Let's Do It Again......

After a heated debate with a few of my Facebook friends we came to a crossroads in regards to the best in Hip Hop. Maybe we misuderstood the question or maybe we just have our own opiniions but I felt the need to add my 2 cent. I posted this on my blog a while bag but now is the time to unearth it. Let's try it again......

Well friends, about a month or so ago, I found myself watchint a 'Top 100 Hip Hop' songs list on VH1 and I was a little disturbed. There were some worthy choices and some definate obvious choices but there were a few that had me scratching my head. L'Trimm, Foxxy Brown, The Game, are you serious? Why not put Soulja Boy and Plies on the list while we'are at it. So, I had to come up with my own list. There are certain criteria that have to be met in order to be a classic song. It needs to meet some, if not all, of the criteria I have outlined. Please see below:

1) It has to be a song that changed the game

2) It has to be a song that launched a career

3) It had to be a career defining song

4) No gimick tracks

5) It had to have been a song that was on the radio to the point where you got sick of it

6) You know at least 80% of the words

7) It has to be a song that your mother knows the words to and she won't let them die!

8) It has to be a song that you know as soon as you hear the first word, sound, beat, etc.

9) It has to be a song that MAKES you say, "That is the f*cking jam" as you crank it up or hit the dance floor.

10) It has to be a song that makes you pause and say "oh sh*t" as you think back to where you where when you first heard it.
...more than anything it just needs to be a song that makes you feel good when you hear it. A song that takes you back.....

There will be plenty of debate with this list but this was done ONLY with my opinion. Any and every opinion counts and I would be more than willing to add/delete something if there is good enough argument to do so. I feel like the top 10 is solid so that will take a lot of convincing!

On this list there will be no "Wild Thing", no "Bust A Move" and no "Can't Touch This". I just couldn't do it.

If you are under the age of 25, you might not feel the majority of the list but for you true hip hop fans out there, you will see a few suprises.

So with that said, let the debate begin.....


