100 Greatest Rap/Hip-Hop Lyrical Performances

Criteria: This Rap & Hip-Hop music lyrical performances list was based on innovation, complexity, skill, and timelessness. Please note that the song is credited to the artist who's verse is the most impressive or memorable. (If the song was recorded by a group; it is noted in the parenthesis)
Rap Lyrical Performances
1. Set It Off
Big Daddy Kane
2. Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em
Rakim (Eric B. & Rakim)
3. Kick In the Door
The Notorious B.I.G.
4. Follow the Leader
Rakim (Eric B. & Rakim)
5. Kool Is Back
Kool G Rap
6. Da Art of Storytellin' Part II
Andre 3000 (OutKast)
7. Thought @ Work
Black Thought (The Roots)
8. Ebonics
Big L
9. Raw
Big Daddy Kane
10. Dead Presidents Pt II
Jay-Z
11. Unbelievable
The Notorious B.I.G.
12. I Refuse Limitation
Cee-Lo Green (Goodie MOB)
13. Portrait of A Masterpiece
The D.O.C.
14. Super Lyrical
Big Punisher
15. Life's A Bitch
AZ (Nas)
16. I Run This
Slick Rick
17. Lyrics of Fury
Rakim (Eric B. & Rakim)
18. Resurrection
Common Sense
19. Conceited Bastard
Ras Kass
20. Gold Watch
Lupe Fiasco
21. Wrath of Kane
Big Daddy Kane
22. Can I Live
Jay-Z
23. If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)
Nas
24. A Life in the Day of Benjamin Andre
Andre 3000 (Outkast)
25. Exhibit C
Jay Electronica
26. Children's Story
Slick Rick
27. If I Die 2Nite
2Pac
28. They Down With Us
Scarface
29. Lausd
Chali 2Na (Jurassic 5)
30. Once Again It's On
Treach (Naughty By Nature)
31. Play It Again, Polo
Kool G Rap
32. I Got A Story to Tell
The Notorious B.I.G.
33. I Just Don't Give A Fuck
Eminem
34. Millennium
Andre 3000 (Outkast)
35. Triumph
Inspectah Deck (Wu-Tang Clan)
36. Murdergram
LL Cool J
37. Name of the Game
Talib Kweli (Reflection Eternal)
38. Yes Yes Yall
Redman
39. Verbal Intercourse
Nas (Raekwon)
40. Batting Practice
A Plus (Souls of Mischief)
41. Step Into A World (Rapture's Delight)
KRS-One
42. Always & Forever
Rakim
43. Zealots
Lauryn Hill (The Fugees)
44. Quills
Black Thought (The Roots)
45. Victory
The Notorious B.I.G. (Puff Daddy)
46. Doggy Dogg World
Kurupt (Snoop Doggy Dogg)
47. 22 Two's
Jay-Z
48. The Grain
Ghostface Killah
49. Renegade
Eminem (Jay-Z)
50. Heartz of Men
2Pac
51. Dance For Me
Queen Latifah
52. Lick the Balls
Slick Rick
53. Nature of the Threat
Ras Kass
54. Criminology
Raekwon
55. Rock Co. Kane Flow
MF Doom (De La Soul)
56. I Go To Work
Kool Moe Dee
57. Breakadawn
Posdnous (De La Soul)
58. Labels
GZA
59. Blazing Arrow
Blackilicious
60. Til I Collapse
Eminem
61. Untouchables
Rakim (Eric B. & Rakim)
62. Headaches and Woes
Aceyalone
63. The Truth
Beanie Sigel
64. It's A Big Daddy Thing
Big Daddy Kane
65. Breathe
Fabolous
66. Ice Water
Ghostface Killah (Raekwon)
67. The Pledge (Eternal Sunshine)
Jay Electronica
68. Craziest
Treach (Naughty By Nature)
69. All For the Love
Jadakiss (The LOX)
70. Dreams
Phonte (Little Brother)
71. Big Ole Words (Damn)
Cee-Lo Green
72. What's My Name, Yo?
MC Lyte
73. Temperature's Rising
Prodigy (Mobb Deep)
74. Notorious Thugs
The Notorious B.I.G.
75. Can't Front On Me
C.L. Smooth (Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth)
76. Ready Or Not
Lauryn Hill (The Fugees)
77. Arhythamaticulas
Aceyalone
78. Thug Love
Bizzy Bone (Bone Thugs N Harmony)
79. Right Where You Stand
Jadakiss (GangStarr)
80. Speed
Eightball (Eightball & MJG)
81. You Must Learn
Pharoah Monche (Organized Confusion)
82. Treat 'Em Right
Chubb Rock
83. Get By
Talib Kweli
84. I Shot Ya (remix)
LL Cool J
85. Boom!
Black Thought (The Roots)
86. Long Kiss Goodnight
The Notorious B.I.G.
87. Rewind
Nas
88. Deltron 3030
Del the Funkee Homosapien (Deltron 3030)
89. Symphony
Kool G Rap (The Juice Crew)
90. The BBQ
Rah Digga (Eternia)
91. Friend or Foe
Jay-Z
92. The Watcher, Pt. 2
Rakim (Jay-Z)
93. Dr. Carter
Lil Wayne
94. Westside Slaughterhouse
Ice Cube (Westside Connection)
95. Ladies First
Monie Love (Queen Latifah)
96. Wannabemceez
KRS-One
97. (W.O.E.) World of Entertainment
Chali 2na (Jurassic 5)
98. Whoa!
Foxy Brown
99. GhettoMusick
Big Boi (Outkast)
100. Uptown Anthem
Treach (Naughty By Nature)

Set It Off
(Big Daddy Kane)


Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em
(Eric B. & Rakim)


Kick In the Door
(The Notorious B.I.G.)

Follow the Leader
(Eric B. & Rakim)

10 Greatest Hip-Hop Dis Songs:

1. Hit 'Em Up - 2Pac feat. the Outlaws*
2. The Bridge Is Over - Boogie Down Productions
3. Ether - Nas
4. No Vaseline - Ice Cube
5. Jack the Ripper - LL Cool J
6. 2nd Round K.O. - Canibus
7. Takeover - Jay-Z
8. 10% Dis - MC Lyte
9. (Fuck Wit') Dre Day - Dr. Dre feat. Snoop Doggy Dogg
10. Roxanne's Revenge - Roxanne Shante

* R.I.P. Tupac Shakur & Christopher "Notorious B.I.G." Wallace
  Let's hope hip-hop has learned from their untimely passing
  that 'beefs' should stay on wax.



Last Updated: 2010-11-19