The Top Hip Hop Songs of 2009

2009 was a big year in hip hop, with some great songs coming out. Here’s a look at the top hip hop songs of 2009.

Introduction

It was a big year for hip hop in 2009. There were mainstream hits, underground anthems, club bangers and more. So what were the best hip hop songs of 2009? Here’s a look at the top 10.

“Best I Ever Had” by Drake

“Best I Ever Had” is a song recorded by Canadian rapper Drake for his first studio album Thank Me Later (2010). The song became a commercial success peaking at number two on the United States Billboard Hot 100 and serving as one of the lead singles of Thank Me Later. “Best I Ever Had” was ranked first on Complex’s “The Best Hip-Hop Songs of 2009” list, as well as ninth on Spin’s “The 101 Best Songs of 2009” list. The artwork used for the single cover took place in Toronto and was shot by Canadian photographer Simon Shaw.

“Obsessed” by Mariah Carey

“Obsessed” is a song performed by American singer Mariah Carey. The song was released on June 16, 2009, through Island Records, as the lead single from her twelfth studio album, Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel (2009). Written and produced by Carey, Flavor Unit and The-Dream, the song borrows influence from 1980s pop and new jack swing music. Additionally, it contains elements of stuttering R&B and a thumping bassline. Lyrically, the song is written as a first-person narrative from the point of view of an obsessed woman that is stalking her former lover.

Critical reception for “Obsessed” was generally positive. The song peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in Carey’s native United States, giving her forty-seventh top ten single overall; tying her with Elvis Presley for second place for most top ten hits in the history of that chart. In Canada, the song also peaked at seven on the Canadian Hot 100. Elsewhere “Obsessed” peaked within the top ten of Austria, Germany and Norway; as well as peaking in the top twenty of Australia and Switzerland. The song has been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) denoting shipments two million copies in that country alone.

“Run This Town” by Jay-Z

“Run This Town” is a song by American rapper Jay-Z. The song features American R&B singer Rihanna and American rapper Kanye West. It was released on August 31, 2009, as the lead single from Jay-Z’s 11th studio album, The Blueprint 3 (2009).

The song was co-produced by West and music producer No I.D., with additional production being handled by The Neptunes. “Run This Town” samples “The Boss” by Diana Ross, written by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers and performed by Ross. The song received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising the production and lyrical content, while others criticized its use of Learn More gender roles.

The song peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and topped the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. It also reached the top five in Canada, France, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Switzerland. Elsewhere it peaked within the top ten of several countries including Australia, Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom. At the 52nd Grammy Awards in 2010, “Run This Town” won Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group; West also won Best Rap Solo Performance for his verse on the song.”

“I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)” by Pitbull

“I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)” is a song recorded by Cuban rapper Pitbull for his fourth studio album, Rebelution (2009). The song peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 and topped the chart in France and the United Kingdom. It was released as the album’s lead single on March 10, 2009.

“Dead and Gone” by T.I.

“Dead and Gone” is a song by American rapper T.I., featuring American singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake. It was released on February 28, 2009 as the eighth single from T.I.’s sixth studio album, Paper Trail (2008). The song peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming T.I.’s highest-charting single as a lead artist since his 2007 hit “Big Things Poppin'”, and Timberlake’s fourth top-ten single. “Dead and Gone” won a Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 52nd Grammy Awards.

“Heartless” by Kanye West

“Heartless” is a song by American hip hop artist Kanye West, released on November 4, 2008 digitally as the second single from his fourth studio album, 808s & Heartbreak. The song discusses the loss of love and breakups. The single was certified double platinum in the US.

“Hotel Room Service” by Pitbull

“Hotel Room Service” is a song by American rapper Pitbull released as the third single from his album Rebelution. The song peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. In Pitbull’s home country of the United States, “Hotel Room Service” became one of the most successful rap songs in history, peaking at number 1 on the Rap Songs chart for six non-consecutive weeks and spending a then-record thirty-six weeks on the chart. On the US Rhythmic Top 40 chart, “Hotel Room Service” also topped the chart for seven non-consecutive weeks. Internationally, “Hotel Room Service” peaked within the top ten of seventeen countries including Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands and New Zealand.

