30 hip-hop songs that defined the 2010s

In 2017, Goldlink released his debut studio album At What Cost, led by the hit single “Crew.” Joined by fellow DC artists Brent Faiyaz and Shy Glizzy, Goldlink’s style blends perfectly as the production takes listeners on a smooth sonic ride. The song was placed on plenty of publications’ best-of lists and the song earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap/Sung Performance. 

Chief Keef has a bone to pick with all different types of people he’s not too fond of on his 2012 single “I Don’t Like.” On the track, he mentions his disdain for phonies, snitches, and sneak dissers. 

In 2016, Travis Scott released his sophomore album Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight. He teamed up with Kendrick Lamar on the final single “Goosebumps,” a track that finds Scott describing how a lover gives him goosebumps every time he’s around them. The song became a top-40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. 

In 2010, Wiz Khalifa released one of the best-selling rap singles of the year with his hit song “Black and Yellow.” The title is of huge significance to represent Khalifa’s hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; all the city’s major sports teams don those specific colors. However, Khalifa uses the song to describe the jewelry and luxury cars he owns. The song became a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. 

In 2010, Soulja Boy released his third studio album The DeAndre Way, which featured his hit single “Pretty Boy Swag.” Soulja is praising himself for his looks and he’s well aware that women are attracted to him. His stance is heavy in the first verse as he sings, “Get out the way / Pretty boy coming through / Me and my crew, we swaggin' in the room / Girls on me heavy cause I look so sexy / Yellow diamond shawty, in the club straight flexin'.’” 

Three years after releasing his sophomore album Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, Kendrick Lamar released his third album To Pimp a Butterfly. On the album’s fourth single “Alright,” Lamar teamed up with Pharrell Williams and Sounwave on production. On the track, Lamar highlights going through different life struggles but still being optimistic that things will turn out okay. The song became a soundtrack to the Black Lives Matter protests in 2015. 

Fat Joe, Remy Ma, and French Montana know the importance of perseverance and celebrating the wins on their 2016 single “All the Way Up.” The track also finds them bragging about their riches and statues. “All the Way Up” became a top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. 

Rae Sremmurd and Gucci Mane wanted to showcase how much they’re about the rockstar life in their 2016 single “Black Beatles.” Named after the English rock band, “Black Beatles” finds the rappers describing their wealth and fame. The song became a huge hit, partially for sparking the Mannequin Challenge across social media. 

In 2014, there was no escaping Fetty Wap’s debut single “Trap Queen” on hip-hop radio. On the track, Fetty describes his partner holding him down as they attempt to take over the drug game. “Trap Queen” was a huge hit and peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

Jay Z and Kanye West have collaborated numerous times throughout their careers. In 2011, they released their joint album Watch the Throne, which featured the hit single “N’s in Paris.” On the track, Jay and West go into a mindset of being unapologetically themselves while showing off their status in Paris.

Trinidad James is all about showing off his lavish lifestyle and luxuries on his 2012 debut single “All Gold Everything.” It’s evident on the hook as he says, “Gold all in my chain / Gold all in my ring / Gold all in my watch / Don’t believe me just watch.” “All Gold Everything” became a top-40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. 

Cardi B became an instant fan favorite as a cast member on Love & Hip-Hop: New York. In 2018, she released her debut studio album Invasion of Privacy, led by the hit single “Bodak Yellow.” On the track, Cardi details her past life of being a stripper and comparing it to her current life as a rapper making big “money moves.” Not only was the song a top hit on the Billboard Hot 100 but it also was a diamond-selling success, making Cardi B the first female MC to have a solo single sell 10 million copies. 

Drake knows how it feels to be the underdog and counted out by others on his 2013 single “Started from the Bottom.” The rapper uses the track to describe his upbringing and the work he put in to be at the top of his game. “Started from the Bottom” became a top-10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. 

2016 was the year of Chance the Rapper when he released his mixtape Coloring Book to rave reviews. He’s well known for being an independent rapper who’s had his criticisms of major labels. He highlighted his stance on the recording industry with his hit single “No Problem,” which featured Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz. Produced by Brasstracks, the song also uses a gospel choir in the background, which helps give the song more of a celebratory tone. 

