The Best Rap Singles series began in 2020 and has undergone numerous changes in the years since. As my methods for building the lists evolved, I realized the importance of embracing the fact that these are published on the internet. If I find that I overlooked a song or two for a given year, I can simply swap them in. These lists are intended to be canonical but, unlike magazines and books, they don’t have to be permanent.
This collection of former entries shows what I’ve removed from the yearly series. In most cases, I simply found better options. A few didn’t fit into the series overall — Shortie No Mass’ 2002 12-inch “Like This,” for example, collects songs she recorded nearly a decade earlier and is more of an archival release. A handful probably would have made the cut if I had allotted more room, like Kris Kross’ “Warm It Up.”
This list will undoubtedly grow over the next few years as I continue to shuffle the Best Rap Singles deck.
1980
- Bobby/Demo, “More Ounce (Rap)” (Scorpio)
- Kurtis Blow, “Throughout Your Years” (Mercury)
1982
- Jalil, “Smirfathon U.S.A.” (Charlie Rock)
- Poor Boy Rappers, “Low Rider Rap” (Raina)
1990
- Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E., “Psy-ko Funk” (4th & Broadway)
- D-Nice, “Crumbs on the Table” (Jive)
- Paris, “The Devil Made Me Do It” / “The Devil Made Me Do It (Poach a Pig Mix)” (Tommy Boy)
- Poor Righteous Teachers, “Holy Intellect” (Profile Records)
- Roxanne Shante, “Brothers Ain’t Shit” (Cold Chillin’)
- Schoolly D, “King of New York” (Capitol Records)
- Three Times Dope, “No Words” (Arista)
- Silk Tymes Leather, “The Woman in Me” (Geffen Records)
1991
- Biz Markie, “What Comes Around Goes Around” (Cold Chillin’ / Warner Bros. Records)
- Shabba Ranks featuring KRS-1, “The Jam” (Epic)
- Tony D, “Check the Elevation” (4th & B’Way)
1992
- A.D.O.R., “Let It All Hang Out” (Atlantic)
- Arrested Development, “Mr. Wendal” (Chrysalis)
- Boogie Down Productions, “13 and Good” (Jive)
- Da Youngsta’s, “Pass the Mic (Remix)” (EastWest Records America)
- Kris Kross, “Warm It Up” (Ruffhouse Records / Columbia)
- Little Shawn, “I Made Love (4 Da Very 1st Time)” (Capitol)
- Poor Righteous Teachers, “Easy Star” (Profile)
1993
- Funkmaster Flex / 9 Double M, “Six Million Ways to Die (Video Edit)” (Wreck Records)
- Guru Featuring MC Solaar, “Le Bien, Le Mal” (Chrysalis)
- P.M. Dawn, “Plastic” (Gee Street / Island)
- Wu-Tang Clan, “Da Mystery of Chessboxin’” (Wu-Tang Records / Loud Records / The RCA Records Label)
1994
- King Just, “Warrior’s Drum” (Black Fist Records / Select Street Records)
2001
- Smut Peddlers, “Bottom Feeders” (Eastern Conference / Rawkus) (video)
2002
- Dooley O, “Watch My Moves 1990” (Stones Throw Records)
- Shortie No Mass, “Like This” / “U Like My Style” (TrackTeam Records)
2003
- Aceyalone feat. Goapele, “Moonlit Skies” (Project Blowed / Decon)
- Three 6 Mafia, “Bin Laden” (Columbia)
- Ty feat. Bembe Segue, “Groovement” (Big Dada Recordings)
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