Hip-hop has always been about the message. Now Rolling Stone has certified it.
In the magazine’s first ever rap-oriented best-of list, a blue-ribbon panel of experts judged Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five’s 1982 track, “The Message,” to be the greatest hip-hop song of all time.
The groundbreaking song crowns the mag’s list of 50 top rap tracks in history. Rolling Stone called it “the first to tell, with hip hop’s rhythm and vocal force, the truth about modern inner-city life in America.”
The piece rose from the raw experience of pioneering rappers in the South Bronx and paved the way for all politicized hip-hop to come.
READ THE FULL LIST ON ROLLINGSTONE.COM
Several other cuts in Rolling Stone’s top ten also have political resonance, including “Fight The Power” by Public Enemy (at No. 7) and “Straight Outta Compton” by N.W.A. (9). Both acts have been nominated for entry into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year.
Befitting a New York-born art form, the Top Ten heavily favors stars from our city, including Sugarhill Gang (“Rapper’s Delight,” No. 2) , Afrika Bambaataa & the Soul Sonic Force (“Planet Rock” No. 3), Run DMC (“Sucker M.C.’s 4), Notorious B.I.G. (“Juicy” 8) and Eric B. and Rakim (“Paid in Full” 10).
The highest-charting female rapper on the list is Missy Elliott, whose “Get Your Freak On” came in at No. 38.
Judges for rankings included artists, record producers, industry professionals and music journalists.
The full list of 50 hip-hop songs will appear in the latest issue of Rolling Stone, which hits stands Dec. 7.
Rolling Stone’s Top 10 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs of All Time:
1. “The Message” – Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
2. “Rapper’s Delight” – Sugarhill Gang
3. “Planet Rock” – Afrika Bambaataa & the Soul Sonic Force
4. “Sucker M.C.’s” – Run-DMC
5. “Mind Playing Tricks on Me” – Geto Boys
6. “Nuthin’ But a ‘G’ Thang” – Dr. Dre feat. Snoop Doggy Dogg
7. “Fight the Power” – Public Enemy
8. “Juicy” – Notorious B.I.G.
9. “Straight Outta Compton” – N.W.A.
10. “Paid in Full” – Erik B. and Rakim