1
Rapper’s Delight (Sugar Hill Gang)
Really, what is there to say? This is the Holy Grail of Hip Hop songs. Nuff said! (even though the song is long as hell and you're tuned out about half way through, but I'm just sayin….)
2
Planet Rock (Africa Bambada)
Wow! It still feels good when I hear, "Party People, party people, can ya'll get funky?" It's a wrap after that. Classic!
3
The Message (Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five)
Not a big fan of this song but its impact cannot be denied. Raps first socially conscious song. Not a favorite of mine but it definitely gets a respect vote. One of the all-time greats.
4
It takes Two (Rob Bass & DJ Easy Rock)
"Right about now, you're about to be possessed……….., HIT IT!" Certified banger! This is a timeless jam that still holds up today. When you hear the intro, you know it's time to get the party started. This is the song that gets everyone off the walls and out of their chairs. It never gets old. It is a song that your mama knows and likes. This is a song that always makes you say, that is the f**king jam!
5
Push It (Salt & Peppa)
Rap's first ladies, Salt n Peppa did it big with this joint. This is the first joint that many of us where introduced to a female MC. There were some before them and plenty after but there will never be a duo of ladies that changed the game like they did. I'm personally a 'Tramp' man myself but you can't deny 'Push it'. Ladies still love this song and usually know all of the words to it. It's a song that will never get old and Hip Hop's first ladies will always be remembered for this one. (It definitely won't be for their reality show!)
6
The Breaks (Kurtis Blow)
Again, not one of my favorites but Kurtis Blow is a pioneer in the game and this was his stamp on it. This might be Hip Hop's first comedy-esque jam. Kurtis was the man, jheri curl and all!
7
Straight outta Compton (NWA)
WOW! Where do I start? This was the song that made EVERYONE think that they were hard all of a sudden. NWA kicked you straight in the face with this one and didn't let up until the song was done. This song had suburban white kids thinking that they were gangster! NWA brought the jheri curl back with this one. Raiders hats, Locs, all black attire, man! Gangster Rap's first true hit. Dopeman, Eazy does it, Boys in the hood, were all jams but it was this one that made you recognize that NWA was a force to be dealt with. Classic!
8
Ice, Ice Baby (Vanilla Ice)
Another one that has me in a daze as I think back……man! Ice, Ice Baby was the SH*T! Who didn't know all of the words to this song. You know it's going down as soon as you hear the little intro beat! This may be the one hit wonder of all one hit wonders. On a side note, when we all found out that he was white, we still jammed the hell out of it. Classic!
9
Turn this Mother Out (MC Hammer)
We know not to hire Hammer as a personal accountant but he put out some jamming ass music during his run. Hammer Pants, the running man, and the rather unforgettable' phrase, Can't Touch This. All that was fine and dandy but Turn this Mother Out was the one that turned us all out to Hammer. Well done!
10
Me, Myself, and I (De La Soul)
Hip Hop in its purest form. These three cats weren't about gold chains, baggy jeans, bullets and guns, naked women or any of the other cliché stuff that was rapped about at the time. They were conscious and funny in their music. This joint was funny, smart, original, and fun. And to top it off, they threw some old Parliament into the track and turned it into a classic. Bravo! This is still one of my favorite jams today.
11
My Adidas (Run DMC)
Well, let's see….shell toe Adidas are still being worn and sold today. I think they made their point and we still feel it. What else is there to say?
12
Ladi Dadi (Slick Rick & Dougie Fresh)
"It's all because of you, I'm feeling sad and blue"……yeah, you know the rest. Between this and "The Show", Slick Rick took off while Dougie Fresh's star power grew bigger. Two cats killing it on one track, basically without a beat. The man Beat-boxed the whole time. The idea, the lyrics, the duo, classic. To top it off, when your sh*t gets remake privileges (Snoop Dogg), that says a whole lot.
13
Paul Revere (Beastie Boys)
License to Ill was the first rap TAPE that I ever purchased. I even purchased the T-shirt. That alone says enough…….."me and my horsey and a quart of beer". Man!
14
I’m Bad (LL Cool J)
"I'll take a muscle bound man and put his face in the sand", LL at his best. The radio stations played this song so much that you had no choice but to know all of the words. Hell, you even learned the bootleg body rock and dances in the video because it was on heavy rotation. All that being said, this was Cool James's biggest hit up to that point. Of course "Mamma said knock you out" surpassed it but that joint was corny. This was the sh*t! Not my personal favorite, I'm a 'Candy' man myself, but a classic none the less.
15
Hard Knock Life (Jay Z)
It was about 2 am on a Sunday morning and I was heading home from a night of clubbing when I first heard this song. I damn near wrecked! It was the dopest thing I had ever heard and I was hooked from the jump! Jay killed it on this one. He's been able to live up to the standard that he set but this was a certified banger! Annie? Come on.......Classic!
16
Roxanne, Roxanne (UTFO)
