harpsichord’s Greatest
countdown of
hip hop soul songs
of all time
Published December 2023
Harpsichord’s official song chart that attempts to guestimate the greatest melodic hip hop-R&B collabs, hip hop soul, electro-hop&B, trap&B, and hip pop soul songs of all time. Factors in: Reported charting data and/or progression from Spotify, Apple Music, and iTunes live chart updates; YouTube views; online social media discussion — far as Twitter, Tik Tok; relevancy in the news; chatter amongst fans, as far as social media and in person exchanges; reported digital sales; radio airplay; usage in visual media, as far as TV and movies; playability in public spaces; and artist’s own attention to the song. Songs can include deep cuts as well as singles. This also takes into consideration the longevity of the song since its initial release into the present, and potential future. Some rankings were influenced by Harpsichord’s critic panel.
The Cutting Edge And The Cult Favorites
Hip hop soul is just what it implies as a name. The genre that started in 1992– thanks to Mary J. Blige and Puff Daddy (aka Diddy or Love)-- has given gems that have been commercially successful while simultaneously innovative enough to advance the culture of R&B and pop.
This portion of the countdown contains songs that were on the cusp of being those major commercial dominators, but instead got a small sliver of the glory. These twenty songs developed a cult following instead, and are still relevant enough to be heard in pockets throughout present life. Reading this list of No. 106 to No. 81, you’re bound to find a song played heavily on your regional radio station or social gatherings. Some of these may be unfamiliar to those who didn’t dig in the crates of early 2000’s R&B mix-tapes.
Because they are fairly new songs released within the past decade, there are a few entries from the past ten to twelve years. These are the staples that made waves because of the internet culture around the song and the artists involved. Because of poignant moments upon release, some of these tunes are able to stand the test of time with the classics released during the heydays of hip hop soul’s popularity.
“I’ve Changed”
By jaheim ft keyshia cole (2007)
appears
at
No.
Eighty-Two
82
With this interactive countdown, you can click on the picture frames to watch the music videos, because we miss MTV and BET as much as you do…
harpsichord’s greatest
hip hop soul songs of all time
Published DeCEMBER 2023
106
Need A Boss
By Shareefa ft ludacris (2006)
During the days where urban pop ruled radio, Ludacris made a statement with his label, Disturbing Tha Peace, as they released Shareefa’s lead single from her album, ‘Point of No Return.’ Over club banger production from Darkchild, Shareefa’s vocals stutter as she goes off on “fake thugs trying to press up.” She gives the commandments for what impresses her instead.
105
Selfish
By Asia Cruise (2007)
In the days of MySpace and Music Choice, Tha Corner Boyz offered the Florida native a catchy number consisting of an addictive hook and a stellar bridge. She comes out the gate swinging like a one person girl group, with “let’s start by correcting your tone” and responding “lower your finger don’t be coming at me with condescending demeanors.” It’s a wonder what happened to Cruise afterwards, because the song proved to have promise for her potential music career.
104
john redcorn
By sir (2019)
In the music video, SiR depicts himself as the King of the Hill animated character– drawing parallels to being “every night alone” over the smooth tickering of hi-hats. Represented by TDE, this is the case of a hip hop label giving real R&B soul.
103
V.S.O.P.
By K. Michelle (2013)
Red hair and a shoulder shimmy makes the video iconic, while launching K. Michelle into a new stratosphere. Providing soulful conviction over a Chi-Lites sample, the Memphis songstress peaked at No. 89 on the Billboard Hot 100 with a song dedicated to brandy liquor.
102
I Luv This Shit
By August Alsina ft Trinidad James (2013)
In a time where EDM and trap ruled, R&B had to find a way to revive its traditional ways to appeal to the new lane of pop. This debut single from August Alsina has the vibes of 2000s trap&B, but with trumpets and a feature from the all gold everything rapper, Trinidad James, who had the hottest banger out at the time.
