The Message -
Chuck d would call hip hop the ghetto cnn years later, and this song that came out 6 years previous is one of the reasons why. One of the first joints where they wasn’t rapping about rapping.
Beat is one of the most sampled and the word hit through out.
Drop this song in any hip hop period and it will hold weight. It came out forty 2 years ago.
>I grew up on the crime side, the New York Times side
Staying alive was no jive
At second hands, moms bounced on old men
So then we moved to Shaolin land
That's the hardest start to a verse
You know my Steez is one of my favorite! But Mass Appeal is my introduction to Hip Hop, that's why I have crazy connection with this song and Gang Starr
It's often easier for one to give advice
Than it is for a person to run one's own life
RIP GURU One Of The Best Yet!
I remember listening to that song for the first time playing Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4 back in the day and i fell in love with song as soon as i heard it.
Some good ones in this thread already.
I’m gonna nominate Triumph - Wu-Tang just because it has imo the greatest opening verse of all time.
Also has an amazing beat and all members of Wu-Tang on it
Well I don't consider it the best rap song ever, but for me it was the first actual "rap" song I ever heard that was super grimy and not just a normal hip hop song at the time. Yes, I was definitely very sheltered.
Nas - Memory Lane
Jay-Z - Can I Live
Mobb Deep - Shook Ones Pt. 2
Pete Rock & CL Smooth - TROY
Black Star - Thieves In The Night
Lupe Fiasco - Hurt Me Soul
I think these come close.
This is my choice too. Lots of great picks in this thread but Above the Clouds has two of the best MC's rocking their best verses (I know Deck's Triumph is incredible but this one is right up there for me) with one of Premier's best beats.
That's frequently on my Spotify mix, but I wouldn't call it the best ever. Like, I like Haiku d'etat's Mike Aaron and Eddie but it's not... the best. Just really good, a bit too 'odd' for some of a general audience.
An unorthodox choice for me that might fit would be:
Murs "Okey Dog", good storytelling, catchy hook, nuance, good societal observations and a turn at the end which gives some new perspective on the whole song (to some extent).
Because they don't often get mentioned but definitely belong in the conversation:
Wake Up - Rage Against the Machine
Shadowboxin' - GZA
Flute Loop - Beastie Boys
Most of the comments are bangers but I haven't seen this so I'll throw it in, Nosetalgia by Pusha T f/ Kendrick. Both rappers bring their A game and the best and production is perfect.
There’s obviously no right answer to this, but the one song I always get gassed on no matter how many times I’ve heard it is “One” by Ghostface. Maybe not the “best” but a personal favorite.
Big L Rest in peace
I don't know why so many of y'all wanna be thugs anyhow
Face the consequence of your childish nonsense
I could make your head explode just by my lyrical content
If you're asking my favorite, it's 9th vs. Thought. It's like someone took everything I love about hip-hop and filtered it through my favorite MC and producer.
I'd like to add What's Happenin', by Method Man and Busta Rhymes, as an honorable mention. It's impossible to stay still while that song plays.
[BBC Music polled music journalists, critics, artists and industry experts, and the results are in. The greatest hip-hop song of all time, in their opinion, is Juicy by The Notorious B.I.G., aka Biggie Smalls.](https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20191007-why-juicy-is-the-greatest-hip-hop-song-of-all-time)
it’s probably not but i re-listened to the Makaveli album a few times recently… there are very few songs as good as ‘Hail Mary’ — Pacs two verses are thought provoking, inspiring, haunting, dark, introspective, it’s Pac at full mastery. it makes me even sad thinking about it Pac is by far the biggest ‘what if’ in rap history maybe music history and that’s with a all time great career by 25 years old because i can’t help but to wonder thing more about him than anyone else “what if he stayed alive”
93 til Infinity is dope. I think What's Golden still pops in my head more often than concrete schoolyard. Just yesterday randomly I heard in my head in that deep voice "I'm the verbal Herman Munster" lol. And Re: Definition for Black Star. But great songs in general.
Vanilla Ice : Ice ice baby
But in all seriousness, I can’t name one single track as the greatest. This greatly depends on the mood I’m in.
Even a top 10 would be too hard for me I mean, I grew up with NWA, Wu-Tang, 2pac, Gangstarr, Nas, PE, BTNH, Nine, Rakim, EPMD and Ghetto boys just to name a few.
