Bawuss Talk

The 100 Greatest Hip Hop tracks of all time

Ok.

So, this is it.

The definitive list of the 100 Greatest Hip Hop tracks of all time. Notable missing artists include 50 Cent, Canibus, AZ, DMX, Too $hort and current hottest rapper in the game, Lil’ Wayne. Pac didn’t make the top 10, Jay-Z appears seven times and there are some underground hits as well as club bangers. East, West and South it’s all covered. There is no limit to how many times an artist can be in this countdown because it’s all about the track. The fourfold criteria is simple – concept, wordplay, production and historic significance.

1.              Common – I Used To Love H.E.R: “Now I see her in commercials/she’s universal / She used to only swing it with the inner-city circle”

The rapper formally known as Common Sense treats the world to an insanely clever, laid back, metaphorical rendition of Hip Hop in its entirety. If that sounds confusing, listen to the track, you’ll get it. For what it embodies, for its lyrical wordplay and for its melodic beat this is the definitive greatest hip hop song of all time.

2.             C.R.E.A.M – Wu Tang Clan: “Cash rules everything around me/CREAM get the money/ Dollar Dollar bill y’all”

There are only a few instances in life when brilliance groups together to create something amazing, but with the Clan, Staten Island and Brooklyn’s greatest emcees joined forces and this is their most prominent hit. With Raekwon, Meth and Inspector Deck spitting this hottest lines about the struggle and trying to earn as much money as possible.

3.             The Message – Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five: “Its like a jungle sometimes, it makes me wonder / How I keep from goin under”

Groundbreaking old school hip hop about living in the ghetto. Not just a great hip hop track but a great track in general. Signature melody has become legendary and immediately recognisable.

4.              Juicy – The Notorious B.I.G.: “Now I’m in the limelight ’cause I rhyme tight / Time to get paid, blow up like the World Trade”

Yes, Biggie hits the chart before 2Pac, but this isn’t about who is the best rapper, it’s about the tracks and Juicy is a epic example of exactly why Biggie was who he was. Every line memorable as he recounts how he made the big time.

5.                Straight Outta Compton – N.W.A.: “Niggaz start to mumble, they wanna rumble / Mix ‘em and cook ‘em in a pot like gumbo”

West Coast hip hop at its peak, with the world’s most dangerous group producing a hit that crossed the divide. The anger of urban youth epitomised in this gangsta tune. Without the originators of gangsta rap and this track, the golden age would never of happened.

6.               Dead Presidents II – Jay-Z: “The Soviet, The Unified Steady Flow / You already know, you light I’m heavy roll, heavy dough /Mic macheted your flow, your paper falls slow like confetti, mines a steady grow”

‘I sampled your voice, you was usin’ it wrong, you made it a hot line, I made it a hot song’. The Nas sample on Presidents was hot, but the track, produced by Ski is Jay-Z’s hottest to date. Off of debatable the best hip hop album ever, Reasonable Doubt.

7.               Fight The Power – Public Enemy: “Cause I’m Black and I’m proud / I’m ready and hyped plus I’m amped / Most of my heroes don’t appear on no stamps”

Another song which changed the face of music with its politically charged protest message.

8.                Nuthin But A G Thang – Dr Dre: “And Im a continue to put the rap down, put the mack down / And if your bitches talk shit, I have ta put the smack down / Yeah, and ya dont stop / I told you Im just like a clock when I tick and I tock”

Another massively successful album, spurs another classic hit. Snoop and Dre laid back on this chilled joint.

9.                  N.Y. State Of Mind – Nas: “It drops deep as it does in my breath / I never sleep, cos sleep is the cousin of death”

A standout track on one of the greatest hip hop albums Illmatic. Verbally perfect and with a DJ Premier beat which blows up the track, NY State of Mind is Nas’ greatest track. Nas is able to tell the story of the ghetto and life there with an unmatched ability.

10. The Breaks – Kurtis Blow: “Clap your hands everybody, If you got what it takes / ‘Cause I’m Kurtis Blow and I want you to know, That these are the breaks”

One of the first commercially accepted artists and one of the first records to gain major attention from all sources. Kurtis Blow was one of the founding fathers for hip hop and Breaks make the top 10 for is historical significance as well as the catchy chorus.

