50 Years Of Hip Hop: The Rankdown Part 2 (COMPLETE)

[Soulsista]

Moving on now to part 2 of this series, which as mentioned previously, will cover the '90s. Initially I wanted to keep it to 50 songs as in part 1, but when I was gathering my pool of songs to put this list together, I quickly realized that that wasn't possible. There were just too many songs to highlight, so I decided to expand it to 100. And here they are:

2Pac - Keep Ya Head Up
3rd Bass - Pop Goes The Weasel
69 Boyz - Tootsee Roll
Arrested Development - Mr. Wendal
B.G. - Bling Bling
Big Pun feat. Joe - Still Not a Player
Black Sheep - The Choice Is Yours (Revisited)
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony - Tha Crossroads
Busta Rhymes - Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See
Chubb Rock - Treat 'Em Right
Common - I Used To Love H.E.R.
Coolio - Fantastic Voyage
Craig Mack - Flava In Ya Ear
Cypress Hill - Insane In The Brain
D-Nice - Call Me D-Nice
Da Brat - Funkdafied
Das EFX - They Want EFX
De La Soul - Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)
Digable Planets - Rebirth Of Slick (Cool Like Dat)
Digital Underground - The Humpty Dance
DJ Quik - Born And Raised In Compton
DMX - Ruff Ryders Anthem
Domino - Getto Jam
Dr. Dre feat. Snoop Dogg - Still D.R.E.
Eazy-E - Real Muthaphuckkin' G's
Eminem feat. Dr. Dre - Guilty Conscience
EPMD - Crossover
Eric B. & Rakim - Don't Sweat The Technique
Eve feat. Faith Evans - Love Is Blind
Fat Joe - Flow Joe
Father MC - I'll Do 4 U
Foxy Brown feat. Jay-Z - I'll Be
Fugees - Fu-Gee-La
Geto Boys - Mind Playing Tricks On Me
Goodie Mob - Cell Therapy
Heavy D & The Boyz - Got Me Waiting
House Of Pain - Jump Around
Ice Cube - It Was a Good Day
Ja Rule - Holla Holla
Jay-Z feat. Ja Rule & Amil - Can I Get A...
Jermaine Dupri feat. Jay-Z - Money Ain't a Thang
Junior M.A.F.I.A. - Get Money
Juvenile feat. Lil Wayne & Mannie Fresh - Back That Azz Up
Kid N' Play - Ain't Gonna Hurt Nobody
Kris Kross - Jump
KRS-One - Step Into a World (Rapper's Delight)
The L.O.X. feat. DMX & Lil Kim - Money, Power, Respect
Lady Of Rage feat. Snoop Dogg - Afro Puffs
Lauryn Hill - Doo Wop (That Thing)
Lil Kim feat. Lil Cease - Crush On You (Remix)
Lil Wayne - Tha Block Is Hot
LL Cool J - Around The Way Girl
Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz - Deja Vu (Uptown Baby)
Lost Boyz - Renee
Luniz - I Got 5 On It
Mase - Feel So Good
Master P - Make 'Em Say Uhh!
MC Hammer - 2 Legit 2 Quit
MC Lyte - Ruffneck
Method Man & Redman - How High
Missy Elliott - The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)
Mobb Deep feat. Lil Kim - Quiet Storm
Monie Love - Monie In The Middle
Nas feat. Lauryn Hill - If I Ruled The World (Imagine That)
Naughty By Nature - O.P.P.
Nice & Smooth - Sometimes I Rhyme Slow
Noreaga - Superthug
The Notorious B.I.G. - Juicy
Ol' Dirty Bastard feat. Kelis - Got Your Money
Onyx - Slam
Outkast - Rosa Parks
Paperboy - Ditty
Pete Rock & CL Smooth - They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)
The Pharcyde - Passin' Me By
Positive K - I Got a Man
Pras Michel feat. Ol' Dirty Bastard & Mya - Ghetto Supastar
Public Enemy - 911 Is a Joke
Puff Daddy & The Family - It's All About The Benjamins
Q-Tip - Vivrant Thing
Queen Latifah - U.N.I.T.Y.
Queen Pen - Party Ain't a Party
The Roots feat. Erykah Badu - You Got Me
Run-DMC - Down With The King
Salt-N-Pepa feat. En Vogue - Whatta Man
Scarface - I Seen a Man Die
Silkk The Shocker - It Ain't My Fault
Snap! - The Power
Snoop Dogg - Gin And Juice
Sylk-E Fyne feat. Chill - Romeo And Juliet
Timbaland & Magoo - Up Jumps Da Boogie
A Tribe Called Quest - Scenario
Trick Daddy feat. Trina - Nann
Vanilla Ice - Ice Ice Baby
Warren G & Nate Dogg - Regulate
The West Coast Rap All-Stars - We're All In The Same Gang
Will Smith - Men In Black
Wreckx-N-Effect - Rump Shaker
Wu Tang Clan - C.R.E.A.M.
Wyclef Jean - We Trying To Stay Alive
Yo-Yo feat. Ice Cube - You Can't Play With My Yo-Yo


