10) Run-DMC: 'King of Rock'
Influence on other artists: With many big industry names crediting them with developing hip-hop's roots, Run-DMC have influenced many of the artists on this list and those still rapping and rocking today. They also paved the way for rap-rock groups such as Limp Bizkit to become big in the '90s.
9) Wu-Tang Clan: 'C.R.E.A.M.'
Influence on other artists: Several performers have mentioned 'C.R.E.A.M.' in their own songs. These artists include Notorious B.I.G., 50 Cent, 2Pac, the Game and more.
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8) Ice Cube: 'It Was a Good Day'
Influence on other artists: The Staple Singers did a remix of 'It Was a Good Day,' which Ice Cube included on his 'Bootlegs and B-Sides' album.
7) 2Pac: 'I Get Around'
Did you know? This song is what sparked the feud between 2Pac and fellow rapper Notorious B.I.G. 2Pac claimed that Notorious B.I.G. ripped off his 'I Got Money' style, which was prominently featured in the music video of this song.
Influence on other artists: Brian McKnight samples 'I Get Around' for his song 'Hold Me.'
6) Snoop Dogg: 'Gin and Juice'
Did you know? The famous hook of the song was written by Dr. Dre and David Ruffin Jr.
Influence on other artists: Rare in the hip-hop community, this song has been heavily covered by country and alternative musicians, specifically Panic at the Disco, who once actually performed the song alongside Snoop.
5) Geto Boys: 'My Mind Playin' Tricks on Me'
Did you know? This song samples Isaac Hayes' 'Hung Up on My Baby.'
Influence on other artists: Stephan Jenkins of Third Eye Blind cites 'My Mind Playin' Tricks on Me' as a song that inspired his '90s hit 'Semi-Charmed Life.'.jpg)
4) Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five: 'The Message'
Did you know? Though credited on the song, Grandmaster Flash was not interested in recording 'The Message' and does not appear on the recording. In 2002 it was the first hip-hop recording to be chosen by the Library of Congress to be added to the National Recording Registry, which is a list of songs that is considered historically and culturally important.
Influence on other artists: The catchy synthesizer riff in the beginning of the song has been sampled by various artists, including Ice Cube and Diddy.
3) The Sugarhill Gang: 'Rapper's Delight'
Did you know? This was the first hip-hop single to be certified gold. While not the first rap song, it is the one credited to have popularized the genre.
Influence on other artists: 'Rapper's Delight' inspired not only Blondie's 1980 song 'Rapture,' it inspired John Deacon, of Queen fame, to write 'Another One Bites the Dust.'
2) Afrika Bambaataa & the Soulsonic Force: 'Planet Rock'
Did you know? The background vocals "Rock it, don't stop it" are sung by a band named the Washington Squares. The Washington Squares had studio time after Afrika Bambaataa & the Soulsonic Force. Told to hurry it up, it was then that band member Arthur Baker turned to the band waiting behind them, telling them that if they helped it would go quicker.
Influence on other artists: This song not only influenced the rapper Common's 2008 album but the entire genre of G-Funk, which has 'Planet Rock' to thank for some of its electric sounds.
1) Dr. Dre: 'Nuthin' But a 'G' Thang'
Did you know? This was one of the first rap successes in the U.K., reaching No. 3 on the British charts. During the recording of this song, Snoop Dogg was arrested in connection to a rival gang member who was shot and killed. Because of this, Snoop recorded his part of the song through a jail telephone into a recorder Dr. Dre had.
Influence on other artists: Dr. Dre's influence is huge, in part to once co-owning Death Row Records, which propelled several of the artists on this list to stardom. Dre has been a mentor to rappers including Snoop Dogg and Eminem. As for the song, 'Nuthin' But a 'G' Thang' was sampled by Jay-Z for his song 'Livin' it Up' and was nominated for a Grammy.
Download 'Nuthin' But a 'G' Thang'
1. i think that top ten was kind of close. but putting snoop ahead of tupac is crazy, and wu-tang shouldnt be in there. rakim should be in there, and biggie. im just glad you didnt have lil wayne in there, he is not even in the top twenty all time.
Posted at 10:29PM on Jun 22nd 2009 by kevin anderson