11.               Live and Die in LA – Tupac: “It’s the cities of angels and constant danger / South central la, can’t get no stranger”

The height of the feud between East and West coast, the tale of life in the street of south central LA told by the man who knew most about it.

12.              Brooklyn’s Finest – Jay-Z & Notorious BIG : “From 9-6 the only MC with a flu / I rhyme sick, I be what you’re tryin’ to do”

Two of Brooklyn’s finest in the same place at the same time, an epic duel as the two New Yorkers share the spoils.

13.             Gin n Juice – Snoop Dogg: “Rollin’ down the street smoking endo, sippin on gin and juice”

The ultimate Snoop chilled out west coast 90’s vibe.  Off of the Doggystyle classic album, gangsta rap doesn’t sound much better than this.

14.              Rappers Delight – The Sugarhill Gang: “now what you hear is not a test–I’m rappin to the beat and me, the groove, and my friends are gonna try to move your feet”

The Sugarhill Gang, early pioneers of hip-hop, dropped in 1979 the song which most consider the track which popularised hip hop to the masses. One of the most memorable beats of all time.

15.             La Di Da Di – Slick Rick & Doug E. Fresh: “La-di-da-di, we like to party / We don’t cause trouble, we don’t bother nobody”

Slick Rick rhymes over Doug E. Fresh beatboxer, another classic example of early hip hop at its best, originally released as a B Side.  An absolute gem of talent from the duo.

16.            Paid in Full – Eric B and Rakim: “So I start my mission–leave my residence / Thinkin how could I get some dead presidents”

Rakim one of the greatest lyricist of all time, immense skill on the mic head to head with Eric B’s  scratching skill make this one of the classic 80’s joints. Rakim flows with the story of how to get paid.

17.            Definition – Mos Def & Talib Kweli: “Stop actin like a bitch already–be a visionary / And maybe you can see your name in the column of obituary”

A modern classic from duo Blackstar, the underrated emcees Kweli and Mos Def trade verses debating the violence in hip-hop.

18.            Incarcerated Scarfaces – Raekwon: “I move rhymes like retail, make sure shit sell / From where we at to my man’s cell”

Wu-Tang supremo sets the scene to a gangsta mobster story over a dark beat and piano loop.

19.            The Bridge Is Over – Boogie Down Productions: “Manhattan keeps on makin it, Brooklyn keeps on takin it /  Bronx keeps creatin it, and Queens keeps on fakin it”

KRS-One’s diss song to MC Shan and Marley Marl turned out more than just a diss, the sucker mc’s were put to the sword by KRS-One’s lyrically genius. MC Shan has never been seen again.

20.           Coming Of Age – Jay-Z &  Memphis Bleek “I see his hunger pains, I know his blood boils / He wanna run with me, I know this kid’ll be loyal”

Jay’s transition song, with Bleek as his understand tells the story of the real life experiences of the two growing up in the Marcy projects.  The conversation between the two is one of the best hip hop concepts about.

21.            Sound of the Police – Boogie Down Productions: “The officer has the right to arrest / And if you fight back they put a hole in your chest!”

KRS-One raps about polices brutality and conflict between police and hip hop in the wake of in the wake of Rodney King riots.

22.           Warning – The Notorious B.I.G. “it’s the ones that smoke blunts witcha / see your picture, now they wanna / grab they guns and come and getcha”

Biggie tells story of getting a warning about his impending murder as he works out who it is coming after him, lies in wait and pops them before they get him.

23.           Children’s Story – Slick Rick: “This ain’t funny, So don’t ya’ dare laugh / Just another case about the wrong path”

A tragic story of gang violence and greed from uncle Ricky D, lyrically flawless as the moral tale explains all and condemns the subject matter from the greatest storyteller in hip hop.

24.           Shook Ones Pt. II – Mobb Deep: “you can put your whole army against my team and I guarantee you it’ll be your very last time breathin’”

Thought provoking hip hop from the Queensbridge duo about gang wars and hustlin’ bringing the grim reality of street life. A deep look at inner-city violence and the dangers of the game.

25.           Get By – Talib Kweli: “Our parents sing like John Lennon, “Imagine all the people watch” / We rock like Paul McCartney from now until the last Beatle drop”

The highs and lows of coping with what life has to throw at us are discussed by Kweli. Original was so good Mos Def, Jay-Z, Kanye West & Busta Rhymes jumped on the remix.

