[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
	Title	Playlist	One point
1	Shimmy Shimmy YaOl’ Dirty Bastard		ODB's classic track, hardcore hip-hop
2	Lose YourselfEminem		The Appeal of Eminem’s Masterpiece “Lose Yourself”
3	Hit ‘Em Up2Pac		West Coast–East Coast hip-hop rivalry
4	Straight Outta ComptonN.W.A		N.W.A’s classic song “Straight Outta Compton”
5	Still Not a Player ft. JoeBig Pun		Big Bang’s famous songs, R&B hit tracks
6	JuicyThe Notorious B.I.G.		Feud with The Notorious B.I.G.
7	Break Ya NeckBusta Rhymes		The classic hit “Break Ya Neck” by rapper Busta Rhymes
8	They Reminisce Over YouPete Rock & CL Smooth		The classic by Pete Rock & CL Smooth
9	Overnight CelebrityTwista		Trap is at its peak; the timeless allure of skillful rap.
10	ATliensOutKast		Recommend the classic Outkast album “ATLiens.”
11	Nas Is LikeNas		Legendary New York rapper, Nas
12	Shook Ones, Pt. IIMobb Deep		Mobb Deep’s classic, East Coast rap
13	California Love2Pac ft. Dr. Dre		The classic song by 2Pac and Dr. Dre
14	It Was A Good DayIce Cube		The classic track by Ice Cube from Compton
15	X Goin’ Give It To YaDMX		DMX's classic, loved across generations
16	Thugz CryBizzy Bone		A song that portrays the tragic half-life of Bizzy Bone
17	Just A FriendBiz Markie		Biz Markie’s classic hip-hop track
18	Keep Ya Head Up2Pac		An anthem of support for women living through hardship, a paean to friendship
19	Who DatJ. Cole		J. Cole’s talent and the classic song “Who Dat”
20	Who Am ISnoop Dogg		Snoop Dogg’s classic tracks and the allure of hip-hop
21	Rapper’s DelightThe Sugarhill Gang		Hip-hop origins, music of the poor
22	The MessageGrandmaster Flash & The Furious Five		A classic hip-hop track that sings of the struggles of the ghetto
23	Shook Ones, Pt. IIMobb Deep		Hip-hop, the classic by Havoc and Prodigy
24	Mind Playing Tricks on MeGeto Boys		A classic hip-hop track out of Houston
25	In Da Club50 Cent		Recommend 50 Cent’s classic song “In Da Club.”
26	Look at MeXXXTentacion		Multi-genre music through sampling
27	ScenarioA Tribe Called Quest		Hip-hop party favorite classic
28	N.Y. State of MindNas		The classic track from the hip-hop masterpiece 'Illmatic'
29	Jump AroundHouse Of Pain		House of Pain's signature song 'Jump Around' is popular.
30	93 ‘Til InfinitySouls Of Mischief		A classic hit from the ’90s, a masterpiece beloved by dancers
31	In Da Club50 Cent		The iconic track of gritty hip-hop, 'In Da Club'
32	The CrossroadsBone Thugs-N-Harmony		Melodious gangsta rap from Bonsag
33	Mama Said Knock You OutLL Cool J		Hip-hop icon LL Cool J
34	C.R.E.A.M.Wu Tang Clan		A classic of 90s hip-hop
35	Strictly BusinessEPMD		An iconic classic of 80s hip-hop
36	California Love2Pac		2Pac and B.I.G, a sad music legend
37	Without MeEminem		The appeal of Eminem’s signature song “Without Me”
38	Planet RockAfrika Bambaataa		Afrika Bambaataa’s revolutionary hip-hop track
39	Paid in FullEric B. & Rakim		Eric B. & Rakim’s signature song “Paid in Full”
40	Fight The PowerPublic Enemy		Socially conscious music born from anti-Black racism
41	Electric RelaxationA Tribe Called Quest		Jazz-sampling hip-hop group
42	Mass AppealGang Starr		Album tracks by influential hip-hop producers
43	Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ ThangDr. Dre feat. Snoop Doggy Dogg		A classic of West Coast hip-hop
44	Wild For The Night ft. Skrillex, Birdy Nam NamASAP ROCKY		A music collaboration track by Rocky and Skrillex
45	They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)Pete Rock & CL Smooth		The legendary duo of the hip-hop world, the allure of their classic songs