YouTube Playlist

Spotify Playlist:



Final rankings will use an inverse point system.

You may rank whichever version (LP version, single edit, remix, etc.) you prefer.

Submissions are tentatively due April 28. Because this is a large pool, please number your lists to ensure that no songs get left out.


Part 1

SPOILER: Click to show

{Tags}312999 aerodynamite alexcuse American Idiot annoymous1 anthony11554 bat1990 BB🌕 beyoncelover Linnethia Monique Private Dancer ccarter1023 chanman CF15 Verisimilitude Willow Rinadoobee Breakfast craziaskowboi Unhinged valleyghost01 divasummer Glove Slap dremolus - solarpunk Enyasurvivor Chelsea Press 2 fearlessarrow Troublemaker singingrulebritannia God gonecountry Gonza'90 newpower Sambalada ilikemilk CagedJuggalo The Third Tanker HamedM1 💔 @imhappy259 .indulgecountry Jay D83 jenglisbe Juanca emerald jtd Thee Stallion khan peacebone Lordef†ones Ky legend1982 🇯🇲 lucy88 🇯🇲 M5AGTS mamooshka #LisaRinna Sir Benji Mayman SHOOTER Kelly's 10th Fan razorshark Red rnb rowellfarm490 SabrinaFan samo🦕 sergejdordij stallie Active Aggressive toomuchboy Mirago @trilogy Ty Mic Technique B-Boy walt91 Wavey✨️ willapted33 wrip wyckyd zippy

[Willow Rinadoobee Breakfast]

In this time. Though this time, it’s much easier to spot who will make the bottom half.

[312999]

100 percent in.

Surprised you went with Fantastic Voyage over Gangstas Paradise, but its okay, maybe Gangsta Paradise could have been an obvious winner, but it would have definitely been top 5.

[B-Boy]

It’s going to be a bloodbath.

[khan]

Oh boy this is a huge one now. Happy though since it means we get to revisit some of the artists from round one!

[Soulsista]

EXTRAS

The lead single from their Blacks' Magic album topped the rap chart and peaked at #8 on the R&B chart and #26 on the Hot 100.

Expression - Salt-N-Pepa

---

The biggest hit for this rapper from South Central LA topped the rap chart, peaked at #5 R&B and #9 on the Hot 100. Samples "Tonight Is The Night" by Betty Wright and "Ooh Boy" by Rose Royce.

Knockin' Boots - Candyman

---

His biggest hit peaked at #3 rap and #12 on the Hot 100. Samples the Donny Hathaway song of the same name.

The Ghetto - Too $hort

[312999]

Knockin Boots could have been high for me, probably like top 20.

