Popular Hip-Hop: Western Music Artist Rankings [2026]

Billie JeanMichael Jackson51rank/position

Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (Official Video)

It’s impossible to sum up the achievements of Michael Jackson—the “King of Pop”—in a few sentences, but from his genius as the lead singer of the Jackson 5, the group he formed with his brothers as a child, to his record-breaking solo success that reshaped music history, his impact on popular music remains entirely undiminished even in the 2020s.

Picking just one song from his monumental discography—filled with mega-hits that everyone has surely heard at least once—is no easy task, but let’s highlight “Billie Jean,” the biggest hit of his career.

Released in January 1983 as a single from the historic, blockbuster 1982 album Thriller, it’s also the song during which he first unveiled his signature “moonwalk.” Its music video, which has surpassed one billion views on YouTube, was aired on MTV despite the channel’s then-reluctance to feature Black artists, making it a pioneering work in the music video boom of the 1980s.

With a disco-inflected rhythm built on simple bass and drums, sleek production, and a instantly memorable melody written by Jackson himself, the track may feel newly fresh to younger music fans today—especially in a decade where many hits draw on the disco and funk sounds of the ’80s.

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This Is How We Do ItMontell Jordan52rank/position

Montell Jordan – This Is How We Do It (Official Music Video)

With a groove that makes your body move before you know it and an irresistibly sunny vibe, this is a song that perfectly colors the summers of the ’90s.

American artist Montell Jordan’s debut single, released in February 1995, captures the sense of freedom of hitting the town on the weekend and the shine of those unassuming moments with friends, conveyed through straightforward lyrics and a soulful voice.

Its bold sampling of Slick Rick’s memorable lines feels like a symbol of the blissful meeting of hip-hop and R&B.

Taken from the album “This Is How We Do It,” the track spent seven consecutive weeks at No.

1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was nominated for a Grammy.

It’s the perfect soundtrack for summer beaches and drives.

CRESCENT MOONNLE Choppa53rank/position

NLE Choppa – CRESCENT MOON (Official Audio)

Sincere in its introspection and apologies to a partner, this work offers a glimpse into a new side of NLE Choppa, an artist from Tennessee, USA.

Released in February 2025 as part of a series commemorating Black History Month, it seamlessly blends a catchy, moody beat with his emotional rap delivery.

Catapulted to stardom with 2019’s “Shotta Flow,” he now candidly acknowledges the mistakes of youth, expressing both apology and gratitude to his former partner.

The story, propelled by a rapid-fire flow, delves deeply into themes of growth and atonement, and is sure to resonate with anyone struggling with relationships.

International Love ft. Chris BrownPitbull54rank/position

Pitbull – International Love (Official Video) ft. Chris Brown

It’s a track that makes you feel like you’re traveling through cities around the world.

Pitbull’s distinctive rap and Chris Brown’s vocals blend beautifully, creating a richly international vibe.

Released in May 2011, the song was included on the album Planet Pit and became a major hit, peaking at No.

13 on the Billboard Hot 100.

It was also performed at the halftime show of the 2012 NBA All-Star Game, among other high-profile appearances.

A floor-filling anthem, this song remains beloved to this day.

It Takes TwoRob Base & DJ E-Z Rock55rank/position

It Takes Two

One of their popular early tracks, released in their 1988 debut.

Highly regarded by DJs for absolutely rocking the nightclub floor, it remains a beloved classic.

It’s built on soulful, funky samples and incorporates elements of the then-dominant electro-funk and house music.

Well known as the lead track for the album’s title number, “It Takes Two.”