The Top 20 Rap Singles of 2008
Mark Trammell, Features Editor
Published On: 01/ 6/2009
20. Black Mags- The Cool Kids
No frills, just cool rhymes, just like their name implies.
19. Rider, Part Two- G-Unit
Because every good turn deserves another.
18. Boyz (Remix) - M.I.A. and Jay-Z
How to make a cool song even cooler? Just add Jay-Z, who returns the favor in reverse on #6 on this list.
17. The Boss- Rick Ross
Love the chipmunk-sounding choir he raps over!
16. Jockin’- Jay-Z
Jay-Z just doin’ what he does best.
15. Can’t Believe It- T-Pain
Where wasn’t this guy all year? He’s got more featured credits than a porn star- and probably gets as much
action, too.
14. A Milli- Lil Wayne
Old school hip-hop done just right by the year’s other most-ubiquitous rapper.
13. Lolli Lolli (Pop that Body) - Three 6 Mafia
Fun rap from one of the best party-starters.
12. Cookie Jar- Gym Class Heroes
Although they don’t just do rap, they did this one right, with one of the year’s best hooks to boot.
11. Something’s Got to Give- Big Boi, featuring Mary J. Blige
Nice collab between the premier soul diva and the Outkast outcast.
10. What Dem Girls- Ludacris
Luda being Luda, with more tales of hoes in different area codes.
9. Millionaire- Izza Kizza
A wild-sounding one, with some memorable production to match the cool rhymes.
8. I’d Rather- Three 6 Mafia
You probably won’t hear this one on the radio anytime soon, and there won’t be any Oscars in store for it, but you
gotta love the sentiment!
7. Royal Flush- Big Boi, featuring Andre 3000
Might as well be an Outkast record, but whatever it is, I’ll take it. Probably the only hit to start with the sound of a
toilet!
6. Swagga Like Us- Jay-Z & T.I.
You know a song is good when it gets sampled within a year of its release! Jay-Z and T.I. talk trash over a M.I.A.
sample to ill effect.
5. Superstar- Lupe Fiasco, featuring Matthew Santos
Okay, so it technically came out at the tail end of 2007, but I didn’t hear it in time to include it last year, so here it is.
Plus, I figured I should have at least something positive on the list!
4. Whatever You Like- T.I.
One for the ladies, and why shouldn’t we spoil them for once, given how much trash most rappers talk about
them?
3. Sensual Seduction/Sexual Eruption- Snoop Dogg
Another one for the ladies, this one a little more lascivious, depending on which version you listen to. May well be
the best thing he’s ever done, or at least the most accessible, in its censored form. Oh, and love the video!
2. Low- Flo Rida
One of the most undeniable hooks of the year, with sweet production.
1. Lollipop- Lil Wayne
I give. Auto-tune, take me away!
