Our Top 68 Hardest-Hitting Rap Songs of All Time

.Hip hop has been around for over four decades, and in that time it has produced some of the most powerful and hard-hitting rap songs ever. From classics like Nas’ “The World Is Yours” to modern hits like Kendrick Lamar’s “Humble,” hip hop is known for its lyrical punchlines, vivid storytelling, and raw emotion. But what are the hardest hitting rap songs of all time?

In this blog post, we’ve compiled our own list of the best 68 rap and hip-hop songs that stood the test of time, and are still being played on radio and multimedia programs in the United States.

How we came up with our top picks

When it comes to the best and hardest-hitting rap songs that are still relevant today, it was extremely hard to come up with this list. We spent days poring over hundreds of classics and contemporary hits to come up with a list of our top 68 picks. First, we had to narrow down our criteria for inclusion. We decided to focus on songs from the last 40 years that have withstood the test of time and are still being played on radio stations, at clubs, and in media outlets. We also considered songs that have been sampled or referenced by other artists as well as those with unforgettable hooks and memorable lines. After much deliberation, we are proud to present our list of 68 rap songs that still pack a punch.

GoBuyBeats Editors’ PIcks of the Top 68 Hip-Hop / Rap Songs with Longevity

1. Notorious B.I.G – Juicy

2. Nas – The World is Yours

3. Wu-Tang Clan – Protect Ya Neck

4. Beastie Boys – Sabotage

5. Tupac Shakur – Ambitionz Az A Ridah

6. Dr Dre ft Snoop Dogg – Nuthin But a G Thang

7. Kanye West ft Pusha T – Runaway

8. Gang Starr – Mass Appeal

9. Public Enemy – Fight The Power

10. 2Pac ft Outlawz – Hit Em Up

11. Jay Z & Linkin Park– Numb/Encore

12. Run DMC– Walk This Way

13. NWA– ‘Straight Outta Compton

14. Big Daddy Kane– Ain’t No Half Steppin

15. Ice Cube – It Was a Good Day

16. Eminem – Lose Yourself

17. Mobb Deep – Shook Ones

18. 50 Cent feat Nate Dogg 21 Questions

19. Kendrick Lamar Humble

20. Notorious BIG Mo Money Mo Problems

21. LL Cool J – Mama Said Knock You Out

22. The Notorious B.I.G.- Big Poppa

23. Big L – Put It On

24. DMX – Ruff Ryders Anthem

25. Dr Dre & Eminem – Forgot About Dre

26. Wu Tang Clan – C.R.E.A.M

27. Nas- If I Ruled The World

28. OutKast– Hey Ya!

29. JAY-Z – 99 Problems

30. Eminem ft. Rihanna – Love The Way You Lie

31. Ice Cube – Check Yo Self

32. The Fugees – ‘Ready or Not

’33. KRS-One – Rapture

34. T.I. – What You Know

35. The Notorious B.I.G.- Hypnotize

36. 2Pac ft. Talent – Changes

37. Snoop Dogg & Dr Dre – Still DRE

38. Method Man & Redman – Da Rockwilder

39. Kanye West ft. Jay-Z – Ni**as In Paris

40. DMX – Slippin

41. Nas – I Can

42. 50 Cent – In Da Club

43. A Tribe Called Quest – Award Tour

44. Mobb Deep – Shook Ones Part II

45. Scarface – On My Block

46. NWA – F**k Tha Police

47. Ludacris – Southern Hospitality

48. Eminem ft. Dido – Stan

49. Tupac Shakur – California Love

50. Wu-Tang Clan – Triumph

51. Jay-Z– ‘Hard Knock Life

52. Papoose – Alphabetical Slaughter

53. The LOX ft. Lil’ Kim & DMX – Money, Power, Respect

54. The Roots – ‘The Seed 2.0

55. Big Pun ft. Joe – Still Not a Player

56. Rakim – Guess Who’s Back

57. The Firm – Phone Tap

58. Dr Dre – The Next Episode

59. Public Enemy – Don’t Believe The Hype

60. MC Hammer – U Can’t Touch This

61. Mase – Feel So Good

62. OutKast – Ms. Jackson

63. DMX – Party Up (Up In Here)

64. 50 Cent – Many Men

65. Kanye West – Jesus Walks

66. Jadakiss ft. Jazmine Sullivan – Smoking Gun

67. The Game & 50 Cent – Hate It or Love It

68. J Cole – No Role Moelz

What makes these songs evergreen compared to modern hip-hop?

What makes these 68 songs stand the test of time is their quality, originality and impact. These rap tracks have lyrics that tell stories with interesting characters and point of views. They are overflowing with emotion and thought-provoking messages that still resonate today. The beats are creative, powerful and well produced, giving them a timeless appeal. Finally, the impact these songs have had on the genre, culture and society is undeniable. They are widely recognized as influential classics and continue to be sampled by modern rappers. Together, their longevity is a testament to their timelessness and immense influence in hip-hop culture.

Will hip-hop ever return to the sound that made the classics special?

The classics of hip-hop will always remain special, and it is unlikely that modern hip-hop will ever return to their sound. However, as the genre continues to evolve, rappers are finding ways to honor the legacy of these songs while expanding upon them in new directions. The spirit of creativity and experimentation that made classic rap so powerful will forever remain an integral part of the genre. Every so often, a new artist will come along and introduce something fresh that pays homage to its predecessors while pushing hip-hop into the future.

In conclusion, these classic rap songs will continue to be timeless staples of the genre – their quality, originality and impact resonating with each generation.

Written by Sonyx Music