The 30 Best Rap Songs of 2025

30.Pluto & YK Niece, "WHIM WHAMIEE"

Album: BOTH WAYS

This year desperately needed a song that made you want to dance on tables, scream-rap the lyrics, and engage in random acts of violence. Enter Pluto and YKNiece. Built around a sample of OJ da Juiceman’s “Wham Bam,” Pluto and YKNiece gave the girls another anthem while inspiring a wave of remixes, from Sexyy Red’s official version to Lizzo’s mega-viral stab at it. Their ass-shaking, fist-swinging single channels the golden age of Atlanta trap rap reimagined for a new generation—this time with women at the forefront. —Jade Gomez

29.Larry June, 2 Chainz & The Alchemist, "Bad Choices"

2 Chainz had a strange start to the decade. After being a fixture in the 2010s trap scene, the lukewarm reception to his 2020s albums Dope Don’t Sell Itself and Collegrove 2 put him at an artistic crossroads. So he parted ways with Def Jam and went indie.

Now the College Park rapper brings his laid-back flow to the Bay Area’s favorite cool uncle, Larry June, alongside the cinematic brilliance of the Alchemist’s sample-filled production. “Bad Choices” is the pinnacle of yacht rap, with 2 Chainz’s effortless bravado sounding right at home on Alc’s soothing grooves and June’s relaxed delivery. Tity has always been a great rapper; he just needed to board the yacht and sip a green juice to remind everyone. —Josh Svetz

28.Mobb Deep, Nas & Jorja Smith, "Down For You"

Album: Infinite

Neither Nas nor Havoc are generally interested in the machinations and lingering wounds of heartbreak. But on their Infinite collab, the all-time MCs get a little vulnerable. Alongside a soulful performance from Jorja Smith, Havoc and Nas take turns lamenting that deep love can turn into heartbreak all too quickly.

The Mobb Deep vet takes a more calculated approach, basing his verse firmly in the reality of courtship: “Heart cold, but you worked your way into my mental/I was in trouble from the minute that I met you.” Nas, on the other hand, turns the performance into something else entirely. He raps: “I don't care, pull your hair, crack first night, that's how it be/Sneaky link? Nah, keep a goomar like Gotti's freaks.”

Love is, after all, a spectrum. —Will Schube

27.Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist Feat. Anderson .Paak, "Ensalada"

Album: Alfredo 2

By this point, Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist have the formula down. Alfredo 2 is at its best when the duo add variables and curveballs to the tried and true blend of throwback, sample-heavy beats and blustery shit talk.

“Ensalada” is one such sterling example, the beat incorporating multiple rhythms, a choice by Al that pushes Gibbs into his best performance on the record. Toss in an excellent chorus from Anderson .Paak and you’ve got one of the best rap songs of the year. —Will Schube

26.OsamaSon, "Made Sum Plans"

Album: Jump Out

OsamaSon may be known for blistering, heat-seeking melodies and rumbling 808s, but “Made Sum Plans” finds the Goose Creek, South Carolina native polishing his song structure and dialing back the distortion.

The Jump Out standout isn’t a departure from his signature sound, though. Instead, the refinement works in OsamaSon’s favor—it’s an anthem by all measures. Produced by close collaborator ok, Osama floats over teetering synths—reminiscent of a youthful, cloud-era Uzi-Carti hybrid—and bouncy, jerk-influenced percussion. Amid the rage, “Made Sum Plans” feels like an oasis on Jump Out, offering a switch-up that’s well worth revisiting time and time again. Oh, and shout out Keena. —Jon Barlas

25.Danny Brown, "Lift You Up"

Album: Stardust

Stardust, Danny Brown’s first release since getting sober, finds the Detroit rapper merging hyperpop with the deconstructed-club sounds he’s been exploring since 2013’s Old, creating something that feels genuinely futuristic. Yet the project’s best rap song has him revisiting a style that peaked decades ago.

