Popular Hip-Hop: Western Music Artist Rankings [2025]

HUMBLE.Kendrick Lamar1rank/position

Kendrick Lamar – HUMBLE.

Kendrick Lamar, the greatest rapper in today’s hip-hop scene whose every move draws constant attention.

The tracks from his April 2017 album DAMN reaffirmed his overwhelming talent to the world.

Lamar’s lyrics, which fuse sharp social observation with self-reflection, skillfully weave together criticism of modern society and admonitions to himself.

The work reached No.

1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and as of April 2023, the music video has surpassed 900 million views.

By incorporating religious elements into its symbolic visuals, it underscores the song’s profound message on a visual level as well.

It’s a recommended track even for those interested in hip-hop but unsure where to start.

Lose YourselfEminem2rank/position

Eminem – Lose Yourself

The song that American artist Eminem created for the film “8 Mile” became a defining track of his career.

The lyrics, reflecting his own experiences, convey a strong determination to succeed and the courage to overcome adversity.

Released in October 2002, the song was used as the movie’s theme and spent 12 consecutive weeks at No.

1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

It also won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2003.

It’s a must-listen for anyone striving to achieve their dreams or standing at a crossroads in life.

Still D.R.E. ft. Snoop DoggDr. Dre3rank/position

Dr. Dre – Still D.R.E. ft. Snoop Dogg

An iconic track you can’t avoid when learning about US hip-hop: “Still D.

R.

E.

ft.

Snoop Dogg.” Featuring Snoop Dogg, this Dr.

Dre classic was released in 1999 and is still loved by countless heads and casual listeners alike.

For many younger folks, the performance at the 56th NFL Super Bowl Halftime Show in 2022 is probably still fresh in mind.

With its distinctly West Coast style and vibes, this song is the quintessential example of feel-good, head-nodding hip-hop.

Be sure to check it out.

JuicyThe Notorious B.I.G.4rank/position

The Notorious B.I.G. – Juicy (Official Video) [4K]

This work is known as one of The Notorious B.

I.

G.

’s signature songs.

Autobiographical in nature, it traces his path from a poor childhood to success in the music industry, and it’s crafted to be incredibly catchy.

Released in 1994 as the first single from his debut album Ready to Die, it climbed high on the Billboard charts.

Widely regarded by many media outlets and music critics as one of the most important songs in hip-hop history, it’s also a popular BBQ anthem overseas—highly recommended for summer outings.

Straight Outta ComptonN.W.A5rank/position

N.W.A. – Straight Outta Compton (Official Music Video)

N.

W.

A, known for featuring Eazy-E, was a hip-hop group formed in Los Angeles.

They initially focused on the local scene, but when the title track of their debut album, “Straight Outta Compton,” hit the radio, they shot to stardom almost overnight.

There’s plenty to listen for, but start by paying attention to their extreme, aggressive lyrics.

The content is bold even by G-funk standards.

N.Y. State of MindNas6rank/position

Nas – N.Y. State of Mind (Official Audio)

Among the tracks selected for the Hip-Hop Top 100 is “N.

Y.

State of Mind.” This is a song released by Nas in 1992, and it showcases his skills.

However, rather than doing so in a straightforward way, it’s delivered in a narrative style, using the state of New York as an example.

Its abundant use of figurative expressions sparks the listener’s imagination—that’s part of its appeal.

I should also add that the lyrics of this song are frequently quoted in contemporary Japanese hip-hop.

C.R.E.A.M.Wu Tang Clan7rank/position

Wu-Tang Clan – C.R.E.A.M. (Official HD Video)

Wu-Tang Clan is a hip-hop group that remains active on the front lines today.

The 1990s were also the era in which they emerged.

Speaking of their iconic tracks from the ’90s, there’s “C.

R.

E.

A.

M.” Even after the 2000s, many artists have covered this song.

When it was first released, however, its strong message wasn’t widely accepted, and sales didn’t grow much.

But word of mouth gradually spread among hip-hop fans, and today it’s a classic that everyone knows.