Top Hip Hop Songs of 2014
Contents
Wondering what the top hip hop songs of 2014 are? Check out our list of the year’s hottest hits, including tracks from Iggy Azalea, Wiz Khalifa, and Lil Wayne.
Introduction
The term “hip hop” first came into use in the early 1970s, when Jamaican-born DJ Kool Herc began throwing parties in the Bronx, New York. At these parties, which became known as “rap battles,” MCs would take turns freestyling, or improvising rhymes, over instrumental tracks.
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In the 1980s, hip hop began to achieve mainstream popularity in the United States thanks to the work of artists such as Afrika Bambaataa, Melle Mel, andGrandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. Hip hop continued to grow in popularity throughout the 1990s and 2000s, with artists such as Tupac Shakur,Notorious B.I.G., Lauryn Hill, and Outkast achieving critical and commercial success.
In recent years, hip hop has once again begun to achieve mainstream success thanks to artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Drake, and J. Cole. Below is a list of the top hip hop songs of 2014 according to Billboard magazine.
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“All Me” – Drake
“All Me” is a song by Canadian rapper Drake from his third studio album Nothing Was the Same (2013). The song features guest appearances from 2 Chainz and Big Sean. “All Me” peaked at number 17 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song sold 1,490,000 copies in the United States, as of September 2016.
“Hold On, We’re Going Home” – Drake
“Hold On, We’re Going Home” is a song recorded by Canadian rapper Drake, featuring the R&B group Majid Jordan. The song was produced by Nineteen85 and released as the lead single from his third studio album Nothing Was the Same on August 7, 2013.
Critical reception for “Hold On, We’re Going Home” was positive; most praised its simplicity and smooth production. It peaked at number five on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and the Canadian Hot 100. The song became Drakes’s highest-charting single in Australia and New Zealand, where it also went to number one. In Europe it was a top ten hit in Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Ireland and the Netherlands. A music video for “Hold On, We’re Going Home” was directed by Karena Evans and featured actor Jimi Mistry.
“Hot Nigga” – Bobby Shmurda
“Hot Nigga” is a song by American hip hop recording artist Bobby Shmurda. The song, produced by Jahlil Beats, was released on July 25, 2014 as his commercial debut single and the lead single from his debut extended play, Shmurda She Wrote (2014). The song peaked at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100.
“Loyal” – Chris Brown
“Loyal” is a song by American singer Chris Brown, released as the fourth single from his sixth studio album X (2014). The song peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song features guest appearances from Lil Wayne and French Montana.
“New Slaves” – Kanye West
“New Slaves” is a song by American hip hop recording artist Kanye West, taken from his sixth studio album Yeezus (2013). It was produced by West and Ben Bronfman, with additional production from Mike Dean, Travis Scott, Noah Goldstein, Sham “Sak Pase” Joseph and Che Pope. The song features vocals from American recording artists Frank Ocean and Theophilus London. It was published on May 17, 2013, by Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings, as the album’s fifth single. The song’s instrumentation originates from a sample of “Gyöngyhajú lány” by Hungarian rock band Omega. For the sample of “Gyöngyhajú lány”, the band’s leader János Kincses received credit.[5] “New Slaves” was additionally recorded in English and confessiona in several locations such as Shoot the Record in Brooklyn, New York; Ga Grandíoza Studio in Rio de Janeiro; Livin’ Off the Land Studios in Los Angeles; Chalice Recording Studios in Hollywood; Gold Digger Studios in Chicago; No ID’s studio in Las Vegas;and PatchWerk Recording Studios and Tree Sound Studios in Atlanta.
The song garnered positive reviews from music critics upon its release. Many praised West’s production choices as well as Ocean’s contributions to the track. A Pitchfork contributor saw Ocean singing about an unsavory romantic encounter he had experienced while incarcerated which lingers with him still.” In 2014, Complex ranked the song at number 23 on their list of the 50 best songs of 2013.
“Pt. 2” – Kanye West
“Pt. 2” is a song by American rapper Kanye West from his seventh studio album, The Life of Pablo (2016). The song features additional vocals from American rappers Desiigner and Pusha T. Released on February 14, 2016, the song peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100.
The music video for “Pt. 2” was released on February 11, 2016 and was directed by Eli Russell Linnetz. It features footage of Kanye West in various locations, including an airport and a church.
“Pt. 2” is a hip hop song with a length of two minutes and fifty-nine seconds. The song is built around a interpolation of the gospel song “Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 2”, which itself samples the 1980s track “Planet Rock”, and contains elements of trap music. The song also features a sample of the 1966 track “I Want You Back” by The Jackson 5.
“Rap God” – Eminem
Eminem’s “Rap God” was one of the biggest hip hop songs of 2014. It was released as the lead single from his album The Marshall Mathers LP 2, and peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The song received mixed reviews from critics, but was praised for its technicality and lyrical prowess.
“Sing For The Moment” – Eminem
“Sing For The Moment” is a song by American rapper Eminem. It was released in February 2003 as the fourth single from his fifth studio album, The Eminem Show. The song samples “Dream On” by Aerosmith.
The lyrics reflect on Em’s past struggles with fame and success, and how they’ve changed him. The song was a commercial success, peaking at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States and number three in Australia.
“Sing For The Moment” has been widely praised by music critics, with many calling it one of Eminem’s best songs. In 2010, it was ranked number 390 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 greatest songs of all time.
“The Monster” – Eminem
Eminem’s “The Monster” was one of the top hip hop songs of 2014. The song featured Rihanna and reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
“We Dem Boyz” – Wiz Khalifa
Wiz Khalifa’s “We Dem Boyz” was one of the year’s biggest hip-hop anthems. The song, which is featured on Wiz’s fifth studio album Blacc Hollywood, peaked at No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and No. 5 on the rap chart. “We Dem Boyz” was propelled by its catchy chorus and Wiz’s trademark wordplay, making it one of the most memorable songs of 2014.
“Yonkers” – Tyler, The Creator
“Yonkers” is the first single from Tyler, the Creator’s second studio album, Goblin. The song was released on February 10, 2011. “Yonkers” is a dark and gruesome track that features Tyler rapping from the perspective of a deranged serial killer. The song was met with critical acclaim, with many critics praisingTyler’s dark sense of humor and lyrical prowess. “Yonkers” peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, making it Tyler’s highest charting single to date.
