67 Best 2010s Hip Hop Songs
By 2010, Hip Hop was everywhere and the genre dominated the charts.
There are so many ways to pick the best hip hop songs of the era and we decided to cover the biggest chart-topping songs of 2010.
Today’s list features tracks that dominated the Billboard Hot Rap Songs chart. Anyway, put your headphones on, and let's review the best 2010s hip hop songs.
Contents
1.“Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X Featuring Billy Ray Cyrus
Song Year: 2019
“Old Town Road” was the debut single for Lil Nas X. The track seamlessly fuses rap and country music and won the world over in 2019.
Originally finding success on Tik Tok, “Old Town Road” dominated the Billboard Charts in 2019 and spent a record-breaking 19 consecutive weeks at number one.
2. “Fancy” by Iggy Azalea Featuring Charli XCX
Song Year: 2014
Iggy Azalea found instant success when she joined Charli XCX for “Fancy” in 2014.
This hip-hop and pop crossover showed that women could dominate the hip-hop charts as well. “Fancy” topped the charts in the US, Canada, and New Zealand. The duo also received the nomination for “Record of the Year” at the 57th Grammy Awards.
3. “Hotline Bling” by Drake
Song Year: 2015
Drake was everywhere in the 2010s but no song was bigger than “Hotline Bling.” While the song had mixed reviews initially, Drake received two Grammy Awards for “Hotline Bling” in 2017.
“Hotline Bling” uses a blend of pop and R&B backing tracks to go along with Drake’s emotionally charged rhymes.
4. “Thrift Shop” by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis Featuring Wanz
Song Year: 2013
While many rappers love to flaunt their cash and how much they spend, Macklemore wants you to know he likes to save. “Thrift Shop” lets you know it’s better to save than to waste.
Mackelmore and Ryan Lewis turned out to be a huge hit and sold over 6 million copies in the US while peaking at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
5. “Timber” by Pitbull Featuring Kesha
Song Year: 2014
Peaking at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, “Timber” is the definitive Pitbull track. It features his signature blend of EDM beats and high-paced lyrics that made him a household name in the 2010s.
Kesha’s vocals and hook are the key to the song and helped Pitbull gain popularity on Tik Tok with “Timber” after the song’s release.
6. “See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa Featuring Charlie Puth
Song Year: 2015
Commissioned as a tribute to Paul Walker after his accidentally passing, “See You Again” is Wiz Khalifia’s biggest single to date.
Released in 2015 on the “Furious 7” soundtrack, “See You Again” spent 12 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 and received three Grammy nominations.
7. “Panda” by Desiigner
Song Year: 2016
While many of the songs on this list are a hybrid of different music genres, “Panda” is a pure hip-hop track.
Originally finding success on the internet, “Panda” found major commercial success after Kanye West sampled the track. From there, “Panda” went on to reach number one on the Hot 100 in 2016.
8. “Rockstar” by Post Malone Featuring 21 Savage
Song Year: 2017
Despite mixed critical reviews, Post Malone struck gold when teaming up with 21 Savage for “Rockstar.” The song found international success and top cheats in the US, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Greece, and more.
The song combines a deep trap beat and hypnotic synth backing tracks.
9. “The Motto” by Drake Featuring Lil Wayne
Song Year: 2011
In 2011, Drake and Lil Wayne teamed up for “The Motto.” The song was originally released as an iTunes bonus track from Drake’s second album, “Take Care.”
“The Motto” is the song that popularized the slang YOLO (you only live once) in the 2010s.
10. “Can’t Hold Us” Macklemore and Ryan Lewis Featuring Ray Dalton
Song Year: 2011
“Can’t Hold Us” was a massive hit-turned anthem in the 2010s. Originally released in 2011, the song found its footing in late 2012. It finally reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2013.
The song's infectious hook and dance-friendly BPM (beats per minute) made “Can’t Hold Us” a must-play at music festivals and parties across the US.
11. “I’m On One” by DJ Khaled Featuring Drake, Rick Ross, and Lil Wayne
Song Year: 2011
You can’t go wrong by adding features from Drake and Lil Wayne to your tracks. DJ Khaled peaked at number ten with “I’m On One” in 2011.
The trio delivers a hard-hitting bassline and trap beat that gives the song a unique sound compared to many other pop hip-hop songs of the era.
12. “I’m the One” by DJ Khaled Featuring Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper, and Lil Wayne
Song Year: 2017
How do you follow up a massive hit featuring Drake and Lil Waye? Easy, you ask Justin Bieber to join in on the fun.
“I’m the One” takes a 360 turn compared to “I’m On One,” and is a party song. From Bieber’s hook to Chance’s raps, “I’m the One” is summer party pop fun.
