RAG MusicHIPHOP-Rap
Recommended hip-hop/rap

[Hip-Hop Classics] Timeless HIPHOP / Golden Oldies

Hip-hop hadn’t been very popular in Japan for a long time, but it’s recently started getting attention, thanks in part to the spread of MC battles.

That said, even if people know recent tracks, many might not be familiar with the older ones.

So this time, we’ve picked out some classic hip-hop tracks recommended for those listeners.

We’ve mainly chosen songs from the 1980s to the 2000s, so you can also get a sense of hip-hop’s history.

Please take your time and enjoy.

Playlist

[Hip-Hop Classics] Timeless HIPHOP / Golden Oldies
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1eastShimmy Shimmy YaOl’ Dirty Bastard
Shimmy Shimmy YaOl' Dirty Bastardplay_arrow
ODB's classic track, hardcore hip-hop
2eastLose YourselfEminem
Lose YourselfEminemplay_arrow
The Appeal of Eminem’s Masterpiece “Lose Yourself”
3eastHit ‘Em Up2Pac
Hit 'Em Up2Pacplay_arrow
West Coast–East Coast hip-hop rivalry
4eastStraight Outta ComptonN.W.A
Straight Outta ComptonN.W.Aplay_arrow
A legendary hip-hop group representing the West Coast...
5eastStill Not a Player ft. JoeBig Pun
Still Not a Player ft. JoeBig Punplay_arrow
Big Bang’s famous songs, R&B hit tracks
6eastJuicyThe Notorious B.I.G.
JuicyThe Notorious B.I.G.play_arrow
Feud with The Notorious B.I.G.
7eastBreak Ya NeckBusta Rhymes
Break Ya NeckBusta Rhymesplay_arrow
Debuted in 1996 and continues to be active today…
8eastCalifornia Love2Pac ft. Dr. Dre
California Love2Pac ft. Dr. Dreplay_arrow
The classic song by 2Pac and Dr. Dre
9eastNas Is LikeNas
Nas Is LikeNasplay_arrow
Legendary New York rapper, Nas
10eastThey Reminisce Over YouPete Rock & CL Smooth
They Reminisce Over YouPete Rock & CL Smoothplay_arrow
The classic by Pete Rock & CL Smooth
11eastShook Ones, Pt. IIMobb Deep
Shook Ones, Pt. IIMobb Deepplay_arrow
Mobb Deep’s classic, East Coast rap
12eastATliensOutKast
ATliensOutKastplay_arrow
Recommend the classic Outkast album “ATLiens.”
13eastOvernight CelebrityTwista
Overnight CelebrityTwistaplay_arrow
Trap is at its peak; the timeless allure of skillful rap.
14eastIt Was A Good DayIce Cube
It Was A Good DayIce Cubeplay_arrow
The classic track by Ice Cube from Compton
15eastThugz CryBizzy Bone
Thugz CryBizzy Boneplay_arrow
A song that portrays the tragic half-life of Bizzy Bone
16eastX Goin’ Give It To YaDMX
X Goin' Give It To YaDMXplay_arrow
DMX's classic, loved across generations
17eastJust A FriendBiz Markie
Just A FriendBiz Markieplay_arrow
Biz Markie’s classic hip-hop track
18eastIn Da Club50 Cent
In Da Club50 Centplay_arrow
The iconic track of gritty hip-hop, 'In Da Club'
19eastWho DatJ. Cole
Who DatJ. Coleplay_arrow
J. Cole’s talent and the classic song “Who Dat”
20eastWho Am ISnoop Dogg
Who Am ISnoop Doggplay_arrow
Snoop Dogg’s classic tracks and the allure of hip-hop
21eastRapper’s DelightThe Sugarhill Gang
Rapper's DelightThe Sugarhill Gangplay_arrow
Hip-hop origins, music of the poor
22eastThe MessageGrandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
The MessageGrandmaster Flash & The Furious Fiveplay_arrow
A classic hip-hop track that sings of the struggles of the ghetto
23eastShook Ones, Pt. IIMobb Deep
Shook Ones, Pt. IIMobb Deepplay_arrow
Hip-hop, the classic by Havoc and Prodigy
24eastMind Playing Tricks on MeGeto Boys
Mind Playing Tricks on MeGeto Boysplay_arrow
A classic hip-hop track out of Houston
25eastScenarioA Tribe Called Quest
ScenarioA Tribe Called Questplay_arrow
Hip-hop party favorite classic
26eastIn Da Club50 Cent
In Da Club50 Centplay_arrow
Recommend 50 Cent’s classic song “In Da Club.”