26.           O.P.P. – Naughty By Nature: “How many brothers out there know just what I’m gettin’ at / Who thinks it’s wrong ‘cos I’m splittin’ and co-hittin’ at”

Infectious ‘ABC’ Jackson Five sample doesn’t cover over the theme of the joys of sleeping around with other peoples partners by the New Jersey trio.

27.           B.O.B (Bombs Over Baghdad) – Outkast: “Then I might cast you a spell, look at what came in the mail / A scale and some Arm and Hammer, soul gold grill and some baby mama”

High tempo’d drum and bass-esque jungle inspired funk from Andre and Big Boi.  Sonic bomb of lyrical attack.

28.           Eric B For President – Eric B & Rakim: “I came in the door, i said it before / I never let the mic magnetise me no more”

The debut single for the powerful duo, put them on the map as a formidable duo.  Outstanding creativity.

29.           Infinite – Eminem: “My thesis will smash a stereo to pieces / My accapella releases plastic masterpieces through telekinesis”

Laid back original Eminem for his first album Infinite which is still his best work and put him on the map. Em’s lyrical talent shows on this chilled track from 96.

30.          Hail Mary – Tupac: “I ain’t a killa but don’t push me / revenge is like the sweetest joy next to gettin pussy”

A powerful and dark effort from the west coast legend and his crew, written and recorded in 30 minutes. Haunting beat with bells ringing make it one of Tupac’s top tracks.

31.            Mathematics – Mos Def: “40% of Americans own a cell phone so they can hear, everything that you say when you ain’t home / I guess, Michael Jackson was right, “You Are Not Alone””

The rapper/actor mighty Mos brings a conscious bit of hip hop to the masses breaking down the numbers, facts and figures with matter from unemployment to drugs.

32.           Passin’ Me By – The Pharcyde: “I did not really pursue my little princess with persistence / And I was so low-key that she was unaware of my existence”

The four Pharcyde MC’s recall tales of young love and rejection with a catchy hook and soulful melody.

33.           Party and Bullshit – The Notorious B.I.G.: “Moet popping, hoe hopping, ain’t no stopping Big Poppa, I’m a bad boy”

The original Biggie Smalls party anthem and still one of his best tracks, encapsulates the time, the mood and the man.

34.           King Of Rock – Run DMC: “Now we’re the baddest of the bad, the coolest of the cool / I’m DMC, I rock and roll. I’m DJ Run, I rock and rule”

True classic as Run DMC crossed over to rap-rock with the King of Rock album. This title track epitomised the new school approach to hip hop.

35.           Rosa Parks – Outkast: “Everybody move to the back of the bus / Do you wanna bump and slump with us / We the type of people make the club get crunk”

Controversial track from Outkast which ended in a lawsuit, Outkast come up as the new kids on the block with times changing and the new sound coming through.

36.           Ebonics – Big L: “When I’m lifted, I’m high / With new clothes on, I’m fly / Cars is whips and sneakers is kicks/ Money is chips, movies is flicks”

Shot dead before his second album released one of the hardest spitters, Big L’s best track came with criminal slag broken down and explained. Another great concept song showing the talent of the dude.

37.           Keep Ya Head Up – Tupac: “You know its funny when it rains it pours / They got money for wars, but can’t feed the poor”

Pac shows his abilities with this softer caring track dealing with the problems of respect towards women.  Deep and influential.

38.           So Whatcha Sayin’ – EPMD: “I’m just that type of brother that’s out to get mines / And if the odds against me, I still drop lines”

Revolutionary Erik Sermon and PMD with party fuelled funk rap in the follow up track to the seminal Strictly Business album.

39.           Sky’s The Limit – The Notorious B.I.G.: “While niggas flirt, I’m sewing tigers on my shirt and alligators / ya wanna see the inside, huh, I see ya later”

Dealing with his own upbringing and the tough trials and tribulations of making and being broke in Brooklyn. With the backing vocals of 112, definitely stands up as one of Biggies most personal and heartfelt tracks.

40.           Raw – Big Daddy Kane: “When I grab the mic, believe you’re gonna hear a, fascinating rhyme, as I enchant them/ So let’s all sing the big daddy anthem”

Another track from the golden age of hip hop from the Juice Crew member shows of his typically high speed rapping style and adventurous word play to the fullest extent.

