My Top 10 Hip-Hop Songs of All Time

While I was listening to Kanye’s new album, getting prepared to give my review, I received a tweet from my home girl (follow her here). She was watching VH1’s 100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs Countdown and she wanted my, and a few others, opinion of our top 10 hip-hop tracks of all time. I knew that this was a question I had to sit on before I give an answer. Of all time?! ALL TIME?? Okay. Let me think……………………content……………….delivery…………………….beat……………………impact………………hmmm……….in no particular order…………..

Whodini – Friends

• Everybody asks “How many of us have them?” It was/is real talk that resonated back then and still holds plenty truth today.

Ice Cube – Today Was A Good Day

• This is just a legendary track. To me, there is not one flaw in this record what so ever. He took you through his whole day from breakfast ( no hog) to 2 am the next morning when he got the Fat Burger and didn’t miss a step. No to mention the classic quote, ‘ Shake ‘em up, shake ‘em up, shake ‘em up, shake ‘em.)

Wu-Tang Clan – C.R.E.A.M.

• I really don’t think I need to go too deep into why this track is on my list. Every since they hit the scene it’s been a worldwide fact that Cash Rules Everything Around Me. Dolla dolla bill yaaaaa’lll.

Slick Rick – Children’s Story

• This is story telling at its finest from the greatest story teller of all time. I don’t think there was ever a more vivid picture in hip-hop than the picture painted by The Grand Wizard.  “Me and you, Todd, we’re gonna make some cash…………”

Notorious B.I.G. – Big Poppa

• This track was player to the fullest. His delivery on this was perfect. It was so cool, so laid back, so pimp type. The Isley Brother’s sample never sounded so good either. You know it’s classic when more than a decade later, people still got their hands in the air, if they’re a true player.

Snoop Dogg – Gin and Juice

• The impact of this record was and still is crazy. Dre went nuts on the beat and Snoop went in with the classic lines. “They aint leaving till 6 in the moooo’nen.” “With my mind on my money and my money on my mind.”  Not to mention that this song still goes!!! Dope record!!

Run DMC – Sucka MC’s

• If hip-hop was a TV sitcom, this would be the theme song. I absolutely love the opening drum hits and then when Run comes in with “Two years ago a friend of mine asked me to say some emcee rhymes……” That shit is dope!!!!  I really don’t think I need to go in too deep about this song. The Kings of Rock!!!!

Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg – Nothing But A G Thang

• Do you need an explanation for this record? I don’t think so. 1, 2, 3 and to the Fo.

Eminem – Stan

• I might catch flack for this but put this in this perspective;  The song was nuts!!! The idea is one of a kind. Eminem’s lyrics are untouchable. Lastly, how many times have you called somebody a ‘Stan’ since this record? Talk about impact……….

NWA – Fuck Tha Police

• At the time of this record’s release, you had to have balls of steel to say these three words in public.  So it set America back when a group of young black kids said this. Not only said it, but said it on a record!! Not only said it on a record, but they were RAPPING!!! IMPACT? You want IMPACT?! These words still ring in the hearts of millions of people today. Relevant in 1988 and still VERY MUCH relevant today.

Okay there it is. My top 10 hip-hop songs of all time. Again this is just my opinion so no need to throw stones. I thought about this for a while and this is what I came up with. Tell me what you think but don’t fucking debate me…….. make your own list.  Shout to everybody out there trying to keep hip-hop healthy.