Top Rap Songs of 2009

Ever since rap crossed over to mainstream in the '80s, rap songs have increasingly staked a claim on radio waves and Billboard charts. 2009 was no exception, with rap hits -- mostly in the form of collaborations or songs with artists featured on verses-- reigned. From the chart dominating newcomer Drake to the longstanding king of the rap scene Jay-Z, they all contribute to the 2009 rap landscape and the top songs of the year. Here are AOL Radio listeners' Top Rap Songs of 2009.

10) Yo Gotti: '5 Star'

Memphis Rapper Yo Gotti released '5 Star' as the single off his fifth studio album and major label debut, 'Live From the Kitchen.' Rick Ross makes a cameo in the video for the track.

9) Jay-Z : 'Run This Town'

This top rap song of 2009 peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, Jay-Z's highest rank to date as a lead artist. The video paints Jay-Z, Rihanna and Kanye West as the leaders of a fantasy anarchist uprising.

8) Twista: 'Wetter (Calling You Daddy)'

The song features the singer Erika Shevon and contains elements from Janet Jackson's 1994 hit 'Any Time, Any Place.' It peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks.

7) Mullage: 'Trick'n'

Mullage are a duo of Atlanta hip-hop and R&B artists B Boi and B Town. While they are from the same city, they didn't meet until they were both enlisted in the Navy on the same ship. 'Trick'n' is the first single of their first album, 'The Element of Versatility.'

6) Gucci Mane: 'Wasted'

Featuring Plies, this top rap song is Gucci Mane's first Top 40 hit as a lead artist. Prior to being included on his second studio album it was part of his mixtape titled, 'Writing On The Wall.'

5) Fabolous: 'Throw It in the Bag'

'Throw It In The Bag' became the lead single off Fabolous' album because of an early leak of the song hitting the Internet in March. This top rap song, featuring The-Dream, peaked at No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2009.

4) Birdman: 'Always Strapped'

The track -- featuring Lil Wayne -- originally leaked online in 2006 but didn't appear on Birdman's fourth studio album, 'Pricele$$' until 2009. This top rap song peaked on the Billboard Rap chart at No. 5.

3) Drake: 'Successful'

'Successful' peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Rap chart and No. 17 on the Hot 100. The song was an underground hit, with rappers such as T-Pain and Jermaine Dupre all making freestyles of it.

2) Young Money: 'Every Girl'

Young Money is a supergroup of Young Money Entertainment, and the track features Lil Wayne, Drake, Jae Millz, Gudda Gudda, and Mack Maine. This top rap song climbed to the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100.

1) Drake: 'Forever'

The song features verses by rappers Eminem, Kanye West, and Lil Wayne. It was released as a single from the soundtrack to LeBron James' 'More Than a Game' documentary in 2009, and re-released on Eminem's album 'Relapse: Refill.' Jay-Z told MTV that the track was the "best 'posse' cut of the year."