41.            It Ain’t Hard To Tell – Nas: “It ain’t hard to tell, I kick a skill like Shaquille holds a pill / Vocabulary spills I’m Ill / plus Matic / I freak beats slam it like Iron Sheik / Jam like a tech with correct techniques”

The second track of the Illmatic album Nas raps over a jazzy MJ sample with a rhythmic mind simulation flow.

42.           Uncommon Valour – Jedi Mind Tricks: “I’m able and willing / Kill a village elephant, rapin’ and pillage your village / Illegitimate killers, US Military guerrillas / This ain’t no real war, Vietnam shit / World War II, that’s a war, this is just a military conflict”

A dark haunting drum beat with hard hitting lyrics debating the necessity for the war in Vietnam told by a scared soldier seeing the damage and the conflict has brought. Immense dark story telling from real life experiences of the battles.

43.           The 6^th Sense – Common: “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want millions / More than money saved, I wanna save children / Dealing with alcoholism and afrocentricity /A complex man drawn off of simplicity”

Typically fluid flow from the chi-town resident backed by another tremendous DJ Premier beat.

44.           Eye For An Eye – Mobb Deep: “Another war story from a thirsty young hustler / Won’t trust ya, I’d rather bust ya / and leave your corpse for the cops to discover, while I be dippin in the range rover”

The Infamous Mob talk about drug dealing and revenge as partners in crime with assistance from dark Nasty Nas and Raekwon the Chef.

45.           Planet Rock – Afrikaa Bambaataa: “You gotta rock it, pop it, ’cause it’s the century / There is such a place that creates such a melody”

Pioneering, multiply duplicated work of electro dance hip hop from one of the originators of the movement, classic hip hop at its earliest stage.

46.           One Mic – Nas: “Only if I had one gun, one girl and one crib / One God to show me how to do things his son did”

Escobar longs for the simple life, without all the troubles that come. Each verse builds gradually then smashes out with immense crescendo of anger pain and hurt.  Stillmatic’s standout track by a country mile, the return of the Nasty Nas of Illmatic.

47.           Knock Yourself Out – Jadakiss: “I don’t care if they model, bet they all gon’ chill / First nigga to cook base on a Foreman grill / And you might win some, but you just lost one / Kiss miseducates ‘em like Lauryn Hill”

Memorable Neptunes beat from Jada’s first album sets out the rules of any woman tryin to get with him.

48.           Jesus Walks – Kanye West: “So here go my single, dog, radio needs this / They say you can rap about anything except for Jesus / That means guns, sex, lies, video tapes / But if I talk about God my record won’t get played”

Mr West tells that God and Jesus can be found with anybody on this spiritual journey and criticises the media stance on radio play.

49.           Still D.R.E. – Dr Dre: “Ladies they pay homage / Haters say Dre fell off / How? My last album was The Chronic”

Off the 2001 album alongside his compatriot Snoop, Dre breaks it down that he is still doing his thing. Another classic.

50.          Lyrics of Fury – Eric B & Rakim: “it’s only one capable, breaks-the unbreakable, melodies-unmakable, pattern-unecscapable, a horn if want the style I posses, I bless the child, the earth, the gods and bomb the rest”

Arguably the best track from Rakim, does what it says, true lyrics of fury from the ‘Follow the Leader’ album widely acknowledged as one of the best hip hop albums of all time.

51.            Me, Myself and I – De La Soul “People think they diss my person by stating I’m darkly packed / I know this so I point at Q-Tip / and he states, Black is Black”

De La Soul’s quirky commentary on their label situation at the time. Showed the ability to get their message across with typical dry humour.

52.           I Seen A Man Die – Scarface: “I hear you breathin’ but your heart no longer sounds strong / But you kinda scared of dying so you hold on / And you keep on blacking out cuz the post is near / Stop trying to fight the reaper just relax and let it go”

One of the great rap albums of the modern generation spawned this hit track from the southern emcee as he deals with death on release from prison and everything changing.

53.           Renegade – Jay-Z & Eminem: “Raisin my fingers to critics; raisin my head to the sky / Big I did it multi before I die / No lie, just know I chose my own fate / I drove by the fork in the road and went straight”

Only one track on Jay-Z five-star, 10/10 Blueprint album had a guest slot. Eminem showed his lyrically talent by matching Jigga’s flow creating a powerful track about their own upbringing and rise to the top.

