Hip-Hop Beats Ranked
The 30 best hip-hop beats, samples and backing music, as ranked by me. My opinions, but feel free to look at it objectively (as if you need an invitation). |
| 1 | Warren G
Regulate
Probably the most recognizable sample/beat ever recorded. Also, R.I.P. Nate Dogg. |
| 2 | Luniz
I Got 5 On It
No, but really, who HASN'T heard this beat? |
| 3 | Pete Rock and CL Smooth
They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.) |
| 4 | The Notorious B.I.G.
Big Poppa
The top four songs are probably the most classic beats/samples hip-hop has ever produced. |
| 5 | Black Sheep
The Choice Is Yours (Revisited)
One of the best basslines I've ever heard in a hip-hop song. |
| 6 | The Pharcyde
Runnin' |
| 7 | Mobb Deep
Shook Ones, Pt II.
The sample gives the song half of its power; DRIPPING with ominousness. |
| 8 | Eminem
Lose Yourself
Very simple guitar chord, but one of the best beats Em has ever produced. |
| 9 | A Tribe Called Quest
Electric Relaxation
I heard it first on The Wayans' Bros. show, and it's been stuck in my head ever since. |
| 10 | Ice Cube
It Was A Good Day
See #13 and #15. |
| 11 | Aaliyah
Are You That Somebody
Not hip-hop really (Timbaland aside), but this is just undeniable. Tell me you don't remember everyone beating this out on tabletops at lunch in middle school. |
| 12 | Coolio
Gangsta's Paradise |
| 13 | Ice Cube
Check Yo' Self (Radio Remix)
Ice Cube had quite a few classic beats, actually. His two most famous ones are on this list. |
| 14 | Nas
The World Is Yours
This song ignited my recent passion in hip-hop, and the beat was most of the reason. That old out-of-tune piano gives the whole song an almost nostalgic, 'round-the-block feel that really hit home for me. For a while, I cited it as the most musical hip-hop song I'd ever heard. |
| 15 | Snoop Dogg
Gin & Juice
Off-kilter beats of songs like this and Ice Cube's "It Was A Good Day" can really help make a song memorable. |
| 16 | Black Star
Respiration
Smooth-as-eggs jazz guitar gives the entire song a reflective quality it might not otherwise have, despite featuring three of my favorite MC's. |
| 17 | Dr. Dre
The Next Episode |
| 18 | The Notorious B.I.G.
Everyday Struggles |
| 19 | Raekwon
House of Flying Daggers
It's one single half-second long sound sample repeated over and over and over throughout the whole damn song, and it works! OOOOH, how it works (for the same reason that #21's beat works)! |
| 20 | Nas
It Ain't Hard To Tell
'Illmatic''s most successful song, thanks in no small part to that horn blowing during the chorus and the damn-near cheerful synth line in the verses. |
| 21 | DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince
Summertime
Took a classic summertime jam (Kool and the Gang's "Summer Madness"), made it a sample, and made another classic summertime jam. |
| 22 | Dr. Dre
Forgot About Dre
Hawks is right: this absolutely deserves to be on here. |
| 23 | Jay-Z
99 Problems
A very simple one-sound-repeated sample that gives the song immense weight. |
| 24 | Common
I Used To Love H.E.R. |
| 25 | MC Breed
Ain't No Future In Yo Frontin'
Classic, classic beat. |
| 26 | Craig Mack
Flava In Ya Ear
Oddly enough, I remember this sample being used both in the original Grand Theft Auto and in that one J-Lo song (the one that started with, "IT! MUST! BE DA ASS!"). |
| 27 | NWA
Express Yourself
Of all the songs on that album, why this one? Because in the midst of setting the stage for gangsta rap to become hip-hop's leading voice, this song is fucking POSITIVE--no cursing, no killing, and it has an ANTI-DRUG message in the middle. The beat matches the song perfectly; I always think of kicking back on the porch in summer watching kids play in the street. Good times. |
| 28 | Kanye West
Power
"21st CENTURY SCHIZOID MAN." 'Nuff said. |
| 29 | Scarface
On My Block
Another nostalgia trip (I love pianos in hip-hop songs) |
| 30 | Dangerdoom
Sofa King (Remix)
For some reason, I love the remix of this song waaay more than the original. |
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