46	Lighters UpLil’ Kim		A female singer from the hip-hop scene makes her film debut.
47	CarolineAminé		A song with a bright melody and a fun atmosphere
48	HypnotizeThe Notorious B.I.G.		The tragedy of gangsta rap in the ’90s
49	HypnotizeNotorious B.I.G		Sampling of classic hip-hop tracks
50	Walk This WayRun-D.M.C.		Covering a classic by Aerosmith
51	Sunflower (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse)Post Malone, Swae Lee		The Spider-Verse theme song, a refreshing rap track
52	Ain’t No Half-Steppin’Big Daddy Kane		A masterpiece that sampled the song “EMOTIONS.”
53	Keep Their Heads Ringin’Dr. Dre		Dr. Dre’s film score becomes a massive hit
54	Gone Till NovemberWyclef Jean		A masterpiece of magnificent music and heartrending vocals
55	RobberyJuice WRLD		An emo rap song depicting the pain of heartbreak
56	BeCommon		A classic jazzy hip-hop track by Common
57	Oh Boy (feat. Juelz Santana)Cam’Ron		JAY-Z’s mega-hit tracks and innovative sound
58	Drop It Like It’s Hot (feat. Pharrell Williams)Snoop Dogg		Snoop Dogg’s classic song, rhythmic
59	I Know You Got SoulEric B. & Rakim		A funky classic that resonates with the heart, shaking the soul.
60	In My FeelingsDrake		Drake’s “In My Feelings” is a huge trend
61	Old Town Road (Official Movie) ft. Billy Ray CyrusLil Nas X		Crossover between country and hip-hop
62	Changes ft. Talent2Pac		Tupac’s signature track that sharply portrays social issues
63	Insane In The BrainCypress Hill		Cypress Hill hits that influenced B-boys
64	They Reminisce Over YouPete Rock & CL Smooth		A classic of 90s hip-hop—sampling at its finest.
65	Protect Ya Neck (The Jump Off)Wu Tang Clan		The innovative music and activities of the Wu-Tang Clan
66	Murder On My MindYNW Melly		YNW Melly's tragic songs and life
67	RansomLil Tecca		A young rapper who suddenly became famous on the internet
68	Sucker MC’sRun-D.M.C.		A legendary hip-hop classic by RUN-DMC, an iconic record
69	Check Yo Self feat. Das EFXIce Cube		A cautionary message that questions the truths of street life
70	This Is AmericaChildish Gambino		Music video depicting American social issues
71	Wow.Post Malone		Post Malone's catchy musicality
72	The Dreamer feat. Talib Kweli & Timan Family ChoirAnderson .Paak		Anderson .Paak’s talent and captivating musicality
73	JuicyThe Notorious B.I.G.		A success story of a rapper from Brooklyn
74	TemptationJoey Bada$$		A new song about anti-Black racism, with a retro charm
75	Paul RevereBeastie Boys		A classic by the Beastie Boys, an early signature work
76	A MilliLil Wayne		Weezy’s smash hit, bass-driven musical style
77	P.S.K. ‘What Does It Mean’?Schoolly D		A groundbreaking anthem of hip-hop
78	YonkersTyler, The Creator		The appeal of the hip-hop group OFWGKTA
79	Doo-Wop (That Thing)Lauryn Hill		Lauryn Hill, the legendary female rapper
80	Go FlexPost Malone		Post Malone, captivated by a sweet singing voice
81	It Was A Good DayIce Cube		A classic that sings the sorrow of gangsters, with shocking lyrics
82	Big Pimpin’ (feat. UGK)Jay Z		JAY-Z’s classic track featuring TIMBALAND and UGK
83	I’m Not RacistJoyner Lucas		A music video of anger and rebuttal against racism
84	Rock The BellsLL Cool J		A hip-hop masterpiece released at age 15 from Def Jam
85	Peter PiperRun-D.M.C.		Sampling of RUN-DMC’s classic hip-hop tracks
86	La-Di-Da-DiSlick Rick, Doug E. Fresh		Old-school human beatbox classic
87	I Got 5 on ItLuniz		West Coast classics, the allure of music
88	Bounce BackBig Sean		A song of life that overcomes mistakes and grows
89	Runaway ft. Pusha TKanye West		The innovative genius of Kanye West in music
90	Ni**as In ParisJAY Z, Kanye West		Jay-Z and Kanye’s classic hip-hop song
91	Rebel Without A PausePublic Enemy		Classic hip-hop, sampling, the 1980s
92	Around My WayLupe Fiasco		A masterpiece—the more you listen, the more you want to hear it.
93	Mixed PersonalitiesYNW Melly ft. Kanye West		The true face of a hip-hop artist
