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VH1 just announced the “100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs
Ever!!!” and the list isn’t
terrible. It’s actually pretty good. They have Public Enemy's “Fight The Power”
in the right place (# 1), they identified the best Notorious B.I.G. song
(“Juicy”) and, apart from the egregious inclusion of Coolio (at #38 with the
horrendous “Gangsta’s Paradise”), they don’t have a lot of embarrassing
inclusions.
But they did forget some amazing tracks.
2. Jay-Z—“Izzo (H.O.V.A.)” - A tireless Jackson 5 sample underpins
this swaggering Jigga anthem.
3. OutKast—“ATLiens” - After this, the Southern rap revolution was officially on.
4. Eric B. & Rakim—“Juice (Know the Ledge)” - A streetwise cautionary tale.
5. Lil Wayne—“A Milli” - It'll definitely stand the test of time.
6. Eminem—“Lose Yourself” - Exhibit A in his case as the best MC
ever.
7. Missy Elliott—“Sock It 2 Me” - Pure fun from her debut album.
8. LL Cool J—“Going Back to Cali” - His whispery delivery was a weapon.
9. Beastie Boys—“So What’cha Want” - A transitional moment, a great crunchy beat.
10. Young Jeezy feat. Akon—“Soul Survivor” - A breakthrough hit for two key players.
What songs would you add to the list?
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While I'm glad to see "Tha Crossroads" on their - as a very white suburban teenager I was still able to experience the world premiere of that video on BET - I feel that the lack of "1st of Tha Month" on this list is another egregious exclusion.
Kriss Kross - Jump - I remember kids wearing their clothes backwards after this song became popular. I never did though. Swear.
Aside from Clint Eastwood's "Unforgiven," "Ghetto Cowboy," by the Mo Thugs Family is the best Western tale written in the past 15 years. I don't see how it didn't make the cut...that song really spoke to me in the Summer of 98.
I would have picked "Got Ya Money" from ODB. Kelis makes that song, and it is a personal favorite *clap, clap*
Also, where is "California Love"? I understand picking one song by each artist, but I think it was a huge misstep not to include it. Where else could I have learned that California "was untouchable like Elliot Ness?"
* A Tribe Called Quest - "Scenario"
* Souls of Mischief - "'93 'Til Infinity"
* One of GZA, Raekwon or Ghostface
* Almost anything off of "Madvillainy"
* A better Beastie Boys cut
Glad to see they chose "One Love" to represent Nas' career, though. Overall, a pretty great list.