The song was a massive hit and has well over one billion streams on Spotify currently.
13. “Bad and Boujee” by Migos Featuring Lil Uzi Vert
Song Year: 2017
“Bad and Boujee” follows hip hop trends of the time and features a minimalist trap beat that lets the rappers flow over the beat.
Featuring Lil Uzi Vert, Migos released “Bad and Boujee” in 2016 on Atlantic Records. The song started as a viral success but quickly found mainstream success. “Bad and Boujee” hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and was the first number one single for both Migos and Lil Uzi Vert.
14. “God’s Plan” by Drake
Song Year: 2018
Drake combines trap beats with pop to create “God’s Plan.” Released in 2018 off Drake’s EP, “Scary Hours,” the track became Drake’s 4th number one hit.
Originally released as a digital download-only release, “God’s Plan” broke Apple’s first-day streaming record by receiving over 14 million streams on release day.
“God’s Plan” also saw critical success by winning the Grammy for “Best Rap Song” in 2019.
15. “In My Feelings” by Drake
Song Year: 2018
Another Drake entry on our list, “In My Feelings” found massive success in 2018.
“In My Feelings” follows Drake’s formula of romantic lyrics and danceable beats. This combo found the song reaching number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100.
“In My Feelings” also inspired an internet meme challenge. The Kiki Challenge involved people getting out of their moving cars and dancing to the song.
16. “Look at Me Now” by Chris Brown Featuring Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes
Song Year: 2011
Giving Lil Wayne a guest spot on your track was a surefire way to chart in the 2010s. The song was a huge hit for Brown and peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The song features distinct EDM-style production thanks to producers Afrojack and Diplo. The unique production on “Look at Me Now” sets it apart from most of Brown’s discography.
17. “Niggas in Paris” by Jay-Z and Kanye West
Song Year: 2011
“Niggas in Paris” is what happens when two of the biggest rappers in the game collaborate.
Released in 2011, “Niggas in Paris” peaked at number 5 on the Hot 100 and won the Grammy for “Best Rap Performance” and “Best Rap Song.”
The song is no holds barred right from the start as Jay and Kanye deliver hard-hitting beats and rhymes.
18. “Sicko Mode” by Travis Scott featuring Drake
Song Year: 2018
“Sicko Mode” was Travis Scott’s first number one single. The song was viral and was the first hip-hop song to spend at least 30 weeks in the top ten.
The track was a critical success as well as receiving nominations for “Best Rap Performance” and “Best Rap Song: at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.
If you listen carefully you can hear sample easter eggs that include Notorious BIG.
19. “Empire State of Mind” by Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys
Song Year: 2010
“Empire State of Mind” became the new New York Anthem in the 2010s. Jay-Z and Alicia Keys deliver one of the most influential and emotional hip-hop songs of the era on “Empire State of Mind.”
While Jay-Z rhymes are flawless, Key’s chorus hook puts “Empire State of Mind” on another level compared to many other hip hop songs of the time.
20. “BedRock” by Young Money Featuring Lloyd
Song Year: 2010
Recorded under the moniker Young Money, “BedRock” includes verses from Lil Wayne, Gudda Gudda, Nicki Minaj, Drake, Tyga, Jae Millz, and a chorus by Lloyd.
With all that talent, “BedRock” was bound for success. The song reached number 2 on the Hot 100 and rose to 9 on the UK charts.
21. “Moment 4 Life” by Nicki Minaj Featuring Drake
Song Year: 2011
Nicki Minaj delivers the story of two friends that work together to create a song and become famous rappers.
“Moment 4 Life” found critical and commercial success for Minaj. The song debuted to positive reviews and spent 9 weeks atop the US Hot Rap Songs chart in 2011.
22. “Mercy” by Kanye West, Big Sean, Pusha T, and 2 Chainz
Song Year: 2012
Deep and heavy beats are the key to “Mercy” by Kanye West. As long as the first drum hits you know you’re in for a ride on this track. The backing tracks feature instrumentation from Hudson Mohawke and uses distorted samples from “Dust a Sound Boy” by Super Beagle.
Released in 2012, “Mercy” was the lead single on the album “Cruel Summer.” The song peaked at number 1 on the Hot 100 and won Soul Train Music Awards, BET Hip Hop Awards, and BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards.
23. “The Monster” by Eminem Featuring Rihanna
Song Year: 2013
“The Monster” was the 4th collaboration between Eminem and Rihanna. The song entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 3.
Eminem delivers his signature rhymes and tells the story of a man pondering the effects of fame. Rhianna’s hook holds the song together as she sings about her inner demons.
