Rap's greatest tracks span four decades of innovation, storytelling, and cultural shifts that still shape music today. From old-school party starters to modern anthems, these songs represent the genre's highest achievements in lyricism, production, and influence. Vote to rank them and help settle the debate.
What counts: Best means enduring impact, critical acclaim, chart success, and cultural staying power; figures are approximate round numbers.
Lose Yourself▲ Rising
Eminem's 2002 Oscar-winning single captured the hunger of an underdog chasing one shot at greatness. Its relentless beat and internal rhymes set a new standard for motivational rap. The track's placement in 8 Mile cemented its legacy as the ultimate underdog anthem.
Year: 2002Album: 8 MileBillboard Peak: 1 #Grammy Noms: 2Impact: 9.7/10
added by IJRin 3 rankingsLose Yourself
Sugarhill Gang's 1979 track introduced rap to mainstream America with its infectious 15-minute groove. It turned a Bronx party style into a global commercial force almost overnight. The song's storytelling verses remain the blueprint for party rap.
Year: 1979Album: Sugarhill GangBillboard Peak: 36 #Grammy Noms: 0Impact: 9.8/10
added by IJRRapper's Delight
Public Enemy delivered a fiery call to action that became the soundtrack for Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing and a generation's resistance. Chuck D's commanding delivery and the Bomb Squad's dense production created an urgent masterpiece. It remains the benchmark for politically charged rap.
Year: 1989Album: Fear of a Black PlanetBillboard Peak: 20 #Grammy Noms: 0Impact: 9.4/10
added by IJRin 2 rankingsFight the Power
Hotline Bling▲ Rising
Drake turned a simple phone-call concept into a global dance phenomenon and meme generator in 2015. The minimalist production and vulnerable delivery made emotional rap accessible. It proved rap could dominate pop culture through melody and mood.
Year: 2015Album: ViewsBillboard Peak: 2 #Grammy Noms: 2Impact: 8.9/10
added by IJRin 2 rankingsHotline Bling
Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg's 1992 single defined G-funk with its smooth synths and laid-back West Coast vibe. It introduced Snoop's signature flow to the world and shifted rap's center of gravity. The track became the sound of early 90s California.
Year: 1992Album: The ChronicBillboard Peak: 2 #Grammy Noms: 1Impact: 9.3/10
added by IJRNuthin' but a 'G' Thang
Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five painted a gritty portrait of 1980s urban struggle that shifted rap from party music to social commentary. Its iconic "Don't push me" hook became a protest staple. The track proved rap could carry serious weight.
Year: 1982Album: The MessageBillboard Peak: 62 #Grammy Noms: 0Impact: 9.6/10
added by IJRThe Message
Notorious B.I.G. turned his own rise from Brooklyn hustler to star into an aspirational classic on his 1994 debut. The Pete Rock sample and triumphant verses made it the ultimate rags-to-riches rap story. It remains the gold standard for comeback narratives.
Year: 1994Album: Ready to DieBillboard Peak: 27 #Grammy Noms: 0Impact: 9.5/10
added by IJRJuicy
2Pac and Dr. Dre fused West Coast G-funk with an anthemic hook that celebrated the entire region. Released after Tupac's prison release, it became an instant celebration of resilience and coastal pride. The song's massive video and radio dominance made it a defining 90s moment.
Year: 1995Album: All Eyez on MeBillboard Peak: 1 #Grammy Noms: 1Impact: 9.3/10
added by IJRCalifornia Love
Jay-Z and Alicia Keys created the ultimate New York anthem that turned a local love letter into a worldwide stadium staple. The soaring chorus and vivid city imagery captured urban ambition. It became the unofficial theme song for the city itself.
Year: 2009Album: The Blueprint 3Billboard Peak: 1 #Grammy Noms: 1Impact: 9/10
added by IJREmpire State of Mind
Vanilla Ice's 1990 hit brought rap to pop radio with its instantly recognizable bassline and catchy chorus. It became the first rap single to top the Billboard Hot 100. The track proved rap's commercial potential even when delivered by an unlikely messenger.
Year: 1990Album: To the ExtremeBillboard Peak: 1 #Grammy Noms: 0Impact: 8.2/10
added by IJRIce Ice Baby
MC Hammer brought rap into suburban households with his 1990 dance phenomenon built on a massive Rick James sample. The flashy video and unforgettable hook made rap fun for mainstream audiences. It remains the most commercially successful dance-rap crossover of its time.
Year: 1990Album: Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'EmBillboard Peak: 1 #Grammy Noms: 2Impact: 8.7/10
added by IJRU Can't Touch This
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince brought lighthearted, family-friendly rap to mainstream audiences in 1988 with relatable teen humor. The track's storytelling and clean image made rap accessible to suburban households. It won rap's first Grammy and broadened the genre's appeal.
Year: 1988Album: He's the DJ, I'm the RapperBillboard Peak: 12 #Grammy Noms: 1Impact: 8.4/10
added by IJRParents Just Don't Understand
Eminem crafted a dark narrative masterpiece about an obsessed fan that showcased his storytelling range. The Dido sample and epistolary structure created a mini-film in song form. It elevated rap's capacity for psychological drama.