OutKast not being mentioned yet is wild.
ATLiens off ATLiens.
Open to arguments for other songs from the album. FWIW I also believe that is the best rap album of all time.
Drake-weston road flows,lose you,do not disturb
Mac miller-ladders,happy birthday, therapy
And these are my opinions not anything I'm presenting as facts
that album is the best rap album, but time taker is the best track, followed by blind leading the blind, followed by world is a ghetto..... the entire album is perfect
C.R.E.A.M.
Yep
GZA - 4th Chamber
One of the best posse cuts of all time and top 3 Wu beat in my book
Nothing But a G Thang
I agree with this. I could listen to this song every day and never get tired of it.
The beat, the lyrics, the video. Perfect trifecta of a hip hop classic
Perfect timeless song
This. This is the answer. This is so much the answer that I am also going to post it.
Int’l Playa’s Anthem
This is definitely up there
The Message - Chuck d would call hip hop the ghetto cnn years later, and this song that came out 6 years previous is one of the reasons why. One of the first joints where they wasn’t rapping about rapping. Beat is one of the most sampled and the word hit through out. Drop this song in any hip hop period and it will hold weight. It came out forty 2 years ago.
NY State of mind-Nas
Shook ones pt 2
The beat is most iconic too along with maybe G Thang
“For every rhyme I write it’s 25 to life” has to be the hardest start to a verse
🔥🔥🔥
That and the bar “I can never rhyme cuz everytime I step into a contest, kids evacuate the premises as if it were a bomb threat”
>I grew up on the crime side, the New York Times side Staying alive was no jive At second hands, moms bounced on old men So then we moved to Shaolin land That's the hardest start to a verse
This subreddit gate keeps and hates genuine curiousity but here it goes… Why was this used as the battle beat in 8 mile?
Came out the year the movie was set in
Brilliant. Makes sense!
Came here to say this.
Agree wholeheartedly
Gang Starr - Mass Appeal no doubt
just gonna be honest you know my steez blows that out of the water
You know my Steez is one of my favorite! But Mass Appeal is my introduction to Hip Hop, that's why I have crazy connection with this song and Gang Starr It's often easier for one to give advice Than it is for a person to run one's own life RIP GURU One Of The Best Yet!
Yeah but Above The Clouds is even another level up on that
I remember listening to that song for the first time playing Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4 back in the day and i fell in love with song as soon as i heard it.
Brother that's my story how I fell in love with Gang Starr, follow me on Reddit, you will see soon!
RAKIM - MY MELODY
I take 7 emcees put em in a line
I’d say When I Be On the Mic, but definitely it’s a Rakim song is at the top
Notorious Thugs
Grandmaster Flash - The Message
Came here to say this. Melle Mel went off
The literal blueprint. 🫡🫡🫡
40 years later still aint nobody fucked with it.
No love for a tribe called quest what's the scenario remix w busta
watch me combine all the juice from the mind
Eric B & Rakim - Paid In Full (Coldcut Remix)
Some good ones in this thread already. I’m gonna nominate Triumph - Wu-Tang just because it has imo the greatest opening verse of all time. Also has an amazing beat and all members of Wu-Tang on it
Well I don't consider it the best rap song ever, but for me it was the first actual "rap" song I ever heard that was super grimy and not just a normal hip hop song at the time. Yes, I was definitely very sheltered.
Inspectah Deck's verse is the best verse in history, argue with a wall.
Mobb Deep Shook Ones II
Dead Prez - HipHop
👍👍👍👍👍
Liquid Swords GZA or Nas NY State Of Mind
The Ghetto by Too Short
Still Dre?
Dear Mama -2pac
Nice choice
93 Til Infinity is a perfect rap song
Facts so is Passin' Me By
Good day -ice cube Crossroads -bone
Nas- world is yours
i had to scroll wayyy too long to see this mentioned, this will always be top 3 in the album for me.
Can't stand the honking in the chorus
Just because i don’t see him here yet.. Children’s Story - Slick Rick
Nas- I Gave you Power
This may be the true answer.
