Also dubbed as rap music, the hip hop scene was dominant in popular music culture of the 2000s, spanning from New York City all the way to Los Angeles. However, this genre has grown to encompass an array of musical performances around the world. But not all beats are equal, so here are the best 2000s hip hop songs that dominated the decade:
== 1. “It’s Goin’ Down” – Yung Joc ==
“Meet me in the trap, it’s goin’ down…” These are lyrics you’re guaranteed to have heard if you were listening to the hot tracks of the 2000s. Apparently, Yung Joc and Nitti don’t care about you or wherever you are—they are ready for the ‘ish’ to go down. We guess that’s what makes them so fly and so cool, but it is fair to say that these are two guys that one should think twice about crossing, because “It’s Goin’ Down” one way or the other! Definitely an iconic track from this era of hip hop

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== 2. “Lip Gloss” – Lil Mama ==
What does a 17 year old lovely lady have to do with her time other than keep her lip gloss shiny and sheen and show off her hotness and juicy lips to the hot guys in high school? Apparently, Lil Mama spent a good deal of her time in Brooklyn doing just that. “Lip Gloss” has a double-Dutch catchy beat, and she’s stands at her locker keeping her lip gloss popping and making the boys stop by for the show. Lil Mama would go on to be a sidekick in a number of male-led acts and get caught in her share of controversy, but “Lip Gloss” was all her own

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== 3. “All Falls Down” – Kanye West ==
Kanye West takes on his own self in “All Falls Down,” which is a testimony of self-reflection of the artist’s personal battle with consumerism. Admitting that he doesn’t have much restraint when it comes to showing off the buying power of his empire, Kanye came on the scene hard with this track. It appeared as the third single from his first album, The College Dropout. However, it was the most successful track that really sparked interest in his music that would go on to make him a legacy

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== 4. “In Da Club” — 50 Cent ==

This sensational Dr. Dre concoction let 50 Cent strike gold on his debut album ‘Get Rich orTryin’. Every chart in the nation was home to “In Da Club” and it even earned a few Grammy nods. Everyone was raging “Go shawty, it’s your birthday, we gonna party like it’s your birthday” — even though it likely wasn’t anyone’s birthday at all! Still, one of the greatest birthday hip hop songs of all time, it is an iconic song today

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== 5. “Drop It Like It’s Hot” — Snoop Dogg (ft. Pharrell Williams) ==
Snoop Dogg and Pharrell Williams teamed up on “Drop It Like It’s Hot”, which quickly became a number one hit that stayed on the charts for months in 2004. Dropped in a sweltering summer, the humidity had people dropping down in front of fans—until these beats came on the radio. It seemed that no one could resist the swooping deep drops capped off with piercing high notes in this gem

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== 6. “Hot In Herre” — Nelly ==
“Hot in Herre” made Nelly a force to be reckoned with and was a hot summer single that went on to become the rappers first chart-topping single. Numerous remixes were made of this danceable hit, and the song cropped up on the charts several times for almost a decade. If it was’t already hot enough, those on the dance floor were likely sweating up a storm after jamming to this treasured hip hop song

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== 7. “Get Low” — Lil’ John & The Eastside Boys ==
“Get Low” is exactly what the ladies do when this club hit from the 2000s pours out of the speakers. Lil’John & The Eastside Boys are encouraging the women to get a bit tipsy and shake their rears down to the floor. This track introduced “crunk” to the rap scene, which became a unique sound in its own right over the years

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== 8. “Gravel Pit” — Wu-Tang Clan ==
The Wu-Tang Clan travels back in time to 2000 B.C. and arewith a world resembling that of The Flintstones’s Stone Age. The “Gravel Pit” is apparently some type of casino of stones and bones, replete with foot-pedaled cars, dancing women and dinosaurs

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== 9. “P.S.A.” — Jay-Z ==
Jay-Z makes a strong public service announcement that is well worth hearing. It’s as much of a testament to what the people need to know and a stellar exercise in lyricism that encompasses all that a great rap song should be

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== 10. “Lose Yourself” — Eminem ==

Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” is both an inspirational speech and a basic instructional manual about life. Eminem encourages everyone to “lose yourself in the moment,” and be free to speak and move how you like. Pretty solid advice in the 2000s and to this day

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== 11. “Mrs. Jackson” — Outkast ==
It’s hard to tell whether Outkast is being facetious or heartfelt when apologizing to Mrs. Jackson for making her daughter cry. Was he for real? Honestly, the song is so catchy, that it doesn’t matter, and this song is still highly requested at the club today

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== 12. “Swagga Like Us” — T.I. & Jay-Z (Feat. Kanye West & Lil Wayne) ==
“Swagga Like Us” is loaded with star power, and became a summer staple in 2008. Even a very pregnant M.I.A. joined the crew onstage at the Grammy’s that year to show some swagger for the ladies!
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== 13. “Ether” — Nas ==
Nas’ esoteric and insanely ferocious response to Jay-Z’s song “Takeover” propelled him to the top of the charts and made him a staple of New York’s rap ‘royalty.’ By far, “Ether” is one of the best diss songs in the hip hop scene

