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Top 10 Decade Defining Rap Songs of the 2000s


this decade continued with the

this decade continued with the diversification of styles and hip-hop

diversification of styles and hip-hop

diversification of styles and hip-hop such as crunk snap and alternative and

such as crunk snap and alternative and

such as crunk snap and alternative and saw an increase in its mainstream

saw an increase in its mainstream

saw an increase in its mainstream popularity around the world welcome to

popularity around the world welcome to

popularity around the world welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting

watchmojo.com and today we’re counting

watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top ten rap songs

down our picks for the top ten rap songs

down our picks for the top ten rap songs of the 2000s this is part of a series of

of the 2000s this is part of a series of

of the 2000s this is part of a series of videos from the birth of rap music – mm

videos from the birth of rap music – mm

videos from the birth of rap music – mm for this list we’re choosing what we

for this list we’re choosing what we

for this list we’re choosing what we feel are the most iconic rap songs of

feel are the most iconic rap songs of

feel are the most iconic rap songs of the decade based on a mix of their

the decade based on a mix of their

the decade based on a mix of their popularity commercial success production

popularity commercial success production

popularity commercial success production and lyrical quality and cultural impact

and lyrical quality and cultural impact

and lyrical quality and cultural impact so here go my single dog radio nice

so here go my single dog radio nice

so here go my single dog radio nice anything except with

anything except with

anything except with it’s gone number 10 get your freak on

it’s gone number 10 get your freak on

it’s gone number 10 get your freak on Missy misdemeanor Elliott Mississippi

Missy misdemeanor Elliott Mississippi

Missy misdemeanor Elliott Mississippi putting it down on the hottest gram

putting it down on the hottest gram

putting it down on the hottest gram y’all can stop me now

y’all can stop me now

y’all can stop me now with an insane beat that borrows from an

with an insane beat that borrows from an

with an insane beat that borrows from an Indian musical style called Bhangra get

Indian musical style called Bhangra get

Indian musical style called Bhangra get your freak on translated well with

your freak on translated well with

your freak on translated well with international audiences and various

international audiences and various

international audiences and various commercial projects the song’s message

commercial projects the song’s message

commercial projects the song’s message celebrates dancing with abandon and

celebrates dancing with abandon and

celebrates dancing with abandon and having a good time Missy rapping about

having a good time Missy rapping about

having a good time Missy rapping about letting her freak flag fly in addition

letting her freak flag fly in addition

letting her freak flag fly in addition to reaching the seventh spot on the

to reaching the seventh spot on the

to reaching the seventh spot on the Billboard Hot 100 the track also earned

Billboard Hot 100 the track also earned

Billboard Hot 100 the track also earned Elliott her first solo top ten in the UK

[Music]

[Music] [Applause]

number nine what you know TI

number nine what you know TI [Music]

[Music]

[Music] a zoo

was as the theme song to the movie ATL

was as the theme song to the movie ATL this hip-hop and trap track became much

this hip-hop and trap track became much

this hip-hop and trap track became much bigger than the film

[Applause]

[Applause] [Music]

[Music]

[Music] but you going back

but you going back

but you going back boasting a catchy hook and chorus what

boasting a catchy hook and chorus what

boasting a catchy hook and chorus what you know also has TI calling out

you know also has TI calling out

you know also has TI calling out wannabes and pretend gangsta

at the time of its release he was

at the time of its release he was actually fairly new to the scene so his

actually fairly new to the scene so his

actually fairly new to the scene so his attitude and delivery make him both

attitude and delivery make him both

attitude and delivery make him both intimidating and powerful as they showed

intimidating and powerful as they showed

intimidating and powerful as they showed he wasn’t afraid of the big dog also

he wasn’t afraid of the big dog also

he wasn’t afraid of the big dog also found on his fourth effort the double

found on his fourth effort the double

found on his fourth effort the double platinum-certified song won him a Grammy

platinum-certified song won him a Grammy

platinum-certified song won him a Grammy for Best Rap solo performance

but you know

[Music]