This is the ultimate 80's Hip Hop song. This song is pretty funny if you listen to it. I mean, they are calling this girl out for dissing them. The lyrics are wack and pretty funny but it did the job and sparked a response…..
17
The Real Roxanne (Roxanne Shante)
She did that! She jumped on the track and let everyone know who she was and what she was about. The killing part about it, her lyrics weren't that bad. She had some skills. I won't call it a battle because these two (2) songs were just about it (there were some other reprises afterwards) but it did the job. "I'm the R.O.X.A.N.N.E".......yeah, you remember that!
18
Summertime (Fresh Prince & DJ Jazzy Jeff)
This is one song that I'm not crazy about anymore simply because the radio WORE IT OUT! This song was on about every 15 minutes when it first came out. You can't help but know all of the words. It's a cool little song and it has withstood the test of time. This was MUCH better than 'Parents Just Don't Understand' or 'Nightmare on my Street'. This corny duo stepped it up with this one and they created a BBQ/Family Reunion jam for the ages.
19
I ain’t no joke (Eric B & Rakim)
Man, when you hear that bass line to start it off and then they hit you with the horns….whoa. Hell, the first line is dope "I ain't no joke, I used to let the mic smoke, now I slam it when I'm done and make sure it broke". That gets you from the jump. This is by far my favorite Eric B & Rakim joint. The beat is infectious and will have you bobbing your head the whole time.
20
You’re a Customer (EPMD)
"Knick Knack paddy wack, give a dog a bone" Yeah, I'm sure you know the rest. Parish Smith and Eric Sermon killed 'em with this one. It's not a club banger by any means but it's a song that MAKES you bob your head to the beat. The beat is simple and the lyrics aren't overly aggressive but they mesh well together. "The Crossover" was dope but this was the track that put EPMD on the map. This is hip hop at its finest. This my friends is classic.
21
Top Billin (Audio Two)
MC Lyte's older brother put his mark on the Hip Hop world with this track. The beat is simple and the lyrics are simple but just like "You're a Customer", it meshes so well together. Hell, it sounds like he made the track in his closet! "The Bridge" is probably his most famous track because it sparked a battle with KRS One as he penned the track, "The Bridge is Over". Actually, KRS One killed him and his career with it to be honest but "Top Billin" is certified Hip Hop and I can't imagine a top 100 list without it.
22
One Love (Whodini)
Some of ya'll ll may like "Friends" while others may like "I'm a Ho' (I love that ish too) but this is the one that doesn't get old. FYI, fellas, if you ever cheat on your woman, you can't listen to that song anymore without getting a f*cked up look from your woman. I'm just saying.....This one the other hand, she'll jam it with you and help you with the lyrics. Thank you, Whodini.
23
Nuthin but a G Thang (Dre ft. Snoop Dogg)
The whole F*CKING "Chronic" album is classic! I just had to find one track that everyone could relate to. I'm actually at a loss for words with this one. The list is a top 100 songs so I couldn't put the album on here but anyone who loves hip hop knows that this album was the sh*t. The Chronic still stays in my music rotation. Nuff said.....
24
Once upon a time in the Projects (Ice Cube)
"Once upon a time in the projects yo, I damned near had to wreck a ho"! Man, Ice Cube killed 'em with this track. He dropped the curl and kicked NWA to the curb and made history on his own. "Today was a Good Day" is probably a better song to ride to or even dance to but the story he told with this one is timeless. The radio wore this ish out but I still loved it. Damn all the movies, Ice cube was a G in the music game and he represented with this one. Classic!
25
Freaky Tales (Too Short)
This was the shit that your mother told you that you COULDN'T list to but you snuck around and did it anyway. At the age of 8 or 9, I had no idea what in the hell he was talking about but it was dope as hell. All the girls, all the sex, all the Biaatch! Short Dog is a living legend and he put nasty music on the map. Freaky Tales was the one that started it all.
26
I got it Made (Special Ed)
I got a frog, a dog with a solid gold bone', talk about lyricism at its best. Special Ed broke us off proper with this joint. He told us how he was living and all we could do is sit back and imagine. His delivery was so damn cool that you couldn't help but listen. No cussing, no yelling, just him letting you know how it is.....he had it made.
27
Cha Cha Cha (MC Lyte)
I'm the dopest female that you've heard thus far", and she was! Lyte had skills on the Mic that women MC's can't touch today. She was before her time and has withstood the test of time. "Roughneck" may be her most popular track but this was the one. Tell me that you don't know at least half of the words? Yeah, it was that good. Lyte is a lyrical Goddess and still can't be touched. Classic!
28
Paid in Full (Eric B & Rakim)
The killing part about this song is that there's ONLY 1 VERSE! That let's you know how jamming it was. He kills it in one verse and lets Eric B mix and scratch the rest. Rakim is a Beast and his lyrical prowess still can't be touched. He is the closest thing that we have to a rap God and he still holds it down. The song is so jamming that we don't know what in the hell the lady singing about living in Ohio has to do with anything. Classic!
