – loungin & i need love, whodini – friends, atcq – electric relaxation & can i kick it & bonita applebum & award tour and, and … beastie boys – paul revere & intergalactic, kanye – diamonds & that joint wit common an talib from his first joint, native tounges – buddy, blackstar – respiration, jean grae – lovethirst, fat boys – the fat boys are back, fresh prince – summertime & parents just don’t understand…talib – the blast & get by, mos – mathematics & ghetto rock & ms. fat booty, ghostface – daytona 500 & one & the joint wit mary fro the first album & cherchez la ghost(i can’t spell french) & madd other ghost songs, raekwon – incarcerated scarfaces & verbal intercourse & ice cream, digable planets – cool like dat… as u could prolly tell i love hip-hop and i could keep dis goin 4ever so i’ma cut it here an see what otha ppl got. damn, i wanna hear verbal intercourse rite now! word.
WORD! – Gonna try and add some that haven’t been mentioned while reinforcing my absolute favs:
Main Source “Fakin’ The Funk”
A Tribe Called Quest “Scenario”
Wu-Tang Clan “Triumph”
J-Live “Braggin’ Writes”
Nas “It Ain’t Hard To Tell”
Gang Starr “Mass Appeal”
Big L “Ebonics”
High & Mighty f/ Mos Def & Mad Skillz – B-Boy Document ‘99
Mad Skillz “Ghostwriter”
Chill Rob G “Court Is Now In Session”
Eminem “‘Till I Collapse”
more to follow…
talib kweli – get by
nas – n.y. state of mind
black rob – like whoa
…
everybody is always gonna just put their fav songs……so if you’re talkin’ top 100 OF ALL TIME one has to be objective……..peace
I love makin lists like that, ain’t got enough time to drop a 100 though, so I’ll just add those that pop into my mind right off the bat
2Pac – Keep Ya Head Up
Nas – The World Is Yours
Pharcyde – Passin Me By
Geto Boys – Mind Playin Tricks On me
Wu-Tang – CREAM
Ghostface – Motherless Child
Dre & Snoop – Ain’t Nothin But A G Thang
Naughty By Nature – OPP
House Of Pain – Jump Around
Cypress Hill – How I Could Just Kill A Man
Ice Cube – Today Was A Good Day
NWA – Fuck The Police
Stop The Violence Movement – Stop The Violence
Eric B & Rakim – Paid In Full
Big Daddy Kane – Raw
Biz Markie – The Vapors
Doug E Fresh & Slick Rick – The Show
Sugarhill Gang – Rapper’s Delight
Gandmaster Flash & The Furious 5 – The Message
OC – Time’s Up
Common – I Used To Love HER
Outkast – Ms Jackson
Nas – If I Ruled The World
Mobb Deep – Shook Ones Pt 2
Eminem – Lose Yourself
Pac – Dear mama
Gang Starr – DWYCK
Gang Starr – Just To Get A Rep
Rappin 4-Tay – I’ll be Around
Chino XL – Kreep
De La Soul – Me Myself And I
Group Home – Supa Star
Black Moon – I Gotcha Opin
Main Source – Live At The Barbecue
KRS One – You Must Learn
DAS EFX – Real Hip Hop
Souls Of Mischief – 93 Til Infinity
Too Short – The Ghetto
Damn, there’s too many to name… You’ll notice these are all old songs; didn’t wanna include any recent ones cos I feel they haven’t been time-tested enough yet in order for anyone to say they important for the movement
Kanye West – Jesus Walks
Yeah, ‘Braggin’ Writes’!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No Timdog..? (ha ha) “FUCK COMPTON…” Classic diss.
All I’m saying is, Top 20s Yes, Top 100s, no. After 20, doesn’t it just become a superfluous, completely interchangeable list?
Personally, my number one would have been Public Enemy, but ‘Rebel Without A Pause’… Immense.