“How Low” by Ludacris

“How Low” is a song performed by American rapper Ludacris. The song, released on December 8, 2009, serves as the lead single from his eighth studio album, Battle of the Sexes (2010). The song features guest vocals from American R&B singer Ciara and was produced by Canadian producers Play-n-Skillz.

“Empire State of Mind” by Jay-Z

“Empire State of Mind” is a song performed by American rapper Jay-Z, featuring vocals by Alicia Keys that was written by Angela Hunte and Janet Sewell-Ulepic. Produced by Al Shux, the song was released as the fourth and final single from Jay-Z’s eleventh studio album The Blueprint 3 (2009), and is co-owned by EMI Music Publishing and Universal Music Publishing Group. It peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and became Jay-Z’s second number-one single on the chart as a lead artist, and Alicia Keys’ fifth.

The song gained worldwide attention upon its release, due to both its commercial success and its reference to several iconic landmarks in New York City. It has been ranked highly on several year-end best songs lists, including moving up to top spot on Slant Magazine’s, as well as being named Time’s “Song of the Year” for 2009. The song won Best Rap Song and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 52nd Grammy Awards, held on January 31, 2010. Additionally it won Song of the Year at the 2009 BET Hip Hop Awards. Rolling Stone magazine ranked “Empire State of Mind” 34th on their end-of-2009 list of Best Songs of the 2000s decade.”Empire State of Mind” achieved commercial success worldwide after its release; in addition to topping multiple radio charts in North America, it topped the singles charts in Denmark, Japan (Billboard Japan Hot 100), South Africa (Hot 100), Spain (PROMUSICAE) and United Kingdom (UK Singles Chart). In 2010 it was dubbed one of The FADER’s “100 Songs of the Decade So Far”, ranking at position 35.

“I Invented Sex” by Trey Songz

Trey Songz’s “I Invented Sex” was one of the top hip hop songs of 2009. The song peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and #1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The song features Drake and was produced by Stargate.

“Pretty Wings” by Maxwell

“Pretty Wings” is a song by American recording artist Maxwell. It was released on June 16, 2009, as the lead single from his third studio album BLACKsummers’night (2009). The track was written by Hod David and Musze, and produced by Hod David and Shedrick Mitchell. “Pretty Wings” peaked at number 17 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Internationally, it peaked within the top ten of the charts in New Zealand, Slovakia, and the United Kingdom. The song won two Grammy Awards at the 52nd Grammy Awards for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song.

“Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” by Beyonce

“Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” is a song from Beyonce’s third studio album, I Am… Sasha Fierce (2008). The song was released as the lead single from the album on October 13, 2008, and peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year and Best R&B Song at the 52nd Grammy Awards. The song’s music video won three MTV Video Music Awards, including Video of the Year.

“Use Somebody” by Kings of Leon

“Use Somebody” is a song by American rock band Kings of Leon. It was the second single from the group’s fourth studio album Only by the Night (2008), released on December 8, 2008. The song has received generally positive reviews from music critics and was a commercial success worldwide, reaching number one in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. It was voted ninth on Triple J Hottest 100 of 2009 countdown in Australia and was declared “Single of the Year” by iTunes Store US. “Use Somebody” won Record of the Year and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal at 52nd Grammy Awards. Lead singer Caleb Followill has stated that the song is about infidelity.”

The Kings of Leon are an American rock band that formed in Nashville, Tennessee in 2003. The band is composed of brothers Caleb Followill (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Nathan Followill (drums, percussion), Jared Followill (bass guitar, keyboards) and Matthew Followill (lead guitar).

“Whatcha Say” by Jason Derulo

“Whatcha Say” is a song by American singer Jason Derulo, released as the lead single from his self-titled debut album. The song was written by Derulo, J. R. Rotem, and Sean Douglas and produced by Rotem. It samples the 1988 song “Hide & Seek” by Imogen Heap. “Whatcha Say” peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming Derulo’s first number-one single on that chart. It also reached number one in the United Kingdom and New Zealand and peaked within the top ten of the charts in Australia, Canada, Denmark and Ireland.

The accompanying music video for “Whatcha Say” was directed by Colin Tilley and features Derulo chasing after a girl who has stolen his wallet. In February 2010, “Whatcha Say” won the Single of the Year award at the 9th Annual International Dance Music Awards.