29
Everlasting Bass (Rodney O & Joe Cooley)
This is the song that officially made me fall in love with hip hop. I don't even know what else to say about it. This was the one! Thank you Rodney O & Joe Cooley!
30
Throw that D (2 Live Crew)
"Listen up ya'll, 'cause this is it, forget that old dance and_________" WHAT! You can't tell me that you don’t still want to dance when that comes on. Yeah, you're a little older now and don't move like you used to but it still sparks something when it comes on. Uncle Luke went on to tracks like "Do DO Brown" and "Hydraulics" but this was the one that set the bar. Party music, Krunk music, etc., need to tip their hats to 2 Live Crew for this one.
31
Ain’t no Half Steppin (Big Daddy Kane)
This was another track that made me fall In love with Hip Hop. Kane's smooth ass delivery and cool ass lyrics were plain dope. To top it off, he was cool as hell and would still dance in the videos! His acting skills are horrible but he was a master of the Mic. Big Daddy Kane, thank you for this song. This is s certified banger. Classic!
32
Nobody Beats the Biz (Biz Markie)
He's still relevant as hell! Biz still DJ's and still shows up on all kinds of cameos. Yes, he gave us "The Vapors" and "Just a Friend" but true hip hop fans know that this was the one. This was the one that let the world know that this dude was dope.
33
Rock the Bells (LL Cool J)
"LL Cool J is hard as hell………….." yeah, you know the rest. Those first 5 or 6 lines just set it off. Does anyone really know or even care about the rest of the song? After he hit us with the beginning and told us to rock the bells, the rest is history. Classic!
34
The Symphony (Compilation)
WHOA! Yet another song that made me fall in love with hip hop. Marly Marl and the Juice Crew did the damn thing with this one. It wasn't a smash hit and it didn't get a lot of radio play but man! A wild wild west video seen with Marly, Craig G, Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane, it doesn't get any better than that. This was the first compilation song that I can remember and it is still probably the dopest. Classic!
35
Slam (Onyx)
Hip Hop meets the mosh pit. I don't know if the message or dance involved was jamming because I remember being out and people would push you around. That wasn't fun! But, I will say that it was a song that had a purpose. People got up and…..slammed. It doesn't stand up to the test of time all that well but it made it's make at the time.
36
Ruff Riders Anthem (DMX)
Before Earl Simmons got hooked on rocks, DMX was the shi*t with this one right here. This song was infectious. Man, dudes who didn't even like motorcycles were buying them and rocking the RR jackets. Ladies wanted to ride on the back on motorcycles more than ever. His energy and delivery were FIRE. Those horns jump off at the beginning, MAN! Get off the rocks Earl, we need you back.
37
Jump, Jump (Criss Cross)
WOW! I know, I know, I know. You've probably forgotten all about this jam and haven't heard it in years. Yeah, I know, you're singing it right now. It was that bad. I was in the 6th grade and I'll never forget Stephanie Mitchell coming to school with her overalls on backwards. They were all painted and she may have even had on a Criss Cross button. That song was played at the skating rink, studio circus (Old School Alief people with know) and everywhere else. Yeah, classic!
38
Slick Rick (Children’s Story)
I know hell well I wasn't the only one that could actually visualize what Rick was talking about in this track. The song was so dope that you could actually see Dave the Dope fiend and you could actually see him knocking the old man down. I mean Rick did the best job I have ever seen with making you feel like the ish was real. Plus, the song was so damn jammin that you couldn't help but know at least 80% of the words. Classic!
39
Funkdafied (Da Brat)
Back before Da Brat was busting bottles over people's heads and trying to lose weight on Celebrity Fit Club, she was actually jamming. Funkdafied put her on the map and apparently, it put her on the map for good. The baggy clothes, plats in her hair, and ummmm....boyish approach, put us all on notice. No matter how hard we may try, she still shows up from time to time. In all fairness, this was the jam and she actually has skills. Even though she has been reduced to cameos on everyone else's tracks, no one can forget how it all began.
40
I Get Around (Tupac)
This could be ranked a little higher but this spot will do. Everyone loved Pac and we all loved the thug life style that he had. "California Love", "Gangster Party", "Ambitions as a Rider", all of those were the jam. Hell, "Brenda's got a Baby" was the one that got us hip to who he was but, "I Get Around" was the one that made us move. This was the fun side of Tupac. This was a jammin ass song about a playa and he did it just as nice as anyone else. To top it off, throw in a little Digital Underground and there you have it.....classic! R.I.P.
41
Ready or Not (The Fugees)