“Lift You Up” is a serotonin-spiked, late-’80s-coded hip-house track in which the 44-year-old vents his frustration about a partner stuck in a rut. Brown’s rapping is predictably excellent, but it’s his affectionate homage to a supposedly dead subgenre that makes this the standout on the album. —Mr. Wavvy

24.Central Cee & 21 Savage, "GBP"

Album: CAN’T RUSH GREATNESS

Location, location, location. It’s not just the key to effectiveness as a pitcher on the baseball diamond, it’s also at the heart of Central Cee and 21 Savage’s world-beating collab, “GBP.”

The track is a fascinating, diaristic simulation in which the two artists flip roles: Cinch imagines what life would be like if he grew up in New York or North Carolina, while 21 does his best to learn about the Premier League. Central Cee arguably does a more imaginative job leaning into the scenario—”If it was 1930, North Carolina/I would've been Frank with the mink”—but it’s always fun hearing 21 rap about the ways in which internet beef is driving him insane. —Will Schube

23.Hurricane Wisdom Feat. Lil Baby, "Drugs Callin" (Remix)

Album: Perfect Storm: Sorry 4 The Rain

“Paid in Full,” “Who Shot Ya,” “Broken Language,” “A Milli”—every generation has that one beat rappers can’t stop rapping over. For Zoomers, it’s Future’s “Perky’s Calling,” a thumping, downbeat, piano-driven track that’s been flipped and remixed dozens of times with wildly mixed results.

On the “Drugs Callin’” remix, Hurricane Wisdom keeps the theme consistent with Pluto’s classic but switches up the vocal approach. Where Future is methodical and almost subdued, Hurricane Wisdom is energetic, stretching his raspy vocals and at times slipping into a Lil Wayne–like croak. And you can’t forget Baby, rapping lines like, “This shit’s deep as the ocean, takin’ drugs, tryna cope it/Help me focus, ecstasy got me rolling,” displaying a vulnerability that doesn’t always come naturally to him. —Dimas Sanfiorenzo

22.Monaleo, "Putting Ya Dine"

21.Rob49, "WTHELLY"

Album: Let Me Fly

Rob49’s “WTHELLY” is the most playfully original rap single of the year. At one point, everyone was saying “What the helly,” and the track is so good that I’m willing to look past Rob shouting out my mortal enemy, Tyrese Haliburton, on the song.

It’s hard to figure out why, exactly “WTHELLY” took over the rap world as efficiently and swiftly as it did, but maybe it comes down to a simple idea: people like saying really fun words, and for some reason, “What the helly,” are three of the most fun we’ve got. —Will Schube

20.Dave, "The Boy Who Played the Harp"

Album: The Boy Who Played the Harp

Real bravery lies in recognizing the moments when you’ve acted out of fear. Dave leans into those uncomfortable truths on the title track of The Boy Who Played the Harp. The song centers on a simple question: “What would I do in the next generation?” He traces his family lineage, measuring the struggles of his ancestors against the challenges he faces today.

He acknowledges that he has the ability to speak out against oppressive regimes, yet hesitates because doing so could jeopardize his livelihood. The reality is that more people might stand for something if they first understood the roots of their own fear. –Jordan Rose

19.Ken Carson, "Blakk Rokkstar"

Album: More Chaos

On “Blakk Rokkstar,” Ken Carson dials the fabled hedonism of ’80s rock stars to an 11. The song’s title, used as a refrain throughout, spits in the face of institutions that tried to uphold rock’s whiteness. In times of economic downturn, obscene wealth and relentless flexing are often traded for humility and relatability. Carson doesn’t care. He’s not interested in making aspirational music. This is pure self-indulgence over blown-out 808s and bass, topped off with one of the sickest beat switches in recent memory. Rock isn’t dead, it’s just wearing Rick Owens now. —Jade Gomez

18.Cardi B, "Magnet"

Album: Am I the Drama?

