[Music] all throughout the decades this music
all throughout the decades this music
all throughout the decades this music genre has become known for its use of
genre has become known for its use of
genre has become known for its use of rhythm climbing sampling MC and DJ
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10
counting down our picks for the top 10
counting down our picks for the top 10 ultimate decade defining rap songs this
ultimate decade defining rap songs this
ultimate decade defining rap songs this is part of a series of videos from the
is part of a series of videos from the
is part of a series of videos from the birth of rap music – mm for this list
birth of rap music – mm for this list
birth of rap music – mm for this list we’re basing our choices on what we feel
we’re basing our choices on what we feel
we’re basing our choices on what we feel are the most iconic rap songs of the
are the most iconic rap songs of the
are the most iconic rap songs of the past decades based on a mix of their
past decades based on a mix of their
past decades based on a mix of their popularity commercial success production
popularity commercial success production
popularity commercial success production and lyrical quality and cultural impact
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
member 10 straight out of Compton NWA
member 10 straight out of Compton NWA [Music]
[Music]
[Music] the world didn’t know what hit them
the world didn’t know what hit them
the world didn’t know what hit them when nwa unleashed their debut record
when nwa unleashed their debut record
when nwa unleashed their debut record [Music]
[Music]
[Music] these guys were angry loud and had
these guys were angry loud and had
these guys were angry loud and had something to say as the lead single and
something to say as the lead single and
something to say as the lead single and title track from their first album
title track from their first album
title track from their first album Straight Outta Compton made it clear the
Straight Outta Compton made it clear the
Straight Outta Compton made it clear the members of NWA weren’t messing around
members of NWA weren’t messing around
members of NWA weren’t messing around [Music]
[Music]
[Music] well the police was equally raw and
well the police was equally raw and
well the police was equally raw and significant don’t give up
nothing was quite as forceful or
nothing was quite as forceful or powerful as this gangsta rap number
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] number nine hypnotize the notorious
number nine hypnotize the notorious
number nine hypnotize the notorious b.i.g
biggie smalls had already passed by the
biggie smalls had already passed by the time hypnotize reached number one but
time hypnotize reached number one but
time hypnotize reached number one but its impact has outlived the artist by a
its impact has outlived the artist by a
its impact has outlived the artist by a mile produced by Puff Daddy the two
mile produced by Puff Daddy the two
mile produced by Puff Daddy the two samples herb Alpert’s rise to achieve
samples herb Alpert’s rise to achieve
samples herb Alpert’s rise to achieve its cool chilled out 70s vibe biggie is
its cool chilled out 70s vibe biggie is
its cool chilled out 70s vibe biggie is at his best with lyrical references
at his best with lyrical references
at his best with lyrical references ranging from couture designers to Star
ranging from couture designers to Star
ranging from couture designers to Star Wars while Juicy Mo Money mo problems
Wars while Juicy Mo Money mo problems
Wars while Juicy Mo Money mo problems and it’s all about the Benjamins are
and it’s all about the Benjamins are
and it’s all about the Benjamins are also awesome tracks with Biggie’s top
also awesome tracks with Biggie’s top
also awesome tracks with Biggie’s top concerns with the mug from Derek’s
concerns with the mug from Derek’s
concerns with the mug from Derek’s retail it’s this platinum certified and
retail it’s this platinum certified and
retail it’s this platinum certified and grammy-nominated track that is one of
grammy-nominated track that is one of
grammy-nominated track that is one of the best examples of pure East Coast hip
the best examples of pure East Coast hip
the best examples of pure East Coast hip hop number eight in the club fitty cent
as the protege of Eminem and dr. Dre
as the protege of Eminem and dr. Dre audiences were expecting a lot from
audiences were expecting a lot from
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 feature in a drum beat pounding in
one feature in a drum beat pounding in
one feature in a drum beat pounding in the knife that works nicely with fitties
the knife that works nicely with fitties
the 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
[Music]
[Music] number seven shook ones part two Mobb
number seven shook ones part two Mobb
number seven shook ones part two Mobb Deep’s sequels are never as good as the
Deep’s sequels are never as good as the
Deep’s sequels are never as good as the originals think again this sequel to