In 2010, Waka Flocka Flame released his debut studio album Flockaveli, which featured the hit single “No Hands.” Joined by Roscoe Dash and Wale, Waka uses the track to describe how a woman’s dance moves can leave him mesmerized. It’s a rap anthem that is still a club banger to this day. 

In 2018, Nipsey Hussle released his critically acclaimed album Victory Lap, which featured the hit single “Last Time That I Checc’d.” Teaming up with fellow West Coast rapper YG, Nipsey uses the track to highlight his self-made mentality and how he’s trying to give his listeners the proper blueprint so they can be successful as well. 

In early 2014, ScHoolboy Q released his third album Oxymoron, which featured the hit single “Collard Greens.” Teaming up with fellow Top Dawg Entertainment labelmate Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy uses the term collard greens as a metaphor for money. 

In 2017, Juice WRLD released his hit song “Lucid Dreams,” a track that finds the rapper dealing with emotions after a breakup. He perfectly details how the past relationship is causing him to constantly think about his ex-lover. “Lucid Dreams” became a hit song and peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

In 2015, Drake and Future teamed up on their joint mixtape What a Time to Be Alive. The two have no problem flexing on everyone else on the Metro Boomin-produced track “Jumpman.” With a track named after the Michael Jordan brand, there’s no doubt that Drake and Future feel that they are two of best in the rap game. 

Big Sean realizes he doesn’t care of have the time to think about a past relationship that didn’t work out on his 2014 single “I Don’t F$*^ with You.” Teaming up with E-40, Sean uses the track to describe an ex-lover moving on, but he’s also moving on with his life and claims he has other things to do than be worried about his ex. 

Bobby Shmurda came onto the scene in 2014 with his debut single “Hot N—-.” Produced by Jahlil Beats, the song became a viral sensation on social media due to the Shmoney dance. Thanks to the song’s popularity on social, “Hot N---a” became a top-10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. 

There’s always something so special when rappers link with R&B singers to bring their songs to life. Wale did just that when he teamed up with Miguel on their 2011 single “Lotus Flower Bomb.” which finds the rapper detailing his interest in a potential lover.  

Meek Mill brings fans into his rags-to-riches world with his 2012 song “Dreams and Nightmares.” The song starts off with a classical piano backing, which gives Meek more of a poetic feel and depicts the “dreams” portion, but then a beat switch comes on that can hype up any listener, that’s when it gets to the “nightmares” portion.

Nicki Minaj teams up with frequent collaborates Drake and Lil Wayne on her 2014 single “Truffle Butter.” On the track, the three focus on their money and status, and how they don’t have competition with anyone else in the rap game. As Nicki says on her verse, “Yo, thinking out loud / I must have about a milli on me right now / And I ain’t talking about that Lil Wayne record / I’m still the highest selling female rapper for the record.”

In 2017, Migos released their sophomore album Culture, which featured their hit song “Bad and Boujee.” Teaming up with Lil Uzi Vert and getting production power from Metro Boomin, the track finds the rap group highlighting their wealth and how they’ve progressed in their lives with their careers. It’s the type of song that got played in the car or on the way to a club, so much that it became a No.1 hit record. 

In 2010, Lil Wayne released his ninth studio album Tha Carter IV, led by this smash single “6 Foot 7 Foot." Produced by Bangladesh, the song finds Wayne highlighting how he deals with life, women, and haters. 

In 2015, Future released his third studio album DS2, led by the hit single “F$*^ Up Some Commas.” While Future uses the track as a desire to spend some of his riches, it’s the perfect track that listeners love hearing at a party. 

After years of releasing mixtapes, Young Thug released his debut studio album in 2019 properly titled So Much Fun. He teamed up with Gunna on the single “Hot,” which finds the two rappers describing their lavish lifestyles such as buying Birkins, driving in a Bentley, and wearing Cartier.  

Rick Ross is no stranger to making songs about living lavish and it was no different in 2010 with his hit single “B.M.F. (Blowin’ Money Fast).” On the track, Ross is all about spending money on the finer things in life, and that he has so much of it, it’s like he’s sitting on a pile of cash. 

In 2014, J. Cole released his third studio album 2014 Forest Hills Drive which featured the hit song “Love Yourz.” On the track, Cole describes how having money isn’t everything without also being happy. He reflects on going through the highs and lows in life, but he realizes the importance of appreciating the journey and having a good support system around.