I will admit, I'm not the biggest Fugees fan in the world but I have to give respect where it is due. They came in the game with a different style and people loved it. Real talk, the group was really just Lauren Hill and…….Lauren Hill. Wyclef produced the tracks and made the beats and Pras, well.....he showed up to the studio. This was the jump-off for them even though it was off their second album. BTW....will someone please tell Lauren to stop smoking whatever it is that she is smoking and come back to the game? We miss you man!
42
She Keeps Passing Me By (Pharcyde)
"My dear, my dear, my dear, you do not know me very well….." This qwerky little song was short lived but it was still jamming. Every dude had that one crush where you were either too scared to get at the girl or when you did, she ignored the hell out of you. Well, thank you Pharcyde for keeping it real with all of the fellas that got dissed.
43
Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See (Busta Rhymes)
Most people will point to "woo ha" as the track that let the world know who Busta Rhymes was and I don't know if I can argue with that. However, this track right here was the one that got the party jumping. This was the one that when you heard that beat, you knew what to do. The album ,When Disaster Strikes, was dope too. 'Woo Ha' was full of energy and put Busta on notice but this track lit the dance floors up. Plus, do you remember the video? That was f*cking nuts!
44
Banita Applebum (A Tribe Called Quest)
"38, 24,37….you and me honey, we're a match made in heaven." The Low End Theory was a classic album in the eyes of many and this is just one of the tracks that proved it. "Check the Rhyme" was the one that everyone knew and liked but this smooth track was the one that hip hop lovers liked even more. It was a break from the usual Tribe stuff but it was just as good. It was a smooth slow paced jam that left you bobbing your head until the end. Q-Tip, Phife, we miss that. Tip is still doing his thing but it hasn't been the same since the days of Tribe.
45
I Can’t Stand the Rain (Missy)
This was my shit! "Beep, Beep, who got the keys to the jeep? Vroom!" Simple, silly ass lyrics over a pretty simple beat gives you classic sound. Missy kicked in the door of the music game with this one and she's bee standing tall since. Oh yeah, the video was BANANAS! Classic!
46
Check the Rhyme (Tribe Called Quest)
This was the one that made the public take notice of Tribe. While they had been jamming for a minute, no one outside of the true Hip Hop circles were hip to them. Once they hit us with this, the rest is history. Tribe will go down as one of the greatest rap groups to ever grace the mic. Thanks fellas.
47
Today was a good day (Ice Cube)
Well, let's see. Take an old school Isley Brothers track, lace it with dope lyrics and what do you get, one of the greatest songs to roll the streets in that has ever been made. Cube did the damn thing with this one as this is a jam that still gets primetime airplay. Classic.
48
Boyz in the Hood (Eazy E)
The list would be incomplete without this. "Cruisin down the street in my 64, jocking the freaks, clockin the dough, went to the park to get the scoop, knuckleheads out there cold shootin some hoop" It doesn't get any better than that. The first lines of the song say it all. That my friends is classic Hip Hop from the 80's. That my friends is fine old school music. That my friends....classic!
49
Mind Playing Tricks on me (Ghetto Boys)
This was the song that put the Houston rap game on the map and it's been going hard ever since. Need I say more? Classic!
50
I need Love (LL Cool J)
Ladies Love Cool James and now we know why. LL showed us all his soft side and it sold a lot of records. Who doesn't know at least 70% of the words to this song? F*ck that, this is the jam. In truth, this was pure genius. No one had done a track like this and it hasn't been duplicated very well since. Good move LL, good move. Classic!
51
Mo Money, Mo Problems (Puff Daddy, Mase, & Biggie)
Dianna Ross + Puff Daddy = classic. Who can forget "B.I.G. P.O.P.P.A, no info for the DEA"? I wish the man would stick to producing and leave rapping alone because when his heart was in it, Puff was the best. Gone are the days of Biggie, Mase, Total, and 112. Now we are left with Danitykane and Cassie. WTF! Thanks for the memories Puff.
52
Hot in Here (Nelly)
Nelly knew exactly what he was doing with this one. As soon as you heard "Hot in…so hot in here!" The beat dropped and so did you. Either you turned the radio up or you hit the dance floor. This is a certified banger that still gets the same reaction when you here it now. Man.....
53
All I Need (Mary J Blige & Method Man)
Method Man & Mary J + Marvin Gaye & Tammy Terrell = classic. This is a MUST at my wedding reception. Yeah, it's that serious. Classic!
54
This or That (Black Sheep)
"A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing" was a dope ass album by this duo but it was grossly overlooked. The lead track "This or That" was the one that got radio play but wasn't even the best track on the album. It's a shame that people slept on Black Sheep, they could've been nice. Yeah, you remember that line, "Engine, Engine number 9..........Pick it up, pick it up, pick it up!" Yeah, I know.....
55
They Want Effects (Das EFX)
I still don't know if I understand what in the hell they are talking about but this was a jammin ass little song. "Bumstigedy, bumbtigedy, bum" WTF!
56
Cleaning out my Closet (Eminem)
