If you’re looking for the best hip hop and rap songs to add to your DJ playlist, look no further! We’ve gathered together some of the most popular tracks that will get everyone on the dance floor. Whether you’re throwing a party or just want to listen to some good music, these songs are sure to keep you moving. So put on your dancing shoes and check out our list!
Before we get started, it’s important to preface this article with a Parental Guidance warning. Unsurprisingly, most Hip-Hop and Rap songs contain explicit language, so bear that in mind whilst creating your playlist if there are children present at the party, or anyone easily offended. Alternatively, buy clean versions of songs or make a separate playlist for more sensitive party-goers.
What is the difference between Hip Hop and Rap?
The two genres are often used interchangeably, but there is a distinction between the two. Hip Hop is a culture and Rap is a genre of music within that culture.
Hip hop includes four main pillars: deejaying (DJing), graffiti painting, break dancing, and rapping.
Rap consists of rhyming lyrics over hip-hop beats. So when you’re choosing songs for your playlist, make sure to keep an eye out for both hip hop and rap tracks!
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s get into the good stuff. Here are some of the best hip hop and rap songs to add to your DJ playlist:
15 Best Hip Hop and Rap Songs Of All Time
Starting off with a list of the best Rap Songs of all time…
- “Rapper’s Delight” – The Sugarhill Gang
- “The Message” – Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
- “Fight the Power” – Public Enemy
- “Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang” – Dr. Dre
- “Juicy” – The Notorious B.I.G.
- “Dear Mama” 2Pac
- “Regulate” – Warren G
- “In Da Club” – 50 Cent
- “Can’t Hold Us” – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
- “The Real Slim Shady” – Eminem
- “Lose Yourself” – Eminem
- “Black and Yellow” – Wiz Khalifa
- “Anaconda” – Nicki Minaj
- “All About the Benjamins” – Puff Daddy
- “I’ll Be Missing You” – Puff Daddy
These are just a few of the best hip-hop and rap songs to add to your playlist. Remember that everyone’s tastes are different so you don’t have to rigidly stick to any ‘best’ list. This is just to give you some ideas.
Songs About Partying
There are a lot of hip hop and rap songs about partying which are great for a party setting. Here are a few of our favourites:
“Get Low” – Lil Jon Lil Jon & Eastside Boyz
Lil Jon teamed up with the Eastside Boyz to create this party anthem. It’s perfect for getting everyone up and moving.
“Turn Down for What” – DJ Snake
This song is a more recent addition to the party playlist repertoire but it’s already become a firm favourite. It’s perfect for getting everyone on the dance floor.
“Gin and Juice” – Dr. Dre ft. Snoop Dogg
This song is a classic hip hop track and an ode to the party life. The hip hop heavyweights Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg came together to create this banger.
“The Next Episode” – Dr. Dre
From the iconic album 2001, this song is another party classic. It’s perfect for any hip hop or rap playlist. Though confusingly this track was released in June of 2000, it’s still considered one of the best hip hop songs of all time.
“In Da Club” – 50 Cent
A firm favorite for any party and club event, this song is an absolute classic and should be on any hip hop playlist. What’s more is that it’s ideal for a birthday party, with the lyrics “Go shorty, it’s your birthday, we gonna party like it’s your birthday!”
“Hot In Herre” – Nelly
This song is a hip hop and pop crossover hit. It’s perfect for any party playlist, with its catchy chorus and infectiously fun beat. It scored Nelly his first number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
“Drop It Like It’s Hot” – Snoop Dogg
This song is another hip hop classic. It features Pharrell Williams on the hook and was produced by The Neptunes. Another 2004 release, this song was Snoop Dogg’s second single from his album R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece.
“Tipsy” – J’Kwon
This rap song is all about getting drunk and enjoying party life. Released in 2004, J’Kwon’s one-hit-wonder is the perfect addition to any hip-hop playlist.
“Yeah!” – Usher ft. Lil Jon & Ludacris
This hip hop and R&B track was a huge hit in 2004 and continues to fill dancefloors today. Right from the first note, this song will get everyone up and moving.
“Young, Wild and Free” – Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa ft. Bruno Mars
This song is perfect for any hip-hop playlist. It’s a feel-good track about living life to the fullest and enjoying the party lifestyle.
Dancing Songs
Hip hop and rap songs are perfect for dancing, whether you’re at a party or in the club. Here are a few of our favourites:
- “Lean Back” – Terror Squad
- “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” – Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em
- “The Humpty Dance” – Digital Underground
- “Candy” – Cameo
- “U Can’t Touch This” – MC Hammer
- “Hey Ya!” – Outkast
- “Get Ur Freak On” – Missy Elliott
- “Teach Me How to Dougie” – Cali Swag District
- “The Wobble” – V.I.C.
- “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)” – Silentó
- “Turn Down for What” – DJ Snake & Lil Jon
- “All I Do Is Win” – DJ Khaled ft. T-Pain, Ludacris, Snoop Dogg & Rick Ross
- “Shots” – LMFAO ft. Lil Jon
- “Cupid Shuffle” – Cupid
- “It Takes Scoop” – DJ Kool
- “The Electric Slide” – Marcia Griffiths
- “It’s Like That” – Jason Nevins/Run–D.M.C.