54.           I Can’t Live Without My Radio – LL Cool J: “My name is Cool J, I devastate the show / But I couldn’t survive without my radio”

Some early LL, before he fell off. Produced by Rick Rubin, LL set the standard for emcees back in the day.

55.           Protect Your Neck – Wu-Tang Clan: “Rae got it goin on pal, call me the rap assassinator / Rhymes rugged and built like Schwarzenegger”

Every member of the Wu Tang collective gets on this track from the 36 Chambers album for this all of the rappers trying to out-do each other with great lyrics and obnoxious beat.

56.           It’s Mine – Mobb Deep: “Your flesh turn to maggots, bastards, you past it / Cremate your flesh to ashes / You don’t need a suit, no wake, no funeral, and no casket”

The ‘Scarface’ sample made this an instant gangsta hit production with a typical dark hard hitting lyrics from the Queens trio about street life.

57.           It Takes Two – Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock “Ladies love me, girls adore me / I mean even the ones who never saw me / Like the way that I rhyme at a show / The reason why, man, I don’t know”

One of the most recognisable samples, Rob Base first and biggest hit, known for its old school feel and “Woo Yeah” James Brown sample.

58.           They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.) – Pete Rock & CL Smooth: “I reminisce so you never forget this / The days of way back, so many bear witness the fitness”

Horn sample overtone as they rap about childhood inspired by the death of a close friend.

59.           Strictly Business – EPMD: “Total chaos — no mass confusion / Rhymes so hypnotizin known to cause an illusion”

Funk sounding Bob Marley sample, title track from a classic album as Erik Sermon lays down lyrics over original soulful loops.

60.          Daytona 500 – Ghostface Killah: “I’m Iron Man no cheap cash metal I’m steel alloy / True identity hidden inside secret tabloids / Breathe oxygen both sides of my jaw carry oxes / The track hit like the bangers, in hundred watt boxes”

Shaolin’s finest speed their way skilfully through another verbal onslaught.

61.            Peruvian Cocaine – Immortal Technique: “The spirit of my people is starving, broken and sweaty / Dreaming about revolution looking at my machete”

Im Tech and his associates breaks down the drug industry with the other emcees spitting from the prospective of all those involved in the chain from to the workers in the fields to the dope sellers and undercover police.

62.           Victory – Puff Daddy: “Excellence is my presence, never tense / Never hesitant, leave a nigga bent real quick / Real sick, brawl nights, I perform like Mike / Anyone — Tyson, Jordan, Jackson, action, pack guns, ridiculous”

Bad Boy families finest hour, bragging, boasting and styling on the rest in true mafiso style.

63.           I Wonder If Heaven Got A Ghetto – Tupac: “And though it seems heaven sent/We ain’t ready to see a black president”

Remembered for being the first release after Pac’s death, the real top draw Pac talkin about life, filled with amazing lyrics from start to finish.

64.           Lose Yourself – Eminem: “His palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy / There’s vomit on his sweater already–mom’s spaghetti / He’s nervous, but on the surface he looks calm and ready”

Written for his 8 Mile movie as the platform for the battle rapping character B. Rabbit has more depth and lasting appeal than just the film.

65.           Electric Relaxation – Tribe Called Quest: “I like ‘em brown, yellow, Puerto Rican or Haitian / Name is Phife dog from the Zulu nation / Told you in the jam that we can get down / Now let’s knock the boots like the group h-town”

Fantastic chilled looping melody with Q and Phife vibing about women over the top.

66.           The Seed 2.0 – The Roots: “I’m left to shine, but the legacy that I leave behind be the seed that’ll keep the flame / I don’t ask for much but enough room to spread these wings / And the world finna know my name”

Organic rock beat with hip hop lyrics and a catchy hook.

67.           History – Jay-Z: “That’s where I met success, we lived together shortly / Success is like lust, she’s good to the touch / She’s good for the moment, but she’s never enough / Everybody’s had her, she’s nothing like me / But success is all I got, unfortunately”

Jay talks about a relationship with hip hop in context of love story looking to go down in history, concept similar to Common.

