SephirothGs 100 Greatest Songs in the History of Hip-Hop

Intro
Here I present what I consider to be the greatest hip-hop songs ever made, from the perspective of a young white conservative from Long Island. I base the order of this list on influence, staying power, legacy, and most importantly technical merit. For the sake of my own sanity (narrowing the list down to 110 songs was difficult enough) I tightened the definition of "hip-hop" to a more stringent rendering.

This list will NOT include:

-Purely instrumental songs (sorry DJ Shadow, RJD2 fans)

-Cross-genres or songs where rapping becomes secondary to singing (sorry Rage Against the Machine, Gorillaz fans)

-Mash-ups/remixes (sorry Girl Talk, DJ Danger Mouse fans)

So, without further ado I count down the greatest songs in hip-hop.

110
(Honorable Mention) #110: Verbal Intercourse

Artist: Raekwon (Featuring Nas & Ghostface Killah)

Producer: RZA

Album: Only Built 4 Cuban Lynx...

Year: 1995

Song

Lyrics

The honorable mentions begin with a track that should establish my taste in hip-hop for all those who bother to read this: smooth flows, complex rhyme schemes, and subtly catchy beats that make up for the lack of a hook of any kind. Raekwon's Cuban Linx exploded onto the music scene in '95, and further solidified the Wu's dominance of the mid-90's hardcore rap genre. Verbal Intercourse is the most polished track on the LP, featuring Raekwon and Ghostface Killah with their classic complementary NY drawls, as well as fellow NY MC Nas in one of his most inspired verses to date. The beat is simple but apt; the repeating orgasmic moans accompany the track's title and give you the feeling that you have just been... had... lyrically. This is quintessential Wu-Tang and Nas at his finest, foreshadowing both artist's future appearances on this list.

109
(Honorable Mention) #109: Soul Flower (Remix)

Artist: The Pharcyde

Producer: J-Swift

Album: Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde

Year: 1992

Song

Lyrics

The first comment under the youtube link above states: "sounded like they had fun doin this track..." I couldn't agree more, and therein lies the charm of the Pharcyde. In the age of G-Funk and LA "Gangsta Rap," we have a group of kids creating an album whose cover is a rollercoaster ride into a giant vagina. Refreshing? You bet. Soul Flower remains as one of the most enjoyable rap songs ever made: an uplifting beat and a couple of friends joking about herpes and getting shot in the butt. Soul Flower shows the diversity of the genre; while many associated early 90's west coast rap music with lyrics such as "you got teeth in yo mouth so my ****'s gots to fit... with my nuts on your tonsils," The Pharcyde spit silly, almost nostalgic lines like "Souped on the beat like a bowl of chicken noodle." It warms the soul.