27eastNuthin’ but a ‘G’ ThangDr. Dre feat. Snoop Doggy Dogg
Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ ThangDr. Dre feat. Snoop Doggy Doggplay_arrow
A classic of West Coast hip-hop
28east93 ‘Til InfinitySouls Of Mischief
93 'Til InfinitySouls Of Mischiefplay_arrow
A classic hit from the ’90s, a masterpiece beloved by dancers
29eastN.Y. State of MindNas
N.Y. State of MindNasplay_arrow
The classic track from the hip-hop masterpiece 'Illmatic'
30eastC.R.E.A.M.Wu Tang Clan
C.R.E.A.M.Wu Tang Clanplay_arrow
A classic of 90s hip-hop
31eastMama Said Knock You OutLL Cool J
Mama Said Knock You OutLL Cool Jplay_arrow
Hip-hop icon LL Cool J
32eastJump AroundHouse Of Pain
Jump AroundHouse Of Painplay_arrow
Old-school composed with 2MC1DJ…
33eastWithout MeEminem
Without MeEminemplay_arrow
The appeal of Eminem’s signature song “Without Me”
34eastLook at MeXXXTentacion
Look at MeXXXTentacionplay_arrow
Multi-genre music through sampling
35eastPlanet RockAfrika Bambaataa
Planet RockAfrika Bambaataaplay_arrow
Afrika Bambaataa’s revolutionary hip-hop track
36eastMass AppealGang Starr
Mass AppealGang Starrplay_arrow
Album tracks by influential hip-hop producers
37eastThe CrossroadsBone Thugs-N-Harmony
The CrossroadsBone Thugs-N-Harmonyplay_arrow
Melodious gangsta rap from Bonsag
38eastElectric RelaxationA Tribe Called Quest
Electric RelaxationA Tribe Called Questplay_arrow
Jazz-sampling hip-hop group
39eastOh Boy (feat. Juelz Santana)Cam’Ron
Oh Boy (feat. Juelz Santana)Cam'Ronplay_arrow
JAY-Z’s mega-hit tracks and innovative sound
40eastHypnotizeNotorious B.I.G
HypnotizeNotorious B.I.Gplay_arrow
Sampling of classic hip-hop tracks
41eastWalk This WayRun-D.M.C.
Walk This WayRun-D.M.C.play_arrow
Covering a classic by Aerosmith
42eastStrictly BusinessEPMD
Strictly BusinessEPMDplay_arrow
An iconic classic of 80s hip-hop
43eastFight The PowerPublic Enemy
Fight The PowerPublic Enemyplay_arrow
Socially conscious music born from anti-Black racism
44eastCarolineAminé
CarolineAminéplay_arrow
A song with a bright melody and a fun atmosphere
45eastInsane In The BrainCypress Hill
Insane In The BrainCypress Hillplay_arrow
Cypress Hill hits that influenced B-boys
46eastRobberyJuice WRLD
RobberyJuice WRLDplay_arrow
An emo rap song depicting the pain of heartbreak
47eastThey Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)Pete Rock & CL Smooth
They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)Pete Rock & CL Smoothplay_arrow
The legendary duo of the hip-hop world, the allure of their classic songs
48eastLa-Di-Da-DiSlick Rick, Doug E. Fresh
La-Di-Da-DiSlick Rick, Doug E. Freshplay_arrow
Old-school human beatbox classic
49eastPaid in FullEric B. & Rakim
Paid in FullEric B. & Rakimplay_arrow
The debut of Eric B. & Rakim...
50eastWild For The Night ft. Skrillex, Birdy Nam NamASAP ROCKY
Wild For The Night ft. Skrillex, Birdy Nam NamASAP ROCKYplay_arrow
A music collaboration track by Rocky and Skrillex
51eastCalifornia Love2Pac
California Love2Pacplay_arrow
2Pac and B.I.G, a sad music legend
52eastSunflower (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse)Post Malone, Swae Lee
Sunflower (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse)Post Malone, Swae Leeplay_arrow
The Spider-Verse theme song, a refreshing rap track
53eastAin’t No Half-Steppin’Big Daddy Kane
Ain't No Half-Steppin'Big Daddy Kaneplay_arrow
A masterpiece that sampled the song “EMOTIONS.”
54eastRock The BellsLL Cool J
Rock The BellsLL Cool Jplay_arrow
A hip-hop masterpiece released at age 15 from Def Jam
55eastHypnotizeThe Notorious B.I.G.