68.           Scenario – A Tribe Called Quest: “the Di-Dawg is first up to bat / No batteries included, and no strings attached / No holds barred, no time for move fakin / Gots to get the loot so I can bring home the bacon”

Conglomerate of rapping talents with Quest and the Leaders of the New School on the track.  Still a fresh track all these years later.

69.           Desire – Pharoahe Monch: “My books the ovary / The pages I lust to turn / My pen’s the penis / When I write the inks the sperm”

Monch is underrated as a lyricist, but this track brought him to the forefront of the game.

70.          B.I.B.L.E. – Killah Priest: “I quiz some with my wisdom / Before I converted I was perverted / N’ knowledge was asserted / The study of wisdom, I preferred it”

Genius deep track using biblical references from a unsung master lyricist and Wu Tang associate off of GZA’s Liquid Sword album.

71.            Ante Up – M.O.P.: “I’m a, street regulator, true playa hater/ Get back down, make your ass a mack spraya hater / Things that we need, money, clothes, weed indeed / Hats, food, booze, essentials, credentials”

The Mash Out Posse raise hell from the Warriorz album with a vocal assault about their dominance.

72.           You Never Know – Immortal Technique: “She had a style, all her own, respectful and pure / I was sick in the head for her, and there wasn’t a cure”

Underground legend with a deep, raw, sad and partly true story of his own journey to reunite with his one true love only to find she died of HIV.

73.           Don’t’ Believe The Hype – Public Enemy: “In the daytime the radio’s scared of me / ‘Cause I’m mad, plus I’m the enemy / They can’t c’mon and play with me in primetime / ‘Cause I know the time, plus I’m gettin’ mine”

Politically charged release from Public Enemy at their peak with lyrics dealing with ignorance in radio play at the time.

74.           Runs House – Run DMC: “Hard rock hard hitting hip-hop hard-core / Causing casualties and catastrophes / And tragedies for the suck emcees”

Another big track from Run DMC as they pushed hip hop to the mainstream with clever lyrics and catchy beat.

75.           Disco 3 – Fat Boys: “We’re fat, we’re fat / we could never be wack / And if you go for fat then we’ll be back”

Funky fresh 80’s hip-hop from the trio. Seminal group in the original early hip hop days.

76.          Classic (Better Than I’ve Ever Been) – Nas, Kanye West, Rakim, KRS-One: “Timeless, cause age don’t count in the booth / when your flow stays submerged in the fountain of youth”

Recorded for the 25 yr anniversary of the Nike Air Force One, Classic brings the best of the modern talent with the best of the old school, each banging a verse. An instant hit, with four of the best lyricists around now or ever.

77.           Bow Down – Westside Connection: “Big fish in a small pond / Now tha feds wanna throw the book at the crook / But I shook they worm and they hook”

Cube, Mack 10 and W.C. address the East West divide from their gang affiliated perspective.

78.           Big Pimpin’ – Jay-Z: “Me give my heart to a woman / Not for nothin’ never happen’/ I’ll be forever mackin’”

Jiggaman spits about living the lavish life of luxury with girls, girls girls and the pimp game with the help of UGK’s Bun B and Pimp C.

79.           You Got Me – The Roots: “startin buildin with her constantly round the clock now she in my world like hip-hop”

One of the most legendary rap groups. Black Thought duet with Eyrkah Badu.

80.           Audio Two – Top Billin’: “Milk is chillin, Giz is chillin / What more can I say? Top Billin’”

So many lines from this track have been sampled over the years, showing the impact it had on the generation. Legendary hip-hop.

81.          My Mind Playing Tricks On Me – Geto Boyz: “I make big money, I drive big cars / Everybody know me, it’s like I’m a superstar”

Paranoid about getting killed, tells about the difficulties of living a gangsta life.

82.           Can I Kick It – A Tribe Called Quest: “Can I kick it? To all the people who can Quest like A Tribe does / Before this, did you really know what live was?”

World renowned beat, great lyrics.

83.           I Need Love – LL Cool J: “See what I mean I’ve changed I’m no longer a play boy on the run I need something that’s stronger”

Track that really brought rap ballads to the forefront and broke down the original hard boundaries of rap.

