100 Greatest Rap/Hip-Hop Lyrical
Performances

CD covers Set It Off by Big Daddy Kane, Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em by Eric B. and Rakim
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)

Last Updated: 2010-11-19
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 by Big Daddy Kane
Set It Off
(Big Daddy Kane)
Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em by Eric B. & Rakim
Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em
(Eric B. & Rakim)
Kick In the Door by The Notorious B.I.G.
Kick In the Door
(The Notorious B.I.G.)
Follow the Leader by Eric B. & Rakim
Follow the Leader
(Eric B. & Rakim)








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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.




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