Mind Playing Tricks On Me – Getos
They Want EFX – Das
Blow Ya Mind – Redman
Dwyck – GS
Times Up – OC
I Aint No Joke – EB & R
etc etc…
I WATCHED THIS SHOW AND FOR THE MOST PART I DIDN’T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE SONGS THEY SELECTED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF SOME OF THE MORE RECENT SONGS THAT I FEEL LIKE THEY INCLUDED JUST TO APPEASE THE YOUNGER VIEWERS. NO DISRESPEST BECAUSE I LIKED THOSE NEW JOINTS TOO, BUT ANYTHING DONE AFTER SAY…2003-04 HASN’T EVEN HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO STAND THE TEST OF TIME YET. A CLASSIC JOINT IS ONE THAT SOUNDS JUST A FRESH NOW AS IT DID THE DAY THAT YOU FIRST HEARD IT. LYRICS, BEAT, OVERALL FEEL AND EMOTION. I GOTTA STILL FEEL THAT 10,20,30 YEARS FROM NOW. THAT’S CLASSIC. THAT’S GREAT HIP-HOP.
Looking forward to your list! I dissected VH1’s list on my blog:
http://zen-denizen.blogspot.com/2008/10/vh1s-100-greatest-hip-hop-songs.html
Thats a hard one.
I agree with most of the tracks named in the comments.
But i think
Kanye West – Through The Wire
Jay-Z – 99 Problems
UGK – Pocket full of stones
should be in there too
What a tough assignment to take on, good luck!
A few ideas:
Kurtis Blow – Basketball
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five – The Message
Melle Mel – White Lines
Whodini – Freaks Come Out At Night
Run-DMC – Sucker MC’s
Run-DMC – Peter Piper
Doug E Fresh & Ricky D – La Di Da Di
Beastie Boys – Paul Revere
Stetsasonic – Talking All That Jazz
Schooly D – P.S.K.
UTFO – Roxanne, Roxanne
Audio Two – Top Billin’
MC Lyte – Cram 2 Understand U
Big Daddy Kane – Raw
Boogie Down Productions – South Bronx
MC Shan – The Bridge
Juice Crew All Stars – The Symphony
Kool G Rap – Talk Like Sex
Eric B & Rakim – Eric B Is President
EPMD – It’s My Thing
Gang Starr – Code Of The Streets
Brand Nubian – Slow Down
Chill Rob G – Ride The Rhythm
Ice-T – 6 N The Morning
Public Enemy – Bring The Noise (or any song off Nations)
Plus like 50% of all singles from ‘90-’93:)
And what about songs like “Egyptian Lover” or De La’s “Me, Myslef and I”? Are they great, or just very influential? Tough list to make, for sure.
I think Ultramagnetic MC’s should be on anyone’s top 100
It’s not a bad list but there are a few massive tracks missing that some people have already said.
Dead Prez – Hip Hop
Big L – Ebonics
LL Cool J – Mama Said Knock You Out
Pharoahe Monch – Simon Says
M.O.P ft. Busta Rhymes etc. – Ante Up Remix
DJ Kool – Let Me Clear My Throat
Juice Crew – The Symphoney
Jay Z – 99 Problems
N.W.A – Express Yourself
Ice Cube – Amerikkka’s Most Wanted
Beastie Boys – Intergalactic
Basically any track from Illmatic and It Takes A Nation of Millions to hold us Back. And there are many Gangstarr tracks that could be mentioned.
Obviously it’s impossible to get one definitive list because everyone has their own opinions on the matter.
Just going to throw out a few tracks I feel should be included…
TROY – Pete Rock & CL Smooth
Fight The Power – Public Enemy
D’Evils – Jay Z
Juicy – Biggie
Dear Mama – 2Pac
I Need Love – LL Cool J
Mama Said Knock U Out – LL Cool J
Can It Be All So Simple – Wu Tang Clan
Sound Bwoy Burriel – Smif-n-Wessun
I Got Ya Opin – Black Moon
It Aint Hard To Tell – Nas
Live At The BBQ – Main Source feat. Nas
Gas Face – 3rd Bass
Aint No Half Steppin – Big Daddy Kane
Shut’Em Down – Public Enemy
Shook Ones pt 2 – Mobb Deep
Electric Relaxation – ATQC
Regrets – Jay Z
Hard Knock Life – Jay Z
Stan – Eminem
Slam – Onyx
Eric B 4 President – Eric B & Rakim
Crooklyn – Crooklyn Dodgers (Masta Ace, Buckshot, Special Ed)
I Got It Made – Special Ed
When Will They Shoot? – Ice Cube
Some of these songs are there based on just the impact they had alone i.e: Stan, Hard Knock Life…
word on dwyk!! cuz lemonade was a popular drink and it still is!!