101
Epiphany (I’m Leaving)
By Chrisette Michele (2009)
Fueled by the ringing of piano chords, and the aerodynamic pulse of an 808, Chrisette Michele asserted her diva presence. Claiming throughout the hook that “it’s over” and repeating “I’m leaving,” the key moment comes during the bridge.
100
it’s gonna rain
By kelly price (1999)
Kelly Price and her gospel vocals further strengthened the canon of R&B singers needing to be vocally gifted in order to sell the emotion to pop and hip hop listeners. As a song provided to the soundtrack of the comedic film ‘Life’ starring Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence, Price’s ad-libs shine bright on her sermon “that you must know.”
99
Prblms
By 6lack (2016)
Cloudy in its nature, 6lack grabbed the attention of R&B listeners with his storytelling over a dark, warpy production. Known jokingly as “Six-Slack,” his tightrope walk between melodic singing and rap-talking made him standout as a newbie with the sentiments of classic R&B tropes.
98
Girls Need Love
By summer walker (2018)
Drake remix (2019); Tyla, Tink, Victoria Monét Remixes (2023)
At a time where EPs and mix-tapes were important for keeping R&B’s commercial presence alive, Summer Walker came with a tickering romp meant for SoundCloud R&B of the 2010’s. As a result the song blew up with a Drake remix, and its legacy restored with three new remixes featuring new feminine perspectives.
97
only wanna give it to you
By elle varner ft j. Cole (2011)
With boom bap, and the strings of a double bass, Elle Varner’s debut single recalls the popping era of early ‘90’s hip hop soul meant to be dribbled along to on a basketball court.
B-Side Alternative selection
refill
By elle varner (2011)
The pulse of a fiddle gets the added flavoring of a hip hop bounce, while Elle Varner yodels about relating to an overly intoxicated bar patron when it comes to love.
96
Streets
By doja cat (2019)
The song went viral because of a red lighting silhouette challenge that Doja quickly implemented in the video. With a B2K sample, and the wonders of trap intercepting balladry, we get a psychedelic number that haunts whenever Doja sings “like you” in the hook and raps abrasively during the bridge.
95
Didn’t You Know
By tha’ Rayne Ft Joe Budden and Lupe Fiasco (2003)
During the time of R&B mixtapes, it had always been fun to discover new acts. Tha’ Rayne was a short lived girl group that provided this sassy gem produced by the horns of Rich Harrison. Joe Budden and Lupe Fiasco would join the song becoming breakout career features for both.
B-Side Alternative selection
Swagger Right
By RichGirl ft Fabolous & Rick Ross (2010)
Produced by Dre & Vidal, this girl group gave the manual for how to approach someone at the club if you want her phone number.
94
selfish
By twenty88 (2016)
Big Sean and Jhené Aiko’s union for the collaboration album named after the year they were born became a cult favorite of sorts. Knocking on the beat, there are elements of go go as both sing to each other in a song that resembles the sentiments of A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul.
93
Delirious
By Vistoso bosses ft soulja Boy Tell 'Em (2009)
In the era of ‘106 & Park’ merging with MySpace, and the rise of Twitter, this song resonated for its dreamy production. Led by a flute and the bounce of ATL crunk, this duo gave the tune an alternative vibe that made it a cult classic.
92
Day & Night
By Isyss ft jadakiss (2002)
“You got a house on the hill” starts out the first verse of a song that stayed in the rotation of R&B mixtapes. Isyss’s remixed classic might be the start of how hip hop soul would experience its second coming after fizzling out in the ‘90s. With a rap from Jadakiss– who was on his own stellar run of R&B collabs– the rocking portion of the song is the “yeah yeah yeah’s” being chanted in the background.
91
How You Gonna Act Like That
By tyrese (2002)
During the time of its release, this song appeared in the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. And it’s clear to see why just by the chorus that swings along with the mellow production. Mentions of “keepin’ love ghetto” are reminiscent of Tyrese’s starring role in the Black film classic, ‘Baby Boy.’ Nonetheless it’s the ad-libs that make this song stand apart from other male R&B efforts of the period.
