Image via Complex Original
Let's be real: Most rappers can get lyrical spiritual on a track. But only a few are able to craft an entire good song, one consisting of great verses and a catchy, earworm chorus. The hook of a song is more important than ever in hip-hop these days, and rappers like Wiz Khalifa and Iggy Azalea are certainly winning right now because of it. Would "We Dem Boyz" be popping off without its intoxicating hook? No way. Let's get even more real. Iggy's "Fancy" would not be No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 without Charli XCX's infectious chorus.
While pretty much any artist can catch a break with a solid hook, there are a select few who consistently churn out great choruses. Before we go further, we'd like to specify this list is about right now, not all time. So any material from 2013 until now is fair game. That's why you won't find someone like Kid Cudi—who's been more influential in the hook department than anyone else in the last five years—on this list. The same goes for Frank Ocean. Incredible hook singer, just not enough material as of late to warrant a spot. Please keep that in mind before you trip about them not being included on the list.
From Rich Homie Quan to Young Thug, these are the 10 Best Hook Artists in the Game Right Now. If you need a hit, this is who you go to.
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10. Jeremih
Notable Hooks: "Don't Tell 'Em," "Thim Slick," "Don't Tell Nobody"
Jeremih has been a go-to artist for hooks in hip-hop for years, and with good reason. The 26-year-old R&B singer performs best when complimenting a rapper on wax with his sultry vocals, a skill Vado ("My Bae") and Fabolous ("Thim Slick") are clearly aware of. In both instances Jeremih swooped in and delivered an extra layer of smooth that made it worthwhile for ladies. The same can be said for Ludacris and "Party Girls." Jeremih was the obvious highlight on an otherwise underwhelming performance. Even the obscure Cali crew Drop City Yacht Club called upon his services on "Crickets," and the Chicago crooner knocked it out of the park.
Jeremih's most recent hook performances also happen to be a few of his best. He recently linked up with fellow Chicagoan artist Tink on "Don't Tell Nobody," a sweeping piece of sweetness that has all the makings of a hit. But Jeremih isn't always saccharine, he balances out the softness well with the hook on his latest single "Don' Tell 'Em," which is more aggressive in approach. Either way, Jeremih is killin' it. —Edwin Ortiz
9. Jhené Aiko
Notable hooks: "Beware," "From Time," "Stay Ready (What a Life)"
With a seductive, ethereal voice that floats on the track like a fine wisp of smoke, Jhené Aiko has crafted some of the year's most sensual hooks. Drake recruited her for the spare, piano-driven "From Time," a pivotal track on his blockbuster Nothing Was the Same album. The song features Drake reflecting on love and loss, with Aiko playing a love interest who finds the Young Money star unable to reciprocate her passion. She took a similar role in Big Sean's "Beware," where she warns everyone to "Beware, beware, beware/Of a woman with a broken heart."
It could be said that Jhené Aiko is just the go-to songstress for a rapper looking to talk about relationships, but this explanation downplays her own role in the collaboration. The L.A. beauty excels because she brings you into her world through her voice, and her contributions bring emotions out in everyone she works with. These skills are on full display on last year's Sail Out EP, where she coaxed out the softer side of rappers like Childish Gambino ("Bed Peace") and Kendrick Lamar ("Stay Ready (What A Life)") in addition to scoring one of her biggest hits with her pining "The Worst." When searching for a self-reflective or emotional hook, look no further than Jhené Aiko. —Chris Mench
8. French Montana
Notable hooks: "Ain't Worried About Nothin'," "They Don't Love You No More," "Trap House"
French Montana is not the most lyrical rapper, but he certainly knows how to play to his strengths. What the South Bronx rapper lacks in skills, he makes up for with incredibly entertaining hooks, as evidenced by last summer's street anthem "Ain't Worried About Nothin'." The record oozes ignorance and bravado, two traits that have become hallmarks of French's music.
His hooks on "Trap House," "Ocho Cinco," and pretty much anything else off Excuse My French are also rooted in this style. The rapper has also lent his hook skills to Rick Ross ("Nobody"), Vado ("Look Me in My Eyes"), and DJ Khaled for "They Don't Love You No More," where he steals the show despite being pitted against Jay Z and Meek Mill. French may be a one-trick pony, but he does it oh so well. —Edwin Ortiz
7. Chris Brown
Notable hooks: "Loyal," "Show Me," "Main Chick"
Chris Brown's personal life is still in shambles, but his reputation as an artist is as strong as ever because he's been able to continuously release good music. No better example of this is displayed than with his two collaborations alongside Kid Ink, "Main Chick" and "Show Me." True, the backbone of these records are DJ Mustard's catchy production, but it's Brown's charming vocals on the hook that bring them to life. In that same vein, he's improved records from E-40 ("Episode") and Rich Gang ("Bigger Than Life") as well.
On the solo front, Chris Brown seems to deliver a standout record every year. His latest single "Loyal" is proof. The song is propelled by a contentous chorus that is catchy enough for fans to ignore the negative context, because what would a great Chris Brown record be without controversy? If only he could stay out of trouble long enough to enjoy the success. —Edwin Ortiz
6. Ty Dolla $ign
Notable hooks: "Paranoid," "Or Nah," "Sorry Mama"
Over the past couple months, it's been nearly impossible to avoid hearing Ty Dolla $ign. Taylor Gang's resident ladies man blew up in a big way with his catchy club hit "Paranoid" featuring B.o.B, and continued the success with his Wiz Khalifa-assisted "Or Nah." The records, both on January's Beach House EP, are just some of the latest examples of Ty's ear for smooth hooks. An R&B singer with heavy rap influences, Dolla $ign strikes a balance between the two with smouldering beats and lyrics heavy on sex and drugs.