HypnotizeThe Notorious B.I.G.play_arrow
The tragedy of gangsta rap in the ’90s
56eastWow.Post Malone
Wow.Post Maloneplay_arrow
Post Malone's catchy musicality
57eastFlava in Ya Ear Remix (feat. Notorious B.I.G., L.L. Cool J, Busta Rhymes, Rampage)Craig Mack
Flava in Ya Ear Remix (feat. Notorious B.I.G., L.L. Cool J, Busta Rhymes, Rampage)Craig Mackplay_arrow
The classic Bad Boy track 'Flava in Ya Ear'
58eastIn My FeelingsDrake
In My FeelingsDrakeplay_arrow
Drake’s “In My Feelings” is a huge trend
59eastBeCommon
BeCommonplay_arrow
A classic jazzy hip-hop track by Common
60eastSucker MC’sRun-D.M.C.
Sucker MC'sRun-D.M.C.play_arrow
A legendary hip-hop classic by RUN-DMC, an iconic record
61eastIt Was A Good DayIce Cube
It Was A Good DayIce Cubeplay_arrow
A classic that sings the sorrow of gangsters, with shocking lyrics
62eastBig Pimpin’ (feat. UGK)Jay Z
Big Pimpin' (feat. UGK)Jay Zplay_arrow
JAY-Z’s classic track featuring TIMBALAND and UGK
63eastDrop It Like It’s Hot (feat. Pharrell Williams)Snoop Dogg
Drop It Like It's Hot (feat. Pharrell Williams)Snoop Doggplay_arrow
Snoop Dogg’s classic song, rhythmic
64eastThe Dreamer feat. Talib Kweli & Timan Family ChoirAnderson .Paak
The Dreamer feat. Talib Kweli & Timan Family ChoirAnderson .Paakplay_arrow
Anderson .Paak’s talent and captivating musicality
65eastJuicyThe Notorious B.I.G.
JuicyThe Notorious B.I.G.play_arrow
A success story of a rapper from Brooklyn
66eastRansomLil Tecca
RansomLil Teccaplay_arrow
A young rapper who suddenly became famous on the internet
67eastLighters UpLil’ Kim
Lighters UpLil' Kim
A female singer from the hip-hop scene makes her film debut.
68eastThey Reminisce Over YouPete Rock & CL Smooth
They Reminisce Over YouPete Rock & CL Smoothplay_arrow
A classic of 90s hip-hop—sampling at its finest.
69eastThis Is AmericaChildish Gambino
This Is AmericaChildish Gambinoplay_arrow
Music video depicting American social issues
70eastI Know You Got SoulEric B. & Rakim
I Know You Got SoulEric B. & Rakimplay_arrow
A funky classic that resonates with the heart, shaking the soul.
71eastTemptationJoey Bada$$
TemptationJoey Bada$$play_arrow
A new song about anti-Black racism, with a retro charm
72eastMixed PersonalitiesYNW Melly ft. Kanye West
Mixed PersonalitiesYNW Melly ft. Kanye Westplay_arrow
The true face of a hip-hop artist
73eastOld Town Road (Official Movie) ft. Billy Ray CyrusLil Nas X
Old Town Road (Official Movie) ft. Billy Ray CyrusLil Nas Xplay_arrow
Crossover between country and hip-hop
74eastChanges ft. Talent2Pac
Changes ft. Talent2Pacplay_arrow
Tupac’s signature track that sharply portrays social issues
75eastThotianaBlueface
ThotianaBluefaceplay_arrow
A song that became popular for Blueface's distinctive rapping
76eastMe Myself and IDe La Soul
Me Myself and IDe La Soulplay_arrow
A hip-hop group that revolutionized sampling
77eastA MilliLil Wayne
A MilliLil Wayneplay_arrow
Weezy’s smash hit, bass-driven musical style
78eastSouthern Hospitality (feat. Pharrell Williams)Ludacris
Southern Hospitality (feat. Pharrell Williams)Ludacrisplay_arrow
Ludacris’s signature songs and musical appeal
79eastRebel Without A PausePublic Enemy
Rebel Without A PausePublic Enemyplay_arrow
Classic hip-hop, sampling, the 1980s
80eastP.S.K. ‘What Does It Mean’?Schoolly D
P.S.K. 'What Does It Mean'?Schoolly Dplay_arrow
A groundbreaking anthem of hip-hop
81eastMurder On My MindYNW Melly
Murder On My MindYNW Mellyplay_arrow
YNW Melly's tragic songs and life
82eastI’m Not RacistJoyner Lucas
I'm Not RacistJoyner Lucasplay_arrow
A music video of anger and rebuttal against racism
83eastPeter PiperRun-D.M.C.
