Naughty by Nature is famous for their 1991 single, which tackles sexual infidelity with its infectious, jingle-like beat. This song remains an anti cop anthem today!
Andre 3000 of OutKast made this song an essential club anthem during the 2000s with its catchy beat and energetic lyrics that effectively protested against global political imbalances such as the Gulf War.
1. Lil Wayne – Don’t Burn Down the Bridge
Lil Wayne stands as one of the most legendary rappers in hip hop history, boasting an extensive discography that many current artists could only dream about achieving. Since debuting with Cash Money Records and then Young Money Records respectively, Wayne has dominated both companies while remaining an influencer within both fields. Wayne has had his share of controversies but remains an influential force within hip hop.
Lil Wayne’s classic track ‘Don’t Burn Down the Bridge’ is an emotionally powerful song about drugs and addiction, featuring classic beats with fast samples and classic drums for an old school feel. The chorus features encouraging lyrics that encourage listeners to remain strong through times of difficulty; making this track an absolute must listen for hip hop music fans everywhere!
Lil Wayne’s Da Drought 3 mixtape contains this timeless track from Too $hort that proves he still has his signature swagger from back in the day. Rapping over an instrumental sampled from Static Major’s classic song ‘Still Got It,’ Too $hort stands out against his competition as an iconoclast. This song shows just why Wayne stands out amongst his competition.
Although its title may be confusing, this song is actually a moving and inspirational tribute to New Orleans. The lyrics speak about an incident which happened there and how residents coped. It will touch everyone who listens.
This song needs no introduction. Released in 2004 as part of Kanye West’s College Dropout album, “Heartless” is an iconic hip hop track which showcases both parties’ talents; from its catchy beat and smooth vocals to Ronald Isley’s contributions, which add a classic edge.
Although he’s been struggling lately, this track by rapper has proven his worth and will bring back memories of hip hop’s glory days from early 90s. Produced by Scott La Rock and featuring an infectious beat reminiscent of early 90s hip hop music era; this song will remind listeners why they love hip hop music!
2. Aasim Khan – Hip-Hop 101
No matter your taste in music, whether you are new to hip hop or an experienced fan. This playlist will take you on an incredible musical journey through some of its iconic songs from its past and present eras, from gangsta rap’s peak through hip hop’s first dominating pop charts and beyond. These tracks represent some of the key periods in hip hop’s development.
The 1980s was the decade when hip hop emerged as a mainstream musical genre and started dominating the music industry. This list showcases many of the top artists from this era; including RUN DMC, The Sugar Hill Gang, 2 Live Crew and many others.
This song from the 1980s epitomizes how hip hop had evolved to incorporate both its signature gangsta style and more commercial-minded, more melodic sound into one great tune. A popular hit across all demographics, many consider this track the first truly commercial hip hop song ever released.
While most of the other tracks on this playlist feature diss tracks, this song serves more as an ode to old school Philadelphia hip hop scene. The beat is hard and rhymes are brilliant – both Ghost and Black Thought showcase their incredible rapping skills on this song which was their only joint collaboration as coke rappers of their era.
When it comes to classic hip hop, this song often goes unnoticed. A compelling gangsta rap track featuring an engaging hook and memorable lyrics that describe life in tough neighborhoods – this must-listen song should not be missed by any hip hop enthusiast!
Hip hop’s most iconic hits of the 1990s came from some of its most revered artists in history, and this song by some of those artists is an example of their outstanding production and lyrical talent. From DJ Kool Herc’s drum beats to Chic’s catchy chorus and two thought-provoking emcees rhymes – this track truly is a masterpiece!
3. Just-Ice – Mythological Rapper
Hip hop’s roots can be traced back to New York block parties of its infancy; no one could have predicted its incredible rise as America’s most beloved musical genre and cultural force.
As the new millennium began, a fresh batch of rappers emerged from the streets with unique and groundbreaking styles that challenged traditional gangsta rap by offering something fresh and different – these MCs became the face of hip-hop genre while making its diversity even greater than before.
Here are some hip hop songs you may have forgotten and how they helped create a new world of rap music.
Rappers hold tremendous power to influence how people view their community and world; especially when their lyrics can break down stereotypes and misconceptions.
Many MCs have built careers on storytelling through lyrics, while some have employed this art form to craft myths based on their personal experiences – this is particularly prevalent for MCs living a life marked by criminal activity – the best example being Eminem’s “Lose Yourself”, which seamlessly marries Rocky themes with urban tragedies to become one of hip hop’s most memorable narratives.
