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Hip-Hop was born on August 11, 1973, at a party in the Bronx. DJ Kool Herc used two turntables to loop breaks and keep dancers moving. MCs added rhymes, and a new culture emerged.
In its early years, Hip-Hop lived in block parties, parks, and community centers. Graffiti artists, breakdancers, and DJs formed the four main pillars of the culture. The music carried the energy of the streets and the voices of the people.
Over the decades, Hip-Hop grew from local expression to global force. It influenced language, fashion, politics, and advertising. It shaped entire generations and created superstars who crossed into film, television, and business. Brands now use rap in commercials, and universities teach courses on it.
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Billboard launched its Hot Rap chart in 1989, cementing Hip-Hop’s commercial rise. Every year since, one rap track claimed the top spot. These No. 1 records capture not just sound, but moments in culture.
From conscious anthems to party hits, each song reflects its year’s style, mood, and message. Some became timeless classics, others defined short-lived trends. Together, they tell the story of Hip-Hop’s journey from the Bronx to the world.
Here’s every No. 1 rap song since the chart began.
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Happy Birthday Hip-Hop: No. 1 Rap Songs by Year Since 1989 was originally published on wzakcleveland.com
1. 2024: Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us”
Lamar’s latest single topped streaming charts with raw lyrical power.
Happy Birthday Hip-Hop: No. 1 Rap Songs by Year Since 1989 was originally published on wzakcleveland.com
2. 2023: Drake & 21 Savage – “Rich Flex”
Happy Birthday Hip-Hop: No. 1 Rap Songs by Year Since 1989 was originally published on wzakcleveland.com
3. 2022: Jack Harlow – “First Class”
Happy Birthday Hip-Hop: No. 1 Rap Songs by Year Since 1989 was originally published on wzakcleveland.com
4. 2021: 24KGoldn featuring iann dior – “Mood”
Happy Birthday Hip-Hop: No. 1 Rap Songs by Year Since 1989 was originally published on wzakcleveland.com
5. 2020: Roddy Ricch – “The Box”
Happy Birthday Hip-Hop: No. 1 Rap Songs by Year Since 1989 was originally published on wzakcleveland.com
6. 2019: Lil Nas X – “Old Town Road”
Happy Birthday Hip-Hop: No. 1 Rap Songs by Year Since 1989 was originally published on wzakcleveland.com
7. 2018: Drake – “God’s Plan”
Happy Birthday Hip-Hop: No. 1 Rap Songs by Year Since 1989 was originally published on wzakcleveland.com
8. 2017: Kendrick Lamar – Humble
Happy Birthday Hip-Hop: No. 1 Rap Songs by Year Since 1989 was originally published on wzakcleveland.com
9. 2016: Desiigner – “Panda”
Happy Birthday Hip-Hop: No. 1 Rap Songs by Year Since 1989 was originally published on wzakcleveland.com
10. 2015: Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth – “See You Again”
Happy Birthday Hip-Hop: No. 1 Rap Songs by Year Since 1989 was originally published on wzakcleveland.com
11. 2014: Iggy Azalea featuring Charli XCX – “Fancy”
Happy Birthday Hip-Hop: No. 1 Rap Songs by Year Since 1989 was originally published on wzakcleveland.com
12. 2013: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Wanz – “Thrift Shop”
Happy Birthday Hip-Hop: No. 1 Rap Songs by Year Since 1989 was originally published on wzakcleveland.com
13. 2012: Drake – “The Motto”
Happy Birthday Hip-Hop: No. 1 Rap Songs by Year Since 1989 was originally published on wzakcleveland.com
14. 2011: Chris Brown featuring Busta Rhymes & Lil Wayne – “Look At Me Now”