Year: 2000Album: The Marshall Mathers LPBillboard Peak: 51 #Grammy Noms: 0Impact: 9.4/10
added by IJRin 3 rankingsstan
Kendrick Lamar turned a simple affirmation into a Black Lives Matter-era anthem with jazz-infused production and hopeful resilience. The song's live performances at protests cemented its activist status. It proved rap could soundtrack social movements.
Year: 2015Album: To Pimp a ButterflyBillboard Peak: 14 #Grammy Noms: 1Impact: 9.2/10
added by IJRin 3 rankingsAlright
Travis Scott's 2018 hit featured multiple beat switches and high-profile features that showcased the new era of rap production. The track's chaotic energy and festival dominance defined trap's mainstream peak. It became a generational party anthem.
Year: 2018Album: AstroworldBillboard Peak: 1 #Grammy Noms: 1Impact: 8.6/10
added by IJRSicko Mode
Sir Mix-a-Lot celebrated body positivity with a humorous, bass-heavy anthem that became a cultural phenomenon in 1992. The track's playful energy and memorable hook made it a party staple. It remains one of rap's most enduring comedic hits.
Year: 1992Album: Mack DaddyBillboard Peak: 1 #Grammy Noms: 1Impact: 8.3/10
added by IJRBaby Got Back
Lil Nas X fused country and rap into a record-breaking phenomenon that dominated 2019 charts for months. The remix with Billy Ray Cyrus expanded its crossover appeal. It proved genre boundaries no longer limited rap's reach.
Year: 2019Album: 7Billboard Peak: 1 #Grammy Noms: 1Impact: 8.5/10
added by IJRin 4 rankingsOld Town Road
HUMBLE.
Kendrick Lamar's 2017 lead single combined booming 808s with sharp social critique and became his first Billboard Hot 100 number one. The minimalist beat and commanding flow proved conscious rap could top charts. It marked a commercial peak for lyric-driven rap.
Year: 2017Album: DAMN.Billboard Peak: 1 #Grammy Noms: 1Impact: 9.1/10
added by IJR
God's Plan▼ Falling
Drake's 2018 single combined melodic introspection with massive streaming numbers and charitable giving that amplified its positive message. The minimalist beat allowed his vulnerable delivery to shine. It became one of the most streamed songs in rap history.
Year: 2018Album: ScorpionBillboard Peak: 1 #Grammy Noms: 1Impact: 8.8/10
added by IJRin 2 rankingsGod's Plan
Eminem returned with a cocky, pop-friendly single in 2002 that mocked his critics while delivering massive hooks. The track's self-referential humor and catchy chorus made it one of his most radio-friendly hits. It showed his ability to balance controversy with commercial appeal.
Year: 2002Album: The Eminem ShowBillboard Peak: 2 #Grammy Noms: 1Impact: 8.8/10
added by IJRin 2 rankingsWithout Me
Eminem's 1999 debut single introduced his Slim Shady persona with dark humor and rapid-fire wordplay that shocked the industry. Dr. Dre's bouncy beat gave the shocking lyrics mainstream appeal. The track launched one of rap's biggest careers.
Year: 1999Album: The Slim Shady LPBillboard Peak: 36 #Grammy Noms: 1Impact: 9.2/10
added by IJRin 2 rankingsMy Name Is
Regulate▼ Falling
Warren G and Nate Dogg's 1994 duet created a smooth G-funk classic about friendship and survival on the streets. The song's narrative structure and melodic chorus became a template for West Coast duets. It remains a staple of 90s rap storytelling.
Year: 1994Album: Regulate... G Funk EraBillboard Peak: 2 #Grammy Noms: 0Impact: 8.6/10
added by IJRRegulate
Wu-Tang Clan's 1993 track delivered gritty tales of poverty and ambition over RZA's haunting production. The song's raw honesty and group dynamic helped define the gritty East Coast sound of the 90s. It remains the gold standard for street rap narratives.
Year: 1993Album: Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)Billboard Peak: —Grammy Noms: 0Impact: 9/10
added by IJRC.R.E.A.M.
Forgot About Dre▼ Falling
Dr. Dre and Eminem's 1999 track served as a victory lap after The Chronic's influence, with sharp verses over a menacing beat. It reminded the industry of Dre's production dominance. The song became a staple of West Coast bravado.
Year: 1999Album: 2001Billboard Peak: 25 #Grammy Noms: 1Impact: 8.9/10
added by IJRForgot About Dre
It Was a Good Day▼ Falling
Ice Cube painted a perfect day in South Central LA with vivid storytelling that contrasted his usual aggressive style. The smooth Isley Brothers sample created a laid-back West Coast classic. The track showed rap's ability to capture everyday joy.
Year: 1992Album: The PredatorBillboard Peak: 15 #Grammy Noms: 0Impact: 8.7/10
added by IJRIt Was a Good Day
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The criteria line matters here. Read it before you vote or you're arguing about a different list.
Lose Yourself at the top is the correct call and I'll die on this hill.
Wild that Lose Yourself is winning this. Scroll down — the real answer is further down the board.
Somebody explain the Lose Yourself votes to me. Genuinely. I want to understand.