Top 10 Rap Songs with the Best Beats

You hear that first kick drum, that snare, that looped sample, and suddenly your whole posture changes. Shoulders bounce. Head nods. Maybe you're in traffic. Maybe you're in your kitchen. Doesn't matter. You're transported.

This list is for those moments. The ones where a beat drops and the world briefly becomes a music video starring you. It's not about lyrics, bars, or flow. It's not even about the artist, really. It's about the sound that grabs your ears and won't let go. Sometimes it's stripped down and sinister. Other times it's lush and layered like an audio fever dream. Either way, it's unforgettable.

Think about the songs that still get crowds hyped years later, all because of that production. The ones you can recognize in under two seconds. The ones producers have tried to copy but never quite nailed. That's the energy we're chasing here.

The Top Ten

  1. Still D.R.E. - Dr. Dre

    Best song of Chronic 2001 and another sick beat created by Dre.

  2. Shook Ones, Pt. II - Mobb Deep

    This is the greatest rap beat of all time. No rap beat ever made comes close to this. This beat has been rapped over and covered and sampled numerous times. It was even featured on the final rap battle in 8 Mile.

    I believe this beat was the best beat ever. I didn't choose Still Dre because the main tune, the catchy piano, has been sampled from some other source, so yes.

    It's real rap. That Still Dre song is fine, but this is more of a rap beat than a catchy tune, which is what I think of Still Dre's beat.

  3. Lose Yourself - Eminem

    I love the beat on this song. It really works well with Eminem's amazing lyrics.

    The lyrics in this song are sick, along with the beat that Eminem created.

  4. In da Club - 50 Cent

    This is a hard hip hop beat. How can those Nas fans claim that NY State of Mind has a harder beat than this? The beat is one of the best things about this song. It's very intense, menacing, and intimidating.

    Dr. Dre is an absolute fire producer.

    Amazing and deep beat that feels like an underground party in the club.

  5. Black Skinhead - Kanye West

    Absolutely insane production by Daft Punk and Kanye, the beat is all over the place in the best way possible. From the rapid tom drums to the earth-shattering 808s in the chorus, and the weirdly chill beat in the verses, this beat is mental.

    - Politik

  6. Changes - 2pac

  7. California Love - Tupac

  8. Hypnotize - The Notorious B.I.G.

  9. Maad City - Kendrick Lamar

    Without any doubt, both of the beats in this song are two of the best hip-hop/rap beats of the 2010s, and maybe even of Kendrick's whole career. The first beat is absolutely ruthless with an amazing string sample. The second beat is one of the best beat switches ever. It easily gets my vote for this list.

    - Politik

  10. The Next Episode - Dr. Dre

    11. The Newcomers
  11. ?

    Runaway - Kanye West

    This beat is absolutely beautiful, one of the best in Ye's career. The progression in this song's beat is mental, starting with a slow piano riff. It then evolves into a gorgeous, emotional beat with some of the best vocal sampling I've ever heard. Truly a masterpiece.

    - Politik

  12. ?

    Faucet Failure - Ski Mask the Slump God

    13. The Contenders

  13. N.Y. State of Mind - Nas

    One of the funkiest boom-bap beats I've ever heard, everything goes well together in this simplistic beat. The piano chords after each measure, whatever instrument is in the lead melody, the fat snare, and the actual audible kick. Most kicks in old boom-bap beats are overpowered by other elements. It's just too good.

    - Politik

    This is the definition of a hardcore hip hop beat. The beat is catchy and just hooks you on to it as soon as you hear the first verse.

    Damn, the beat goes harder than anything in this world.

  14. Many Men (Wish Death) - 50 Cent

  15. Big Poppa - The Notorious B.I.G.

  16. Jesus Walks - Kanye West

  17. Till I Collapse - Eminem

    It is an amazing beat. The lyrics go well with the beat.

    To be fair, I didn't see Kendrick Lamar's "HiiiPower" before I picked this beat for my top ten, but I digress. This beat is intense, energetic, and perfect for a workout. The beginning of the track resembles "Lose Yourself", and then segues into an amazing beat.

    - Politik

  18. They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.) - Pete Rock & CL Smooth

  19. No Role Modelz - J. Cole

    One of my favorite J. Cole songs, but admittedly not my favorite. I believe personally there are better ones. Lit beat though, so I'm voting for it.

  20. Power - Kanye West

    The vocal sample in this is infectious. The drums are just at the perfect amount of power (see what I did there), and everything that joins in as the beat progresses is amazing. Overall, an incredible beat.

    - Politik

  21. The World is Yours - Nas

    A sick beat from a great song by a great rapper.

  22. Unforgettable - French Montana

  23. Nuthin' but a "G" Thang - Dr. Dre

    This song made g-funk popular and is considered one of the most influential and greatest rap songs of all time. Not to mention it's also the best g-funk song ever.

  24. Big Pimpin - Jay Z

  25. Gangsta's Paradise - Coolio

  26. Heart Attack - Scarlxrd

  27. N***as in Paris - Kanye West & Jay-Z

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