The Best Rap Songs Of 2024: Ranked

In an increasingly meat-free world, 2024 in Hip Hop will forever be remembered for beef. After a decade of simmering tension, Kendrick Lamar and Drake finally locked horns and engaged in lyrical warfare — and it did not disappoint (unless, of course, you’re a close associate of the 6 God with a shady past).

Watching two heavyweights in their prime go at it was not only more thrilling than any sporting contest this year, but it seems to have sparked a renewed appreciation for lyricism as both Dot and Drizzy forced fans to listen closely and dissect their bars (and even their videos) to fully comprehend the potency of their jabs.

Away from the diss songs, 2024 was also defined by a number of interesting trends and movements: West Coast rap returning to the throne, the continued success of female rappers, New York drill turning sexy, major players finding news ways to release music, classic Southern Hip Hop birthing yet more modern-day hits and veteran MCs further dispelling the myth that Hip Hop is a young man’s sport.

From some of the biggest names in the game cementing their legacies to a crop of exciting up-and-comers putting themselves on the map, new alliances forming on heavyweight collaborations to solo stars confidently commanding the spotlight on their own, there was no shortage of audio dope that soundtracked the past 12 months.

Here are the 20 best rap songs of 2024, as ranked by HipHopDX.

20. Common & Pete Rock — “Wise Up”

Produced By: Pete Rock

The toughest joint from Common and Pete Rock‘s collaborative album The Auditorium Vol. 1, “Wise Up” recaptures the mean-mugging magic of Golden Age New York Hip Hop. With an iconic MC Shan vocal sample holding down the hook, Pete’s thumping true school production brings out one of Lonnie Lynn’s most ferocious lyrical performances in years. If a bar like “my man ain’t from Dallas but he knows where the TECs is [Texas]” doesn’t make you screw your face up, then you need to wise up. — Andy Bustard

19. LL Cool J — “The FORCE”

Produced By: Q-Tip

Although LL Cool J‘s The FORCE technically opens with “Spirit of Cyrus,” a daring song on which he raps from the perspective of cop-turned-cop killer Christopher Dorner, its title track is as thunderous as any rap album intro from this year. The combination of Q-Tip‘s explosive, synth-blaring production and LL’s braggadocious, chest-beating bars feels like a champion fighter walking to the ring before he punches an opponent’s head clean off. Despite being older than the genre itself, these two Queens, New York legends continue to prove that Hip Hop is far from just a young man’s sport. — A.B.

18. Eminem feat. Skylar Grey — “Temporary”

Produced By: Eminem & Skylar Grey

Who would’ve guessed that the biggest tearjerking rap song of 2024 would come from Eminem? The “hardest thing” he’s ever written, “Temporary” is Marshall Mathers preparing his daughter Hailie Jade for the day he’s no longer here, offering her words of love, comfort and support from the other side. Em’s voice even cracks as he tells his baby girl, “I know I was your rock, and I still am / Saying goodbye is just not ever easy.” Dad rap at its beautiful and heartfelt best. — A.B.

17. Big Sean & The Alchemist — “Together Forever”

Produced By: The Alchemist

The Alchemist and Detroit rappers just go together. Joining a long list that includes Danny Brown, Boldy James and Royce Da 5’9″, among others, Big Sean was the latest Motor City MC to forge an immediate chemistry with Uncle Al on “Together Forever.” As a bars-driven rapper with a soft spot for soul beats, it’s no surprise that Sean Don shines over the veteran producer’s heavenly sample loop and crisp, head-nodding drums. A joint project between the two is in the works, and if it sounds anything like this, then it could be an Album of the Year contender. — A.B.

16. Latto — “Big Mama”

Produced By: Coupe, OZ & Kid Masterpiece

Latto may not be the most commercially successful of her female rap contemporaries, but there’s no denying her talent. “Big Mama,” a double-sided single from her third album Sugar Honey Iced Tea, showcases both her sensual, melodic singing ability and aggressive, attack-the-beat lyricism in the space of three minutes. Whether tender or tough, Latto radiates confidence, sex appeal and Southern charm. — A.B.