When Cardi allows herself to go entirely off—to just rap her ass off about whatever she damn well pleases—few can match her. “Magnet” is one such case, probably the best bar-for-bar song on her long awaited sophomore album. It’s another track that proves Cardi is, indeed, the drama—but we love it that way. I’d be remiss not to mention one of the most savage takedowns in rap this year, when she went after her ex-husband Offset with a stunningly cold one-liner: “Got my baby daddy actin' like my baby mama.” —Will Schube

17.Chuckyy, "My World"

Album: I Live, I Die, I Live Again

Chuckyy has synthesized a horror aesthetic as well as any modern rapper, and on “My World,” he cooks up his regular ol’ gore obsessed POV with something decidedly more emo.

The song samples alt-pop songwriter EKKSTACY’s “​i walk this earth all by myself,” and features Chuckyy fitting his usual deadpan, cascading delivery onto an entirely different sonic scheme. Despite the switch up, his bars remain the perfect blend of bleak and brilliant, like when he casually tosses off one of the best lines of the year: “Just because we went to school and I got rich don't mean we teams.” —Will Schube

16.Playboi Carti & YoungBoy Never Broke Again, "ALIVE"

Album: N/A

“ALIVE” first surfaced on Ye’s Instagram as a collaboration with YoungBoy Never Broke Again. Then, in true chaotic fashion, Playboi Carti dropped his own version. Let me be direct: Carti and YoungBoy’s edition is the better one. There is a genuine anarchy on the track that suits both styles here. The song, which samples an ad-lib from MUSIC, features so much screaming, distortion, and flexes in one insane package that you’ll have your fill for a year. —Trey Alston

15.Gunna, "wgft"

Album: The Last Wun

Just wait ’til you find out what “wgft” stands for… It doesn’t take long—the opening sample and Gunna’s very first line spell it out clearly: “Who getting fucked tonight?”

Gunna and Burna Boy’s collab feels like a declaration of intent, a mission statement not unlike a Rodney Dangerfield bit from Caddyshack: everybody’s getting laid. The track, driven by an airy, ambient beat and one of Gunna’s most unabashed performances, sits just outside his usual wheelhouse—and that’s exactly why it stands out in a year when much of Gunna’s output has felt one-note. —Will Schube

14.Lil Tecca, "Dark Thoughts"

Album: DOPAMINE

Lil Tecca is no longer the goofy, smooth-talking lyricist stitching together swag raps over chill instrumentals. On “Dark Thoughts,” the lead single from his fifth studio album DOPAMINE, he offers a supportive shoulder to a girl whose mind is clouded by the same darkness he knows intimately. Swapping booming 808s for the tethered bounce of an early 2000s Neptunes beat, Tecca rides each thump like a pop star in the making, turning heavy subject matter into an undeniable earworm. It’s a tricky balance to strike without sounding corny, but his authenticity holds it all together. —Trey Alston

13.Tyler, the Creator, "Sugar on My Tongue"

Album: Don't Tap the Glass

Tyler, the Creator operates like an auteur, building entire universes simply because he can. With his ninth studio album, the low-stakes Don’t Tap the Glass, he aimed to make people move.

“Sugar on My Tongue” became the streaming hit from the album. It’s a horny disco-funk groove with Prince-like swagger, paired with a BDSM-themed video that already belongs in the pantheon of great Tyler visuals. He doubled down on his favorite lane: playful, provocative, and steeped in his own brand of futuristic nostalgia. —Kia Turner

12.Fred again.., Skepta & Plaqueboymax, "Victory Lap"

Album: USB

Fred again.. and Skepta linking up is one of those unexpected pairings that initially sounds odd but ultimately feels inevitable once you hear the final product.

