10) G-Unit- Smile
Blue Heffner! El Banco smashed this track. "Smile" was easily one of the stand-out tracks on G-Unit's debut group album, Beg For Mercy. And at a time in his life when I'm sure he was doing a lot of bed hopping, Banks still was able to deliver a near flawless song to put a smile on the ladies faces. The production was ill. The hook was catchy. His verses rode the track like a subway. In terms of song making, it doesn't get much better than this.
9) 50 Cent ft. Nate Dogg- 21 Questions
You can't do this list without a 50 Cent song. Say what you will about the man, but in his prime, 50 was releasing one hit after another. Ferrari F50 is one of those "gangsta" rappers that has built his career on catering to his female audience. And this record is what started it all. 50 bursted on to the national scene in 2002, and took over his biggest rival's spot as hip-hop's number 1 crooner. Again, easily one of the stand-out tracks on Get Rich or Die Trying, and one the biggest singles of 50 Cent's career.
8) Busta Rhymes ft. Mariah Carey and Flipmode Squad- I Know What You Want
Until this song came out, I don't think anyone thought it was possible for Busta Rhymes to make a song that would have women swooning. It came from left field if you're a fan of Bussa Bus' catalog. Nevertheless, "I Know What You Want" became the biggest radio single in Busta's career. It showed another side of the emcee and was a far cry from "Woo Hah (Got You All In Check)", which put him on the map in the first place.
7) Ja Rule ft. Charlie Baltimore- Down A** Chick
I know, I know. Ja Rule ranked higher on our list than 50 Cent?! Blasphemy right? For anyone who disagrees with this, I ask you this question: In the modern era of rap (meaning after the deaths of Tupac and Biggie), which rapper made it cool to do a song showing their softer side? Ja, that's who! After "Put It On Me", "Always On Time" and "I'm Real", EVERY major rapper in the country was trying to emulate his formula and his success. Even his biggest adversary, 50 Cent. Sure the sound of Rule singing was absolutely laughable and not quite sonically pleasing, but the songs were hits. Period!
6) LL Cool J ft. Kelly Price- You and Me
Of course the patriarch of hip-hop love songs would be on the list. Ladies love cool James and he has built his career on returning that love. Since "I Need Love", Uncle L has been a sex symbol. Although I can't listen to that song without laughing, the fact is the most emotionally vulnerable record in rap history changed the way rappers did records. He fathered this brand of rap. And every since then, he has released a string of hits in the same vain, like "Freeze", "Hey Lover" and "Luv U Better", just to name a few. L is one of the few rappers that have been able to do it for so long with a less misogynistic style of rap. Worthy of a salute.
5) Jay-Z and Beyonce- 03 Bonnie and Clyde
It wouldn't be fair to do this list without acknowledging Hip-Hop's golden couple, Jay and B. I don't know about anyone else, but when Jay said "Me give my heart to a woman? Not for nothing, never happen, I be forever mackin" on "Big Pimpin'", I believed him. Definitely didn't think within 2 years he'd be singing a different tune. One of the biggest playboys in rap turned in his bachelor card for the life of a family man. The song itself is a classic and it will forever be known as Blue Ivy's parents coming out party as a couple. Can't front on this one.
4) Fabolous ft. Ne-Yo- Make Me Better
I don't think anyone can really argue with this one making the list, though you may argue the placement. It's rare a rapper can make a song showing love to his better half and make it jam hard enough to have clubs rocking to it. Timbaland's hypnotic production, Ne-Yo's catchy hook and Fab's silky smooth flow made this an instant hit. Though Loso has a bunch of street bangers like "Breathe", "Can't Deny It", "Ya'll Don't Hear Me Tho", his biggest hits were his more women friendly records like "Trade It All", "So Into You" and "Killin Em". It's a formula, but Fab has made it work for him.
3) Common- The Light
I don't know who can argue with this song making the list. Com Sense was strung out over the one and only Miss Badu at the time of this song being released. I don't think anyone was too crazy about the Chi-town native's wardrobe in this period of time, but that relationship was the inspiration behind one of the greatest rap love songs ever written. Common is one of those rappers who has been able to incorporate poetry in his music and this song is a perfect example of that. Again, I admire his ability to sincerely express the feelings he has for his woman without being corny. Always an admirable trait! And over a decade later, this is still a fan favorite.
2) Method Man and Mary J. Blige- All I Need (Remix)
This song is special. Not only because it came out in a time when no one was making love songs in rap, but also because we almost never heard the record. Method Man didn't even want to do the record initially...when he finally copped to it, he didn't want to release it as a single. That would've been one of the biggest mistakes of his career. This song made it cool for a thug in the projects to express his love for his significant other. Who didn't sing along when Meth sang, "You're all that I need, I'll be there for you. If you keep it real with me, I'll keep it real with you." This will forever be one of Tical's biggest hits. And any list counting down rap's love songs is incomplete without this joint from the Iron Lung and the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul.
1) Nas- Getting Married
I doubt anyone saw this one coming. I'm sure most people have never even heard this record before now. But, this one is my addition to this list. This is the first half of the Nas/Kelis love story that was told in "Bye Bye Baby". "Say hello to the man, goodbye to the gigolo, it was difficult for me to find the chick I want", words of man ready to grow up, leave the playa life behind him and take his bride. Now, if this was a perfect world, their union would have lasted forever after a great song like this, but unfortunately for everyone involved, this Hip-Hop love story ended tragically. But, on "Getting Married", Nas captured this moment in a man's life the way only the Queensbridge's favorite emcee could have. I'm not sure there is another rapper that could've pulled this record off other than God's Son. It may not have been one of Nas' biggest hits, but that may be because it was never released as a single.
Now of course there are WAY more songs I could've picked, but this is just a few I wanted to share. Have anything you think should be on the list that you didn't see? Feel free to hit us up and give us your suggestions!
No comments:
Post a Comment