15. Sexyy Red — “Get It Sexyy”

Produced By: Tay Keith & Jake Fridkis

Over a bouncy beat from Tay Keith, Sexyy Red crafted the perfect hype song with “Get It Sexyy” that even turned naysayers into fans. The contrast of the explosive energy of the song and Sexyy’s near deadpan delivery helped craft an ear worm that remained a staple in every DJ’s club set all year long. — Marisa Mendez

14. BossMan Dlow — “Get In With Me”

Produced By: dxntemadeit

In and out in exactly two minutes, this track gives the listener a conversational BossMan Dlow, one whose delivery is so lowkey that you barely notice the rhymes or when the hook kicks in. But those same qualities make it strangely hypnotic. — Shawn Setaro

13. Doechii — “Nissan Altima”

Produced By: Childish Major

Despite being named after a forgettable mid-’90s sedan, there is nothing forgettable about Doechii’s “Nissan Altima,” one of the most joyfully inventive songs of 2024 in any genre. Glistening with playful sex references and virtuoso rapping, the TDE trailblazer has all the confidence in the world as she compares herself to Madonna and Grace Jones. Doechii is the future and we’re happy to be here for the ride. — Sam Moore

12. Drake — “Family Matters”

Produced By: Boi-1da, Tay Keith, Mark Ronson, Fierce, Kevin Mitchell, Dramakid, Preme & Jordan Fox

Drake may have been thoroughly dismantled by Kendrick Lamar, but “Family Matters” was his most punishing jab in the bout. Forget the (yet-to-be-proven) allegations of domestic violence; “Kendrick just opened his mouth, someone go hand him a Grammy right now” remains one of the funniest lines from the entire feud. Perhaps the 6 God would’ve had more success had he focused on battling K.Dot alone instead of trying to take on his other “20” opponents as well. — A.B.

11. Future & Metro Boomin feat. Travis Scott & Playboi Carti — “Type Shit”

Produced By: Metro Boomin, Mike Dean & D. Rich

Playboi Carti has had quite the year with standout guest appearances while the world awaits his third album, I Am Music. He gatecrashed Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign’s “Carnival” and hypnotically occupied the first half of The Weeknd’s “Timeless.” Then there’s “Type Shit,” a warped tribute to the downbeat mumble style that Carti, Future and Travis Scott have made their own.

Featuring one of Metro Boomin’s finest beats with a haunting piano that sounds like a church bell before segueing into something more surreal, “Type Shit” is the kind of song your mom warned you about. — S.M.

10. ScHoolboy Q — “THank God 4 Me”

Produced By: Kal Banx, DJ Fu & J.LBS

ScHoolboy Q makes boasting and going at snitches sound soulful on this Blue Lips highlight. Its boastful but considered approach sets the tone for pretty much all of his exceptional sixth LP. — S.S.

9. Cardi B — “Enough (Miami)”

Produced By: OG Parker, Romano & DJ SwanQo

Before pushing music obligations to the side for 2024 to focus on her new baby and divorce from Offset, Cardi B dropped the high-energy anthem “Enough (Miami).” Over a pulsating, bass-heavy beat, the Bronx bombshell delivers her signature sharp, fast-paced flows while effortlessly showcasing her brash confidence and unfiltered personality. — M.M.

8. Cash Cobain feat. Bay Swag — “Fisherrr”

Produced By: Cash Cobain, FckBwoy! & WhoIsJiggi

“Sexy drill ballad” is a phrase that would have seemed incomprehensible just a few years ago, when gang-heavy, aggressive drill first took over Brooklyn and then the Bronx. But first Ice Spice made drill about relationships to massive pop success, and now Cash Cobain has made the sound all about sex. “Fisherrr,” a duet with Bay Swag, was Cash’s breakthrough: a mellow, almost drum-less track that showcases their loverman talk to stellar effect. — S.S

7. Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign feat. Rich The Kid & Playboi Carti — “Carnival”

Produced By: Kanye West, Ty Dolla $ign, Digital Nas, TheLabCook, Ojivolta & The Legendary Traxster

This song sounds like a lot of post-breakdown Ye: simultaneously polished and expensive, and haphazard and improvised. Kanye even leaves his verse unfinished. But all of the track’s faults disappear the moment Playboi Carti gets on the mic. He rockets the song to the stratosphere with his unpredictability and uniqueness. — S.S.