94	Suge (Yea Yea)Dababy		DaBaby, an explosively popular rapper
95	03′ Bonnie & Clyde (feat. Beyoncé Knowles)JAY-Z, Beyoncé		Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s iconic duet
96	Empire State of MindJay Z		The king of the hip-hop world, Jay-Z
97	HIGHEST IN THE ROOMTravis Scott		A song with a dark atmosphere and a cinematic development
98	YesterdayThe Black Eyed Peas		Sampling classic hip-hop tracks, with an outstanding music video as well.
99	Ch-Check It OutBeastie Boys		The appeal of the white rap group Beastie Boys
100	ThotianaBlueface		A song that became popular for Blueface's distinctive rapping
101	Flava in Ya Ear Remix (feat. Notorious B.I.G., L.L. Cool J, Busta Rhymes, Rampage)Craig Mack		The classic Bad Boy track 'Flava in Ya Ear'
102	Me Myself and IDe La Soul		A hip-hop group that revolutionized sampling
103	Nights Like This (feat. Ty Dolla $ign)Kehlani		Kehlani’s popular tracks, a fusion of cyber vibes and R&B
104	Hey Ya!OutKast		An innovative hip-hop group with diverse musicality
105	Rubber Band ManT.I.		T.I.’s 3rd single, a stoic track
106	99 ProblemsJay Z		JAY-Z’s signature songs, distinguished by their use of sampling
107	Woo Hah!! Got You All in CheckBusta Rhymes		A landmark of hip-hop: Busta Rhymes’ classic track
108	Party Up (Up In Here)DMX		DMX's signature tracks, with aggressive and powerful rap
109	What Ya Want feat. NokioEVE		A signature anthem of Eve’s powerful rap and self-assertion
110	Crush on YouLil’ Kim		A masterpiece 90s hip-hop album arrives
111	If I Ruled The World (Imagine That) feat. Lauryn HillNas		A heartwarming classic that sings of freedom and hope
112	Ready or NotThe Fugees		An innovative classic of 90s hip-hop
113	Mo Money Mo Problems feat. Puff Daddy & MaseThe Notorious B.I.G.		Iconic ’90s hip‑hop classics that color Diana Ross
114	TalkKhalid		A slow track Khalid collaborated on with Disclosure
115	Guess Who’s BackScarface (Feat. Jay-Z, Beanie Sigel)		A mellow and feel-good reggae-style classic
116	POWERKanye West		Kanye West’s signature tracks, social critique, and confidence
117	Dear Mama2Pac		A classic song in which 2Pac sings about his love for his mother
118	Work ItMissy Elliott		A female rapper with captivating dance and attire
119	DoomsdayMF Doom		A classic track by MF DOOM, the iron-masked figure of hip-hop
120	Southern Hospitality (feat. Pharrell Williams)Ludacris		Ludacris’s signature songs and musical appeal
121	Move Your FeetJunior Senior		Hip-hop is music that has spread across the world.
122	Mirror ft. Bruno MarsLil Wayne		Wine talent and diverse musicality
123	What’s UnderstoodNyck Caution feat. Joey Bada$$		A gritty classic track by a Brooklyn MC
124	Red RoomOffset		The song by Offset from the hip-hop trio Migos
125	OOOUUUYoung M.A		Yong M.A.'s song is popular and trending
126	Me And My Crazy WorldLost Boyz		Summer-like music of the Lost Boys
127	Never Surrender2Pac		A passionate hip-hop track that cheers on a determined spirit
128	No Problem feat. 2 Chainz & Lil WayneChance The Rapper		An internet-generation rapper, one to watch
129	BothGucci Mane feat. Drake		A collaboration song by Gucci Mane and Drake
130	T-ShirtMigos		The appeal of hip-hop culture and music
131	Worth ItYK Osiris		YK Osiris’s smash hit that portrays relationships
132	Relationship feat. FutureYoung Thug		Trap music, represented by Young Thug
133	BasketballKurtis Blow		Kurtis Blow in the early days of hip-hop
134	You Stressin’Bishop Nehru		A rising rapper signed to Nas’s label
135	Losin ControlRuss		A coming-of-age song that depicts memories of first love
136	Can’t Tell Me NothingKanye West		Kanye West’s signature songs and appeal
137	Straight Out the JungleJungle Brothers		A hip-hop group from New York, formed in ’87, rooted in jazz music
138	It Takes TwoRob Base & DJ E-Z Rock		A soulful and funky classic, hugely popular
139	Best I Ever HadDrake		Drake’s classic, a music video overseen by Kanye
140	Hustlin’Rick Ross		Rick Ross uses famous dealer name