[Music] number eight a milli ez is one of the

number eight a milli ez is one of the

number eight a milli ez is one of the most prolific rappers of the early 21st

most prolific rappers of the early 21st

most prolific rappers of the early 21st century and this song is his calling

century and this song is his calling

century and this song is his calling card nothing back and goes hard over an

card nothing back and goes hard over an

card nothing back and goes hard over an addictive okay you’re at gobo what’s

addictive okay you’re at gobo what’s

addictive okay you’re at gobo what’s that going to work his wordplay is at

that going to work his wordplay is at

that going to work his wordplay is at its best as evidenced by a Milly’s many

its best as evidenced by a Milly’s many

its best as evidenced by a Milly’s many quotable lines like Vijay in 2004 being

quotable lines like Vijay in 2004 being

quotable lines like Vijay in 2004 being included on the Carter 3 the track

included on the Carter 3 the track

included on the Carter 3 the track appeared on multiple mixtapes and one

appeared on multiple mixtapes and one

appeared on multiple mixtapes and one low wane a Grammy at the award ceremony

low wane a Grammy at the award ceremony

low wane a Grammy at the award ceremony held in 2009 their match don’t you

held in 2009 their match don’t you

held in 2009 their match don’t you completely cut the angle by the name

completely cut the angle by the name

completely cut the angle by the name Adele seen it

Adele seen it

Adele seen it generally they don’t feel me but they

generally they don’t feel me but they

generally they don’t feel me but they fear me I’m la number seven the light

fear me I’m la number seven the light

fear me I’m la number seven the light common

common

common [Music]

[Music]

[Music] as a socially conscious rapper comment

as a socially conscious rapper comment

as a socially conscious rapper comment is always at the top of the game

personal track explores his love for his

personal track explores his love for his girlfriend at the time we decide to

girlfriend at the time we decide to

girlfriend at the time we decide to Senate signed sealed delivered for us to

Senate signed sealed delivered for us to

Senate signed sealed delivered for us to grow together the song is much more

grow together the song is much more

grow together the song is much more sensitive and woman centered than most

sensitive and woman centered than most

sensitive and woman centered than most hip-hop Tunes marking it as one of the

hip-hop Tunes marking it as one of the

hip-hop Tunes marking it as one of the true and best love songs from the genre

true and best love songs from the genre

true and best love songs from the genre I want to be the one to make the light

I want to be the one to make the light

I want to be the one to make the light also cemented Commons place in the

also cemented Commons place in the

also cemented Commons place in the industry

industry

industry earning him a Grammy nomination and his

earning him a Grammy nomination and his

earning him a Grammy nomination and his highest charting entry on the Billboard

highest charting entry on the Billboard

highest charting entry on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 44

Hot 100 at number 44

Hot 100 at number 44 [Music]

check out the Ludacris never let his

check out the Ludacris never let his southern upbringing stop him from making

southern upbringing stop him from making

southern upbringing stop him from making a splash in the East versus West Coast

a splash in the East versus West Coast

a splash in the East versus West Coast dominated scene help from The Neptunes

dominated scene help from The Neptunes

dominated scene help from The Neptunes and several other producers he brought

and several other producers he brought

and several other producers he brought southern rap to the forefront and this

southern rap to the forefront and this

southern rap to the forefront and this particular song serves as an anthem for

particular song serves as an anthem for

particular song serves as an anthem for the sound loud catchy and in your face

the sound loud catchy and in your face

the sound loud catchy and in your face and has Luda rapping about where he’s

and has Luda rapping about where he’s

and has Luda rapping about where he’s from southern hospitality was also

from southern hospitality was also

from southern hospitality was also accompanied by a memorable music video

accompanied by a memorable music video

accompanied by a memorable music video featuring some of his now signature

featuring some of his now signature

featuring some of his now signature dance move number five gold digger Kanye

dance move number five gold digger Kanye

dance move number five gold digger Kanye West featuring Jamie Foxx well we could

West featuring Jamie Foxx well we could

West featuring Jamie Foxx well we could have called out Jesus walks

have called out Jesus walks

have called out Jesus walks guys so my way because it’s on a

guys so my way because it’s on a

guys so my way because it’s on a breaking through the wires over yo MTV

breaking through the wires over yo MTV

breaking through the wires over yo MTV and I ain’t trying to make a ban I swear

and I ain’t trying to make a ban I swear

and I ain’t trying to make a ban I swear this right here just be in the make your