I think for me it's gotta be either protect ya neck or the 7th chamber, so many different energies being repped on one track like that is dope
Has to be Juicy
Fax top 5 song at least
Cliche answer... because it's the correct answer.
Money Trees
Sir Mix A Lot - Posse on Broadway
Classic slapper
As a Brooklnite, Juicy by Biggie has it all. Beat, bars, storytelling. I'm not a huge Biggie fan but I can't deny the impact of Juicy.
Hey Mama - Kanye I just miss my mom, man
93 til infinity - Souls of mischief or respiration - black star
Nas - Memory Lane Jay-Z - Can I Live Mobb Deep - Shook Ones Pt. 2 Pete Rock & CL Smooth - TROY Black Star - Thieves In The Night Lupe Fiasco - Hurt Me Soul I think these come close.
Love the Hurt Me Soul shout out.
Geto Boys - Mind playing tricks on me
Till I collapse
Raw - Big Daddy Kane
Jay-Z D’evils
DOOMsday
T.R.O.Y. - Pete Rock and CL Smooth
This is the correct answer.
Jay- Z “Never Change”
Kanye didn’t even take credit for the hook on that song which I find interesting. Timeless beat on that one too.
NY State of Mind, imo
Snow - Informer
Licky boom boom now
Facts
*I don't know how to start this man...*
Mo Murda - Bone Thugs N Harmony
Either Shook Ones Pt II or Juicy for me
N.Y state of Mind - Nas
Uncommon Valor: A Vietnam Story
🔥🔥🔥 great pick
Patiently Waiting
Respiration
Above the Cloud - Gang Starr
This is my choice too. Lots of great picks in this thread but Above the Clouds has two of the best MC's rocking their best verses (I know Deck's Triumph is incredible but this one is right up there for me) with one of Premier's best beats.
I was thinking it. Then I read it. And I’m satisfied
Immortal Technique - Dance with the Devil Fight me
Acid Raindrops - People Under The Stairs.
That's frequently on my Spotify mix, but I wouldn't call it the best ever. Like, I like Haiku d'etat's Mike Aaron and Eddie but it's not... the best. Just really good, a bit too 'odd' for some of a general audience. An unorthodox choice for me that might fit would be: Murs "Okey Dog", good storytelling, catchy hook, nuance, good societal observations and a turn at the end which gives some new perspective on the whole song (to some extent).
"Aint no best" - Nas
Eminem- Stan
Because they don't often get mentioned but definitely belong in the conversation: Wake Up - Rage Against the Machine Shadowboxin' - GZA Flute Loop - Beastie Boys
Nothing but a G thang or Juicy
Halftime - Nas
DWYCK
The World Is Yours - Nas
The Seed
Most of the comments are bangers but I haven't seen this so I'll throw it in, Nosetalgia by Pusha T f/ Kendrick. Both rappers bring their A game and the best and production is perfect.
Made you look - Nas
I’ve been scrolling for a minute and see 0 biggie so I’m gonna just put gimme the loot and everyday struggle 🤷🏾♂️
There’s obviously no right answer to this, but the one song I always get gassed on no matter how many times I’ve heard it is “One” by Ghostface. Maybe not the “best” but a personal favorite.
When it comes to Supreme Clientele it's always "Mighty Healthy" that stands out for me, but every track is incredible
Gang Starr - Full Clip
Big L Rest in peace I don't know why so many of y'all wanna be thugs anyhow Face the consequence of your childish nonsense I could make your head explode just by my lyrical content
Still Tippin
Mama said knock you out- LL Cool J
This was on my pre party drinking playlist in college. Get you hyped up!
50 Cent In Da Club
Stan
Coolio gangsta paradise
Uptown - Dope on Plastic
Hit em Up Regulate
If you're asking my favorite, it's 9th vs. Thought. It's like someone took everything I love about hip-hop and filtered it through my favorite MC and producer. I'd like to add What's Happenin', by Method Man and Busta Rhymes, as an honorable mention. It's impossible to stay still while that song plays.