6. 21 Savage — “Redrum”

Produced By: London On Da Track & Peeb

50 Cent called “Redrum” the hardest song out when it dropped, and he wasn’t exactly wrong as 21 Savage narrates a Shining-influenced tale of guns and street paranoia that compares running the block to being trapped in the Overlook Hotel with nothing but ghosts for company. The UK-shot video, a nod to 21’s British birthplace, is also a standout. — S.M.

5. Megan Thee Stallion — “Hiss”

Produced By: LilJuMadeDaBeat, Bankroll Got It & Shawn “Source” Jarrett

Before there was “Not Like Us,” there was “Hiss,” Megan Thee Stallion’s venomous snakebite to Nicki Minaj’s neck. With all the drama that has been inflicted on her in recent years, it can be easy to forget that Megan can straight up spit with more fire than a komodo dragon, but “Hiss” is three-and-a-half minutes of murderous bars.

“These hoes don’t be mad at Megan / These hoes mad at Megan’s Law,” she raps, sinking her fangs into Nicki and her sex offender husband, Kenneth Petty. The Houston Hottie was even first with the plastic surgery jokes aimed at BBL Drizzy. — S.M.

4. Tyler, The Creator feat. GloRilla, Sexyy Red & Lil Wayne — “Sticky”

Produced By: Tyler, The Creator

For all of his love of Stevie Wonder-esque chords, Pharrell-inspired melodies and soothing R&B singers, Tyler, The Creator knows how to make a bona fide banger. Brimming with stomping, marching band energy, whoop-that-trick verses from GloRilla and Sexyy Red and a choice Young Buck sample, “Sticky” might just be his best. The way he commands the chaos and builds suspense throughout the song, especially with those “Get Buck” horns, he might as well rename himself Tyler, The Conductor. It’s no surprise that this has become an immediate favorite at shows and festivals. — A.B.

3. GloRilla — “Yeah Glo!”

Produced By: B100, Go Grizzly, Squat Beats & Lil Ronnie

GloRilla kicked off 2024 with a vengeance on “Yeah Glo!,” bringing her infectious energy and unapologetic confidence over booming bass and a nod to her Southern roots with an interpolation of a classic Kingpin Skinny Pimp phrase. After nearly being written off for a dismal 2023 that failed to recreate the energy of her breakout singles the year prior, Glo solidified her seat at the table with this hit and paved the way for a banner year. — M.M.

2. Future & Metro Boomin feat. Kendrick Lamar — “Like That”

Produced By: Metro Boomin

Even without Kendrick Lamar’s verse, “Like That” would be a standout on We Don’t Trust You thanks to Metro Boomin’s sci-fi-influenced keys and Future’s endlessly catchy chicks-and-drugs schtick getting those heads bopping. Then Kung-Fu Kenny burst through the door like Omar in The Wire.

Though it would feel tame in comparison to what would come after it, Dot went for the jugular from the off, reminding Drake and J. Cole that their “First Person Shooter” antics did not go unnoticed. “Muthafuck the big three, n-gga, it’s just big me,” he declared, and by the end of the year, he was right. — S.M.

1. Kendrick Lamar — “Not Like Us”

Produced By: Mustard, Sounwave & Sean Momberger

In the future, time will be defined by before “Not Like Us” and after “Not Like Us.” Just as Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s feud was taking over the world like a tsunami, the Compton rapper delivered a death blow in the form of the most danceable diss track ever released.

From the brutal and unforgettable lines (“Tryna strike a chord and it’s probably A minor”) to the Crip Walking Mustard beat, Kendrick set Drake on fire, pissed on him to put him out and set him on fire again. The most talked about song of 2024, the most listened to song of 2024, and the best song of 2024. — S.M.