originals think again this sequel to
originals think again this sequel to Mobb Deep’s promo single shook ones
Mobb Deep’s promo single shook ones
Mobb Deep’s promo single shook ones doesn’t only equal the original but
doesn’t only equal the original but
doesn’t only equal the original but betters it
betters it
betters it [Music]
part-2 may have fewer curse words but
part-2 may have fewer curse words but it’s undoubtedly a classic in East Coast
it’s undoubtedly a classic in East Coast
it’s undoubtedly a classic in East Coast and hardcore hip-hop turning loads of
and hardcore hip-hop turning loads of
and hardcore hip-hop turning loads of critical acclaim the lead single from
critical acclaim the lead single from
critical acclaim the lead single from the group sophomore effort is five and a
the group sophomore effort is five and a
the group sophomore effort is five and a half minutes of the Queensbridge duo’s
half minutes of the Queensbridge duo’s
half minutes of the Queensbridge duo’s finest hour
finest hour
finest hour [Music]
number six cream with artists like nas
number six cream with artists like nas common and Biggie referencing it in
common and Biggie referencing it in
common and Biggie referencing it in their own work this tune has to be one
their own work this tune has to be one
their own work this tune has to be one of the most influential rap songs out
of the most influential rap songs out
of the most influential rap songs out there life as a story certain be so
there life as a story certain be so
there life as a story certain be so rough
rough
rough we entered the wu-tang single is notable
we entered the wu-tang single is notable
we entered the wu-tang single is notable for memorable verses from Raekwon and
for memorable verses from Raekwon and
for memorable verses from Raekwon and inspect a deck about running the streets
inspect a deck about running the streets
inspect a deck about running the streets and prison life drinking beer
but it’s the course from Method Man that
but it’s the course from Method Man that won’t quit as he breaks down the meaning
won’t quit as he breaks down the meaning
won’t quit as he breaks down the meaning of Crete well method man’s duet with
of Crete well method man’s duet with
of Crete well method man’s duet with mary j blige i’ll be there for you
mary j blige i’ll be there for you
mary j blige i’ll be there for you you’re all i need to get by
you’re all i need to get by
you’re all i need to get by is also great it’s this whoo tang number
is also great it’s this whoo tang number
is also great it’s this whoo tang number that continues to be one of the group’s
that continues to be one of the group’s
that continues to be one of the group’s highest rated singles to date
highest rated singles to date
highest rated singles to date [Music]
number five nothing but a G thang dr.
number five nothing but a G thang dr. Dre featuring Snoop Dogg snoop doggy
Dre featuring Snoop Dogg snoop doggy
Dre featuring Snoop Dogg snoop doggy dogg and dr. dre is that self– Snoop
dogg and dr. dre is that self– Snoop
dogg and dr. dre is that self– Snoop Doggy Dogg later made his mark with the
Doggy Dogg later made his mark with the
Doggy Dogg later made his mark with the solo hit gin and juice with so much
solo hit gin and juice with so much
solo hit gin and juice with so much drama in the LBC we picked this 1992
drama in the LBC we picked this 1992
drama in the LBC we picked this 1992 collaboration with dr. Dre for this list
collaboration with dr. Dre for this list
collaboration with dr. Dre for this list why it’s like it’s like betting like
why it’s like it’s like betting like
why it’s like it’s like betting like this West Coast hip-hop single has a
this West Coast hip-hop single has a
this West Coast hip-hop single has a sound many have tried to replicate
sound many have tried to replicate
sound many have tried to replicate success it has all the elements our rap
success it has all the elements our rap
success it has all the elements our rap song shit contains including a smooth
song shit contains including a smooth
song shit contains including a smooth beat a life manifesto and a code of the
beat a life manifesto and a code of the
beat a life manifesto and a code of the streets what a hell of five gangsta
streets what a hell of five gangsta
streets what a hell of five gangsta leave getting funky on the mic like a
leave getting funky on the mic like a
leave getting funky on the mic like a hole that’s italic green it’s the
hole that’s italic green it’s the
hole that’s italic green it’s the capital S so yes for fresher devil okay
capital S so yes for fresher devil okay
capital S so yes for fresher devil okay do GG YPO GG estate thanks to Dre’s
do GG YPO GG estate thanks to Dre’s
do GG YPO GG estate thanks to Dre’s production talents Snoop Dogg’s guest
production talents Snoop Dogg’s guest
production talents Snoop Dogg’s guest vocals and so much more nothing but a G
vocals and so much more nothing but a G
vocals and so much more nothing but a G thang was the chronics highest charting
thang was the chronics highest charting
