2000 Hip Hop Music: The Best of the Decade

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Contents

In this blog post, we’ll be taking a look at the best hip hop music of the 2000s. We’ll be discussing the biggest hits of the decade, as well as some of the more underrated tracks.

The best hip hop albums of the 2000s

In the early 2000s, the music industry was in a state of flux. CD sales were declining, illegal downloading was on the rise, and artist were trying to figure out how to make a living in this new world. Hip hop was no different. But despite all of this, there were still some amazing albums released in this decade. Here are some of the best.

The Marshall Mathers LP by Eminem
Eminem’s second album was released in May 2000 and immediately created a stir. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and went on to be certified diamond by the RIAA. It is often cited as one of the best hip hop albums of all time.

The Blueprint by Jay-Z
Jay-Z’s sixth album was released in September 2001, just days before the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Despite this, it still debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and has been certified triple platinum by the RIAA. It is considered one of Jay-Z’s best albums, and one of the best hip hop albums of all time.

The College Dropout by Kanye West
Kanye West’s debut album was released in February 2004 to critical acclaim. It debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 and has been certified triple platinum by the RIAA. Kanye West would go on to release many more critically acclaimed albums, but The College Dropout is still considered his best.

The best hip hop songs of the 2000s

With the new millennium came a new era in hip hop. The 2000s were a time of diversification and experimentation, with artists pushing the boundaries of what rap could be. From old-school throwbacks to contemporary classics, here are the best hip hop songs of the 2000s.

“In Da Club” by 50 Cent
50 Cent’s debut single was an instant classic, cementing his place as one of the most important rappers of the 2000s. The track’s unforgettable bass line and catchy hook made it a mainstay on radio and club playlists for years to come.

“Lose Yourself” by Eminem
Eminem’s breakout hit was also one of the most successful hip hop songs of the 2000s, winning an Academy Award for Best Original Song. The track’s emotional intensity and impeccable flow made it an instant classic, and it remains one of Eminem’s best-loved songs to date.

“Get Ur Freak On” by Missy Elliott
Missy Elliott’s sixth studio album produced this iconic banger, which quickly became one of her most popular songs. With its catchy hook and infectious beat, “Get Ur Freak On” remains one of the defining tracks of the 2000s rap landscape.

“Gold Digger” by Kanye West feat. Jamie Foxx
Kanye West’s fourth studio album included this megahit, which featured Jamie Foxx on vocals. The track’s catchy hook and laser-focused production made it a mainstay on radio and club playlists for years to come.

“Crazy in Love” by Beyoncé feat. Jay-Z
Beyoncé’s debut solo album featured this breakout hit, which featured her then-boyfriend Jay-Z on vocals. The track’s instantly recognizable horn sample and sleek production made it a success on radio and in clubs alike.

The best hip hop artists of the 2000s

The 2000s were a decade of change for the hip hop industry. At the beginning of the decade, hip hop was dominated by West Coast artists such as Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Tupac Shakur. By the end of the decade, however, artists from the East Coast, such as Jay-Z and 50 Cent, were much more popular. This change was due in part to the rise of Gangster Rap, which was a subgenre of hip hop that often glorified violence and crime.

In addition to the changes in the sound of hip hop music, the industry itself changed in the 2000s. The biggest change was the rise of digital music sales, which allowed rappers to make more money from sales of their songs and albums. This new revenue stream also allowed independent artists to become more successful without signing with a major label.

The 2000s were an important decade for hip hop music, and there are many artists who made great contributions to the genre during this time. Here are 10 of the best hip hop artists of the 2000s.

The rise of hip hop in the 2000s

The 2000s were a big decade for hip hop. We saw the rise of new artists and styles, and the continued domination of some of the genre’s biggest names. Here are some of the best hip hop tracks of the 2000s.

1. “In Da Club” by 50 Cent
2. “Lose Yourself” by Eminem
3. “Get Ur Freak On” by Missy Elliott
4. “Ignition (Remix)” by R. Kelly
5. “Crazy in Love” by Beyonce feat. Jay-Z
6. “All Falls Down” by Kanye West feat. Syleena Johnson
7. “Numb/Encore” by Jay-Z & Linkin Park
8. “Lose Control” by Missy Elliott feat. Ciara & Fat Man Scoop
9. “Hey Ya!” by Outkast

The influence of 2000s hip hop

In the early 2000s, a new wave of hip hop artists emerged, led by the likes of Jay-Z, Eminem, Dr. Dre, and 50 Cent. These artists brought with them a new style of rap that was more aggressive and lyrically complex than what had come before. This new style quickly gained popularity, and by the mid-2000s, it had become the dominant sound in hip hop.

In addition to its impact on the music itself, the 2000s was also a decade in which hip hop began to have a greater influence on fashion and culture. Hip hop fashion trends such as baggy jeans and fitted caps became popular among young people of all races, and hip hop music began to be played on mainstream radio stations. This increased visibility of hip hop helped to make it one of the most popular genres of music in the world.