The grammy nominated “Victory Lap” flips Deochii and Rico Nasty’s “Swamp Btches” into a jolt of pure adrenaline, with Skepta jumping in at the same ferocious intensity. Fred again.. teased the track on Twitch before its release, sending fans into a frenzy for the full version. Through Fred again..’s signature electronic lens, the grime backbone crackles with fresh electricity. The result is a collision of hip-hop, dubstep, and pure chaos. —Leila Sheridan

11.Jim Legxacy, "father"

Album: black british music

Jim Legxacy has been moving around in the UK underground for a while. But with “father,” he made real strides in the States, taking a deeply introspective turn as he raps and sings about his experience with an absent parent. (In an interview with Kids Take Over, he mentioned that the song represented him “rewriting” his history.) Built around a sample of the 1980 song “I Love My Father” by George F. Smallwood & Marshmellow Band, Jim writes his lines so that “father” lands at the end of each one as he tells his story.—Antonio Johri

10.EsDeeKid, Fakemink & Rico Ace, "LV Sandals"

Album: Rebel

If Jim Legxacy dominated the first third of the year and Fakemink the second, it’s the mysterious EsDeeKid who’s closing things out strong for the UK. Right now, the Timothee Chalamet comparisons have him circulating as a meme, but the music is legit. Produced by Wraith9 and featuring Fake and Rico Ace, “LV Sandals” is a desolate-sounding jerk banger, running on cycling, horror-movie-style synths and a crushing bass hit every bar. Mink handles hook duty with a memorable stuttering chorus, but it’s EsDee and Rico who are the highlights, gliding through the off-kilter jerk rhythm with real charisma and tact. —Antonio Johri

9.Playboi Carti, "Like Weezy"

“Like Weezy,” the best song off of MUSIC, features a surprising shift from Carti’s usual vamped-out, distorted Opium sound. The track is bright and upbeat, paying homage to Evil Jordan’s youth in Atlanta by sampling Rich Kidz’s “Bend Over.” It’s a song that’s more self-titled than it is Whole Lotta Red. The beat, crafted by Ojivolta and Kelvin Krash, drives the song with a carnival-like warmth, complete with looping, whimsical synths. Carti’s delivery is playful and loose, perfectly capturing the spirited, experimental vibe of late-2010s mixtapes. —Antonio Johri

8.Skrilla, "Doot Doot (6 7)"

Album: Zombie Love Kensington Paradise

When you hear “6 7,” a lot of images come to mind: Starbucks cups, botched In-N-Out orders, LaMelo Ball highlights, arms moving up and down, armies of grinning boys sheepishly staring at you. What people often forget, though, is Skrilla, the rapper who created the song that birthed the meme that drove hundreds of teachers into early retirement.

He’s one of the least likely rappers to have a song turn into a viral meme. “Doot Doot” is unapologetically Skrilla: violent, with that dramatic Philly drill sound and lyrics treating both the addicted and those serving the addicted in the same unflinching manner. —Dimas Sanfiorenzo

7.Metro Boomin Feat. Quavo, Breskii and YKNiece, "Take Me Thru Dere"

Album: A Futuristic Summa

The last few years in Atlanta have been marked by losses, court cases, and cultural wounds. Yet Metro Boomin brought the city back to its heartbeat with “Take Me Thru Dere,” the standout from his retro Futuristic Summa tape.

The track drops listeners right back into the late 2000s, with snap-era energy, a beat that will make your ass shake, and a hook built for standing on couches. Newcomers Breskii and YKNIECE channel a modern Crime Mob spirit, while Quavo and Breskii’s tag-team chorus solidifies it as one of the year’s undeniable party starters. —Kia Turner

6.Drake, "NOKIA"

Album: $ome $exy $ongs 4 U

We’re far enough removed from the all-encompassing Drake and Kendrick Lamar beef to recognize, once again, that a banger is a banger. PARTYNEXTDOOR and Drake’s $ome $exy $ongs 4 U is quintessential bachelor-core, no matter how much they want to posture themselves as being for the ladies. Nonetheless, the government mandated Drake dance track hits. Reminiscent of ‘80s freestyle and Miami bass, Drake leans into the cheesiness. One can’t help but exaggerate the “Who’s calling my phone?” call and response or do their worst Southern drawl when the “Babygurl” part comes up. —Jade Gomez