Man, Eminem didn't like his mother very much and it showed on the track. All of the anger and hatred came out on this one and it might be his dopest jam. "Stan" is a dope song too but this is the one that he opened himself up to the rest of the world with. The lyrics, pace, and beat are all on point and the hook is dope too. This let us know that he was one of the dopest MC's in the game.
57
Slow Down (Brand Nubian)
"What I am is what I am…well what you are is a stuntman" Yeah, I remember that. The message of the song was pretty cool now that I think back. During a time of gangster rap and/or silly rap, Brand Nubian gave us a socially conscious song that was jamming. The beat was nice and they had skills on the mic. This joint never got the respect it deserved.
58
Big Pimpin (UGK & Jay Z)
Jay Z + UGK + beat by Timbaland = classic song. We all know the beat, we all know the lyrics, we all know the hook, and we all loved it. Nuff said. Classic!
59
Freaks of the Industry (Digital Underground)
A) You plain and simply back up off her. B) You hit it just a little bit softer. C) You take it out and put it in her butt. Yo "D" is what I do, so yo listen up……Yeah, I know right? Man….classic!
60
First of the Month (Bone Thugs In Harmony)
"Crossroads" was their biggest hit and the track that brought them the most fame but this was the beginning. This was the one that started it all. This song was raw and it told the truth. It let people know about life in the hood and waiting on the first to get here. On top of the rawness of the track, we had NEVER had a group of cats straight singing on a hip hop record. It was weird and new all at the same time but it was dope as hell.
61
Can’t live without my radio (LL Cool J)
Well, I don't think that I could live without mine so this song speaks volumes. Preach LL, preach! Amen.
62
Dance for Me (Queen Latifah)
Man forget "Ladies First" and "UNITY", this was the one that started it all. Most people might not remember or feel this one but this was the jam. Latifah was getting down with her background dancers in the video too. Like I said, this was the jump off and shouldn't be forgotten. We have the movies, the commercials, the Jazz album but this is the beginning of it all. Classic!
63
Hey Ya (Andre 3000)
WTF is this? Is this pop? Is this doo wop? Is this Hip Hop? F*ck that, it's just the sh*t is what it is. Andre 3000 just put together a damn good song that makes you want to move your body whenever you hear it. As soon as you hear the "1,2,4,4…….", it's a wrap! No one had done anything even remotely close to this before and I don't think anyone will ever do it again. Andre is still pushing the boundaries with his music but I don't know if he'll be able to duplicate this one. This is still one of my favorite get hype songs. Thanks 'dre. Classic!
64
The Show (Dougie Fresh ft. Slick Rick)
Most of the East Coast and people who were getting into Hip Hop knew who Dougie Fresh was but the world was introduced to Slick Rick with this one. Pure energy and a pure party atmosphere is what drove this track to legend status. Oh yeah, do you remember that crazy party scene from New Jack City when they performed this? It was nuts! Yeah, nuff said!
65
The Humpty Dance (Digital Underground)
"Alright, stop what you're doing, 'cause I'm about to ruin….." This was pure comedy but it was jamming as hell. Digital Underground had everyone doing this silly ass dance and when it comes on now, you still find yourself trying to figure out how to do it again. "Cause in the 69 my Humpty nose will tickle your rear!" Yeah, they don't make 'em like that anymore boys and girls.
66
How You Like Me Now (Kool Moe D)
Before LL killed his career, Kool Moe D was a descent rapper. "Wild Wild West" might be the one that most people remember but this was the better of the two. Oh yeah, remember the dance moves in the video. Yeah, I know you do.
67
Tell Me Something Good (UGK)
Chaka Khan + UGK = classic. "She waxed my jimmy and then the little street tramp did me on a box of tens and a Pioneer amp" Damn! They don't make 'em like that anymore folks. Classic!
68
Juicy (Notorious BIG)
Juicy Fruit + Biggie = classic. This was the beginning and he tells you that in the story. "It was all a dream….." This was his most raw song and arguably his best. No glamour, no suits, no props, just raw hip hop. Man….RIP.
69
Overweight Lover (Heavy D & the Boys)
Big man had moves, and big man had skills with the mic. Heavy D let the rest of the world know that big guys could get down too. A lot of people slept on Heavy D and the Boyz but he made feel good music that made you want to dance. This track was no exception.
70
If I ruled the World (Naz & Lauren Hill)
Arguably the dopest MC to ever touch a Mic + one of the most beautiful voices of our time = classic. Nuff said.
71
Killing Me Softly (The Fugees)
Anytime you can take a classic and remake it into another classic, there should be no other explanation needed. The Fugees + Roberta Flack = classic. (Come back to us Lauren, please!!!)
72
What’s My Name (Snoop Dogg)
Finally out on his own and stepping out of the shadow of Dr. Dre, Snoop didn't disappoint with his debut album. Close to being a classic album too, Doggystyle produced some jammin as tracks. "What's my Name" is the one that started it off and it was followed up by the smash hit "Gin & Juice". While the second track may have garnered the most attention, this was the one that set the stage. Snoop is still going hard today but there's nothing like the first time.....
