1 of 6

Write now Article Tools

Through an outstanding demonstration of the sprawling, multifaceted hip-hop scene of the 70s, the American dream of a whole generation of African Americans visualized a new cultural influence that portrayed their associations to poverty, criminality, police brutality and unemployment. Through the creation of stereotypes and role models, hip hop has viewed broadly the post-civil rights of the black America producing a music genre that was meant to alter the scenery of the music industry in the following years.

But it was much more than that. With their exceptional emcee storytelling skills, influential lyrics, and socially conscious views, and anchored by first-class quality scratching and outstandingly inspiring hip hop rhythm, hip hop songs have influenced a substantial audience globally.

To my view, the top 5 of the most popular hip hop songs are:

DR. DRE - NUTHIN' BUT A 'G' THANG FROM THE ALBUM THE CHRONIC (1993)

Breeding elements of hip hop, jazz, funk and soul made Nuthin' But A 'G' Thang the first G Funk hip hop song. Dr. Dre created an alternative hip hop subgenre, using saxophone and flute instrumentation, slow bass beats and melodic synthesizers. Consistent rhyming telling stories about sex, drugs, and violence in the black hoods of Los Angeles satisfied the need of black America for civil rights in a society full of negative stereotypes. Nuthin' But A 'G' Thang reached #1 on Billboard chart and #3 in the big rap singles in the UK, while The Chronic is widely viewed as a groundbreaking album that re-defined West Coast hip hop.

GRANDMASTER FLASH AND THE FURIOUS FIVE THE MESSAGE FROM THE ALBUM THE MESSAGE (1982)

The Message is one of the first hip-hop songs describing the ghetto life in Brooklyn and the urban despair of African Americans in the 80s.

Merging their black roots with streetwise beats Grandmaster Flash produced a hip-hop masterpiece, whose chorus "Don't push me 'cuz I'm close to the edge" has become one of the most recognizable choruses in hip-hop music history. The Message was ranked #51 in the List of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and #3 in the 100 Greatest Rap Songs.

RUN D.M.C. - IT'S TRICKY FROM THE ALBUM RAISING HELL (1986)

Run D.M.C. is the Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman and Nirvana of hip-hop. With their great impact on the development of hip hop in the 80s they turned hip-hop into mainstream music just like Louis Armstrong did for jazz, Benny Goodman for swing and Nirvana for alternative rock.

Ready for a breakthrough into

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about The most popular hip-hop songs ever?
We want to hear your view. Write now!