5.Clipse Feat. Kendrick Lamar, "Chains & Whips"

Album: Let God Sort Em Out

It might have been a rough year for mainstream rap on the charts, but at least we got the Clipse back. Returning with the seminal Let God Sort ’Em Out, Malice and Pusha T assert their legacies with braggadocious bravado, while also redefining what the Clipse can be. The album’s strongest point is “Chains & Whips,” which marks the peak of this growth—a cypher of self-assured flexing on every opponent Pusha, Malice, and guest star Kendrick Lamar have conquered.

The trio meticulously dismantles anyone who dares to challenge them. It’s a rap Olympics at the highest level, with each verse deserving of “verse of the year” honors. Their signature slick wordplay is fused with the wiser introspection that only comes with experience. —Josh Svetz

4.Youngboy Never Broke Again, "Shot Callin"

Album: MASA

No rapper had a bigger year than YoungBoy Never Broke Again. The controversial superstar went on a nationwide, sold-out arena tour that was a victory lap for all the years of accomplishments he never got to celebrate while behind bars.

“Shot Callin” emerged as the anthem of the tour, often receiving the loudest reactions from fans. Though the track carries the fiery defiance YoungBoy is known for, a sense of jubilance radiates as he croons “wipe me down” on the singalong chorus. While not explicitly a “first day out” track, the NOLA bounce–tinged keys and 808s perfectly complement YoungBoy’s animated, exuberant delivery. The result is a sound brimming with new possibilities,a generation-defining artist finally basking in well-earned glory with the people who believed in him. —Josh Svetz

3.Kendrick Lamar & SZA, "Luther"

Album: GNX

Kendrick and SZA already had a long creative history—from “Babylon,” to “All the Stars,” to “30 for 30.” But on “Luther,” one of the most commercially successful rap songs of all time, the duo proves they’ve fully mastered their dynamic.

Sampling Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn’s rendition of “If This World Were Mine,” the track has the pair trading verses about devotion, sacrifice, and recognizing the beauty in the person you love.

Part of its appeal comes from how evenly matched they feel. Kendrick’s semi-monotone delivery contrasts perfectly with SZA’s sweeter tone, creating the kind of synergy that earns the track a place on the Mount Rushmore of great rap-and-R&B duets. —Kia Turner

2.G Herbo, "Went Legit"

Album: Lil Herb

The beauty of finding longevity as a skilled rapper is that your flexes grow up with you. For the initiated—those who remember teenage “Kill Shit” Lil Herb—there’s a real sense of familial pride that hits when you hear the grown-man confidence of “Went Legit,” where the boasts have evolved into lines like “29, I’m rich with three babies.”

But the magic of this track, and of the Chicago rapper himself, is that even with maturity, he hasn’t lost touch with the streets. He’s still rapping about being the only artist who can drive around his own block without tints. “Went Legit” is special, the best pure rap song of the year; Herb keeps it a stack, and the smooth Hank Crawford sample layered over heavy snares makes you want to run through a brick wall.

In one concise, uncompromising verse, you hear who G Herbo was, who he is now, and how a fully realized “’Raq baby” went legit. —Jordan Rose

1.Yeat, “COMË N GO”

Album: Dangerous Summer

Yeat is known for his versatility. He has songs that send you to another planet, and songs that light up the pits, but “COME N GO” doesn’t do either of those things. In fact, it’s one of Yeat’s smoothest tracks to date.

The sheer infectiousness of “COME N GO” shows Yeat embracing new textures. And it’s led to even more success. It’s become one of Yeat’s true hits, as the atmospheric and spacey production (spearheaded by BNYX) allows him to swing for the fences. —Jon Barlas