Hot Rap Songs Chart 25th Anniversary: Top 100 Songs

3/6/2014 by Billboard Staff , Erika Ramirez

Photofest; Dan Martensen; PRNewsFoto/Def Jam; John Keatley
Notorious B.I.G., Drake, Missy Elliott, Macklemore

To honor the 25th anniversary of Billboard's Hot Rap Songs chart, we’re counting down the tally's top 100 tracks ever.

Rap is a victorious genre. Having built its history on songs of overcoming the harshest of hard-knock lives, in addition to observances of all of life's nuances, rap is more than just dope beats and rhymes. Its lyrics tell stories with insights and uncommon honesty, traits that have ultimately taken the genre from niched inner-city beginnings to a longstanding place at the heart of pop culture.

So it was fitting for Billboard to create a chart, in 1989, dedicated to the then-rising genre, birthed out of hip-hop. At the time, MTV's influential "Yo! MTV Raps" was only a few months old, and acts like Ice-T and N.W.A were not only ruling rap but beginning to enter the mainstream music conversation.

While rap has evolved, there’s no denying its ever-growing power. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Billboard’s Hot Rap Songs chart, we’re counting down the top 100 songs in the tally’s quarter-century history. From Salt-N-Pepa to Macklemore, we've got the genre's past quarter-century covered.

Hot Rap Songs 25th Anniversary: Top 50 Artists & More

MORE BILLBOARD ANNIVERSARY CHARTS:
Hot 100 55th Anniversary: Top 100 Songs
Alternative 25th Anniversary: 100 Songs | Hot Country Songs: Top 70 Songs

Scroll to the bottom of this page to see how this chart was formulated.

  1. 100

    "All of the Lights" - Kanye West Hot Rap Songs Peak: 2, Peak Date: 4/30/2011

  2. 99

    "No Lie - 2 Chainz feat. Drake Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 9/8/2012

  3. 98

    "Aston Martin Music" - Rick Ross feat. Drake & Chrisette Michelle Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 12/25/2010

  5. 97

    "Loungin" - LL Cool J Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 8/31/1996

  6. 96

    "O.P.P." - Naughty By Nature Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 9/14/1991

  7. 95

    "Heartless" - Kanye West Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 2/7/2009

  9. 94

    "Player's Ball" - OutKast Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 3/26/1994

  10. 93

    "Holla Holla" - Ja Rule Hot Rap Songs Peak: 2, Peak Date: 5/29/1999

  11. 92

    "Left/Right" - Drama Hot Rap Songs Peak: 2, Peak Date: 2/26/2000

  13. 91

    "Call Me D-Nice" - D-Nice Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 9/1/1990

    NEXT: 90-81

    The 25th Anniversary Hot Rap Songs ranking is based on actual performance on the weekly Hot Rap Songs chart, since the chart’s inception in the March 11, 1989, issue. Rankings are based on an inverse point system, with weeks at No. 1 having the greatest value and weeks at lower positions proportionately less. Due to various changes in chart rules, chart length and methodology throughout the years, songs had varying reigns at No. 1 and on the chart. To ensure equitable representation of the biggest hits from all 25 years, certain time frames were weighted to account for the difference in turnover rates from those periods.

  14. 90

    "C'Mon N' Ride It (The Train)" - Quad City DJ's Hot Rap Songs Peak: 4, Peak Date: 6/29/1996

  15. 89

    "Looking At The Front Door" - Main Source Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 3/23/1991

  17. 88

    "Money Maker" - Ludacris feat. Pharrell Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 10/14/2006

  18. 87

    "The Way You Move" - OutKast feat. Sleepy Brown Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 12/20/2003

  19. 86

    "Jigga My N****" - Jay Z Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 9/11/1999

  21. 85

    "Slow Motion" - Juvenile feat. Soulja Slim Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 7/3/2004

  22. 84

    "Headlines" - Drake Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 10/15/2011

  23. 83

    "Got Money" - Lil Wayne feat. T-Pain Hot Rap Songs Peak: 2, Peak Date: 9/20/2008

  25. 82

    "My Baby" - Lil' Romeo Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 5/19/2001

  26. 81

    "Lovers & Friends" - Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz feat. Usher & Ludacris Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 1/15/2005

