While rap has evolved, there’s no denying its ever-growing power. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Billboard’s Hot Rap Songs chart, we’re counting down the top 100 songs in the tally’s quarter-century history. From Salt-N-Pepa to Macklemore, we’ve got the genre’s past quarter-century covered.
The 25th Anniversary Hot Rap Songs ranking is based on actual performance on the weekly Hot Rap Songs chart, since the chart’s inception in the March 11, 1989, issue. Rankings are based on an inverse point system, with weeks at No. 1 having the greatest value and weeks at lower positions proportionately less. Due to various changes in chart rules, chart length and methodology throughout the years, songs had varying reigns at No. 1 and on the chart. To ensure equitable representation of the biggest hits from all 25 years, certain time frames were weighted to account for the difference in turnover rates from those periods.
According to Billboard’s formula Macklemore’s, “Thrift Shop,” is the hottest rap song ever. I really can’t fathom how this is possible. The song was a hit last year but was it really that huge in your opinion? Check the top 10 below.
Maybe they need to change the name of the list to avoid outrage.
1. Thrift Shop – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ft. Wanz, 2013
2. Tootsee Roll – 69 Boyz, 1994
3. Hot Boyz – Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott ft. Eve, Nas & Q-Tip, 1999
4. Can’t Hold Us – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ft. Ray Dalton, 2013
5. Expression – Salt-N-Pepa, 1990
6. Gangsta’s Paradise – Coolio ft. L.V., 1995
7. Flava In Ya Ear – Craig Mack, 1994
8. Big Poppa/Warning – The Notorious B.I.G., 1995
9. No Hands – Waka Flocka Flame ft. Roscoe Dash & Wale, 2010
10. The Humpty Dance – Digital Underground, 1990