== 14. “Touch the Sky” — Kanye West ==
Kanye was on fire in the 2000s, and despite all of the controversies he’s been involved with over the years, no one can deny his lyrical genius. Listen to this track to be transported back to the mid-2000s

== 15. “Still Tippin’” — Mike Jones (Ft. Slimand Paul Wall) ==
Another crew from H-town made their presence known with the single “Still Tippin” and it put Paul Wall, Slimand Mike Jones on the map. It certainly captures the essence of what southern hospitality was all about in the mid-2000s

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== 16. “Royal Flush” — Big Boi ==
“Royal Flush” was a collaboration between OutKast member Big Boi and Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon. Big Boi and Raekwon dropped some highly memorable lines on the track—some may say they are worthy of royalty

== 17. “The Way I Am” — Eminem ==
Free of targets, this track from The Marshall Mathers LP is simply Eminem defending his right to be just who he is. It’s unapologetic, as he owns up to being a foul-mouthed male with a disdain for boy bands

== 18. “Hey Ya!” — Outkast ==

Under his moniker, Andre 3000 of Outkast literally made the Grammy’s a showstopper with “Hey Ya!” It’s catchy, perky and surprisingly upbeat compared to the ‘average’ rap or hip hop song

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== 19. “Southern Hospitality” — Ludacris (feat. Pharrell Williams) ==
“Southern Hospitality” rapidly grew to become a club requisite in the 2000s. Between the bling and the beats, the dance floor was packed to the brim when this track came up

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== 20. “B.O.B.” — OutKast ==
“B.O.B. (Bombs over Baghdad)” seemed to foreshadow the onslaught of the gulf war, global political imbalance, and environmental woes through a frantic drum blast and a chorus of children. The tune literally challenged the world to find peaceful solutions free of bombs and guns

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== 21. “IMy Job” — Cam’ron ==
Cam’ron released this recession rap anthem that adequately captures the anger and rebellious feeling that came along with the economic turmoil around the globe. Lyrics such as “Why am I workin’ here? I’m never gone persevere,” the song ”IMy Job” was relatable to many

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== 22. “Get UrOn” — Missy Elliott ==
Missy Elliot slammed onto the scene hard in the 2000s with “Get UrOn,” and everybody was on the floor with her! This one definitely added some freakiness to the era on and off the charts

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== 23. “Stan” — Eminem ==
“Stan” unmasks a surprisingly vulnerable picture of the rough-edged Eminem. The woes of fame 24/7 are clear, and the haunting and ethereal addition of Dido’s voice is unsurpassable

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== 24. “Exhibit C” — Jay Electronica ==
“Exhibit C” pulls together everything that rap lovers admire about Jay Electronica. It features steady boasts and compelling confessionals delivered in a traditional, but impressive way. What makes it stand out is the rich soundboard headed by Just Blaze and it is a relentless banger

== 25. “Ridin’” — Chamillionaire (ft. Krayzie Bone) ==
Chamillionaire was noted for “Ridin’”around the streets of Houston in his classic souped-up cars replete with game stations. This is one of the biggest hits to hail from the state of Texas and also gives a nod to& Nerdy” by Weird Al

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== 26. “Hip-Hop” — Dead Prez ==
This one had the dance floors hopping and popping long into the night. This is another anthem that showcases the Dead Prez’s versatility and dedication to activism in the community

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== 27. “Int’l Player’s Anthem” — UGK ==
As an ode to Pimp C and his infamous bun, The “Int’l Players Anthem” was pulverizing the charts back in the day. Whether you’re a purist of hip hop or hardcore rap, this track won’t be forgotten any time soon

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== 28. “Big Pimpin’” — Jay Z (ft. UGK) ==
In the summer of 2000, Jay Z and UGK teamed up to craft this club hit that had everybody flipping and jamming with southern rapping pimp Presario. Everybody was “Big Pimping” and we were so there for it!
== 29. “Black President” — Nas ==
While Tupac noted “we ain’t yet to see a Black president”, Nas and his crew begged to differ with the hit “Black President” that literally transitioned that concept into one of hope and optimism during the 2008 election. And yes, America proved they were indeed ready to move into a new era

== 30. “On My Block” — Scarface ==
“On My Block” was the highlight of Scarface’s album The Fix, and is an ode to maintaining spiritual awareness while existing in the school of Hard Knox—called the streets of Houston. This gem is an ominous street tale that follows up “What Can I Do?” nicely

== 31. “Move & Renaissance Rap” — Q-Tip ==
“Renaissance Rap” is a banging but unlisted track on Q-Tip’s “The Renaissance” album. This gem crops up around the 2:48 minute mark in the track “Move” but isn’t noted at all on the label. However, it was so popular that it earned it’s own music video. It’s club worthy and has enough energy to be a solid gym workout choice as Q-Tip recollects his days as a young MC

== And…That’s a Rap! ==
There is no denying that the 2000s hip hop songs were a great testament to follow up the hit tracks of the 90s. Rap has certainly made its mark around the world, which is a far cry from the backlash this art form received initially. So, if you are considering making a mix tape of the best 2000s rap songs, you will certainly want to include these top hits that dominated the charts by artists that are still relevant today


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