    NEXT: 80-71

  27. 80

    "Damn!" - YoungBloodZ feat. Lil Jon Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 10/18/2003

  29. 79

    "Whistle While You Twurk" - Ying Yang Twins Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 4/1/2000

  30. 78

    "(Hot S**t) Country Grammar" - Nelly Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 5/27/2000

  31. 77

    "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" - Soulja Boy Tellem Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 9/29/2007

  33. 76

    "Jump" - Kriss Kross Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 4/18/1992

  34. 75

    "Po Pimp" - Do Or Die feat. Twista Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 10/26/1996

  35. 74

    "Dunkie Butt (Please Please Please)" - 12 Guage Hot Rap Songs Peak: 3, Peak Date: 2/5/1994

  37. 73

    "Lights, Camera, Action!" - Mr. Cheeks Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 3/2/2002

  38. 72

    "I'll Do 4 U" - Father M.C. Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 12/22/1990

  39. 71

    "Lookin' At Me" - Mase feat. Puff Daddy Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 8/1/1998

    NEXT: 70-61

  41. 70

    "Independent" - Webbie feat. Lil' Phat & Lil' Boosie Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 3/22/2008

  42. 69

    "Drank In My Cup" - Kirko Bangz Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 5/26/2012

  43. 68

    "4,5,6" - Sole feat. JT Money & Kandi Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 11/20/1999

  45. 67

    "It Ain't My Fault 2 / Somebody Like Me" - Silkk The Shocker feat. Mystikal Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 3/6/1999

  46. 66

    "Funkdafied" - Da Brat Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 6/18/1994

  47. 65

    "Rump Shaker" - Wreckx-N-Effect Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 11/28/1992

  49. 64

    "Around The Way Girl" - LL Cool J Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 1/12/1991

  50. 63

    "Callin' Me" - Lil' Zane feat. 112 Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 7/15/2000

  51. 62

    "Mind Playing Tricks On Me" - Geto Boys Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 10/19/1991

  53. 61

    "Work It" - Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 11/2/2002

    NEXT: 60-51

  54. 60

    "Dilemma" - Nelly feat. Kelly Rowland Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 8/24/2002

  55. 59

    "Get Money" - Junior M.A.F.I.A." Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 2/24/1996

  57. 58

    "Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It" - Dem Franchize Boyz feat. Lil Peanut & Charlay Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 3/11/2006

  58. 57

    "I Got 5 On It" - Luniz Hot Rap Songs Peak: 2, Peak Date: 9/9/1995

  59. 56

    "They Want EFX" - Das EFX Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 5/30/1992

  61. 55

    "Ghetto Cowboy" - Mo Thugs Family feat. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 12/19/1998

  62. 54

    "Raise Up" - Petey Pablo Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 9/15/2001

  63. 53

    "It's Goin' Down" - Young Joc Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 6/10/2006

  65. 52

    "Empire State of Mind" - Jay Z & Alicia Keys Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 11/21/2009

  66. 51

    "Da' Dip" - Freak Nasty Hot Rap Songs Peak: 4, Peak Date: 5/31/1997

    NEXT: 50-41

  67. 50

    "Good Life" - Kanye West feat. T-Pain Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 11/3/2007

  69. 49

    "Bounce With Me" - Lil Bow Wow feat. Xscape Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 8/19/2000

  70. 48

    "Moment 4 Life" - Nicki Minaj feat. Drake Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 2/19/2011

  71. 47

    "Walk It out" - Unk Hot Rap Songs Peak: 2, Peak Date: 12/2/200

  73. 46

    "Nothin' On You" - B.o.B feat. Bruno Mars Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 4/24/2010

  74. 45

    "Dead and Gone" - T.I. feat. Justin Timberlake Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 3/14/2009

  75. 44

    "No Time" - Lil' Kim feat. Puff Daddy Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 11/16/1996

  77. 43

    "Right Thurr" - Chingy Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 7/26/2003

  78. 42

    "Gangnam Style" - PSY Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 10/20/2012

  79. 41

    "I'll Be Missing You" - Puff Daddy & Faith Evans feat. 112 Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 6/14/1997

    NEXT: 40-31

  81. 40

    "Deja Vu (Uptown Baby)" - Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 2/21/1998