Just like their other collaborations, “The Monster” was a huge hit and they won the Grammy Award for “Best Rap/Sung Collaboration” in 2010.
24. “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)” by Silento
Song Year: 2015
Hip Hop and dance go together like peanut butter and jelly. “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae) popularized two dance moves and inspired plenty of Tik Tok dances in the 2010s.
While the song saw little critical praise, Silento laughed all the way to the bank as “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)” spent 6 weeks at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts.
25. “Broccoli” by DRAM Featuring Lil Yachty
Song Year: 2016
DRAM and Lil Yachty deliver a quirky and fun track that won over the masses in 2016.
“Broccoli” is the first single on DRAM’s debut album, “Bib Baby DRAM.” The song peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and received a nomination for “Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 59th Grammy Awards.”
“Broccoli” won over the critics as well and found its way onto several “Best Songs of 2016” lists.
26. “Sunflower (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse)” by Post Malone and Swae Lee
Song Year: 2019
“Sunflower” played an integral role in the animated film Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse. The song helped Miles Morales control his spider powers.
In the real world, “Sunflower (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”) found massive success and gave Post Malone his thor number one hit. The song was so popular it spent 33 weeks in the top ten tying the record.
27. “Your Love” by Nicki Minaj
Song Year: 2010
Minaj’s first single, “Yoru Love” showed that she was ready to take over the 2010s Hip Hop scene.
Nicki Minaj delivers a hypnotizing rap over a subdued sample of Annie Lennox’s “No More I Love You’s.” This combo was a surefire hit and “Your Love” spent 8 weeks atop the US Rap Songs chart in 2010.
28. “Love the Way You Lie” by Eminem Featuring Rihanna
Song Year: 2010
Arguably one of Eminem’s best songs, Eminem and Rihanna delivers a complex and emotionally charged tune on “Love the Way You Lie.”
The two tell a story of lovers who are stuck n a love-hate relationship. The duo were perfect together and struck gold on the track.
Both critically and commercially successful, Eminem won several awards for “Love the Way You Lie.”
29. “Me, Myself & I” by G-Eazy and Bebe Rexha
Song Year: 2016
“Me, Myself & I” was originally planned to be a part of Rexha’s debut album. Her label decided to hook Rexha up with rapper G-Eazy and the song found its way onto his second studio album, “When It’s Dark Out.”
The song was an instant hit and peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also G-Eazy’s biggest hit at the time.
30. “Black Beatles” by Rae Sremmurd Featuring Gucci Mane
Song Year: 2016
Thanks to the Mannequin Challenge, “Black Beatles” became a viral hit in 2016.
The song features a mix of trap beats and lo-fi hip-hop musical elements. Ths new sound helped “Black Beatles” peak at number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100. “Black Beatles” is also the biggest song of Rae Sremmurd’s and Gucci Mane’s careers.
31. “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)” by Cardi B
Song Year: 2017
By 2017, Cardi B was ready to take over the hip-hop scene.
One of the most critically acclaimed tracks of the 2010s, Cardi B became the second female rapper to reach number one on the Hot 100.
32. “Nothin’ on You” by B.o.B. featuring Bruno Mars
Song Year: 2010
B.o.B. and Bruno Mars burst onto the scene with “Nothin’ on You” in 2010.
The song mixes pop, dance, and rap into a ballad with positive vibes. The duo saw massive success thanks to “Nothin’ on You” and went on to receive nominations for Best Rap Song and Record of the Year at the Grammy Awards.
33. “Headlines” by Drake
Song Year: 2011
Originally released on Drake’s blog, “Headlines” quickly shot up the charts and peaked at number 13 on the Hot 100.
The song features hypnotic strings, drumline-style rhythm, and Drake’s signature rhymes.
34. “Time of Our Lives” by Pitbull and Ne-Yo
Song Year: 2015
If you spent any time in a nightclub in the 2010s, you probably danced to “Time of Our Lives.”
Pitbull and Ne-Yo recorded a fun and danceable hit that peaked at number nine on the Hot 100.
35. “Truth Hurts” by Lizzo
Song Year: 2019
Originally released in 2017, “Truth Hurts” found success much later after going viral on Tik Tok in 2019.
“Truth Hurts” was Lizzo’s first number one hit and won the 2020 Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance.
36. “No Lie” by 2 Chainz Featuring Drake
Song Year: 2012
By 2012, trap beats were an integral part of hip hop and 2 Chainz delivered a trap anthem on “No Lie.”
The song is the lead single on 2 Chainz’s debut album “Based on a T.R.U Story.”
