Best Hip Hop Music of 2013
A list of the best hip hop music of 2013.
Best Hip Hop Songs of 2013
2013 was a great year for hip hop music. There were a lot of great songs released this year. Here are some of the best hip hop songs of 2013.
“Started from the Bottom” by Drake
“Started from the Bottom” is a song recorded by Canadian hip hop recording artist Drake, released as the first single from his third studio album Nothing Was the Same. The song was written by Drake, Michael Williamson and Noah “40” Shebib. It features a production credited to all three.
Drake’s “Started from the Bottom” was one of the most popular songs of 2013. The rap song is about Drake’s humble beginnings and how he’s worked hard to achieve success. “Started from the Bottom” peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and won Drake a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance.
“Y.O.L.O.” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
“Y.O.L.O.” is a song by American hip hop duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, released as the fourth single from their debut studio album The Heist (2012). The song is based on the “you only live once” (YOLO) slogan popularized by rap artist Drake.
The song peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the duo’s fourth top 10 single in the United States. It also charted at number one in New Zealand and number 11 in Australia. The song received mixed reviews from music critics, with some praising its originality and others criticizing its use of auto-tune.
The song was a commercial success, selling over 1 million copies in the United States and being certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It was also nominated for Best Rap Song at the 56th Grammy Awards.
“Thrift Shop” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
“Thrift Shop” is a song by American hip hop duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, released as the fourth single from their 2012 debut studio album, The Heist. The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, and has peaked at number 2 in Ireland and New Zealand. By February 2014, “Thrift Shop” had sold over 4 million copies in the US alone.
Best Hip Hop Albums of 2013
Hip hop music has come a long way since its humble beginnings in the Bronx. From its early days as a party music to its current status as a global phenomenon, hip hop has always been a force to be reckoned with. 2013 was no different, as some of the best hip hop albums were released this year. Let’s take a look at some of the best hip hop albums of 2013.
“The Heist” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
“The Heist” is the debut studio album by American hip hop duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. It was released on October 9, 2012, independently through Macklemore LLC. The album was distributed by Alternative Distribution Alliance. It features guest appearances from fellow rappers Wanz, Big Boi and Mary Lambert.
The album is notable for its successfully utilizing of indie rock samples − particularly on the lead single “Thrift Shop”, which samples aame’s 2009 song “Wing$”. “Thrift Shop” reached number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100, making it the duo’s first US number 1 single. The album has since been certificated platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
“Good Kid, m.A.A.d city” by Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar’s debut album “good kid, m.A.A.d city” was released on October 22, 2012 by Top Dawg Entertainment, Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records. The album features guest appearances from Dr. Dre, MC Eiht, Drake, and Jay Rock. “good kid, m.A.A.d city” peaked at number two on the US Billboard 200 and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It also topped the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and was certified double platinum by the RIAA. The album has been ranked among the best Hip Hop albums of 2013 by many publications including Rolling Stone, Time, and Complex.
“Yeezus” by Kanye West
Kanye West’s “Yeezus” was one of the most talked about albums of 2013. It was both a critical and commercial success, debuting at #1 on the Billboard 200 and receiving rave reviews from critics. While some fans were disappointed that it was not a return to the more “traditional” sound of West’s earlier albums, there is no denying that “Yeezus” is a bold and innovative album that pushed hip hop in new directions.
Best Hip Hop Artists of 2013
It was a great year for Hip Hop music in 2013. We saw a lot of new artists come onto the scene and make a name for themselves. We also saw some old favorites come back and remind us why they’re the best in the business. Let’s take a look at the best Hip Hop artists of 2013.
Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar is one of the most successful and critically acclaimed hip hop artists of 2013. His debut studio album, good kid, m.A.A.d city, was released in October 2012 to widespread critical acclaim, and Lamar has since been hailed as one of the most important new voices in hip hop. In 2013, he won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance for his single “Swimming Pools (Drank)”, and he is also nominated for several other Grammy Awards this year. Kendrick Lamar is without doubt one of the biggest names in hip hop right now, and 2013 has been a huge year for him.
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis are an American hip hop duo from Seattle, Washington. The duo is composed of rapper Macklemore, and producer Ryan Lewis. Macklemore and Lewis achieved mainstream success in 2013 with their debut studio album The Heist, which peaked at number two on the US Billboard 200. The pair won four Grammy Awards at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist, Best Rap Album (The Heist), Best Rap Performance (“Thrift Shop”), and Best Rap Song (“Thrift Shop”).
Kanye West
Kanye West is one of the most popular and acclaimed hip hop artists of 2013. His album Yeezus was released to great critical and commercial success, debuting at number one on the Billboard charts and receiving rave reviews from music critics. West is also known for his outspoken and often controversial statements, which have made him one of the most talked-about celebrities in recent years.