73
The Scenario (Compilation)
"Here we go yo, here we go yo, so what's the, what's the, what's the scenario!" Next to "The Symphony", this has to be the dopest compilation ever. Leaders of the New School, Tribe Called Quest on a track together, it doesn't get any better than that. Classic!
74
Cindafella (Dana Dane)
He hit the airwaves with that fake ass British accent and had a classic. Cindafella is exactly what it sounds like, Cinderella as a brotha. It was funny and imaginative. Yeah, it's in your head right now. Good job Dane.
75
My Philosophy (KRS One)
" Are you a philosopher?" Boogie Down Productions and KRS One were well before their time. His command of the mic and his lyrical prowess were second to none. This song was just plain dope. It was actually an intellectual song at a time when cats were making feel good music. Thy lyrics and rhyme stile used in the song are still strong today. KRS One made us think on this one. Thanks homie.
76
Pocket Full of Stones (UGK)
F*ck "Let me see it". F*ck "Take it Off". F*ck all of that (even though they were jamming in their own right). "Pocket Full of Stones" was the one that set it off. This was the true definition of their name "Underground Kings". This song was so damn hood and so damn grimey. This was the one that represented the streets of Houston and gave radio listeners their first taste of UGK. This is classic!
77
Hydraulics (Uncle Luke)
I was at a wedding and the ladies of the AKA sorority, including the bride, had a whole damn routine to this song. That should day enough! This is the ultimate club banger and if you're not careful, you might hurt yourself trying to dance to it. Classic!
78
Southernplayalistic (Outkast)
This was the beginning of one of the greatest rap duos we will ever see. It was raw, simple, and plain dope. Both men have evolved into superstars but this was the beginning of greatness. Classic!
79
Gold Digger (Kanye West ft. Jamie Foxx)
Ray Charles + Jamie Foxx + Kanye West = Classic. F*ck the formula, the hook was DOPE AS HELL. We knew who Kanye was before this track but he MADE us appreciate his work with this one. He may be an asshole at times and he is arrogant as hell but the man make dope music and this is just one of many. Oh BTW, the lyrics are dope as hell too. Classic!
80
One More Chance (Notorious B.I.G.)
"First thing's first, I POPPA, freaks all the honeys, dummies, playboy bunnies, those wantin monies", another classic Puff Daddy track. People loved "Juicy" and rightfully so but it didn’t get the attention that this track got. This was a break from the streets that allowed us to see Biggie's smooth side. Puff hit the nail on the head with this one.
81
C.R.E.A.M. (Wu Tang Clan)
WHOA! Yeah, the boys from NY killed it on this one. Of course there were too many of them to count but this was that one. This was the track that gave us the gutter side of NY. This showed us more of NY's street life. Puff was killing us with the shiny suits and flashy jewels and Wu-Tang gave it to us raw. Cash Rules Everything Around Me......classic!
82
Self Destruction (Compilation)
KRS One, MC Lyte, Doug E Fresh, Chuck D, and others gave us the hip hop's version of "We are the World". During a time when gangster rap was big, these artist came together to make a positive song. They made this song to try and make a difference on the streets. I don't know how successful that was but the song was pretty successful.
83
O.P.P. (Naught by Nature)
Man, I got sick of hearing this song. DAMN! And my friends, that's why it's on the top 100. This was like a phenomenon. There were shirts, hats, banner, commercials, it was everywhere. The song was actually pretty dope, it just got worn out. Good job Vinnie & Trech.
84
In the Club (50 Cent)
I will start this of by stating that I am not a 50 Cent fan in the least bit. He is a good businessman but he is a horrible MC. Hell, I only liked "21 Questions" because Nate Dogg killed the hook. So you ask, why in the hell is he on this list? Well, the song fits the criteria. It was all you heard on the radio, it put us all on notice to who he was, and I'm tired of my mama still singing this song now! Anyway, I have to give respect where respect is due. Good job Curtis.
85
I Got Five on it (The Luniz)
Well, let's see….people are still saying that they've "got five on it". I think it's safe to say that this is classic. The beat was dope and the hook is unforgettable. I have no clue where the Looniz are nor do I care. They made their mark on the game with this one and stepped off. Mothers and Fathers might not have know that the song was about buying a 'sack' but who cares. It was still the sh*t.
86
Ms. Jackson (Outkast)
"Let bygones be bygones, you can go on and get the hell on, you and yo mama!" Well, this track has some personal feel for it. Baby Mamas and Baby Daddies can relate to this song. Besides the message, it was a jamming little song. Hell, Stankonia was damn near a classic album altogether. Has Outkast put out anything that wasn't jamming?
87
Don’t Believe the Hype (Public Enemy)
Man, f*ck "Fight the Power". Yeah, that was their mainstream track. That was the award winner. That was the one that officially put them on the map but the grimey, political, raw ish that they put out prior to that was the music that sticks in my head. A song that was about humbleness. "Don't, don't, don't believe the hype". Chuck killed it with the lyrics, Flav hyped him up, and Terminator X, killed it on the ones and twos. Before Flavor Flav became the buffoon of our generation, he helped to make great music. Classic!