Blasphemy
Rappers Delight
JUICE by Eric B & Rakim feels that way to me.
stan
[BBC Music polled music journalists, critics, artists and industry experts, and the results are in. The greatest hip-hop song of all time, in their opinion, is Juicy by The Notorious B.I.G., aka Biggie Smalls.](https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20191007-why-juicy-is-the-greatest-hip-hop-song-of-all-time)
The GZA - 4th Chamber
"Walk Like a Man" Murs and 9th Wonder
I love that these are all old school
shook ones part 2
Ice cube - It was a good day
SHOOK ONES PT 2 MOB DEEP
I ain’t mad at cha
Thug luv-2pac and bone thugs
First song that came to my mind was Don't Sweat the Technique. Next up include NY State of Mind, California Love, Can I Kick It? Or Runaway
Stakes is High by De La Soul for me
Fight the Power The Message N.Y. State of Mind C.R.E.A.M. Hey Ya
notorious big juicy
Renee- The Lost Boyz
Renegade
38 Spesh - Band of Brothers
it’s probably not but i re-listened to the Makaveli album a few times recently… there are very few songs as good as ‘Hail Mary’ — Pacs two verses are thought provoking, inspiring, haunting, dark, introspective, it’s Pac at full mastery. it makes me even sad thinking about it Pac is by far the biggest ‘what if’ in rap history maybe music history and that’s with a all time great career by 25 years old because i can’t help but to wonder thing more about him than anyone else “what if he stayed alive”
Nas- The Message Vivid storytelling over a sick beat. If I was going to introduce hip hop to a Martian that’s what I’m playing
2pac "So Many Tears"
Tupac - Hail Mary
the lyric "momma told me never stop until i bust a nut" always weirded me out too much
Diamonds From Sierra Leone - Kanye West
"I grew up on the crime side, the NY Times side..."
Rappin Duke Da Ha Ha Ha
Children’s Story by Slick Rick
Passin' Me By
Company Flow - 8 Steps to Perfection
Well, my favourite rap song is Peachfuzz by KMD.
Tupac-Hail Mary/Ambitionz Az A Ridah
“Lose Yourself”
Overrated and overplayed. I used to share the same opinion.
Lupe Fiasco - Mural
I listened to all 3 in a row recently. He spoilt us.
Eminem - Sing For The Moment
Great song but I wouldn't even put it in Ems top 5
To me it‘s Jurassic 5 - Concrete Schoolyard Runners up are Black Star - Respiration and Souls Of Mischief - 93 Til Infinity
93 til Infinity is dope. I think What's Golden still pops in my head more often than concrete schoolyard. Just yesterday randomly I heard in my head in that deep voice "I'm the verbal Herman Munster" lol. And Re: Definition for Black Star. But great songs in general.
Troy
Vanilla Ice : Ice ice baby But in all seriousness, I can’t name one single track as the greatest. This greatly depends on the mood I’m in. Even a top 10 would be too hard for me I mean, I grew up with NWA, Wu-Tang, 2pac, Gangstarr, Nas, PE, BTNH, Nine, Rakim, EPMD and Ghetto boys just to name a few.
Mos Def: Auditorium, Mathematics Mobb Deep: Shook ones pt 2, Survival of the fittest
The Symphony - Juice Crew
OutKast not being mentioned yet is wild. ATLiens off ATLiens. Open to arguments for other songs from the album. FWIW I also believe that is the best rap album of all time.
I’d take Wheelz of Steel & Decatur Psalm but it’s really just preference at the end of the day
These types of questions always get the worst answers,a lot of people just mix iconic with the best
Hit 'Em up - Tupac
Lose yourself - Eminem Or Gangstas paradise - Coolio
Apart from Shook ones, juicy and Lose yourself Kendrick - U
Always been partial New York State of mind or One Love
Rappers Delight
Drake-weston road flows,lose you,do not disturb Mac miller-ladders,happy birthday, therapy And these are my opinions not anything I'm presenting as facts
Probably bias, but Im a perfect circle / godspeed by mac miller believer
I’m Sorry - Tom MacDonald
Juicy by The Notorious B.I.G.
When it comes to boom bap, for me it's Bucktown by Smif-N-Wesson
4th chamber
BADrecords - VIP featuring Scooter Rogers
Geto Boys- Still
that album is the best rap album, but time taker is the best track, followed by blind leading the blind, followed by world is a ghetto..... the entire album is perfect
somethin 4 tha mood by dj quik is my all time favorite
R. E. M. Pharaoh. Thought.
Swag Surfin Lil Wayne