The Best Hip Hop Songs of 2000
A countdown of the greatest hip hop songs from the year 2000. Featuring classics from the likes of Eminem, Snoop Dogg, and Outkast.
Best Hip Hop Songs of 2000
In the year 2000, the hip hop world was changed forever. There were so many great songs released that it was hard to keep track of them all. We’ve compiled a list of the best hip hop songs of 2000 so you can relive the glory days of the genre.
“In Da Club” by 50 Cent
The Controversy
In 2002, 50 Cent was arrested for assault after shooting another rapper nine times in the legs. The other rapper, Ja Rule, was a member of a rival hip hop group, Murder Inc. This event caused a lot of controversy in the hip hop community and resulted in a long-standing feud between 50 Cent and Ja Rule.
“In Da Club” is one of 50 Cent’s most famous songs and it was released in 2003, after he had been arrested for assault. The song is about going to a club and getting drunk. It includes the lyrics “Go shorty, it’s your birthday / We gon’ party like it’s your birthday.”
The Legacy
“In Da Club” was a huge commercial success, peaking at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It has been certified six times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The song has also been ranked as one of the greatest songs of all time by Rolling Stone magazine and VH1.
“Crazy in Love” by Beyoncé ft. Jay-Z
“Crazy in Love” is a song by American singer Beyoncé featuring American rapper Jay-Z from Beyoncé’s debut solo studio album, Dangerously in Love (2003). The song was written by Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Rich Harrison, and Sean Garrett. Production was handled by Harrison and Beyoncé. It samples the 1966 track “Are You My Woman (Tell Me So)” by Chicago soul artist Barbara Mason. “Crazy in Love” peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and earned five Grammy Awards at the 46th Grammy Awards in 2004, including Song of the Year and Best R&B Song.
The song’s accompanying music video features Beyoncé surrounded by various assets such as cars and Jay-Z in dress suit. The clip won three MTV Video Music Awards, including Best Female Video and Best R&B Video. It helpedBeyoncé’s career as it put her name on the map as a credible female artist.
“Hot in Herre” by Nelly
“Hot in Herre” by Nelly was one of the hottest hip hop songs of 2000. The song was released in May of that year and quickly climbed the charts, reaching the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in July. The song stayed at the top of the charts for seven weeks, making it one of the longest-running #1 hits of 2000. “Hot in Herre” was certified 3x Platinum by the RIAA and has sold over 3 million copies in the US.
“Lose Yourself” by Eminem
“Lose Yourself” is a song by American rapper Eminem from the soundtrack to the 2002 motion picture 8 Mile. The song was written by Eminem and produced by Eminem along with frequent collaborator Jeff Bass, one half of the production duo Bass Brothers, and Luis Resto. It was released on October 28, 2002, as the lead single from the soundtrack. “Lose Yourself” received widespread critical acclaim, with many critics praising Eminem’s lyrical ability, delivery and thematic analysis. Since its release in 2002, “Lose Yourself” has been considered one of Eminem’s best songs and is widely regarded as one of the greatest hip-hop songs of all time. In 2010, Rolling Stone ranked it No.166 on their list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time; in 2013, NME placed it at No.69 in their poll of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time; and in 2015, Pitchfork Media placed it at No.6 on their list of The 200 Best Songs of the 2000s (decade).
“Get Ur Freak On” by Missy Elliott
“Get Ur Freak On” is a song by American recording artist Missy Elliott. The song was written and produced by Elliott and Timbaland for her third studio album Miss E… So Addictive (2001). Released as the album’s lead single in February 2001, “Get Ur Freak On” peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100, making it Elliott’s highest-charting single as a solo artist at the time. The song topped the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for seven weeks, becoming Elliott’s second number one hit on that chart. “Get Ur Freak On” has been ranked among the greatest songs of all time by publications such as Pitchfork, NME and Rolling Stone.
Worst Hip Hop Songs of 2000
The year 2000 was an interesting year for hip hop. We saw the rise of artists like Eminem and Outkast, and the beginning of the “crunk” movement. But not everything that came out of 2000 was good. In fact, there were a lot of really terrible hip hop songs released that year.
“I’m Real” by Jennifer Lopez ft. Ja Rule
“I’m Real” is a song recorded by American singer Jennifer Lopez for her second studio album, J.Lo (2001). It features guest vocals from American rapper Ja Rule and was released on June 5, 2001, as the lead single from the album. The song was written by Lopez, Ja Rule, Dexter Simmons, Irving Lorenzo, and Bobby Allinson, with production being handled by the latter three under their stage name Trackmasters. Additionally, Cory Rooney also served as a co-producer. “I’m Real” peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 for five non-consecutive weeks and became one of the best-selling singles of 2001. It became Lopez’s first song to peak at number one in the United States and fifth overall single to do so.
“I’m Real” is a R&B and hip hop song that features Latin influences. It contains a sample of Wes Montgomery’s 1966 recording “Down Here on the Ground”. Music critics were morenegative in their reviews of “I’m Real”; many called it unoriginal and criticized Lopez for trying to be something she was not. Nevertheless, the song became one of her most successful singles and helped propel J.Lo to commercial success. The music video for “I’m Real” was directed by Dave Meyers and begins with a montage of news reports detailing Ja Rule’s supposed crimes; this narrative is intercut with shots of Lopez walking down a street in Harlem while her love interest watches her from his car. The rest of the video features Lopez dancing in a brightly lit room interspersed with scenes of Ja Rule rapping. It caused controversy due to its depiction of violence, which some interpreted as an homage to The Notorious B.I.G.’s 1997 music video for “Hypnotize”.
“Stutter” by Joe ft. Mystikal
“Stutter” is a song by American singer Joe featuring American rapper Mystikal. It was released on May 23, 2000 as the lead single from Joe’s third studio album My Name Is Joe (2000). The song peaked at number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The song received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 2001.
“I Wanna Love You” by Akon ft. Snoop Dogg
If you were unfortunate enough to be a teenager in the early 2000s, then chances are you’ve heard this song far too many times. “I Wanna Love You” was inescapable, playing on every radio station and appearing in countless movies and TV shows. It’s a terrible, terrible song, made even worse by the fact that it’s inexplicably catchy.
“Gangsta Lovin'” by Eve ft. Alicia Keys
“Gangsta Lovin'” is a song by American rapper Eve, featuring American singer Alicia Keys. It was released as the second single from Eve’s second studio album, Scorpion (2001). The song peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 and reached number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, becoming Eve’s biggest hit to date.
The music video for “Gangsta Lovin'” was directed by Little X and features cameos from Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes, and LL Cool J.
“I Know What You Want” by Busta Rhymes ft. Mariah Carey
“I Know What You Want” by Busta Rhymes ft. Mariah Carey is often considered one of the worst hip hop songs of 2000. The song was criticized for its simplistic and repetitive lyrics, as well as Carey’s lack of vocal ability.