thang was the chronics highest charting entry and continues to live on in
entry and continues to live on in
entry and continues to live on in popular culture today do see no one can
popular culture today do see no one can
popular culture today do see no one can do a better like this
number four lose yourself Eminem his
number four 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 this song is
already mom’s spaghetti this song is
already mom’s spaghetti this song is arguably one of the best rap anthems of
arguably one of the best rap anthems of
arguably one of the best rap anthems of all time but he keeps on forgetting what
all time but he keeps on forgetting what
all time but he keeps on forgetting what he wrote down Eminem is at his Ross and
he wrote down Eminem is at his Ross and
he wrote down Eminem is at his Ross and most personal and while this follows
most personal and while this follows
most personal and while this follows along the same vein as his earlier hit
along the same vein as his earlier hit
along the same vein as his earlier hit stance anyways the whole fitness man hit
stance anyways the whole fitness man hit
stance anyways the whole fitness man hit me back to the tech over yours the
me back to the tech over yours the
me back to the tech over yours the biggest fan sustained its lose yourself
biggest fan sustained its lose yourself
biggest fan sustained its lose yourself that’s made it here it’s simply one of
that’s made it here it’s simply one of
that’s made it here it’s simply one of the best lyrical descriptions of the
the best lyrical descriptions of the
the best lyrical descriptions of the feeling of battling for something and
feeling of battling for something and
feeling of battling for something and being ready to triumph over the
being ready to triumph over the
being ready to triumph over the naysayers
naysayers
naysayers [Music]
the song also received five Grammy nods
the song also received five Grammy nods and won an Oscar becoming the first rap
and won an Oscar becoming the first rap
and won an Oscar becoming the first rap song to do so number three paid in full
song to do so number three paid in full
song to do so number three paid in full Eric B and rock him pump up the volume
Eric B and rock him pump up the volume
Eric B and rock him pump up the volume pump up the volume as exhibited in songs
pump up the volume as exhibited in songs
pump up the volume as exhibited in songs like microphone fiend the mic is a dream
like microphone fiend the mic is a dream
like microphone fiend the mic is a dream no volcanoes erupted in this duo is
no volcanoes erupted in this duo is
no volcanoes erupted in this duo is comprised of two of the best rappers and
comprised of two of the best rappers and
comprised of two of the best rappers and lyricists in the game thinking of a
lyricists in the game thinking of a
lyricists in the game thinking of a master plan this ain’t nothing but sweat
master plan this ain’t nothing but sweat
master plan this ain’t nothing but sweat inside my hand so I take it to my pocket
inside my hand so I take it to my pocket
inside my hand so I take it to my pocket all my money’s spent so I should default
all my money’s spent so I should default
all my money’s spent so I should default still coming up however it’s paid in
still coming up however it’s paid in
still coming up however it’s paid in full that’s the best calling card for
full that’s the best calling card for
full that’s the best calling card for Eric B and Rakim dance I need morning I
Eric B and Rakim dance I need morning I
Eric B and Rakim dance I need morning I used to be a stick-up kid so I think of
used to be a stick-up kid so I think of
used to be a stick-up kid so I think of all the baby of things that did it’s
all the baby of things that did it’s
all the baby of things that did it’s complex the wordplay is on point and its
complex the wordplay is on point and its
complex the wordplay is on point and its content is relatable on top of all that
content is relatable on top of all that
content is relatable on top of all that it has a Stancil beat a pen and a paper
it has a Stancil beat a pen and a paper
it has a Stancil beat a pen and a paper a stereo at eight ball me and Eric being
a stereo at eight ball me and Eric being
a stereo at eight ball me and Eric being like big plate of spit which is my
like big plate of spit which is my
like big plate of spit which is my favorite dish the money is still no
favorite dish the money is still no
favorite dish the money is still no waste then there’s the cold cut remix
waste then there’s the cold cut remix
waste then there’s the cold cut remix known as seven minutes of madness which
known as seven minutes of madness which
known as seven minutes of madness which propels the twosome to chart success in
propels the twosome to chart success in
propels the twosome to chart success in Germany the Netherlands and the UK pump
Germany the Netherlands and the UK pump
Germany the Netherlands and the UK pump up the volume pump up the volume
up the volume pump up the volume