Unsurprisingly, a number of artists have recruited Ty for hooks of their own. In the past year he has collaborated with rappers ranging from YG ("Sorry Momma") to Snow Tha Product ("Don't Judge Me"). Whether he's talking weed or seducing the ladies, it's clear Ty Dolla $ign is a hook man in demand. —Chris Mench
5. Rich Homie Quan
Notable hooks: "Type of Way," "My Nigga," "Walk Thru"
Despite rising in Future's shadow, Rich Homie Quan is his own man. The Atlanta rapper burst onto the scene last year with his huge, slang-term spawning record "Type of Way." The song proved to be a star-making turn for Rich Homie, and he followed it up with an important featured chorus on "My Nigga." The YG single gained traction both on the radio and online, where the "My nigga/My nigga" chorus became a popular background in viral Vine videos.
With "My Nigga" being a notable exception, Quan has saved most of his best hooks for his own work. In addition to "Type of Way," his slept-on new tape I Promise I Will Never Stop Going In featured a smattering of catchy choruses, including the Problem collaboration "Walk Thru" and "Get TF Out My Face" featuring Young Thug. While none of the songs have blown up like his previous work, they showcased a young rapper hungry for success. What comes next is up to him. —Chris Mench
4. Pharrell
Notable Hooks: "Get Lucky," "Happy," "S.N.I.T.C.H."
Pharrell's hook game has always been on point. The 41-year-old hasn't slowed down a bit as he continues to expand his musical versatility. His work with Daft Punk ("Get Lucky" and "Lose Yourself to Dance") and Robin Thicke ("Blurred Lines") alone makes him a candidate for this list, and that's without even mentioning the incredible catchiness of "Happy," which burned up the charts this year and became Pharrell's first No. 1 single as a lead artist. Further inspection of his latest album G I R L shows he delivers more impressive pop choruses on records like "Gust of Wind" and "Marilyn Monroe."
Pharrell hasn't forgotten about rap. He's kept his name in the streets just as hot by lacing Pusha T with a clever hook on "S.N.I.T.C.H." and breathing new life into Nelly's career—at least for a moment—on "Get Like Me." The same goes for Azealia Banks, who should thank Pharrell for his brilliant chorus on "ATM Jam." —Edwin Ortiz
3. Young Thug
Notable hooks: "2 Cups Stuffed," "Danny Glover," "Stoner,"
We love Young Thug for his eccentric style of rap. But where he really excels is with his hooks. The Atlanta rapper's mixtape 1017 Thug was a grand showcase for his ability to create catchy choruses, with Thug showing just how creative he can get. From his molasses delivery on "Nigeria" to the inspirational Auto-Tune croon of "Shooting Star," Thug established an undeniable knack for piecing together entertaining hooks. And if you aren't getting as aggressive with the bartender as Thug does on "2 Cups Stuffed," are you really living?
Young Thug has continued his success with "Stoner" and "Hookah," two simple but effective hooks that you'll be repeating throughout the day. His biggest achievement though is "Danny Glover." Do we understand every word he raps on the hook? Not exactly. Do we care enough to figure it out? No, because we'd rather recite it how he delivers it. Young Thug: More influential than the English language. —Edwin Ortiz
2. Future
Notable hooks: "Love Me," "Bugatti," "Tapout"
In the past year, Future, the Atlanta singer/rapper has churned out hit feature after another. His Auto-Tune-enhanced crooning has formed the centerpiece of songs like Ace Hood's "Bugatti" to Lil Wayne's "Love Me" to DJ Khaled's "I Wanna Be With You." He also held down the chorus of Rocko's controversial "U.O.E.N.O" with Rick Ross. The success has earned him legions of fans as well as a host of imitators, all of whom swear by the Freebandz rapper's unorthodox style.
Future upped the hook game again this year with his sophomore album Honest. The songs range from the emotional "I Won" featuring Kanye West to the barking "Covered N Money" and the bombastic posse cut "Move That Dope." While the project wasn't the commercial smash many hoped for, it nonetheless reaffirmed the genre-bending rapper knows how to produce the catchiest choruses with ease. —Chris Mench
1. Drake
Notable hooks: "Hold On, We're Going Home," "Started From the Bottom," "Believe Me"
Drake makes great songs, and a large part of that has to do with his ability to treat a chorus like an extension of the record. His third studio release Nothing Was the Same was full of memorable hooks, with "Hold On, We're Going Home" making use of his often slept-on vocals, "Worst Behavior" featuring the perfect "fuck you" toward naysayers, while "Started From the Bottom" was an anthem centered around the hook.
In the last year or so you can count the number of hooks Drake has provided other artists on one hand, and each one has been as impressive as the one that preceded it. There's "No New Friends," a catchy ode to keeping your circle small, and "Never Satisfied," a relatively brief but very satisfying moment on Future's album Honest. Drake also splits chorus duties with Beyoncé on "Mine," a move only the Toronto rapper could pull off alongside Queen Bey. Add in his hooks from "Believe Me" and "0 to 100," and it's a wrap. No one is better than Drake at making hooks right now. —Edwin Ortiz