[Soulsista]

EXTRAS

This song peaked at #5 on the rap chart and #58 on the R&B chart.

Be a Father To Your Child - Ed O.G. & Da Bulldogs

---

The lead single from his sophomore album Legal peaked at #5 rap and #25 R&B.

The Mission - Special Ed

---

And here's an earlier version of a song that we'll be ranking. Lyrics are from "Let The Words Flow" by the rapper featured on this song. This version peaked at #53 on the R&B chart.

The Power - Power Jam feat. Chill Rob G

[beyoncelover]

Omgg whoa, this going to 100 songs is huge. But after seeing the list, there are so many iconic and amazing songs here so I get the increase. I definitely want to participate in this

[singingrulebritannia]

It should be said that although the original "Flava In Ya Ear" is in the playlist, the remix with Biggie/LL Cool J/Busta Rhymes/Rampage is the version people will likely remember better.



There's also a popular remix of "How High" that's worth comparing with the original--it was the version used for the MV.

[Soulsista]

WEEKLY REMINDER!

Participants:
1. Soulsista
2. Willow Rinadoobee Breakfast
3. singingrulebritannia

SPOILER: Click to show

{Tags}312999 aerodynamite alexcuse American Idiot annoymous1 anthony11554 bat1990 BB🌕 beyoncelover Linnethia Monique Private Dancer ccarter1023 chanman CF15 Verisimilitude Willow Rinadoobee Breakfast craziaskowboi Unhinged valleyghost01 divasummer Glove Slap dremolus - solarpunk Enyasurvivor Chelsea Press 2 fearlessarrow Troublemaker singingrulebritannia God gonecountry Gonza'90 newpower Sambalada ilikemilk CagedJuggalo The Third Tanker HamedM1 💔 @imhappy259 .indulgecountry Jay D83 jenglisbe Juanca emerald jtd Thee Stallion khan peacebone Lordef†ones Ky legend1982 🇯🇲 lucy88 🇯🇲 M5AGTS mamooshka #LisaRinna Sir Benji Mayman SHOOTER Kelly's 10th Fan razorshark Red rnb rowellfarm490 SabrinaFan samo🦕 sergejdordij stallie Active Aggressive toomuchboy Mirago @trilogy Ty Mic Technique B-Boy walt91 Wavey✨️ willapted33 wrip wyckyd zippy

[B-Boy]

“Expression” will always be a classic to me.

[Soulsista]

EXTRAS

Her biggest hit topped the rap chart and peaked at #31 on the R&B chart. Samples "Tom's Diner" by Suzanne Vega.

Daddy's Little Girl - Nikki D

---

This song hit #1 on the rap chart, #13 on the R&B chart, and #20 on the Hot 100. Samples "Born In The U.S.A." by Bruce Springsteen.

Banned In The U.S.A. - 2 Live Crew

---

His first charted single topped the rap chart and peaked at #14 for R&B. Features a then-unknown group called Jodeci.

Treat Them Like They Want To Be Treated - Father MC

[ilikemilk]

This is a Rankdown that I should get started on earlier instead of the last week because I know it will take a long time to fully listen to all the songs and rank them well because these will be hard to rank. Better to get a more accurate ranking then throwing it all in at the last second and rushing.

[Soulsista]

WEEKLY REMINDER!

SPOILER: Click to show

{Tags}312999 aerodynamite alexcuse American Idiot annoymous1 anthony11554 bat1990 BB🌕 beyoncelover Linnethia Monique Private Dancer ccarter1023 chanman CF15 Verisimilitude Willow Rinadoobee Breakfast craziaskowboi Unhinged valleyghost01 divasummer Glove Slap dremolus - solarpunk Enyasurvivor Chelsea Press 2 fearlessarrow Troublemaker singingrulebritannia God gonecountry Gonza'90 newpower Sambalada ilikemilk CagedJuggalo The Third Tanker HamedM1 💔 @imhappy259 .indulgecountry Jay D83 jenglisbe Juanca emerald jtd Thee Stallion khan peacebone Lordef†ones Ky legend1982 🇯🇲 lucy88 🇯🇲 M5AGTS mamooshka #LisaRinna Sir Benji Mayman SHOOTER Kelly's 10th Fan razorshark Red rnb rowellfarm490 SabrinaFan samo🦕 sergejdordij stallie Active Aggressive toomuchboy Mirago @trilogy Ty Mic Technique B-Boy walt91 Wavey✨️ willapted33 wrip wyckyd zippy