I will agree that the VH1 list should be tossed in the trash,for the exception of a few joints.When I think of greastest,I dont think of the most heavily rotated songs to come out.The greastest to me is the joints that hip hop couldnt do without or the joints that can be put in your cd player right now and you would bump the shit out of it.A high percentage of some of the greastest,were’nt even commercial joints.There are alot of really good choices posted up so far. So Kev,I will try to compile a list and get back to you and the rest of the Nottingham Execs.
Flava In Ya Ear Remix…
Im thinkin’ this list is supposed to be top 100 *most important*, not best, or fav so here’s a few that I think had some of the biggest impacts
Aerosmith&Run DMC – Walk This Way: Honestly, this song started it for so many people, and it rocks.
Kanye West – Stronger: Look what this song has started! It’s opened up the doors for new genres and artist all over the place. Once again hiphop and music in general were redefined.
Common – I Used To Love H.E.R.: Most recognized? (and best?) hip-hop love song? Maybe, maybe not. But it sure ranks up there.
Dr.Dre&Snoop – Deep Cover/Nuthin’ but a “G” Thang: West Coast anyone?
Eminem – My Name Is: The song that made him a household name
The Game&50 Cent – Hate it or Love it: 50 put the game on with this song. (and not that it matters… but it’s a personal favorite)
Nas – One Mic: Look what you can do with just One Mic…
Nelly – Country Grammer: Midwest stand up!
Notorious B.I.G. – Juicy: Damn… one (the best?) rag to riches songs
Sir-Mix-a-Lot – Baby Got Back: Cultural phenomenon
2Pac – Changes
50 Cent – In Da Club
Puff Daddy&Faith Evans (ft 112) – I’ll Be Missing You
all of ready to die should be on there
a bit more snoop and ice cube, i mean boyz n the hood wasnt even there, bird in the hand, buggin out, and more
Wow, you guys are really helping out… for real. Got lots to go off. But some of these lists really are long. I should have asked, “What’s your Top 10?” Top 10, anyone?
Organized Konfusion “Stress”
Dilated Peoples “Work The Angles”
Jurassic 5 “Jayou”
Low Profile “Pay Ya Dues”
Lootpack “Weeded”
Tha Alkaholiks “Make Room”
Stezo “It’s My Turn”
My Top Ten…
Rebel Without A Pause – Public Enemy
Check The Rhyme – ATCQ
Who Got The Props – Black Moon
The Choice Is Yours – Black Sheep
Deep Cover – Dre & Snoop
I Ain’t No Joke – Eric B & Rakim
Protect Ya Neck – Wu Tang Clan
Can’t Knock The Hustle – Jay Z
The World Is Yours – Nas
Party & Bullshit – B.I.G.
Man, that was HARD!! I feel like I’m doing a disservice to about 50 other tracks…
#1 BDP – My Philosophy (Phil K knows what’s up) the rest in no particular order (but they are numbered)
#2 ATCQ – Check the Rhime
#3 Wu Tang Clan – Protect Ya Kneck
#4 MC Lyte – Cha Cha Cha (dopest female emcee ever in my opinion, she is sharp like a hanzo sword on this)
#5 Murs – Yesterday & Today
#6 Biz Markie – My Man Rich (sample by the jazz crusaders, incredible tribute record)
#7 Tupac – Lord Knows (Done lost too many niggaz to this gangbangin/Homies died in my arms, with his brains hangin, fucked up!/I had to tell him it was alright, and that’s a lie/and he knew it when he shook and died, my God)
#8 Run DMC – Peter Piper
#9 3rd Bass – Steppin’ To The A.M.
#10 Pete Rock & Cl Smooth – Straighten it Out
P.S.
11 – LL Cool J – Bad aka I’m Bad
12 – Digital Underground – The Humpty Dance
O shittt, wordd Mike, the Murs track Yesterday & Today is my fav of his along with Bad Man. nice job on adding it to the list.
no doubt Bmk… It’s a hard list to come up with but I feel Murs is one of the best out if not the best out today
Meth/Red “How High”
Redman “Time 4 Sum Aksion”
Method Man “Ice Cream”
KRS-One “Step Into A World”
Lost Boyz “Music Make Me High”
Lauryn Hill “Doo Wop (That Thing)”
mele mel- white lines (just one great track that hasnt been mentioned)