The 100 Best New York City Rap Songs

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  1. Nas, “N.Y. State of Mind” (1994)
  2. The Notorious B.I.G., “Juicy” (1994)
  3. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, “The Message” (1982)
  4. Mobb Deep, “Shook Ones Part II” (1995)
  5. Eric B. & Rakim, “Paid In Full” (1987)
  6. Wu-Tang Clan, “C.R.E.A.M.” (1993)
  7. Puff Daddy feat. the LOX, Lil’ Kim, and the Notorious B.I.G., “It’s All About the Benjamins” (1997)
  8. Jay-Z, “Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)” (1998)
  9. Boogie Down Productions, “The Bridge Is Over” (1987)
  10. 50 Cent, “What Up Gangsta?” (2003)
  11. LL Cool J, “Rock the Bells” (1986)
  12. Run-DMC, “Peter Piper” (1986)
  13. A Tribe Called Quest feat. Leaders of the New School, “Scenario” (1992)
  14. Salt-N-Pepa, “Push It” (1986)
  15. M.O.P., “Ante Up (Robbin Hoodz Theory)” (2000)
  16. Beastie Boys, “Paul Revere” (1986)
  17. Audio Two, “Top Billin” (1987)
  18. The Diplomats, “I Really Mean It” (2003)
  19. Kurtis Blow, “The Breaks” (1980)
  20. Gang Starr “Mass Appeal” (1994)
  21. Slick Rick, “Mona Lisa” (1989)”
  22. Doug E. Fresh and The Get Fresh Crew, “The Show”
  23. Black Sheep, “The Choice Is Yours (Revisited)” (1991)
  24. The Notorious B.I.G., “Who Shot Ya?” (1995)
  25. Wu-Tang Clan, “Protect Ya Neck” (1992)
  26. Boogie Down Productions, “South Bronx” (1987)
  27. Jeru the Damaja, “Come Clean” (1993)”
  28. 50 Cent, “In Da Club” (2003)”
  29. Junior M.A.F.I.A., “Get Money” (1995)
  30. Jay-Z feat. the Notorious B.I.G., “Brooklyn’s Finest” (1996)
  31. Raekwon, “Incarcerated Scarfaces” (1995)
  32. Biz Markie, “Nobody Beats the Biz” (1988)
  33. Craig Mack feat. the Notorious B.I.G., Rampage, LL Cool J, & Busta Rhymes, “Flava in Ya Ear (Remix)” (1994)
  34. MC Shan, “The Bridge” (1986)”
  35. Raekwon feat. Method Man, Ghostface Killah, and Cappadonna, “Ice Cream” (1995)
  36. Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock, “It Takes Two” (1988)
  37. Lord Tariq and Peter Gunz, “Déjà Vu (Uptown Baby)” (1998)
  38. LL Cool J, “Mama Said Knock You Out” (1991)
  39. Puff Daddy feat. The Notorious B.I.G. & Busta Rhymes, “Victory” (1997)
  40. Roxanne Shanté, “Roxanne’s Revenge” (1984)”
  41. Jim Jones, “We Fly High” (2006)
  42. Method Man, “Bring the Pain” (1994)
  43. Lil’ Kim feat. Puff Daddy, “No Time” (1996)
  44. Run-DMC, “Sucker MCs” (1983)
  45. Pop Smoke, “Dior” (2019)
  46. Big Pun, “Still Not a Player” (1998)
  47. Nas, “The Message” (1996)
  48. T La Rock, “It’s Yours” (1984)
  49. Cardi B, “Bodak Yellow” (2017)
  50. Ol’ Dirty Bastard, “Brooklyn Zoo” (1995)
  51. Main Source feat. Nas, Akinyele, & Joe Fatal, “Live at the Barbeque” (1991)
  52. Lost Boyz, “Jeeps, Lex Coups, Bimaz, and Benz” (1995)
  53. Mos Def, “Ms. Fat Booty” (1999)
  54. Kool G Rap & DJ Polo, “Ill Street Blues” (1992)
  55. Ghostface Killah feat. Mary J., Blige “All I Got Is You” (1996)
  56. Ja Rule feat. Fat Joe & Jadakiss, “New York” (2004)
  57. Jadakiss feat. Styles P, “We Gonna Make It” (2001)
  58. Busta Rhymes, “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See” (1997)
  59. Black Moon, “I Got Cha Opin Remix” (1993)
  60. Big Daddy Kane, “Ain’t No Half Steppin” (1988)
  61. Afrika Bambaataa and the Jazzy Five, “Planet Rock” (1982)
  62. Gang Starr feat. Nice & Smooth, “DWYCK”
  63. Whodini, “Freaks Come Out at Night” (1984)
  64. The Fearless Four, “Rockin’ It” (1982)
  65. Pharoahe Monch, “Simon Says” (1999)
  66. Onyx, “Slam” (1993)
  67. N.O.R.E. feat. Big Pun, Cam’ron, the Lox, & Nature, “Banned From TV” (1998)
  68. Mobb Deep feat. Lil’ Kim, “Quiet Storm (Remix)” (1999)
  69. Bobby Shmurda, “Hot Nigga” (2014)
  70. Fabolous, “Breathe” (2004)
  71. Capone-N-Noreaga, “T.O.N.Y. (Top of New York)” (1997)
  72. Beastie Boys, “No Sleep Till Brooklyn” (1987)
  73. The Beatnuts feat. Big Pun & Cuban Link, “Off the Books” (1997)
  74. N.O.R.E., “Superthug” (1998)
  75. Crooklyn Dodgers, “Crooklyn” (1994)
  76. Black Rob, “Whoa!” (2000)
  77. Terror Squad, “Lean Back” (2004)
  78. Special Ed, “I Got It Made” (1989)
  79. Young M.A, "OOOUUU" (2016)
  80. GZA feat. RZA, “Liquid Swords” (1995)
  81. Camp Lo, “Luchini A.K.A. This Is It” (1997)
  82. 3rd Bass, “The Gas Face” (1989)
  83. A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, “Jungle” (2016)
  84. East Flatbush Project feat. DeS, “Tried by 12” (1996)
  85. Sheff G., “No Suburban” (2017)
  86. AZ, “Sugar Hill” (1995)
  87. Heltah Skeltah feat. O.G.C., “Leflaur Leflah Eshkoshka” (1996)
  88. Big L, “Ebonics” (2000)
  89. G-Dep, “Special Delivery” (2001)
  90. Akinyele, “Put It in Your Mouth” (1996)
  91. Azealia Banks feat. Lazy Jay, “212”
  92. Cash Cobain & Bay Swag, “Fisherrr” (2024)
  93. Talib Kweli, “Get By” (2002)
  94. Das EFX, “They Want EFX” (1992
  95. KRS-One, “Sound of da Police” (1993)
  96. Masta Ace, “Jeep Ass Niguh” (1993)
  97. Foxy Brown feat. Jay-Z, “I’ll Be” (1997)
  98. A$AP Rocky, “Peso” (2011)
  99. Ice Spice, “Munch (Feelin’ U)” (2023)
  100. Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys, “Empire State of Mind” (2009)

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