Happy Birthday Hip-Hop: No. 1 Rap Songs by Year Since 1989 was originally published on wzakcleveland.com
15. 2010: B.o.B. featuring Bruno Mars – “Nothin’ on You”
Happy Birthday Hip-Hop: No. 1 Rap Songs by Year Since 1989 was originally published on wzakcleveland.com
16. 2009: Drake – “Best I Ever Had”
Happy Birthday Hip-Hop: No. 1 Rap Songs by Year Since 1989 was originally published on wzakcleveland.com
17. 2008: Lil Wayne featuring Static Major – “Lollipop”
Happy Birthday Hip-Hop: No. 1 Rap Songs by Year Since 1989 was originally published on wzakcleveland.com
18. 2007: Fabolous featuring Ne-Yo – “Make Me Better”
Happy Birthday Hip-Hop: No. 1 Rap Songs by Year Since 1989 was originally published on wzakcleveland.com
19. 2006: Yung Joc – “It’s Goin Down”
Happy Birthday Hip-Hop: No. 1 Rap Songs by Year Since 1989 was originally published on wzakcleveland.com
20. 2005: Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz featuring Usher & Ludacris – “Lovers & Friends”
Happy Birthday Hip-Hop: No. 1 Rap Songs by Year Since 1989 was originally published on wzakcleveland.com
21. 2004: Terror Squad – “Lean Back”
Happy Birthday Hip-Hop: No. 1 Rap Songs by Year Since 1989 was originally published on wzakcleveland.com
22. 2003: 50 Cent – “In Da Club”
Happy Birthday Hip-Hop: No. 1 Rap Songs by Year Since 1989 was originally published on wzakcleveland.com
23. 2002: Nelly – “Hot In Herre”
Happy Birthday Hip-Hop: No. 1 Rap Songs by Year Since 1989 was originally published on wzakcleveland.com
24. 2001: Lil Romeo – “My Baby”
Happy Birthday Hip-Hop: No. 1 Rap Songs by Year Since 1989 was originally published on wzakcleveland.com
25. 2000: Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott featuring Nas, Eve & Q-Tip – “Hot Boyz”
Happy Birthday Hip-Hop: No. 1 Rap Songs by Year Since 1989 was originally published on wzakcleveland.com
26. 1999: JT Money featuring Sole – “Who Dat”
Happy Birthday Hip-Hop: No. 1 Rap Songs by Year Since 1989 was originally published on wzakcleveland.com
27. 1998: Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz – “Deja Vu (Uptown Baby)”
Happy Birthday Hip-Hop: No. 1 Rap Songs by Year Since 1989 was originally published on wzakcleveland.com
28. 1997: Puff Daddy & Faith Evans featuring 112 – “I’ll Be Missing You”
Happy Birthday Hip-Hop: No. 1 Rap Songs by Year Since 1989 was originally published on wzakcleveland.com
29. 1996: 2Pac featuring K-Ci & JoJo – “How Do U Want It / California Love”
Happy Birthday Hip-Hop: No. 1 Rap Songs by Year Since 1989 was originally published on wzakcleveland.com
30. 1995: The Notorious B.I.G. – “One More Chance / Stay With Me”
Happy Birthday Hip-Hop: No. 1 Rap Songs by Year Since 1989 was originally published on wzakcleveland.com
31. 1994: Da Brat – “Funkdafied”
Happy Birthday Hip-Hop: No. 1 Rap Songs by Year Since 1989 was originally published on wzakcleveland.com
32. 1993: Illegal – “We Getz Busy / Head or Gut”
Happy Birthday Hip-Hop: No. 1 Rap Songs by Year Since 1989 was originally published on wzakcleveland.com
33. 1992: Cypress Hill – “The Phuncky Feel One / How Could I Just Kill a Man”
Happy Birthday Hip-Hop: No. 1 Rap Songs by Year Since 1989 was originally published on wzakcleveland.com
34. 1991: Chubb Rock – “Treat ‘Em Right”
Happy Birthday Hip-Hop: No. 1 Rap Songs by Year Since 1989 was originally published on wzakcleveland.com
35. 1990: Salt-N-Pepa – “Expression”
Happy Birthday Hip-Hop: No. 1 Rap Songs by Year Since 1989 was originally published on wzakcleveland.com
36. 1989: The Stop the Violence Movement – “Self Destruction”
Happy Birthday Hip-Hop: No. 1 Rap Songs by Year Since 1989 was originally published on wzakcleveland.com