90s Hip Hop Songs
The 90s was a golden era for hip hop and rap music. Here are a few of our favourite tracks from the decade:
- “Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang” – Dr. Dre ft. Snoop Dogg
- “Gin and Juice” – Snoop Dogg
- “Regulate” – Warren G ft. Nate Dogg
- “I Got Five on It” – Luniz
- “This Is How We Do It” – Montell Jordan
- “Rump Shaker” – Wreckx-N-Effect
- “Baby Got Back” – Sir Mix-A-Lot
- “Jump Around” – House of Pain
- “The Humpty Dance” – Digital Underground
- “Ice Ice Baby” – Vanilla Ice
- “Whoomp! (There It Is)” – Tag Team
- “I Wanna Rock” – Snoop Dogg
- “Bust a Move” – Young MC
- “U Can’t Touch This” – MC Hammer
- “California Love” – Tupac ft. Dr. Dre
- “Gangsta’s Paradise” – Coolio ft. L.V.
The Greatest Rappers of All Time
The “King of Rap” (or Hip Hop) is always disputed, so rather than tell you our opinion, here is a list of the top 10 rappers – we’ll let you decide your favorite:
Eminem
Real Name Marshall Bruce Mathers III, Eminem is one of the most successful rappers of all time. He has sold over 172 million albums and has won 15 Grammy Awards.
Notorious B.I.G.
Christopher Wallace, better known as The Notorious B.I.G. or Biggie Smalls, was an American rapper who was killed in a drive-by shooting in 1997. He was undoubtably one of the greatest rappers of all time, with his first album, Ready to Die, being certified Platinum.
Tupac Shakur
One of the most iconic rappers of all time, Tupac (2Pac) Shakur was shot and killed in 1996. His posthumous album, All Eyez on Me, is one of the best-selling hip hop albums of all time.
Jay-Z
Real name Shawn Carter, Jay-Z is an American rapper, songwriter, producer and entrepreneur. He is one of the most successful hip hop artists of all time, with over 100 million records sold. His journey started back in the 90s with his debut album, Reasonable Doubt. He is also one of the richest hip hop artists in the world, with a net worth of over $900 million.
Kanye West
One of the most controversial rappers of all time, Kanye West is also one of the most successful, with 21 Grammy Awards to his name. Kanye Omari West is never afraid to speak his mind, and that’s what has made him one of the most popular (and polarizing) rappers in the world.
Snoop Dogg
Real name Calvin Broadus, Snoop Dogg is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer and actor. He is one of the most iconic rappers of all time, with his unique laid-back style.
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young, or “Dr. Dre” is an American rapper, record producer and entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and Beats Electronics. He is one of the most successful hip-hop producers of all time, having produced tracks for Snoop Dogg, Eminem, 50 Cent and more.
Ice Cube
Real name O’Shea Jackson, Ice Cube is an American rapper, actor and filmmaker. He began his career as a member of the hip hop group N.W.A. and has since gone on to have a successful solo career, with hits like “It Was a Good Day” and “Check Yo Self”.
LL Cool J
Real name James Todd Smith, LL Cool J is an American rapper, actor, author and entrepreneur. He is one of the pioneers of hip hop, with his debut album, Radio, being released in 1985. He has since gone on to have a successful acting career, appearing in films like Any Given Sunday and S.W.A.T. His name LL Cool J stands for “Ladies Love Cool James”.
Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. He began his career as a member of the hip hop group Hot Boys and has gone on to have a successful solo career, with hits like “Lollipop” and “A Milli”.
Conclusion
These are just a few of our favourite hip-hop and rap songs for a DJ playlist. We could go on forever, but we’ll leave it at that for now.
What are some of your favourite hip-hop and rap tracks? Let us know in the comments below! Happy party planning
FAQs
What are some good hip-hop and rap songs for a party?
Any of the tracks on our list would be perfect for a party. Hip hop and rap music is all about having fun, so you can’t go wrong with any of these songs.
What are some good hip-hop and rap songs from the 90s?
The 90s was a golden era for hip hop and rap music, so there are too many good songs to list here. Check out our 90s hip-hop playlist for some inspiration.
What are some good hip-hop and rap songs for dancing?
Hip hop and rap songs are perfect for dancing, whether you’re at a party or in the club. Some of our favourites include “Lean Back” by Terror Squad, “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” by Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em, and “The Humpty Dance” by Digital Underground.
Who is the king of rap of all time?
This is a matter of opinion, but we think the answer is clear – it’s Tupac (2Pac). He was a prolific artist who changed the hip-hop game forever. He’s also one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with over 75 million records sold worldwide. There’s no doubt that he’s the king of rap.
What are some good hip-hop and rap songs for a workout?
If you’re looking for some motivation to hit the gym, then hip hop and rap songs are the perfect choice. Some of our favourites include “Can’t Stop” by Flux Pavilion, “Work Hard Play Hard” by Wiz Khalifa, and “Till I Collapse” by Eminem.
What are some good hip-hop and rap songs for a wedding?
Hip hop and rap music is perfect for getting the party started at a wedding. Some of our favourites include “Forever” by Drake, “All I Do Is Win” by DJ Khaled, and “I Gotta Feeling” by The Black Eyed Peas.
What are some good hip-hop and rap songs for a funeral?
Hip hop and rap music are often seen as being disrespectful, so it’s not usually played at funerals. However, there are some rap songs that can be appropriate, such as “Dear Mama” by Tupac and “I’ll Be Missing You” by Puff Daddy.
Who is the most famous rap artist?
According to YouGov America, Snoop Dogg is the “The Most Popular Rap & Hiphop Music Artist” in the US. He’s closely followed by Eminem and Ice Cube.
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