The impact of 2000s hip hop

The impact of 2000s hip hop is still being felt today. The music of the decade was a departure from the gangsta rap of the 90s, and it instead featured a more positive, Afrocentric message. This new message was delivered by a new crop of rappers who were unafraid to experiment with different styles and genres.

The best 2000s hip hop albums pushed the boundaries of what was possible in music. They featured innovation in both production and lyricism, and they often tackled tough subjects like race, poverty, and violence. As the decade came to a close, it was clear that hip hop had cemented its place as one of the most important genres in all of music.

The legacy of 2000s hip hop

The 2000s were a transitional decade for hip hop. While the genre continued to be dominated by artists from the East and West Coast, the rise of southern rap led to a more diverse range of music being produced. This decade also saw the emergence of new sub-genres, such as alternative hip hop and crunk.

One of the most significant changes to occur in hip hop during the 2000s was the increase in popularity of digital music production. This meant that more artists were able to produce their own music, leading to a wider range of sounds being heard. The use of Auto-Tune also became widespread during this time, giving rise to the “trap” sub-genre.

The late 2000s saw the return of old-school elements in hip hop, with artists such as Kid Cudi and Drake reviving interest in more traditional sounds. This decade also witnessed the rise of social media, which had a significant impact on the way that music was marketed and distributed. In many ways, the 2000s were a defining period for hip hop, laying the foundations for the genre’s future direction.

2000s hip hop in pop culture

The 2000s was a decade of numerous changes in the world of hip hop. A new group of artists emerged and took the genre in new directions, resulting in both an evolution and aGolden Ageof hip hop music. The early 2000s saw the rise of crunk music, a subgenre of hip hop that originating in the South. This style of music was characterized by its aggressive, high-energy sound and repetitive call-and-response chants. Crunk quickly gained popularity across the country, culminating in the mainstream success of artists like Lil Jon and Ying Yang Twins.

In the mid-2000s, a new wave of rappers emerged who eschewed the gangster rap style that had become popular in the previous decade. These artists instead emphasize positive messages and social consciousness in their lyrics. Some of the most successful mid-2000s hip hop acts include Kendrick Lamar, Chance the Rapper, and J Cole.

The late 2000s saw the rise of auto-tune and trap music. Auto-tune is a type of voice correction software that became widely used by rappers and singers in the 2000s. Trap music is a subgenre of hip hop characterized by its dark, often violent lyrics and its hypnotic, heavy beats. Trap music first gained popularity in the early 2010s with songs like “Trap Queen” by Fetty Wap and “Turn Down for What” by DJ Snake and Lil Jon.

The influence of 2000s hip hop on today’s music

In the past decade, hip hop underwent a tremendous transformation. The music became more emotionally charged and introspective, and it also became more experimental. The changes that took place in hip hop during the 2000s have had a profound influence on today’s music.

One of the most significant changes that took place in hip hop during the 2000s was the increasing emphasis on personal expression. In the early days of hip hop, the focus was on making music that was fun and exciting to listen to. However, as the genre evolved, artists began to focus more on making music that reflected their personal experiences and emotions. This change can be seen in the lyrics of many 2000s hip hop songs, which often deal with issues such as poverty, violence, and racism.

The increased focus on personal expression also led to a new focus on experimentation in 2000s hip hop. This can be seen in the wide range of musical styles that were used in 2000s hip hop songs. Artists began to experiment with different sounds and textures, and they also began to use samples from other genres of music. This experimentation resulted in a new sound that was both fresh and exciting.

The changes that took place in 2000s hip hop had a profound influence on today’s music. The increased focus on personal expression and experimentation has inspired many current artists to push musical boundaries and to create new sounds.

2000s hip hop: looking back

As we look back on the 2000s in hip hop, we see a decade of incredible music. From familiar faces like Jay-Z and Eminem to new stars like Kendrick Lamar and Chance the Rapper, the past decade has been defined by its versatility and innovation.

With so many great artists and so much great music, it can be hard to narrow down the best of the best. But we’ve tried! Here are our picks for the 20 best hip hop songs of the 2000s.

1. “Empire State of Mind” – Jay-Z ft. Alicia Keys
2. “Lose Yourself” – Eminem
3. “Hotline Bling” – Drake
4. “All Me” – Drake ft. 2 Chainz & Big Sean
5. “Run This Town” – Jay-Z ft. Rihanna & Kanye West
6. “Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe” – Kendrick Lamar
7. “No Church in the Wild” – Jay-Z ft. Kanye West & Frank Ocean
8. “N****s in Paris” – Jay-Z & Kanye West
9.”Same Love” – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ft. Mary Lambert
10.”Formation” – Beyoncé
11.”I’m Different” – 2 Chainz
12.”One More Chance/Stay with Me Remix” – The Notorious B.I

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