37. “Holy Grail” by Jay-Z Featuring Justin Timberlake
Song Year: 2013
Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake deliver a massive tune on “Holy Grail.”
The song features elements from Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and won the Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration in 2014.
38. “Anaconda” by Nicki Minaj
Song Year: 2014
Perfectly sampling Sir-Mix-A-Lot, Nicki Minaj delivered a controversial song that exploded onto the scene.
Recorded as a diss track to the original “Baby Got Back” Minaj is proud of her body and how she can use it to empower herself.
39. “I Don’t Fuck With You” by Big Sean Featuring E-40
Song Year: 2015
Originally slated to be a Justin Bieber track, producer DJ Mustard instead gave the beats to Big Sean.
The song follows a narrator who is sick of his past relationship.
40. “Lucid Dreams” by Juice Wrld
Song Year: 2019
Juice Wrld found massive success thanks to streaming on Soundcloud. Since those beginnings, “Lucid Dreams” is now one of the most streamed songs on Spotify and currently has almost 2 billion streams.
Juice Wrld showed that indie songs can still find their way onto the charts.
41. “Right Above It” by Lil Wayne Featuring Drake
Song Year: 2010
Every time Lil Wayne and Drake teamed up in the 2010s they scored a hit.
“Right Above It” was no exception and peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song also found its way onto the small screen as the theme song to the HBO series “Ballers.”
42. “Black Widow” by Iggy Azalea Featuring Rita Ora
Song Year: 2014
Combing EDM and trap elements, “Black Widow” was a massive hit in 2014. Rita Ora delivers a hook that is relentless as it builds and builds to the eventual drop.
“Black Widow” saw mixed reviews but that didn’t stop fans from enjoying the track. “Black Widow” peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
43. “Say Something” by Timbaland Featuring Drake
Song Year: 2009
“Say Something” dropped in 2009 on Timbaland’s 3rd studio album, “Shock Value II.”
The track features a distorted electro style with verses from Drake and Timbaland. The song saw mixed reviews but still managed to spend 4 weeks at number 1 on the Billboard Hot Rap Songs Chart.
44. “Over” by Drake
Song Year: 2010
One of Drake’s first hits of the 2010s, “Over” is a hip hop anthem that features big beats and orchestral elements.
The song was Drake’s 4th consecutive top-five appearance on the US R&B and Rap Chart.
45. “Drank in My Cup” by Kirko Bangz
Song Year: 2017
While few artists dominated the charts in the 2010s, there were also some one-hit wonders. Kirko Bangz came out of nowhere and held the number 1 spot on the US Rap Charts for 4 weeks in 2017 with “Drank in My Cup.”
46. “Humble” by Kendrick Lamar
Song Year: 2017
“Humble” was Kendrick Lamar’s second number one single.
The song was highly praised by critics and received four Grammy nominations including “Record of the Year” and “Best Rap Song.”
47. “Nice for What” by Drake
Song Year: 2018
Another hit for Drake, “Nice for What” debuted at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 2018. The song features samples from Lauryn Hill and Wu-Tang Clan.
Both a critical and commercial success, “Nice for What” found its place on Rolling Stone’s 100 Best Songs of the 2010s list.
48. “Roxanne” by Arizone Zervas
Song Year: 2019
Thanks to fans on Instagram and Tik Tok, Arizone Zervas became a viral sensation with his track “Roxanne.”
The viral success turned into record sales and peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.
49. “Aston Martin Music” by Rick Ross Featuring Drake and Chrisetter Michele
Song Year: 2010
It seems like you had to have a guest feature from Drake to chart in the 2010s. Rick Ross understood the formula and released “Aston Martin Music” with Drake and Chrisetter Michele in 2010.
The song follows a young Rick Ross who dreams of owning an Aston Martin.
50. “No Hands” by Wacka Flocka Flame Featuring Wale and Roscoe Dash
Song Year: 2011
“No Hands” is a club banger released by Wacka Flocka Flame in 2011.
The trap beats and dirty lyrics helped “No Hands” peak at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100.
51. “I Cry” by Flo Rida
Song Year: 2012
Along with Pitbull, Flo Rida flawlessly blended hip hop and EDM to create the ultimate party song.
“I Cry” uses Bingo Players “Cry (Just A Little) as the backing track while Flo Rida delivers an inspiring vocal track. The combo is catchy and dancefloor friendly.
52. “Trap Queen” by Fetty Wap
Song Year: 2015
Created around a free backing track from Belarus artist, Tony Fadd, “Trap Queen” became Fetty Wap’s biggest single to date.
