# 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:** 19\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![chorizo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@chorizo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chorizo)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2002, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-greatest-rap-song-ever/126092/61 "2002-09-04T18:31:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mayberrydan \* > \*\*would you all consider **Come with me** by Puff Daddy and Jimmy Page rap? If so, then my favorite rap song is that. \*\* Rap? I wouldn’t even consider that to be a song. Good god, man, you can’t be serious. Puffy doing his “rap” aka bad grunting karaoke over a great Led Zepplin song? The worst part is that Jimmy Page didn’t appear to be visibly held at gunpoint forcing his participation. I personally believe that “Puffy” and “Greatest Rap Song” are mutually exclusive. Especially “Come With Me”, which I find to be the most reprehensible “song” in Puff Daddy’s generally reprehensible oveure. Great Rap Songs: Oh My God / Award Tour - A Tribe Called Quest Straight Outta Compton - NWA Top Billin’ - Audio Two My Philosophy - Boogie Down Productions The Influence - Jurassic 5 Umi Says - Mos Def (not _really_ a rap song) Rock & Roll (Could Never Hip-Hop Like This) - Handsome Boy Modeling School I Ain’t No Joke / Follow The Leader - Eric B and Rakim New York State Of Mind - Nas It Takes Two - Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock I Am I Be - De La Soul Whole Albums that must be appreciated as whole albums: Paul’s Boutique - Beastie Boys Three Feet High and Rising - De La Soul De La Soul Is Dead - De La Soul Endtroducing… - DJ Shadow ---
**Author:** ![NoeSchittMann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c0e974/32.png) [@NoeSchittMann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoeSchittMann)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2003, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-greatest-rap-song-ever/126092/62 "2003-01-11T07:43:57Z")
Bitch Please was nice. ---
**Author:** ![greenphan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c37758/32.png) [@greenphan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/greenphan)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2003, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-greatest-rap-song-ever/126092/63 "2003-01-11T08:29:29Z")
_The Breaks_ by Kurtis Blow Best rap song EVER. “clap your hands, everybody, if you got what it takes; cause i’m Kurtis Blow and I want you to know that these are the Buh-reaks” ---
**Author:** ![BrightEyes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/2acd7d/32.png) [@BrightEyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrightEyes)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2003, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-greatest-rap-song-ever/126092/64 "2003-01-11T08:40:08Z")
Best rap song ever > [@](#): > > A NIGHTMARE ON MY STREET > D.J. Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince > He’s the D.J, I’m the Rapper > Now I have a story that I’d like to tell > About this guy, you all know me I was scared as hell > He comes to me at night when I crawl into bed > He’s burnt up like a weenie and his name is Fred > He wears the same hat and sweater every single day > And even if it’s hot outside, he wears it anyway! > He’s home when I’m awake, but he shows up when I sleep > I can’t believe that there’s a nightmare, on my street! > > It was a Saturday evening if I remember it right > And we had just gotten off of tour last night > So the gang and I thought that it would be groovy > If we summoned up the posse and down watch a movie > I got Angie, Jeff got Tina > Ready Rock got some girl I’ve never seen in my life > That was alright though, ‘cuz lady was chill > Then we dipped to the theatre set to ill > Buggin’ , cold havin’ a ball > And somethin’ ‘bout Elm Street was the movie we saw > The way it started was decent > You know, nothin’ real fancy > About this homeboy named Fred > And this girl named Nancy > But, word! When it was over, I said, “Yo, that was def!” > And everything seemed alright when we left > But when I got home and laid down to sleep > That began the nightmare, on my street! That’s not the whole song, but it’s a real magnum opus of a song! ---
**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:** [January 11, 2003, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-greatest-rap-song-ever/126092/65 "2003-01-11T12:26:10Z")
> [@](#): > > _originally posted by elfkin477_ > My pick is Caught Out There by Kelis " I hate you so much right now!" Although like The Outkast she might be considered more hip-hop by some than rap. Yeah, The Outkast are to hip hop what The Led Zeppelins were to rock n roll. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![sugaree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@sugaree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sugaree)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2003, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-greatest-rap-song-ever/126092/66 "2003-01-11T13:27:32Z")
“Dopeman” by NWA. I’d type a sample lyric here if I could find any lines without cuss words. Let’s just say it’s not exactly glamorizing crack. “Rapper’s Delight” is probably the most fun-for-all-ages represenative rap song. I loves me some Beasties, but they are not classic or “typical” rap; they just do their own thing. ---
**Author:** ![Solomon7t](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Solomon7t](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Solomon7t)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2003, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-greatest-rap-song-ever/126092/67 "2003-01-11T16:49:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Great Dave \* > \*\*Rapper’s Delight. \*\* yes. Best rapper is Big L. period. end of story. ---
**Author:** ![Raymond\_Luxury\_Yacht](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raymond_luxury_yacht/32/4099_2.png) [@Raymond\_Luxury\_Yacht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raymond_Luxury_Yacht)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2003, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-greatest-rap-song-ever/126092/68 "2003-01-11T17:33:42Z")
My faves: _Paid in Full_ - Eric B. and Rakim _A Children’s Story_ - Slick Rick _Talkin’ All That Jazz_ - Stetsasonic _Peter Piper_ - Run DMC _Say No Go_ - De La Soul _They Want Efx_ - Das Efx _The Choice is Yours_ - Black Sheep Am I stuck in the 80’s? ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2003, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-greatest-rap-song-ever/126092/69 "2003-01-11T22:21:59Z")
