The Most Successful Rap Song of All Time, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the rap song you think is the most successful!

Updated on Apr 26, 2024 06:58

Debates often arise in the world of music enthusiasts about which rap song stands as the apex of success. By cataloging a comprehensive list based on collective votes, clear insights emerge, not only highlighting fan favorites but also those tracks that broke barriers and set new standards within the genre. Your participation by casting votes helps in carving out a historic narrative that respects both commercial success and cultural impact. This living narrative, adjusted and refined through each new vote, serves to recognize the diverse voices and perspectives that define the evolution of rap music.

What Is the Most Successful Rap Song of All Time?

1

12
votes
"Old Town Road" by Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus

Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus

This song spent a record-breaking 19 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making it the most successful rap song of all time. It also crossed over into multiple genres and became a cultural phenomenon.
Old Town Road by Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus is a popular song that blends elements of country and hip-hop music. It gained widespread popularity on the internet and became a viral hit on the social media platform TikTok before reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Genre: Country, Hip-Hop

Release Date: December 3, 2018

Duration: 1:53

Label: Columbia

Producer: YoungKio, Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross
"Old Town Road" by Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular song among 11-year-olds
- Position 10 of 10 in Most popular Fortnite song
2

32
votes
"U Can't Touch This" by MC Hammer

MC Hammer

This song was a massive hit in 1990, reaching number one on the charts and winning multiple awards. It's still widely recognized and sampled today.
"U Can't Touch This" is a popular rap song performed by MC Hammer. It was released in 1990 and became one of the most successful rap songs of all time.

Year of Release: 1990

Genre: Rap

Album: Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em

Record Label: Capitol Records

Song Duration: 4 minutes and 17 seconds
3

23
votes
"Lose Yourself" by Eminem

This song won an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2003 and has been hailed as one of the greatest rap songs of all time. It was also a commercial success, reaching number one on the charts.
"Lose Yourself" by Eminem in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular workout song
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular rap songs of all time
- Position 8 of 10 in Most popular walk-up song
- Position 9 of 10 in Most popular walk-up song in baseball
4

15
votes
"Gangsta's Paradise" by Coolio ft. L.V.

Coolio ft. L.V.

This song was a massive hit in 1995 and won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance. It remains one of the most iconic rap songs of all time.
Gangsta's Paradise is a rap song by Coolio featuring L.V. It was released in 1995 and quickly became a global hit, solidifying its place as one of the most successful rap songs of all time. The song was inspired by the soundtrack of the film Dangerous Minds and contains a sample of Stevie Wonder's 'Pastime Paradise'. Coolio's intense and thought-provoking lyrics, accompanied by L.V.'s soulful chorus, create a powerful and memorable anthem. The song's theme revolves around the harsh realities of inner-city life and the struggles faced by marginalized communities. Gangsta's Paradise received critical acclaim for its social commentary and became an instant classic in the rap genre.

Release Date: 1995

Sampled Song: Pastime Paradise by Stevie Wonder

Soundtrack: Dangerous Minds

Genre: Rap

Duration: 4:01
5

14
votes
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana

Although not strictly a rap song, this iconic grunge anthem has been sampled in countless hip hop tracks and is widely recognized as one of the most important songs of the 1990s.
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular Grunge song
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular MTV music video
- Position 4 of 10 in Most perfect rock song
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous song lyrics
- Position 9 of 10 in Most popular rock-and-roll song of all time
6

12
votes
"Juicy" by The Notorious B.I.G.

The Notorious B.I.G.

This song is widely regarded as one of the greatest rap songs of all time and helped to establish Biggie as a major force in the genre.
"Juicy" by The Notorious B.I.G. is a iconic rap song that was released in 1994 as the lead single from his debut album, "Ready to Die". The song is a celebration of The Notorious B.I.G.'s rise to success and the transformation of his life from poverty to fame. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest rap songs of all time and has had a significant impact on the genre. The track is known for its catchy hooks, smooth flow, and introspective lyrics that touch upon themes of perseverance, ambition, and the pursuit of dreams.

Release Date: August 9, 1994

Album: Ready to Die

Genre: Hip-hop, Rap

Label: Bad Boy, Arista

Duration: 4:46
"Juicy" by The Notorious B.I.G. in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular rap songs of all time
7

7
votes

"California Love" by 2Pac ft. Dr. Dre

This song was a massive hit in 1996, topping the charts and earning multiple awards. It remains one of the most iconic rap songs of all time.
8

8
votes
"In Da Club" by 50 Cent

50 Cent

This song was a massive hit in 2003, reaching number one on the charts and earning multiple awards. It helped to establish 50 Cent as a major force in the genre.
'In Da Club' is a rap song by American rapper 50 Cent. It was released as the lead single from his debut studio album 'Get Rich or Die Tryin' in 2003. The track became a massive commercial success and is considered one of the most successful rap songs of all time.

Release Date: January 7, 2003

Album: Get Rich or Die Tryin'

Genre: Rap

Length: 3 minutes and 13 seconds

Label: Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records
9

13
votes
"Empire State of Mind" by Jay-Z ft. Alicia Keys

Jay-Z ft. Alicia Keys

This song was a massive hit in 2009, reaching number one on the charts and earning multiple awards. It remains one of the most iconic rap songs of the 21st century.
Empire State of Mind is a rap song by American rapper Jay-Z featuring singer Alicia Keys. Released in 2009, it became one of Jay-Z's biggest hits and is regarded as one of the most successful rap songs of all time. The song pays homage to New York City and captures its vibrant and iconic atmosphere. With its catchy chorus and powerful lyrics, Empire State of Mind became an anthem for the city, embodying the dreams and aspirations of those who strive to make it in the Big Apple.

Release Date: September 8, 2009

Genre: Rap, Hip-Hop

Duration: 4 minutes and 37 seconds

Album: The Blueprint 3

Writer(s): Shawn Carter (Jay-Z), Angela Hunte, Alicia Keys, Bert Keyes, Sylvia Robinson, Janet Sewell-Ulepic
10

3
votes

"Hotline Bling" by Drake

This song was a massive hit in 2015, reaching number two on the charts and becoming a viral sensation. It remains one of Drake's most popular songs.

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Ranking factors for successful rap song

Chart performance

A rap song's success can be determined by its performance on music charts such as the Billboard Hot 100, which tracks singles based on their sales, airplay, and streaming data.
Popularity and cultural impact

How well known and how much of an impact the song had on popular culture and society.
Critical acclaim

How well the song was received by music critics.
Sales and streaming numbers

How many physical copies and digital streams the song has accumulated over time.
Longevity

How long the song remained popular and relevant to listeners over time.
Legacy

Whether or not the song has had a lasting impact on the rap genre and culture as a whole.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most successful rap song of all time. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Track is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

3113 views
137 votes
10 ranked items

Movers & Shakers

"Old Town Road" by Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus
"U Can't Touch This" by MC Hammer
"Juicy" by The Notorious B.I.G.
"Hotline Bling" by Drake

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Track once every 24 hours. The rank of each Track is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most successful rap song of all time

Rap music has become a dominant force in the music industry, with countless hits and iconic tracks. From the early days of hip-hop in the 1970s and 80s to the present day, rap has evolved and changed, but it has always remained a powerful and influential genre. When it comes to the most successful rap song of all time, there are a number of contenders. Some tracks have become cultural touchstones, while others have set records and broken barriers. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the history of rap music and explore some of the most successful songs in the genre's history.