“Lose Yourself” has made history by becoming one of the songs familiar to an entire generation. This story of love, loss and urban violence reverberating through time has defined an entire musical subculture and inspired thousands of music enthusiasts worldwide.
West was inspired to write this incredibly moving song after hearing about the death of a young woman from an attempted robbery, making this work both relatable and timeless in rap circles. It remains an influential classic.
This track is an absolute classic of its early era and perfectly illustrates why creative MCs were such a necessity in those early days. Not to mention its colorful artwork – including cartoon-based graffiti featuring Just-Ice, DMX and Mantronik and their Roland TR-909s in hand – which proved popular overseas at that time and still receives frequent airplay today.
4. King Sun – My Part Of Town
Tricky’s first full album after Massive Attack is widely considered a classic, and this haunting track stands out as its highlight. With its dark atmosphere and haunting lyrics, this track stands out as being more menacing than some of its contemporaries; making this an essential listen for trip hop fans everywhere.
“Fight the Power” stands as one of the most politically charged songs in hip-hop history and remains one of its finest examples of social consciousness. Boasting intricate loops and samples that provide powerful anti-militancy messages, this track is truly outstanding.
MC Lyte was a trailblazer among female rappers and her 1996 debut single has become an instant classic. A classic gangsta-style track with some of the greatest rapping from that era and still sounding relevant today.
Missy Elliott may be best known for hits like ‘Get Ur Freak On’ and ‘Work It’, yet many may overlook her deeper cuts such as ‘Clap Back’ which showcased her aggressive singing styles while serving as a diss track against Eminem and 50 Cent (hip hop terminology for an insult song).
Cool Breeze can get lost among Outkast and Goodie Mob tracks, but don’t overlook this hard-hitting track from Dungeon Family – its beats are smooth, the production fantastic, with Nina Simone’s signature guitar sample adding an extra level of sophistication to this tune.
Although some may view this song as overrated, its reality cannot be denied: it’s an absolute banger! With outstanding rapping from Wu-Tang Clan’s members like RZA at its forefront and an infectious beat making for an irresistibly catchy beat, “Overrated” stands as an unforgettable anthem.
For an effective hook, try starting by doing something unexpected or shocking. This will grab the reader’s attention quickly and will encourage them to continue reading.
Before Eminem released “Lose Yourself,” no one had so successfully conveyed the rags-to-riches story of hip-hop like it has. To this day, this track still resonates strongly.
1. Bone Crusher – “I Ain’t Never Scared”
Mystikal made headlines around the turn of the millennium with one of his biggest rap songs ever released at that time – “Push It”, with its catchy beat and energetic lyrics making it an instant classic that will never grow old. While some consider him only one-hit wonder (he later ran into legal issues), his contribution to hip hop remains vital – this song still is!
Kendrick Lamar first made headlines by using “To Pimp a Butterfly” as an anthem against injustices plaguing black communities, but Too $hort contributed significantly by dropping this track from his 10th album containing some of Erick Sermon’s hardest verses – proof that Detroit rapper was far from retiring just yet.
Though often dismissed as “one-hit wonders”, Nu Shooz proved their worth with this classic club banger from the 1980s hip hop genre. With its catchy sample from Nu Shooz’s “I Can’t Wait,” the track became an instant classic of hip hop music history.
KRS-One and Nas’ bitter dispute may have overshadowed this track’s significance, yet it remains an essential piece of hip hop history. With its pace-shifting flow and production, this gangsta anthem marks Nas’ debut as an innovative storyteller; plus it includes some legendary names in hip hop like Pimp C and Bun B!
2. Lloyd Banks – “Beamer, Benz or Bentley”
Hip hop is celebrating its golden anniversary this year, and ROCK THE BELLS will commemorate it by featuring some of its greatest songs throughout 2019. From Drake and Cardi B to Naughty By Nature and Brand Nubian from years gone by – we take a look back at music that started a cultural revolution!
No list of anthems would be complete without “Back That Azz Up,” the classic New York street tune from Brooklyn’s mash-out posse that brought down listeners like potholes of Brownsville streets with its relentless horn sample and provocative lyrics. Even now, this song still helps any party come to life!
Sadat X was best known for his political raps, but his song also helped fuel Atlanta’s Three 6 Mafia’s breakthrough crunk movement with this hit club banger featuring Ohio Players beat. This track quickly became a classic among listeners worldwide.
LL Cool J may have been on his way out by 1994 when this track released, but he quickly reignited his status with its rich bass-and-drum beat and powerful flow. Notable features of this song include its smooth groove and its funky breakdown just after one minute; also noteworthy is its clean guitar jangle which only adds fuel to this New York anthem.
