“I’m gonna pop some tags, only got twenty dollars in my pocket …”
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Billboard‘s Hot Rap Songs chart, the magazine compiled a list of the top 100 chart performing rap songs ever, and the No. 1 spot stunned and infuriated many.
“Thrift Shop” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis is the No. 1 rap song of all time, according to Billboard.
Here’s the magazine’s explanation of its grading system:
“The 25th Anniversary Hot Rap Songs ranking is based on actual performance on the weekly Hot Rap Songs chart, since the chart’s inception in the March 11, 1989, issue. Rankings are based on an inverse point system, with weeks at No. 1 having the greatest value and weeks at lower positions proportionately less. Due to various changes in chart rules, chart length and methodology throughout the years, songs had varying reigns at No. 1 and on the chart. To ensure equitable representation of the biggest hits from all 25 years, certain time frames were weighted to account for the difference in turnover rates from those periods.”
“Thrift Shop” was a massive hit, going platinum 7x and becoming one of only six singles to do so based on sales. It was the second-highest selling single of 2013, second to Robin Thicke, Pharrell, and T.I. uber-catchy tune, ”Blurred Lines.”
Take a look at the top 10 on Billboard’s Hot Rap Songs chart on the next page.
1. “Thrift Shop” – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ft. Wanz, 2013
2. “Tootsee Roll” – 69 Boyz, 1994
3. “Hot Boyz” – Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott ft. Eve, Nas & Q-Tip, 1999
4. “Can’t Hold Us” – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ft. Ray Dalton, 2013
5. “Expression” – Salt-N-Pepa, 1990
6. “Gangsta’s Paradise” – Coolio ft. L.V., 1995
7. “Flava In Ya Ear” – Craig Mack, 1994
8. “Big Poppa/Warning” – The Notorious B.I.G., 1995
9. “No Hands” – Waka Flocka Flame ft. Roscoe Dash & Wale, 2010
10. “The Humpty Dance” – Digital Underground, 1990