[312999]

Joe really really didn't even try sampling Passin Me By, which I hope does well on this, he straight up copied everything from it beat wise.

[Soulsista]

EXTRAS

The first single from her Nature Of a Sista' album peaked at #19 on the rap chart and #16 on the R&B chart.

Fly Girl - Queen Latifah

---

The follow-up peaked at #8 rap and #13 R&B.

Latifah's Had It Up 2 Here - Queen Latifah

---

This song topped the rap chart and peaked at #20 on the R&B chart.

Just The Two Of Us - Chubb Rock

[Soulsista]

EXTRAS

The lead single from her Act Like You Know album peaked at #3 on the rap chart and #14 on the R&B chart. The original version contains an interpolation of Bill Withers' "The Same Love That Made Me Laugh". The single remix samples "Hot (I Need To Be Loved, Loved, Loved)" by James Brown.

When In Love - MC Lyte


LP version:

---

Her next single topped the rap chart, peaked at #11 for R&B, and was her first Hot 100 entry. Samples Toto's "Georgy Porgy", Michael Jackson's "I Wanna Be Where You Are", The Supremes' "My World Is Empty Without You", Jimmy Spicer's "The Bubble Bunch", Eric B & Rakim's "Eric B. Is President", and interpolates The S.O.S. Band's "Just Be Good To Me".

The music video features a young Lauryn Hill.

Poor Georgie - MC Lyte

[CF15]

I know a handful of these. I'll try to see if I can do this one.

[ilikemilk]

Apr 7, 2023 2:24:21 GMT -5 312999 said:

Joe really really didn't even try sampling Passin Me By, which I hope does well on this, he straight up copied everything from it beat wise.

The sample is what made Stutter get popular lol. I think their voice will turn some people off and rank it low. Personally I don't mind it! Maybe a high SD song?

[Soulsista]

WEEKLY REMINDER!

SPOILER: Click to show

{Tags}312999 aerodynamite alexcuse American Idiot annoymous1 anthony11554 bat1990 BB🌕 beyoncelover Linnethia Monique Private Dancer ccarter1023 chanman CF15 Verisimilitude Willow Rinadoobee Breakfast craziaskowboi Unhinged valleyghost01 divasummer Glove Slap dremolus - solarpunk Enyasurvivor Chelsea Press 2 fearlessarrow Troublemaker singingrulebritannia God gonecountry Gonza'90 newpower Sambalada ilikemilk CagedJuggalo The Third Tanker HamedM1 💔 @imhappy259 .indulgecountry Jay D83 jenglisbe Juanca emerald jtd Thee Stallion khan peacebone Lordef†ones Ky legend1982 🇯🇲 lucy88 🇯🇲 M5AGTS mamooshka #LisaRinna Sir Benji Mayman SHOOTER Kelly's 10th Fan razorshark Red rnb rowellfarm490 SabrinaFan samo🦕 sergejdordij stallie Active Aggressive toomuchboy Mirago @trilogy Ty Mic Technique B-Boy walt91 Wavey✨️ willapted33 wrip wyckyd zippy

[Soulsista]

EXTRAS

The follow up to his hit "Born And Raised In Compton" peaked at #3 on the rap chart and #13 on the R&B chart. Samples "Tonight" by Kleeer, "Tonight Is The Night" by Betty Wright, and "Last Night Changed It All (I Really Had a Ball)" by Esther Williams.

