Top 25 Rap Songs

Rap music is a musical genre started in New York around the early 1970s. Over the years, rap has grown to be a powerhouse. Rap music can be seen in commercials and various other forms of entertainment. Rap has grown by leaps and bounds within its own culture, both on the East and West coasts. Here is a look at the 25 greatest rap songs.

The 1980s:

1.) "Rappers Delight" by the Sugarhill Gang

This single is considered one of the earliest east coast rap singles. It released in 1979. It made it to #36 on the Billboard Pop Charts. It was instrumental in bringing rap into the mainstream media.

2.) "The Message" by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five

This single is one of the east coast first songs to be considered conscientious Rap. It talked about the conditions of many of the ghettos rap was coming out of. It was released in 1982.

3.) "Planet Rock" by Afrika Bambaataa & the Soul Sonic Force

This single is the first rap song to use a beat machine. It incorporated electronic sounds and beats which have influenced a lot of rap producers today, East or West Coast. It was released in 1982.

4.) "P.S.K. What Does It Mean?" by Schoolly D

This song was the first east coast song considered gangster Rap. It was released in 1986. He talks about guns, violence, and making money. These themes have been a stable in rap ever since.

5.) "The 900 Number" by DJ Mark James

This song was one of the first rap tracks to use many synchronized samples together as well as drum sounds. This east coast rap classic is one of the reasons that rap music is still for the most part sample driven.

6.) "I Can't Live Without My Radio" by LL Cool J

This east coast rap song was the introduction of future star LL Cool J to the masses. It is a rap classic. It was released in 1985. It was on his "Radio" album which is considered the first cohesive rap album.

7.) "The Breaks" by Kurtis Blow

This east coast song is considered one of rap's earliest classics. It was released in 1980. It would propel Kurtis Blow into the mainstream. He became one of the first rap rappers to be considered popular enough to endorse a product. He appeared in a sprite commercial. He was also one of the first rap artists to get signed to a major label.

8.) "La Recta Final" ("The Final Stretch") by Vico C.

This is considered the first international reggaeton hit. Reggaeton is Latin Rap mixed with reggae, hip hop, and Spanish influences. It was released in 1989.

9.) "It's like that (That's Just the Way It Is)" by Run-DMC

This song is a rap classic. Released in 1983, it was one the first east coast rap song to showcase harder beats. It was also played an important part in taking Rap into the mainstream.

10.) "Walk Way" by Aerosmith and Run-DMC

This song was the first big rock/rap crossover. It took rap music to the next level of mainstream. It was released in 1986. It still is one of the greatest rap songs.

11.) "Straight Outta Compton" by NWA

This song is a classic west coast rap song, made by the group who pioneered gangster rap on either coast. The song talks about the conditions of the ghettos of California. It was released in 1988.

12.) "6 in the Mornin" by Ice-T

This song is a classic west coast rap song, as well as hip hop classic. It was released in 1986. It was a pioneer in the evolution of gangster rap.

13.) "Colors" by Ice-T

This song is a rap classic. Released in 1988 by Ice-T on the soundtrack of the movie of the same name, it talks about gang violence. It was one of the first mainstream rap songs to do so. It is a west coast rap favorite.

14.) "Eazy-Er Said Than Dunn" by Easy-E

This song is a rap classic. It features production by Dr. Dre. It was released in 1989. It is a west coast favorite.

15.) "It's Funky Enough" by the D.O.C.

This song is another west coast rap classic. It was produced by Dr. Dre. It was released in 1989. It showcases The D.O.C. who actually wrote a lot of NWA's raps on their albums.

The 1990s:

16.) "One More Chance" Remix by the Notorious B.I.G.

This song is a classic rap record. It was recorded by Notorious B.I.G. as a remix to the original song on his first rap album. It was released in 1995. It was a mainstream hit, peaking at #1 on the Billboards Hip Hop/R&B Charts.

17.) "Fight the Power" by Public Enemy

This song is a classic rap song. It was released in 1989 but saw a re-release in 1990 as apart of the "Do the Right Thing" Soundtrack. It is consider by many as one of the best political rap fight songs ever.

18.) "Unity" by Queen Latifah

This song is a rap classic. Queen Latifah is one of a handful of female to have success in the Rap arena. It also won a Grammy. It was released in 1993.

19.) "Keep Ya Head" by Tupac Shakur

This song is a rap classic. It shows Shakur giving an uplifting message to black women and men. It was released in 1993. It is one of his more positive rap songs.

20.) "Killing Me Softly" by the Fugees

This rap song was a remake of Roberta Flack's original song. It was #2 on Billboard Pop Charts. It was featured on The Fugees platinum selling album, "The Score". It was released in 1996.

21.) "Nuthin but a G'Thang" by Dr. Dre

This song is another rap classic. Blending samples from various P Funk groups, Dr. Dre helps showcase a young Snoop Dog, who would become a big rap star in his own right. It was released in 1993.

22.) "Hard Knock Life" by Jay-Z

This rap song pushed Jay-Z into the mainstream. It was released in 1998. It was a smash hit, even winning a Grammy in 1999. It utilizes a sample from the musical "Annie".

The 2000s:

23.) "The Way I Am" by Eminem

This rap song showcases Eminem at his best. His rhyme cadence is impeccable. The song was released in 2000. It was produced by Eminem himself. It is a definite rap classic.

24.) "Miss Jackson" by Outkast

This song is another rap classic. It features a strong beat and thoughtful lyrics. It was released in 2001. It won a Grammy in 2002. It is a tale about apologizing to a girl's mother because the relationship between the daughter and them didn't work out.

25.) "Doo Wop That Thing" by Lauryn Hill

This song is another rap classic. It was released in 1998 and won two Grammys. It blends rap and pop together. It talks about the things guys and girls do in relationships. It is one of her most popular rap songs.

This list is just a small piece of the greatness of hip-hop music. There are many others that are not on this list but could just as easy be on there. You check a lot of these songs out on iTunes or other popular music subscription sites. Here is a list of the 25 Greatest Rap songs.