Peter PiperRun-D.M.C.play_arrow
Sampling of RUN-DMC’s classic hip-hop tracks
84eastKeep Their Heads Ringin’Dr. Dre
Keep Their Heads Ringin'Dr. Dreplay_arrow
Dr. Dre’s film score becomes a massive hit
85eastBounce BackBig Sean
Bounce BackBig Seanplay_arrow
A song of life that overcomes mistakes and grows
86east03′ Bonnie & Clyde (feat. Beyoncé Knowles)JAY-Z, Beyoncé
03' Bonnie & Clyde (feat. Beyoncé Knowles)JAY-Z, Beyoncéplay_arrow
Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s iconic duet
87eastKeep Ya Head Up2Pac
Keep Ya Head Up2Pacplay_arrow
An anthem of support for women living through hardship, a paean to friendship
88eastDoomsdayMF Doom
DoomsdayMF Doomplay_arrow
A classic track by MF DOOM, the iron-masked figure of hip-hop
89eastCh-Check It OutBeastie Boys
Ch-Check It OutBeastie Boysplay_arrow
The appeal of the white rap group Beastie Boys
90eastNights Like This (feat. Ty Dolla $ign)Kehlani
Nights Like This (feat. Ty Dolla $ign)Kehlaniplay_arrow
Kehlani’s popular tracks, a fusion of cyber vibes and R&B
91eastProtect Ya Neck (The Jump Off)Wu Tang Clan
Protect Ya Neck (The Jump Off)Wu Tang Clanplay_arrow
The innovative music and activities of the Wu-Tang Clan
92eastHIGHEST IN THE ROOMTravis Scott
HIGHEST IN THE ROOMTravis Scottplay_arrow
A song with a dark atmosphere and a cinematic development
93eastGone Till NovemberWyclef Jean
Gone Till NovemberWyclef Jeanplay_arrow
A masterpiece of magnificent music and heartrending vocals
94eastPaul RevereBeastie Boys
Paul RevereBeastie Boysplay_arrow
A classic by the Beastie Boys, an early signature work
95eastHey Ya!OutKast
Hey Ya!OutKastplay_arrow
An innovative hip-hop group with diverse musicality
96eastRubber Band ManT.I.
Rubber Band ManT.I.play_arrow
T.I.’s 3rd single, a stoic track
97eastYonkersTyler, The Creator
YonkersTyler, The Creatorplay_arrow
The appeal of the hip-hop group OFWGKTA
98eastEmpire State of MindJay Z
Empire State of MindJay Zplay_arrow
The king of the hip-hop world, Jay-Z
99eastRunaway ft. Pusha TKanye West
Runaway ft. Pusha TKanye Westplay_arrow
The innovative genius of Kanye West in music
100eastTalkKhalid
TalkKhalidplay_arrow
A slow track Khalid collaborated on with Disclosure
101eastDoo-Wop (That Thing)Lauryn Hill
Doo-Wop (That Thing)Lauryn Hillplay_arrow
Lauryn Hill, the legendary female rapper
102eastGo FlexPost Malone
Go FlexPost Maloneplay_arrow
Post Malone, captivated by a sweet singing voice
103eastGuess Who’s BackScarface (Feat. Jay-Z, Beanie Sigel)
Guess Who's BackScarface (Feat. Jay-Z, Beanie Sigel)play_arrow
A mellow and feel-good reggae-style classic
104eastDear Mama2Pac
Dear Mama2Pacplay_arrow
A classic song in which 2Pac sings about his love for his mother
105eastWork ItMissy Elliott
Work ItMissy Elliottplay_arrow
A female rapper with captivating dance and attire
106eastYesterdayThe Black Eyed Peas
YesterdayThe Black Eyed Peasplay_arrow
Sampling classic hip-hop tracks, with an outstanding music video as well.
107eastSuge (Yea Yea)Dababy
Suge (Yea Yea)Dababyplay_arrow
DaBaby, an explosively popular rapper
108east99 ProblemsJay Z
99 ProblemsJay Zplay_arrow
JAY-Z’s signature songs, distinguished by their use of sampling
109eastAround My WayLupe Fiasco
Around My WayLupe Fiascoplay_arrow
A masterpiece—the more you listen, the more you want to hear it.