Originally finding success on Soundcloud, “Trap Queen” quickly found mainstream success thanks to its infectious beats and the unique vocal styling of Fetty Wap.
53. “Too Good” by Drake Featuring Rihanna
Song Year: 2016
A rap/dancehall hybrid, “Too Good” is the 4th single on Drake’s album, “Views.”
The song takes samples from “Love Yuh Bad” by Popcaan and peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100.
54. “Black and Yellow” by Wiz Khalifa
Song Year: 2011
“Black and Yellow” is Wiz Khalifa’s anthem about growing up in Pittsburgh, PA, and his yellow Dodge Challenger.
The song was Khalifa’s first number one single in the US.
55. “My Last” by Big Sean Featuring Chris Brown
Song Year: 2011
Originally a solo song, Chris Brown showed up during recording and connected with Big Sean to add a verse to “My Last.”
The song has an addictive hook and beat that helped it reach number one on the Billboard Hot Rap Songs Chart.
56. “Cashin’ Out” by Cash Out
Song Year: 2012
“Cashin’ Out” is the debut single from Cash Out. The song was originally released on Cash Out’s mixtape titled “It’s My Time.”
“Cashin’ Out’ is Cash Out’s only hit and ranked number 92 on Billboards’ Year End Hot 100 of 2012.
57. “Hot Boy” by Bobby Shmurda
Song Year: 2014
Before Tik Tok, you had to use Vine to find viral dance videos. “Hot Boy” featured choreography for a dance called the Shmoney dance that went viral on Vine.
The song found commercial success as well and reached number 6 on the Hot 100.
58. “Unforgettable” by French Montana Featuring Swae Lee
Song Year: 2017
Featuring a dancehall-inspired drum beat, French Montana delivers a deep and dancefloor-friendly track on “Unforgettable.”
The song was a massive worldwide success charting in the US, Portugal, UK, Colombia, and many other countries.
59. “This Is America” by Childish Gambino
Song Year: 2018
While conscious rap took a back seat in the 2010s, Childish Gambino had something to say. “This is America” is a declaration about the state of the country.
Gambino covers everything from mass shootings to systemic racism in “This is America.”
60. “Make Me Proud” by Drake Featuring Nicki Minaj
Song Year: 2012
Drake teams up with Nick Minaj to score a hit. “Make Me Proud” was originally released on Drake’s blog in 2011 before its major label release.
The song was another top ten for Drake and peaked at number on the Hot Rap Charts.
61. “Berzerk” by Eminem
Song Year: 2013
Produced by Rick Rubin, “Berzerk” sounds like Eminem’s rapping over a Beastie Boys song.
The song features samples from Billy Squier, The Beastie Boys, and Naughty by Nature.
62. “Rap God” by Eminem
Song Year: 2013
According to Guinness World Records, “Rap God” has 1560 words making it the most words used in a song.
All those words gave Eminem another chart-topper and “Rap God” peaked at number 7 on the Hot 100.
63. “Only” by Nicki Minaj Featuring Drake, Lil Wayne, and Chris Brown
Song Year: 2014
Nicki Minaj joined with some of the biggest stars of the 2010s on “Only.”
A dark and dirty song, the lyrics are NSFW but the song was a huge hit and topped the US Hot R&B/HIP Hop Charts.
64. “Summer Sixteen” by Drake
Song Year: 2016
The last Drake song on the list, “Summer Sixteen” is a slow-moving, near hypnotic rap track.
The song debuted at number 6 on the Hot 100 and number one on the Hot R&B chart.
65. “Don’t Mind” by Kent Jones
Song Year: 2016
Kent Jones penned a huge party dance hit with “Don’t Mind.”
The song takes inspiration from Spanish, Haitian, French, and Asian communities in Miami. The combination works and “Don’t Mind” peaked at number 1 on the Hot Rap songs in 2016.
66. “iSpy” by Kyle Featuring Lil Yachty
Song Year: 2017
“iSpy” proved you don’t need a major release to make it big. The song was originally released on YouTube and now has close to 500 million views.
Thanks to its viral success, the song peaked at number 4 on the Hot 1000 charts in 2017.
67. “Psycho” by Post Malone Featuring Ty Dolla Sign
Song Year: 2018
“Psycho” is an autobiographical track that follows Post Malone’s lifestyle on the road.
While the critics were mixed on “Psycho”, the song was a big hit and topped both the US R&B and US Hot 100 charts.
Best 2010s Hip Hop Songs, Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoyed this stroll down memory lane.
There were so many amazing hip-hop songs released in the 2010s and this list barely scratches the surface. If we left your favorite 2010 hip hop songs off the list, let us know.