90
The way that I love you
By Ashanti (2008)
A piano arpeggio and horn arrangement gave Ashanti one of the most notable tracks of her discography. The crying of “the way that I love you” drew upon the essence of hip hop soul, and the controversial music video which modeled after an Oxygen true crime series brought the message home in dramatic fashion.
89
Turnin Me On
By Keri Hilson Ft Lil Wayne (2008)
The urban song heard ‘round the world. Prior to the controversy surrounding its alleged disses on the remix, Keri Hilson had clubs and radio turnt up for the hypnotic bass and a girlbo$$ saying used to reject potential suitors. At the time, the pettiness didn’t matter much to listeners who only cared about how the song snapped from start to finish.
88
fast lane
By bilal ft jadakiss & Dr. Dre (2001)
Hard hitting production from Dr. Dre worked as the backdrop for the Soulquarian Bilal, where describes how he sees “some people get caught up, And some charges brought up,” due to living a fastlife.
87
Or Nah
By Ty Dolla $ign ft Wiz Khalifa & The Weeknd (2014)
Known for being a modern pioneer of the fusion between hip hop and R&B, Ty Dolla $ign has delivered hits such as “Paranoid.” This song gives the feeling of breezy West Coast hip hop with a squeaking bed sound effect and a blasé slang phrase. Vulgar in its form, “Or Nah” best represents the change of R&B times when it comes to caption lyricism and overt, upfront sexuality.
86
Twisted
By Keith Sweat (1996)
When hip hop soul arrived, Keith Sweat became one of its signature crooners. Bopping along to the backbeat, the girl group Kut Klose responds to Sweat who serenades with ad-libs. The song reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 for its effective pop sway on top of the soul.
85
Breathe
By Blu Cantrell ft Sean Paul (2002)
While many appreciate Blu Cantrell for giving an anthem about catching a man cheating on “Hit 'Em Up Style (Oops!),” the real banger is “Breathe.” The No. 1 peaking song (in the UK) about breaking up to make up finds Cantrell needing to have space from the relationship. Sampling Dr. Dre's "What's the Difference," the song finds Sean Paul giving a ragga verse to balance the responses.
84
Swing My Way
By K.P. & Envyi (1998)
Underneath a swanky miami bass, this song features a duo of a singing Envyi on the hook, and a rapping K.P. about entering the club on a Friday night. On the bridge, Envyi admits watching someone from across the room, and wanting a face to face connection. The ad-libs and the groove itself was most notably sampled by Bryson Tiller.
83
I Changed My Mind
By Keyshia Cole (2004)
When this Keyshia Cole effort premiered on the scene it had fans of hip hop soul buzzing about another superstar on the horizon. One that embodied Mary J. Blige, but on a more contemporary tip– thanks to the handclapping and HBCU band-like production of Kanye West. What could work as a moving-on jingle, resonated for the soul shouting of “I don’t love you no mo!”
B-Side Alternative selection
I Should Have Cheated
By Keyshia Cole (2005)
An anthem for the ladies who have been accused of wrongdoing, when the whole time it’s actually their partner. Should have just went to the club after all…
82
I’ve Changed
By jaheim ft keyshia cole (2007)
Jaheim made waves in the early 2000s for his brand of soul singing about pushing through the ghetto, as well as ghetto love. This deep cut collaboration with Keyshia Cole has an additive chorus over a bouncing beat that made for a cult R&B radio staple.
81
Frontin’
By Pharrell Williams ft Jay-Z (2003)
As his debut single, Pharrell made a statement with his skateboard gliding sound. A video full of beautiful video vixens added to the falsetto madness of his voice. Jay-Z repents his sleaze during his rap cameo– conveniently around the time his Bey collab “Crazy In Love” dropped. Originally written for Prince, “Frontin’” instantly became a part of American lingo once it dropped and peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.