My Top 100 Rap Songs

By Bea

I don’t know what it is with Hip Hop music that fascinates Asians. I, for one, am Asian and definitely fascinated with the culture and etiquette that Hip Hop brings.  I feel the pull towards the music, the dance and the love for the craft. Even though in origin it’s not from our people, I feel possessive enough to take it seriously. No wonder it took me awhile choosing my top 100 rap songs.

First things first, the bar for the hip hop music industry seems to be set higher and higher every day.  With new samples, beats and lyrical word play, its obvious why my choice for the best hundred rap beats have become organized into separate categories.

The first category has to be influence. I know people consider rap as a novelty and in some cases they are right. But there are those times when a certain rap song just cuts through its commercial appeal and ends up serving a higher purpose for the general public. Songs that I put under this classification would be revolutionary; they make people think and aim to achieve a greater purpose in life. Songs like Common Sense’s “I Used to love H.E.R.,” KRS- 1’s “You Must Learn” and Nas’ “Illmatic” are just some of the jams I file under this category.  Complete with lyrical depth and timeless samples, they teach the younger generation to understand knowledge as they lead by example by practicing what they preach.

On a less serious note, I also have a list of rap songs for chill out music. These jams are the ones I listen to while hanging out with my friends trying to have a good time.  “People Everyday” by Arrested Development, “Summertime” by Will Smith and Souls of Mischief’s ’93 “Till Infinity” are just some from my extensive list.

The third category is more for club music. These rap songs are the party anthems that usually get the joint hyped up. Granted they might not be as meaningful or as chill as the others but hey, they make you want to get on the good foot!  The vibe these songs give off are crazy. Afrikaa Bambataa’s “Planet Rock,” 50 Cent’s “In da Club” and T.I’s “Whatever You Like” are all included in my top 100 rap songs.

It might seem that I’m pretty old school when it comes to my rap beats but honestly, I prefer rap like they did it back in the day. I do have some other categories that involve newer rap music but these 3 are pretty much the main liners of my list. At the moment, with new rap songs coming out right and left, what they get from me is an open mind and a selective ear because I know what I like and I stick to it, ’cause that’s how Asians do it!

ABOUT BEA: You can read more of Bea’s work at HardKnockRadio.com, your source on the history of rap music and hip hop. Check out her latest on the top 100 rap songs.