  82. 39

    "Bedrock" - Young Money feat. Lloyd Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 1/23/2010

  83. 38

    "Lollipop" - Lil Wayne feat. Static Major Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 4/19/2008

  85. 37

    "In Da Club" - 50 Cent Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 2/8/2003

  86. 36

    "Who Dat" - JT Money feat. Sole Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 5/1/1999

  87. 35

    "One More Chance / Stay With Me" - The Notorious B.I.G. Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 6/24/1995

  89. 34

    "Knockin' Boots" - Candyman Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 10/27/1990

  90. 33

    "Up Jumps Da Boogie" - Magoo and Timbaland Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 9/6/1997

  91. 32

    "I Want It All" - Warren G. feat. Mack 10 Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 9/25/1999

  93. 31

    "Treat 'Em Right" - Chubb Rock Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 3/2/1991

    NEXT: 30-21

  94. 30

    "I Like Dem Girlz" - Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz Hot Rap Songs Peak: 3, Peak Date: 9/9/2000

  95. 29

    "Dansin Wit Wolvez" - Strik 9ine Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 11/24/2001

  97. 28

    "Me So Horny" - The 2 Live Crew Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 11/4/1989

  98. 27

    "Live Your Life" - T.I. feat. Rihanna Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 11/29/2008

  99. 26

    "Look At Me Now" - Chris Brown feat. Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 4/23/2011

  101. 25

    "Holy Grail" - Jay Z feat. Justin Timberlake Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 8/10/2013

  102. 24

    "I'm On One" - DJ Khaled feat. Drake, Rick Ross & Lil Wayne Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 7/16/2011

  103. 23

    "Get Low" - Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz feat. Ying Yang Twins Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 9/6/2003

  105. 22

    "Cross The Border" - Philly's Most Wanted Hot Rap Songs Peak: 3, Peak Date: 12/16/2000

  106. 21

    "Drop It Like It's Hot" - Snoop Dogg feat. Pharrell Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 11/6/2004

    NEXT: 20-11

  107. 20

    "Lean Back" - Terror Squad Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 8/14/2004

  109. 19

    "The Phuncky Feel One / How I Could…" - Cypress Hill Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 1/18/1992

  110. 18

    "Ni**as In Paris" - Jay Z, Kanye West Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 12/3/2011

  111. 17

    "Mercy" - Kanye West, Big Sean, Pusha T, 2 Chainz Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 7/7/2012

  113. 16

    "Can't Nobody Hold Me Down" - Puff Daddy feat. Mase Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 2/1/1997

  114. 15

    "How Do U Want It / California Love" - 2Pac feat. K-Ci and JoJo Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 6/22/1996

  115. 14

    "Best I Ever Had" - Drake Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 6/13/2009

  117. 13

    "Whatever You Like" - T.I. Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 9/20/2008

  118. 12

    "Low" - Flo Rida feat. T-Pain Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 1/5/2008

  119. 11

    "The Motto" - Drake feat. Lil Wayne Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 2/18/2012

    NEXT: 10-1

  121. 10

    "The Humpty Dance" - Digital Underground Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 3/17/1990

  122. 9

    "No Hands" - Waka Flocka Flame feat. Roscoe Dash & Wale Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 12/11/2010

  123. 8

    "Big Poppa/Warning" - The Notorious B.I.G. Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 1/28/1995

  125. 7

    "Flava In Ya Ear" - Craig Mack Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 9/10/1994

  126. 6

    "Gangsta's Paradise" - Coolio feat. L.V. Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 9/2/1995

  127. 5

    "Expression" - Salt-N-Pepa Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 1/20/1990

  129. 4

    "Can't Hold Us" - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Ray Dalton Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 5/4/2013

  130. 3

    "Hot Boyz" - Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott feat. Nas, Eve & Q-Tip Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 11/27/1999

  131. 2

    "Tootsee Roll" - 69 Boyz Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 9/3/1994

  133. 1

    "Thrift Shop" - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Wanz Hot Rap Songs Peak: 1, Peak Date: 1/19/2013

    MORE BILLBOARD ANNIVERSARY CHARTS:
    Hot 100 55th Anniversary: Top 100 Songs
    Alternative 25th Anniversary: 100 Songs | Hot Country Songs: Top 70 Songs