Tonite - DJ Quik

---

This song peaked at #4 rap and #37 R&B.

Jus Lyke Compton - DJ Quik

---

This song topped the rap chart and peaked at #12 on the R&B and #17 on the Hot 100. It won a Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance.

Mama Said Knock You Out - LL Cool J

[312999]

Tonite and Mama Said Knock You Out would have been high for me.

[312999]

And this Rankdown is done as well! this was a tough rank and lots of nice discoveries that some songs in my 60s maybe even 70s would have been like top 40 on most lists.

My 14, 18, and 24 all have a chance to be in the bottom 10, and I won't even be surprised if they are. Other than that, I think it will go pretty well, hopefully.

[Soulsista]

EXTRAS

The biggest hit for this duo from California peaked at #12 on the rap chart, #33 on the R&B chart, and #14 on the Hot 100. Samples "Darkest Light" by The Lafayette Afro Rock Band and "Early In The Morning" by The Gap Band.

Back To The Hotel - N2Deep

---

The only hit by this Georgia-based duo peaked at #29 rap, #19 R&B, and #12 on the Hot 100.

Dazzey Duks - Duice

---

Their follow-up to "They Want EFX" topped the rap chart and peaked at #22 on the R&B chart.

Mic Checka - Das EFX

[312999]

Dazzey Duks is a guilty pleasure and would have had it high but I’m sure it would have been out very early. Back To The Hotel would have been high for me too.

[beyoncelover]

Phew, I finally finished working on this and sent in my list!

Lots of great songs and classics on this list, which were all really hard to rank. There's plenty of songs that I like or love. Then some songs I didn't recognize by title but remembered them while listening to them. There were also some songs I didn't know or care for much. It was all a mixture. I can't wait to see how this rankdown goes.

[Soulsista]

10 DAYS LEFT!

Participants:
1. Soulsista
2. Willow Rinadoobee Breakfast
3. singingrulebritannia
4. 312999
5. beyoncelover

SPOILER: Click to show

{Tags}312999 aerodynamite alexcuse American Idiot annoymous1 anthony11554 bat1990 BB🌕 beyoncelover Linnethia Monique Private Dancer ccarter1023 chanman CF15 Verisimilitude Willow Rinadoobee Breakfast craziaskowboi Unhinged valleyghost01 divasummer Glove Slap dremolus - solarpunk Enyasurvivor Chelsea Press 2 fearlessarrow Troublemaker singingrulebritannia God gonecountry Gonza'90 newpower Sambalada ilikemilk CagedJuggalo The Third Tanker HamedM1 💔 @imhappy259 .indulgecountry Jay D83 jenglisbe Juanca emerald jtd Thee Stallion khan peacebone Lordef†ones Ky legend1982 🇯🇲 lucy88 🇯🇲 M5AGTS mamooshka #LisaRinna Sir Benji Mayman SHOOTER Kelly's 10th Fan razorshark Red rnb rowellfarm490 SabrinaFan samo🦕 sergejdordij stallie Active Aggressive toomuchboy Mirago @trilogy Ty Mic Technique B-Boy walt91 Wavey✨️ willapted33 wrip wyckyd zippy

[Soulsista]

EXTRAS

Their debut single peaked at #2 on the rap chart, #17 on the R&B chart, and #22 on the Hot 100. Features vocals by Shatasha Williams.

Thuggish Ruggish Bone - Bone Thugs-N-Harmony

---

The lead single from their album The Art Of War peaked at #2 rap and #4 on the R&B and Hot 100 charts. It was also featured on the soundtrack to Batman & Robin.

Look Into My Eyes - Bone Thugs-N-Harmony

---

His last charted single peaked at #12 on the rap chart and #68 on the R&B chart.

Neva Go Back - Special Ed

[ilikemilk]

I should have my list in by next week! Almost done.