Kanye West possessed many different sounds throughout his long and distinguished career, yet “Power” remains his trademark song. With its catchy beat and inspirational message, “Power” remains an undeniable anthem – its lyrics being an impassioned call-to-arms for those striving to break free of unjust systems that still rings true today.
3. Redman & LL Cool J – “Still Fly”
Over time, many hip hop hits fade from public memory. This is often an inevitable process; teenage-friendly dance tracks tend to outlive mean-muggers and tough talk. Yet some songs become lost among the shuffle due to circumstances beyond their control; be it bad timing (such as single being followed by poor selling album) or simply because their style wasn’t quite relevant for its time.
The duo’s only big hit was an enjoyable, catchy song about being a fly girl – an example of commercial or sell-out rap which could easily be rejected by culture at that time. Since then, both rappers have enjoyed further successes which demonstrate they remain as fabulous.
Before this song by Mike Jones, most mainstream audiences only knew of Houston hip-hop through Scarface. With this smooth single that features an infectious trap beat and three powerful emcees who could all spit so effortlessly over it, Mike Jones transformed this genre and solidified their status as true stars in it.
At the time, hip-hop was in desperate need of strong female representation and Nicki Minaj came through to fill that void with “Monster.” Although the song became an instant classic, its release generated some controversy due to its support of gay rights and production by Madonna’s brother; nonetheless, its music itself was incredible with infectious hooks and hard-hitting rhymes that left no room for doubt about what had just occurred.
4. G. Dep – “Special Delivery”
G-Dep may be one of the most endearing Bad Boy hip hop roster members since Craig Mack, Black Rob and Loon became household names. With his distinct flow and delivery over beats, his debut album Child of the Ghetto featured contributions from Joe Hooker (aka Harve Pierre) EZ Elpee among others; unfortunately however, his talent remained unrealized and never truly saw its full potential.
“Special Delivery” is an exemplary example of his style. He draws upon Rakim’s classic track, “Microphone Fiend,” while adding his own flair. He raps with authority while not making unnecessary references to materialistic possessions that don’t belong to him.
Unfortunately, his stop-start-pause approach to rapping can become rather tedious. While he excels at certain things, such as beatboxing or singing solos, his overall skillset is lacking and therefore should not be considered the greatest in any field of endeavor.
Another issue with the song video is its quality; while not the worst ever made, it certainly lacks style and personality. Furthermore, it appears as though it were shot in an empty warehouse or similar environment without many people present.
G-Dep, real name Trevell Coleman, was recently sentenced to 15 years to life after pleading guilty to second-degree murder for robbing and killing John Henkel during an East Harlem robbery in 1993. Convicted in 2010, G-Dep is also dealing with substance abuse issues; having visited rehab on several occasions. His story illustrates the harsh reality of music industry life; should his life not improve soon prison could become his only option for redemption.
5. Mos Def & Coo Coo Cal – “What Would You Do?”
Ten years ago, Mos Def walked into the limelight wearing an unusual combination of Adidas AF1s and white tees instead of Versace robes and Gucci flip flops. Hip hop still focused on Southern culture but the ’90s saw its genre embrace everything from Nina Simone to hardcore punk music; that is what makes this track from Mos Def and Coo Coo Cal so fascinatingly wonderful.
Mos Def was immersed in the Brooklyn and NYC underground music scenes from an early age, performing alongside De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest and other forward-thinking Native Tongues artists like Talib Kweli from Cincinnati Hi-Tek as part of Black Star, an impressively cohesive trio formed over just nine months’ recording time.
Black Star was an incredible successor to A Tribe Called Quest’s sound, producing rich and soulful productions that showcased Hi-Tek as one of the few producers at that time who could embrace rock music, gathering an impressive rock band for recording sessions that included Dr. Know from Bad Brains, Parliament Funkadelic keyboardist Bernie Worrell as well as Living Colour bassist Doug Wimbish and drummer Will Calhoun from Living Colour bassist Doug Wimbish and Will Calhoun – among many other artists.
“What Would You Do?” features Mos Def and his duo rapping over an infectious rock instrumental that’s surprising funky for a rap song. The track showcases Mos Def’s trademark smart, engaging rhymes; no loudmouth here; just entertaining lyrics that will have you humming along as you drive around town! Additionally, this is an enjoyable song to rediscover; chances are, it might even find you singing along in your car afterwards! Not to forget his acting talents too – he appeared in Dave Chappelle’s Block Party film as well as TV series 16 Blocks and The Boondocks among many more projects!