this right here just be in the make your

this right here just be in the make your name

name

name or stronger it’s this track more than

or stronger it’s this track more than

or stronger it’s this track more than any other Kanye song that really had an

any other Kanye song that really had an

any other Kanye song that really had an impact in pop culture after it

impact in pop culture after it

impact in pop culture after it infiltrated the airwaves easy to see why

infiltrated the airwaves easy to see why

infiltrated the airwaves easy to see why gold digger has a playful beat a catchy

gold digger has a playful beat a catchy

gold digger has a playful beat a catchy chorus and its subject matter is

chorus and its subject matter is

chorus and its subject matter is something we’re all familiar with

something we’re all familiar with

something we’re all familiar with Hyundai she was supposed to find his

Hyundai she was supposed to find his

Hyundai she was supposed to find his shorty tight go with your money she went

shorty tight go with your money she went

shorty tight go with your money she went to the Gothic at night pollution bunny

to the Gothic at night pollution bunny

to the Gothic at night pollution bunny Jamie Foxx’s pruning and the use of a

Jamie Foxx’s pruning and the use of a

Jamie Foxx’s pruning and the use of a Ray Charles sample give it that bluesy

Ray Charles sample give it that bluesy

Ray Charles sample give it that bluesy feel and hair oh so nicely with Kanye’s

feel and hair oh so nicely with Kanye’s

feel and hair oh so nicely with Kanye’s run it also spent ten weeks on the top

run it also spent ten weeks on the top

run it also spent ten weeks on the top of the Billboard charts and sold over

of the Billboard charts and sold over

of the Billboard charts and sold over three million copies

three million copies

three million copies [Music]

[Music]

[Music] number four miss Jackson Outkast this

number four miss Jackson Outkast this

number four miss Jackson Outkast this tune has grown to be one of outcasts

tune has grown to be one of outcasts

tune has grown to be one of outcasts most popular hits and serves as a

most popular hits and serves as a

most popular hits and serves as a signature for their funky sound along

signature for their funky sound along

signature for their funky sound along with other notable tracks like b.o.b

yeah

yeah [Music]

[Music]

[Music] [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] originally starting off as an acoustic