up the volume pump up the volume wait a minute you better talk to my
wait a minute you better talk to my
wait a minute you better talk to my mother
mother
mother [Music]
[Music]
[Music] number two California love Tupac
number two California love Tupac
number two California love Tupac featuring dr. Dre and Roger Troutman
featuring dr. Dre and Roger Troutman
featuring dr. Dre and Roger Troutman [Music]
[Music]
[Music] Hawk showed that being locked up didn’t
Hawk showed that being locked up didn’t
Hawk showed that being locked up didn’t slow him down with this singles that was
slow him down with this singles that was
slow him down with this singles that was his first release after his stint in
his first release after his stint in
his first release after his stint in jail this ode to California has Tupac
jail this ode to California has Tupac
jail this ode to California has Tupac spitting about the superiority of his
spitting about the superiority of his
spitting about the superiority of his adopted home laid-back vibe and beat are
adopted home laid-back vibe and beat are
adopted home laid-back vibe and beat are so infectious that listeners can’t help
so infectious that listeners can’t help
so infectious that listeners can’t help but imagine the perfect California
but imagine the perfect California
but imagine the perfect California [Music]
[Music]
[Music] whereas if the song became a
whereas if the song became a
whereas if the song became a chart-topping hit and was honored with a
chart-topping hit and was honored with a
chart-topping hit and was honored with a posthumous Grammy nomination making it
posthumous Grammy nomination making it
posthumous Grammy nomination making it the biggest hit of the rapper’s career
the biggest hit of the rapper’s career
the biggest hit of the rapper’s career [Music]
before we unveil our picked for ultimate
before we unveil our picked for ultimate decade defining rap song of all time
decade defining rap song of all time
decade defining rap song of all time here are a few honorable mentions
[Music]
[Music] number one the message Grandmaster Flash
number one the message Grandmaster Flash
number one the message Grandmaster Flash and the Furious no toys this
and the Furious no toys this
and the Furious no toys this groundbreaking song opened doors for the
groundbreaking song opened doors for the
groundbreaking song opened doors for the hip-hop genre by using music as a way
hip-hop genre by using music as a way
hip-hop genre by using music as a way for the underrepresented to get their
for the underrepresented to get their
for the underrepresented to get their stories out there it’s strong social
stories out there it’s strong social
stories out there it’s strong social message showed the world what it was
message showed the world what it was
message showed the world what it was really like living in the ghetto a hard
really like living in the ghetto a hard
really like living in the ghetto a hard place with little opportunity and
place with little opportunity and
place with little opportunity and inspired countless musical acts
inspired countless musical acts
inspired countless musical acts thereafter in addition to placing more
thereafter in addition to placing more
thereafter in addition to placing more importance on the rappers as opposed to
importance on the rappers as opposed to
importance on the rappers as opposed to the DJ it’s like a jungle sometimes it
the DJ it’s like a jungle sometimes it
the DJ it’s like a jungle sometimes it makes me wonder how I keep from going
makes me wonder how I keep from going
makes me wonder how I keep from going under
under
under the Grandmaster Flash and the Furious
the Grandmaster Flash and the Furious
the Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five tune is also considered one of
Five tune is also considered one of
Five tune is also considered one of hip-hop’s finest tracks ever colicare
hip-hop’s finest tracks ever colicare
hip-hop’s finest tracks ever colicare water park all this crazy afterthought
water park all this crazy afterthought
water park all this crazy afterthought keep my hand on my gun cuz they got me
keep my hand on my gun cuz they got me
keep my hand on my gun cuz they got me on the run
on the run
on the run I feel like an outlaw brought my last
I feel like an outlaw brought my last
I feel like an outlaw brought my last pass y’all hear them say you want some
pass y’all hear them say you want some
pass y’all hear them say you want some more honest with me do you agree with
more honest with me do you agree with
more honest with me do you agree with our list what’s your favorite rap song
our list what’s your favorite rap song
our list what’s your favorite rap song of all time everybody more can’t miss
of all time everybody more can’t miss
of all time everybody more can’t miss top 10s published every day be sure to
top 10s published every day be sure to
top 10s published every day be sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com
subscribe to watchmojo.com
subscribe to watchmojo.com [Music]
”
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