# What's The Greatest Rap Song Ever **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 29, 2002, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-greatest-rap-song-ever/126092 "2002-08-29T14:23:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Treviathan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/838e76/32.png) [@Treviathan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treviathan)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2002, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-greatest-rap-song-ever/126092/21 "2002-08-29T22:43:09Z")
I think I can count on my left hand the number of rap songs that I’ve liked, but the Roots’ “You Got Me” is one of the most powerful songs I’ve ever heard, regardless of genre. Erykah Badu’s chorus is simply haunting. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-greatest-rap-song-ever/126092/22 "2002-08-30T05:15:18Z")
The Message by the Furious Five You Must Learn by KRS-ONE Bring the Noise by Public Enemy Boyz-in tha-Hood by Eazy E Fuck tha Police by NWA (hey, you know you’ve done something significant when the FBI contacts you specifically for the purpose of telling you you’ve PISSED them off.) Hit 'Em Up by Tupac Hit 'em up is about 5 or 6 years old, which just barely squeaks it by the Keep It Real Detector[sup]TM[/sup]. Ask me about anything newer in a few years. ---
**Author:** ![Obvious\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Obvious\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Obvious_Guy)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-greatest-rap-song-ever/126092/23 "2002-08-30T05:28:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by World Eater \* > \*\* > > Oh shut the fuck up! Don’t like a thread, don’t read it. \*\* So young, So angry… damn that rap music! ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-greatest-rap-song-ever/126092/24 "2002-08-30T05:34:59Z")
BEASTIE BOYS! ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-greatest-rap-song-ever/126092/25 "2002-08-30T11:28:17Z")
Can we keep the cursing to a minimum here? Thanks. Best Rap song, eh? Hard to tell, as I’m not a huge fan of the genre. But yeah, _Fight the Power_ is definitely one of the main contenders. ---
**Author:** ![Crusoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Crusoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crusoe)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-greatest-rap-song-ever/126092/26 "2002-08-30T11:37:58Z")
**Can I Kick It?** by A Tribe Called Quest. ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-greatest-rap-song-ever/126092/27 "2002-08-30T12:44:08Z")
You know what I like about this message board ? I can post here anything that does not contradict the rules and even if someone tries to shout me down, I can still keep posting. Ain’t it great ? So I don’t like rap, but I can still open the thread, sometimes I think I might just become a libertarian. Man I love freedom! ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-greatest-rap-song-ever/126092/28 "2002-08-30T12:59:39Z")
Ah, but you’re not allowed to be a jerk. That supercedes every other rule… ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-greatest-rap-song-ever/126092/29 "2002-08-30T13:48:43Z")
Well, **casdave** , to be fair: no one gets to yell at another poster outside of the Pit, but your little jab at other people’s musical preferences wasn’t all that classy either. Yeah, it was mildly funny. And yeah, you could just as easily have refrained. For what it’s worth. ---
**Author:** ![elf6c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c57346/32.png) [@elf6c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elf6c)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-greatest-rap-song-ever/126092/30 "2002-08-30T14:36:20Z")
\*\*Beastie Boys. \*\* It’s got to be the Beastie Boys. Oh yeah. . . 😃 ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-greatest-rap-song-ever/126092/31 "2002-08-30T14:55:43Z")
Sorry **Coldie**! I was listening to De La Soul the other day. The ‘Jennifer oh Jenny’ song off 3 Feet high and rising is a classic one I totally forgot about. ---
**Author:** ![sirtonyh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ad7895/32.png) [@sirtonyh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sirtonyh)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-greatest-rap-song-ever/126092/32 "2002-08-30T15:14:38Z")
Woudl have to go with one of; Burn Hollywood Burn or 911 is a Joke - PE L’ill Ghetto Boy - Dre Karma Hotel - Spooks Guilty Conscience - Eminem / Dre Ms Jackson or Git Up, Git Out - Outkast jmho Tony ---
**Author:** ![gex\_gex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/94ad74/32.png) [@gex\_gex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gex_gex)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-greatest-rap-song-ever/126092/33 "2002-08-30T15:24:59Z")
> [@](#): > > _orignally posted by coldfire_ > Can we keep the cursing to a minimum here? In a rap thread? I think we should be increasing the cussing! And, greatest rap songs ever include: Public Enemy - Fight The Power Grandmaster Flash - The Message De La Soul - Say No Go Beastie Boys - Root Down Afrika Bambatta - Planet Rock Outkast - Rosa Parks Snoop Dogg - Gin + Juice But this is too hard… I hate naming favourites. Best rap albums could be easier. ---
**Author:** ![Rug\_Burn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a87d85/32.png) [@Rug\_Burn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rug_Burn)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-greatest-rap-song-ever/126092/34 "2002-08-30T15:30:10Z")
"Now here’s a little story - I’ve got to tell About three bad brothers - you know so well It started way back in history With Adrock, M.C.A., and me - Mike D. " ---
**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-greatest-rap-song-ever/126092/35 "2002-08-30T15:46:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Cisco \* > Bring the Noise by Public Enemy You forgot to add, with Anthrax to that and you’ve got it! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-greatest-rap-song-ever/126092/36 "2002-08-30T19:48:24Z")
It may not be the greatest, but it’s my favorite: ‘Keep Risin’ to the Top’ Doug E. Fresh and the Get Fresh Crew Sweet, fun bravado, and memories of good times. ---
**Author:** ![Tretiak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a88e57/32.png) [@Tretiak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tretiak)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-greatest-rap-song-ever/126092/37 "2002-08-30T20:58:16Z")
Let me add, not necessarily te best, but I think deserve mentioning… _It Takes Two_ by Rob Base _Mama Said Knock You Out_, by L.L. Cool J ---
**Author:** ![Weird\_AL\_Einstein](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c67d28/32.png) [@Weird\_AL\_Einstein](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weird_AL_Einstein)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-greatest-rap-song-ever/126092/38 "2002-08-30T22:59:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by vibrotronica \* > \*\*Please tell me that was sarcasm, Joe K. \*\* I liked _Informer_. I also liked _U Can’t Touch This_ and _Ice Ice Baby_, and I’m not being sarcastic. ---
**Author:** ![Mudshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Mudshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mudshark)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2002, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-greatest-rap-song-ever/126092/39 "2002-08-31T05:07:45Z")
I hate rap, and all things rap. But **Rapture** by Blondie is cool, even if its only because its about from men from mars, with cars and candy bars. ---
**Author:** ![Mudshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Mudshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mudshark)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2002, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-greatest-rap-song-ever/126092/40 "2002-08-31T05:10:21Z")
And yes, I know that **Rapture** is not _real_ rap. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-greatest-rap-song-ever/126092.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-greatest-rap-song-ever/126092.md?page=3)