I don’t know enough about rap to say they’re the best songs, but my two favorite rap songs are ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ by Coolio, and “Gin n’ Juice” by Snoop Dogg. Does “Where it’s at” by Beck qualify? One of my favorite songs. Two Turntables and a Microphone, baby. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2003, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-greatest-rap-song-ever/126092/70 "2003-01-11T22:31:53Z")
Rapper’s Delight, The Message, White Lines and Let Me Clear My Throat are some of my favorite old school songs. Git Up, Git Out is one of my favorite songs in any genre, and believe you me, I’m a genre-hopping whore. ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2003, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-greatest-rap-song-ever/126092/71 "2003-01-11T22:57:24Z")
Baby Got Back - Sir Mix a Lot Green Eggs and Ham - Dr. Seuss (ok, I made that up) ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2003, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-greatest-rap-song-ever/126092/72 "2003-01-11T23:28:33Z")
_Keep Your Head Up_ by Tupac was great. I can’t really think of anything else right now. I can think of a ton of songs I like, but I’d be hesitant to call them the greatest ever. If something else comes to mind, I shall return. ---
**Author:** ![lout](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a6a055/32.png) [@lout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lout)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2003, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-greatest-rap-song-ever/126092/73 "2003-01-12T02:58:21Z")
Best rap record ever: Public enemy, Takes a Million… great record, and Eric B & Rakim ---
**Author:** ![Rubystreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Rubystreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rubystreak)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2003, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-greatest-rap-song-ever/126092/74 "2003-01-12T05:23:03Z")
I can’t believe no one here has mentioned Eminem. I highly recomment Guilty Conscience, The Way I Am, and Cleanin’ Out My Closet (but he really doesn’t have too many weak songs). I am a high school English teacher, and to the chagrin of my co-workers, I am a huge fan. I think he is one of the most the most incisive lyricist out there today. If you get accept the fact that he says incredibly offensive things just to get a rise out of you and take it for what it is, he’s got a lot to say and a hell of an intense way of saying it. Other favorites: Television, the Drug of a Nation–Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy The Revolution Will Not Be Televised–Gil Scott-Heron ---
**Author:** ![Colin\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8797f3/32.png) [@Colin\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colin_P)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2003, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-greatest-rap-song-ever/126092/75 "2003-01-12T10:52:09Z")
I can’t believe Ice Cube hasn’t been mentioned. Two words… Summer Vacation ---
**Author:** ![samboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cdc98d/32.png) [@samboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samboy)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2003, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-greatest-rap-song-ever/126092/76 "2003-01-12T13:13:01Z")
hands up for J 5 anyone? But i love the eastcoast style as well… so damned fresh. ---
**Author:** ![DarrenS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@DarrenS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DarrenS)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2003, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-greatest-rap-song-ever/126092/77 "2003-01-12T18:59:48Z")
Greatest ever - them’s big words! “Rappers’ Delight” is certainly up there. For sheer “feel good” rap I like Nelly’s “Ride Wit’ Me” - still get a tingle from that line: “Running credit checks with no shame now…” I guess coming from the “hood” myself I can relate. I also like the part where “City Spud” (?) jumps in - isn’t he Nelly’s step bro or something? Also - anything by Cypress Hill - of course “Insane”. Also love that song of theirs with the weird melody, has a line something about “Just like a bird I’m free, in a land with no fucking extradition treaty.” Also another vote for the “Coolio” song from “Dangerous Minds”. “White Lines” by Grandmaster Flash & Melly Mel was pretty darn good too. To think I thought it was about driving down the road when I was a kid 😉 ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2003, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-greatest-rap-song-ever/126092/78 "2003-01-12T21:35:15Z")
If Baby Got Back is rap, then that is my vote, as it is the only rap song I actually like 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![grendel72](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/91b2a8/32.png) [@grendel72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grendel72)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2003, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-greatest-rap-song-ever/126092/79 "2003-01-12T21:39:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Rubystreak \* > **Television, the Drug of a Nation–Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy** Great song from one of the most underrated bands ever IMHO. I’d say that **Language of Violence** is also a great song, as well as their version of **California Uber Alles**. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-greatest-rap-song-ever/126092.md?page=3)