110eastStraight Out the JungleJungle Brothers
Straight Out the JungleJungle Brothersplay_arrow
A hip-hop group from New York, formed in ’87, rooted in jazz music
111eastNever Surrender2Pac
Never Surrender2Pacplay_arrow
A passionate hip-hop track that cheers on a determined spirit
112eastBasketballKurtis Blow
BasketballKurtis Blowplay_arrow
Kurtis Blow in the early days of hip-hop
113eastWoo Hah!! Got You All in CheckBusta Rhymes
Woo Hah!! Got You All in CheckBusta Rhymesplay_arrow
A landmark of hip-hop: Busta Rhymes’ classic track
114eastParty Up (Up In Here)DMX
Party Up (Up In Here)DMXplay_arrow
DMX's signature tracks, with aggressive and powerful rap
115eastWhat Ya Want feat. NokioEVE
What Ya Want feat. NokioEVEplay_arrow
A signature anthem of Eve’s powerful rap and self-assertion
116eastCheck Yo Self feat. Das EFXIce Cube
Check Yo Self feat. Das EFXIce Cubeplay_arrow
A cautionary message that questions the truths of street life
117eastNi**as In ParisJAY Z, Kanye West
Ni**as In ParisJAY Z, Kanye Westplay_arrow
Jay-Z and Kanye’s classic hip-hop song
118eastPOWERKanye West
POWERKanye Westplay_arrow
Kanye West’s signature tracks, social critique, and confidence
119eastCrush on YouLil’ Kim
Crush on YouLil' Kimplay_arrow
A masterpiece 90s hip-hop album arrives
120eastI Got 5 on ItLuniz
I Got 5 on ItLunizplay_arrow
West Coast classics, the allure of music
121eastIf I Ruled The World (Imagine That) feat. Lauryn HillNas
If I Ruled The World (Imagine That) feat. Lauryn HillNasplay_arrow
A heartwarming classic that sings of freedom and hope
122eastReady or NotThe Fugees
Ready or NotThe Fugeesplay_arrow
An innovative classic of 90s hip-hop
123eastMo Money Mo Problems feat. Puff Daddy & MaseThe Notorious B.I.G.
Mo Money Mo Problems feat. Puff Daddy & MaseThe Notorious B.I.G.play_arrow
Iconic ’90s hip‑hop classics that color Diana Ross
124eastYou Stressin’Bishop Nehru
You Stressin'Bishop Nehruplay_arrow
A rising rapper signed to Nas’s label
125eastMove Your FeetJunior Senior
Move Your FeetJunior Seniorplay_arrow
Hip-hop is music that has spread across the world.
126eastMirror ft. Bruno MarsLil Wayne
Mirror ft. Bruno MarsLil Wayneplay_arrow
Wine talent and diverse musicality
127eastWhat’s UnderstoodNyck Caution feat. Joey Bada$$
What's UnderstoodNyck Caution feat. Joey Bada$$play_arrow
A gritty classic track by a Brooklyn MC
128eastRed RoomOffset
Red RoomOffsetplay_arrow
The song by Offset from the hip-hop trio Migos
129eastIt Takes TwoRob Base & DJ E-Z Rock
It Takes TwoRob Base & DJ E-Z Rockplay_arrow
A soulful and funky classic, hugely popular
130eastOOOUUUYoung M.A
OOOUUUYoung M.Aplay_arrow
Yo​ng​ M.A.'s song is popular and trending
131eastNo Problem feat. 2 Chainz & Lil WayneChance The Rapper
No Problem feat. 2 Chainz & Lil WayneChance The Rapperplay_arrow
An internet-generation rapper, one to watch
132eastBothGucci Mane feat. Drake
BothGucci Mane feat. Drakeplay_arrow
A collaboration song by Gucci Mane and Drake
133eastT-ShirtMigos
T-ShirtMigosplay_arrow
The appeal of hip-hop culture and music
134eastWorth ItYK Osiris
Worth ItYK Osirisplay_arrow
YK Osiris’s smash hit that portrays relationships
135eastRelationship feat. FutureYoung Thug
Relationship feat. FutureYoung Thugplay_arrow
Trap music, represented by Young Thug
136eastMe And My Crazy WorldLost Boyz
Me And My Crazy WorldLost Boyzplay_arrow
Summer-like music of the Lost Boys
137eastCan’t Tell Me NothingKanye West
Can't Tell Me NothingKanye Westplay_arrow
Kanye West’s signature songs and appeal
138eastLosin ControlRuss
Losin ControlRussplay_arrow
A coming-of-age song that depicts memories of first love
139eastBest I Ever HadDrake
Best I Ever HadDrakeplay_arrow
Drake’s classic, a music video overseen by Kanye
140eastHustlin’Rick Ross
Hustlin'Rick Rossplay_arrow
Rick Ross uses famous dealer name