84.           Award Tour – A Tribe Called Quest: “A lot of kids was bustin’ rhymes but they had no taste / Some said Quest was wack, but now is that the case / I have a quest to have a mic’ in my hand / Without that, it’s like Kryptonite and Superman”

Q-Tip and Phife riff on this classic Quest track from 93. Stands as there highest charted release ever from

85.           Endangered Species (Tales from the Darkside) – Ice Cube: “They kill ten of me to get the job correct / To serve, protect, and break a niggas neck / Cuz I’m the one with the trunk of funk / And ’fuck tha police’ in the tape deck”

Political charged album from the former NWA kingpin deals with race, the police and equality.

86.           Riding Around Shining – Clipse: “The Black Martha Stewart/I can show you how to do this!/Break down pies to pieces/Make cocaine quiches”

There’s a reason only 19 albums have ever got a XXL rating in the hip hop magazine, Clipse’s Hell Hath No Fury was an instant classic, with lyrical boasts at a peak.

87.           Rise N Shine – Kool Moe Dee & Chuck D & KRS-One: “Are you ready, to elevate/ As I rhyme on time you’ll illuminate / Hard as diamond, knowledge shinin / It’s that time and it’s all in the timin”

Funky collaboration from Public Enemy, Boogie Down and Kool Moe Dee dealin with race

88.           Why – Jadakiss: “Why would niggaz push pounds and powder / Why did bush knock down the towers”

Protest song by Jadakiss which ended up being censored and banned as Jada accused GW Bush of the terrorist attack. Great concept song.

89.           Still Not A Player – Big Pun: “Who wanna ride it won’t cost you a dollar whether soft or harder of course you still gonna holla”

Pun raps about sex and fly honeys with Joe on the hook, one of those great original hip hip/RnB collaboration club classics.

90.           Stan – Eminem: “You got some issues Stan, I think you need some counselling to help your ass from bouncing off the walls when you get down some”

Controversial and intense story of an obsessive fan who wants response from his idol

91.            Hard Knock Life – Jay-Z: “I gave you prophecy on my first joint / but ya all lamed, out didn’t really appreciate it / ’til the second one came out so I stretch the game out /X’ed your name out put Jigga on top / Drop albums non-stop for ya”

The Annie sample is historic and the verses J spits over the top are some of his best.

92.           Survival of the Fittest – Mobb Deep: “You walkin witcha head down scared to look / You shook, cause ain’t no such things as halfway crooks”

Havoc and Prodigy blaze another track with their hard hitting look at ghetto life.

93.           Music – Erick Sermon: “To relax my mind so I can be free / And absorb the sound that keep me round”

Soulful sound of Marvin Gaye sampled with the vocal talent of the EPMD man.

94.           Colors – Ice T: “My life is violent, but violent is life / peace is a dream, reality is a knife”

Some of Ice T’s best work, spitting about racial tension and gang warfare.

95.           Boom – Royce Da 5’ 9: “My saliva and spit can split thread into fiber and bits / So trust me, I’m as live as it gets / Everybody claimin they the best and head the throne / Since B.I.G is gone, if you ask me, they dead wrong”

Lyrically flawless assault by the underrated Detroit emcee with help from a ticking DJ Premier beat.

96.           Put You Hands Where Me Eyes Could See – Busta Rhymes: “If you really wanna party with me, in God we trust / Yo it’s a must that you heard of us yo we murderous”

Busta bust kills the track at his peak, energetic and powerful as always.

97.           Tha Crossroad – Bone Thugs ‘N Harmony: “Lil Eazy’s long gone / Really wish he would come home / But when it’s time to die / Gotta go bye bye”

Hip-Hop ballad dedicated to the deceased friends of the Bone collective including Easy-E.

98.           Oakland Blackouts – Hieroglyphics: “Diction friction, depicting violence Volatile with my profile, like Molotov’s”

Imaginative lyrics from the underground 90’s group.

99.           Hip-Hop -Dead Prez: “Talkin’ ’bout how much money they got; all y’all records sound the same / I’m sick of that fake thug, R&B-rap scenario, all day on the radio”

Florida duo sum up the industry in style

100.         Moment of Truth – Gang Starr: “Actions have reactions, don’t be quick to judge / You may not know the hardships people don’t speak of / It’s best to step back, and observe with couth /For we all must meet our moment of truth”

Two legendary performers make up the Top 100, with DJ Premier and Guru.  Guru’s talents on the mic flow over simple Premier production.

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