Top 10 Best Rap Songs of the 21st Century

Rap has been one of the most influential and dynamic genres in music over the last two decades. From unforgettable lyrics to beats that stick in your head, the 21st century has given us songs that defined moments, movements, and even entire eras.

But what makes a rap song truly stand out? Is it the wordplay? The production? The way it gets you hyped or maybe how it makes you feel like the artist is speaking directly to you?

The Top Ten

Lose Yourself - Eminem

Eminem is one of the greatest rappers of all time. His delivery is outstanding. He stresses certain syllables, making impossible words rhyme. He is no doubt the greatest lyrical rapper that's ever lived, and Lose Yourself is his greatest masterpiece. No doubt the greatest lyrical song ever written!

Writing this amazing song while filming 8 Mile - only Marshall could do that. Hats off. If I fell asleep in front of the TV in deep sleep, that intro would wake me up into a fantastic six-minute world well worth a million Oscars. He's the man!
Stronger - Kanye West

From the top 10 rap songs of the 21st century, six songs are from Kanye West, and every one of them is amazing. But this song... I could listen to it all day, again and again.
99 Problems - Jay-Z

It just sounds amazing. Stronger, Through the Wire, and Jesus Walks are all better than Gold Digger.

I got 99 Problems. Why isn't this number 1?
Jesus Walks - Kanye West
In Da Club - 50 Cent

The only song that I have never gotten tired of.
Money Trees - Kendrick Lamar

One of the best rap songs of this century, and Jay's verse is so underrated.

This song is a hidden gem. Very happy it got recognition on this list.
Gold Digger - Kanye West
Rap God - Eminem

When I heard it first, I was like, Eminem is the best rapper. Really a Rap God. Why be a king when you can be the god? Hats off to you.

Wow, wow, wow. Unbelievable, man. Love Eminem. He should be no. 2 or 3. Eminem forever!

Eminem: *spits rhymes hella fast*
Me: *speaks gibberish for six minutes*
Runaway - Kanye West

The only reason this masterpiece is not in the top 10, or top 20 at least, is how underrated it is.
Dance with the Devil - Immortal Technique

This song is unbelievable. More than six minutes of rapping. Unbelievable storytelling.

If more people really searched for the truth in hip hop, this song would be in the top 3.

This is one of the greatest songs in rap history.

The Newcomers

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Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst - Kendrick Lamar

In my opinion, this should be in the top 10 because, in this generation of hip-hop, never has there been a storytelling song with such emotion. The message that is conveyed is probably one of the deepest ever told.
Best Kendrick Lamar song, in my opinion.

One of the greatest rap songs of all time.
It should be in the top 10 over Money Trees for sure.
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Ante Up - M.O.P.

Legendary rap song made in 2000. Before rap went downhill to just words without emotion, this song gave a rebellious tone for change to happen and motivates anyone.
Perfect song for early mornings.

The Contenders

Not Afraid - Eminem

Look up his story on the internet. His best friend was shot in the head three times. He was out of the business for more than a year, but he came back with this powerful song about his comeback.
This song is amazing and should be in the top ten!

Great song! And great message too.
Diamonds from Sierra Leone - Kanye West

It's good, and I love it. I would rate it 10/10. It's cool. How do I make this more than poor? Anyway, I'm just gonna write until it's like the best possible. I like how it's nice to slaves. There we go, finally the blue bar has popped up.
One Mic - Nas

This song is just unbelievable. Get this to number one! There are 18 songs ahead of this, when zero songs should be ahead of it.

One of the best rap compositions - a perfect song on some Mozart level!

This should be in the top three! Lyrically untouchable!
Hey Ya! - Outkast
Through the Wire - Kanye West
Beautiful - Eminem

Just listen to it, and your respect for his musical talent and otherwise will skyrocket. Trust me.
Empire State of Mind - Jay-Z & Alicia Keys
The New Workout Plan - Kanye West
A Milli - Lil Wayne
Airplanes, Pt. II - B.o.B
Slow Jamz - Kanye West, Twista & Jamie Foxx
Mirror - Lil Wayne
Hero - Nas
'Till I Collapse - Eminem

Ultimate song everybody should listen to. It's very close to Lose Yourself and should be second after that. Real rap is in this song.

My favorite song ever. The music, rhythm, and rhyme are so lit and dope. When you have a great rapper, rhyme, and rhythm in a song, it's gotta get people hyped. You've got yourself a real rap song.
Hot in Herre - Nelly