originally starting off as an acoustic

originally starting off as an acoustic number miss Jackson was turned into an

number miss Jackson was turned into an

number miss Jackson was turned into an alternative hip-hop tracks after Andre

alternative hip-hop tracks after Andre

alternative hip-hop tracks after Andre 3000 thought this would make it easier

3000 thought this would make it easier

3000 thought this would make it easier for an audience to connect with directed

for an audience to connect with directed

for an audience to connect with directed to the mother of his ex-girlfriend

to the mother of his ex-girlfriend

to the mother of his ex-girlfriend Erykah Badu it went on to top the hot

Erykah Badu it went on to top the hot

Erykah Badu it went on to top the hot 100 and when the duo a Grammy for Best

100 and when the duo a Grammy for Best

100 and when the duo a Grammy for Best Rap performance number three in two club

Rap performance number three in two club

Rap performance number three in two club fitty cent as the protege of Eminem and

fitty cent as the protege of Eminem and

fitty cent as the protege of Eminem and dr. Dre audiences were expecting a lot

dr. Dre audiences were expecting a lot

dr. Dre audiences were expecting a lot from fitty with his commercial debut

luckily he more than delivered this

luckily he more than delivered this track was his first single and an

track was his first single and an

track was his first single and an instant success selling over 2 million

instant success selling over 2 million

instant success selling over 2 million copies and hitting the charts at number

copies and hitting the charts at number

copies and hitting the charts at number one being a drumbeat pounding in the

one being a drumbeat pounding in the

one being a drumbeat pounding in the knife that works nicely with fitties

knife that works nicely with fitties

knife that works nicely with fitties gruff vocals into clubs lyrics call for

gruff vocals into clubs lyrics call for

gruff vocals into clubs lyrics call for a celebration just try to find one music

a celebration just try to find one music

a celebration just try to find one music fan who hasn’t heard this song it’s

fan who hasn’t heard this song it’s

fan who hasn’t heard this song it’s virtually impossible

you having girl problems that feel bad

you having girl problems that feel bad for you son

for you son

for you son number 2 99 problems jay-z even to this

number 2 99 problems jay-z even to this

number 2 99 problems jay-z even to this day this song continues to be used to

day this song continues to be used to

day this song continues to be used to parody countless situations when you

parody countless situations when you

parody countless situations when you have a strong hook like this jay-z

have a strong hook like this jay-z

have a strong hook like this jay-z number does it’s not surprising that

number does it’s not surprising that

number does it’s not surprising that it’s become an earworm for the masses

it’s become an earworm for the masses

it’s become an earworm for the masses [Music]

he’s borrowed the hook and chorus from

he’s borrowed the hook and chorus from ice-t single of the same name but he

ice-t single of the same name but he

ice-t single of the same name but he improved upon the original by giving it

improved upon the original by giving it

improved upon the original by giving it a rock influenced the beat produced by

a rock influenced the beat produced by

a rock influenced the beat produced by Rick Rubin with Jay telling the story of

Rick Rubin with Jay telling the story of

Rick Rubin with Jay telling the story of how he came up from the streets 99

how he came up from the streets 99

how he came up from the streets 99 problems is as political as it is catchy

big pimping may have reached higher on

big pimping may have reached higher on the charts but it’s this single from the

the charts but it’s this single from the

the charts but it’s this single from the black album that’s got us hooked

[Music]

[Music] before we unveil our number one pick

before we unveil our number one pick

before we unveil our number one pick here are a few honorable mentions we get

here are a few honorable mentions we get

here are a few honorable mentions we get the backyard the yard I sell it with one

the backyard the yard I sell it with one

the backyard the yard I sell it with one big ice off the heart I’m the

big ice off the heart I’m the

big ice off the heart I’m the neighborhood push up call me subwoofer

neighborhood push up call me subwoofer

neighborhood push up call me subwoofer cuz I punk bitch like that

number one lose yourself eminem his

number one lose yourself eminem his palms are sweaty knees weak arms are

palms are sweaty knees weak arms are

palms are sweaty knees weak arms are heavy there’s vomit on his sweater

heavy there’s vomit on his sweater

heavy there’s vomit on his sweater already mom’s spaghetti

already mom’s spaghetti

already mom’s spaghetti this song is arguably one of the best

this song is arguably one of the best

this song is arguably one of the best rap anthems of all time but he keeps on

rap anthems of all time but he keeps on

rap anthems of all time but he keeps on forgetting what he wrote down Eminem is

forgetting what he wrote down Eminem is

forgetting what he wrote down Eminem is at his Ross and most personal and while

at his Ross and most personal and while

at his Ross and most personal and while this follows along the same vein as his

this follows along the same vein as his

this follows along the same vein as his earlier hits dance anyways the hope you

earlier hits dance anyways the hope you

earlier hits dance anyways the hope you did this man hit me back as the tech so

did this man hit me back as the tech so

did this man hit me back as the tech so the doors the biggest fan it’s bad it’s

the doors the biggest fan it’s bad it’s

the doors the biggest fan it’s bad it’s lose yourself

lose yourself

lose yourself that tops our list

[Music]

[Music] why it’s simply one of the best lyrical

why it’s simply one of the best lyrical

why it’s simply one of the best lyrical descriptions of the feeling of battling

descriptions of the feeling of battling

descriptions of the feeling of battling for something and being ready to triumph

for something and being ready to triumph

for something and being ready to triumph over the naysayers song also received

over the naysayers song also received

over the naysayers song also received five Grammy nods and won an Oscar

five Grammy nods and won an Oscar

five Grammy nods and won an Oscar becoming the first rap song to do so

becoming the first rap song to do so

becoming the first rap song to do so [Music]

[Music]

[Music] do you agree with our list which

do you agree with our list which

do you agree with our list which early-2000s rap song is your favorite

the universe

the universe more classic top 10s published every day

more classic top 10s published every day

more classic top 10s published every day be sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com

”

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