88
Regulators (Warren G)
I was never a fan of this song but I do respect the mark it made. You couldn't turn on the radio without hearing this song. It crossed over to pop stations as well as radio stations. Warren G got out of the shadow of his cousin, Snoop, and made an unforgettable song. The lyrics were wack as hell but Nate Dogg held it together. Neither of them have been able to duplicate the success of this song but at least they'll always have this shining moment.
89
P.T.A. (Leaders of the New School)
The beginning of Busta Rhymes. L.O.N.S. was his intro into the hip hop game and he has been going strong ever since. A track about ish that goes on in high school had been done before but they gave it so much more energy that it made their track that much better. "It's just another case of that old PTA!" Yeah, I can hear it now. Thanks Leaders of the New School. Oh yeah, thanks for giving us Busta Rhymes too, we appreciate it.
90
I'm a Ho (Whodini)
You know the words. You know the hook. Women and men alike know this song and in some capacity they can all relate to it. The message is simple, "I'm a Ho", and you know what "How did we know, because he told us so". What else is there to say? Classic!
91
6 in the Morning (Ice T)
Before 'Colors', before 'High Roller', before CSI and his silicone wife, Ice T was a G. "6 in the Morning" was gangster rap before it hit mainstream. It was a simple beat with simple lyrics but the story that it told was classic. He never made another one like this my friends, damn shame. Classic!
92
Rebirth of Slick (Digable Planets)
Man, this was just some dope ish! I mean, this track was so different at the time it came out that it caught everyone by surprise. While everyone was jamming hard-head music, Digable Planets dropped a smooth jazz laced track that made you take notice. Besides the dope ass beat, the 3 MC's could actually rhyme. I thought they would be around a while and would change the game. Silly me. They were short lived but they dropped a track that still makes listeners bob their heads. Classic!
93
Dopeman (NWA)
For me, this was the 1st gangster rap song that I had ever heard. Man, I didn't know what a dope fiend was let alone the dopeman. Regardless, NWA opened my eyes to a world outside of my parent's house and let me know what went on in the streets of Compton. This song was gutter and this song was real. NWA nailed it with this track.
94
The Rhythm (Kwame)
Before he tried his hand in producing, Kwame was a polka dot wearing, flat-top rocking, silly character that rocked the mic. This was a cool little joint with a jazzy type atmosphere that was smooth and easy to listen to. Not a club banger but just a feel good song that made you bob your head. Man, who can forget the polka dots?
95
Road to the Riches (Kool G Rap)
This was the East Coast's version of Straight Outta Compton. This is a jam about coming up in the NY. This was before Biggie, before, Jay Z, before 50 Cent. Kool G Rap was gangsta in NY before these cats tried to do it. He and DJ Polo dropped this track with the help of Marly Marl and made heads turn and speakers bump. Even with that lisp in his delivery, you still felt where he was coming from. New hard heads from the NY need to pay respect to one of the originals, Kool G Rap.
96
Just to Get a Rep (Gang Starr)
True Hip Hop fans will appreciate this entry. Guru and Houston's own, DJ Premier, made a classic "hip hop' joint with this. It does a good job of telling what a young cat will do "Just to get a rep". The message is strong and the beat is dope. If you don't know, please go and check it out.
97
They Reminisce Over You (Pete Rock & CL Smooth)
The beat for this track was bananas! Actually, the whole album wasn't bad, Mecca and the Soul Brother, but this was the joint that jumped off. The message is cool, the lyrics are dope, and that beat…..MAN!
98
Southside (Lil KeKe)
MAN! If you're not from Houston or haven't live in Houston in the last 10 years or so, you might not feel me on this one. Yes, this gets my "personal favorite" vote but if you know what I'm talking about, you feel me. This is a Houston anthem and when it comes on, your body makes you do the damn Southside! This song is a MUST at my wedding. Yeah, it's that serious!
99
Buddy (De La Doul)
I always liked the song. I remember when I heard it as a youngster but this song gets a special vote. I'm 29 years old and I just figured out what the song was about! "Buddy", who was rapping about ish like that back then? De La killed it with this one and then they had Queen Latifah and Tribe Called Quest do cameos, man! If you don't know what a "Buddy" is, just think about it for a moment. Yeah, it took me a while too. I just thought they were talking about a really good friend. Oh well. Thanks Pluck 1, 2, and 3! Love it.
100
Supersonic (JJ Fad)
In its own jammin little way, Supersonic was a good song. It was short lived, as was JJ Fad, but it made it's mark on the game. Who can forget the nonsense at the end of the song? Did anyone ever figure out what she was saying? "It's lamanamaseminamadumina........yeah, that's it" WTF!

And there you have it.....