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 hip hop soul 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.
What makes a hip hop soul song a GOAT?
In this portion of the countdown, 19 of these 20 undeniable classics come from the two strongpoint eras of hip hop soul. The first: It’s birth in 1992 with Mary J. Blige’s ‘What’s The 411?’ to neo soul’s takeover thanks to projects like ‘The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill’ in 1998. And the second: When hip hop producers shined brighter in transitioning an R&B artist’s legacy from 2001 to 2007. The one outlier from the late 2010’s may come as a shock to some hip hop soul listeners, but its placement hearkens back on the skill of applying the old school semantics of soul with the sounds of its present time.
It’s no surprise that Mary J. Blige places three entries on this portion of the countdown. After all, she is the Queen of Hip Hop Soul. What becomes clear with her four entries, is how they all come from different eras that signaled a new stage of her career and her growth in life. Bouncing around those four focal points are other classics that embody their spirit and attitude. These 20 songs also indicate turning points for those artists’ respective careers.
The Top 20 of a hip hop soul list will have its share of radio dominating ballads, as well as hits that resonated in the clubs. If hip hop soul had one purpose it’s to make people want to dance, even if the topic of discussion is heartbreak or betrayal. These are 20 songs that everyone, who is anyone that listens to R&B, should know. Whether it’s due to an ad-lib, poignant lyrics, or strong vocal choices made by the singer or accompanying rapper.
“real love”
By Mary J. Blige (1992)
appears
at
No.
Seven
7
harpsichord’s greatest
hip hop soul songs of all time
Published DeCEMBER 2023
20
Return of the Mack
By Mark Morrison (1996)
Somehow the combination of British soul and new jack swing that dominated commercial R&B of the 80’s worked well during the hip hop soul brigade of the ‘90’s. “Return of the Mack” came close to being everyday lingo that indicates a playboy being unphased by his partner’s deceitful ways. AKA as not being a simp.
19
So Gone
By Monica (2003)
It’s all in the rap breakdown that has made this “Nu Monica!” song– that samples The Whispers’ "You Are Number One”– a viral hit in recent years. It’s all in Missy’s penmanship, as the anticipation for “kick down your doors and smack yo chick” comes as soon as Monica graces the airwaves with “listen boy, I’m a rowdy chick.”
18
Full Moon
By Brandy (2002)
After ‘Never Say Never,’ Brandy started transitioning into more of a mature vocalist as her teen star days evaporated into adulthood. As the lead single of her same-named third album, you’re getting an out of galaxy ballad about spotting someone at a party and wanting to bop.
17
Ex-Factor
By Lauryn Hill (1998)
There is a gradual build, brick by brick, and layered vocal by layered vocal when listening to the jazziness of “Ex-Factor.” “How can I explain myself,” wonders Lauryn Hill for her stupidity. It all hits home when she gets to the breakdown.
16
I Luv Your Girl
By the-dream (2007)
From the “ah-ah-ah’s” to a catchy hook filled with cruising vowels, the song became an anthem for all “Mr. Steal Your Girl”s. As one of the first prime examples of proto-trap&B, the melodic nature of the song blended the ideas of old school woo-ing with the attitudes of present sneakiness.
15
Be Without You
By Mary J. Blige (2006)
Throughout her career, Mary J. Blige has had the ability to adapt to the trending sounds of R&B, but with her own unique style. “Be Without You” has an elegant orchestral production that features some of Blige’s most memorable ad-libs on a hit.
14
Soon As I get Home
By Faith Evans (1995)
The synergy of quiet storm balladry brings about the musical sound of dripping rain. Rain that underscores the begging and pleading of Faith Evans who wants to repair her marriage in the aftermath of sudden fame.
B-Side Alternative selection
I Love You
By Faith Evans (2001)
Originally written for Jennifer Lopez, this icy, whimsical affair has two superior bridges that convey the message.
13
I Need A Girl (Parts One & Two)
By Diddy ft Usher & Loon (2002)
By Diddy & Ginuwine ft Loon, Mario Winans, and Tammy Ruggeri (2002)
The debate on which version is better between Parts 1 and 2 will never cease. Is it “Part One”: The smooth glider that features Usher crooning the hook with a silky voice? Or “Part Two”: The version that sounds like a yacht party thanks to Mario Winans and Ginuwine on the hook?
12
You Don’t Know My Name
By Alicia Keys (2003)
The chemistry of how Kanye West chopped soul samples in his production with Alicia Key’s knack for diary entry lyricism makes the ultimate anthem about crushing on someone from afar, as confessed on the spoken interlude.
11
We belong together
By mariah carey (2005)
As one of the most commercially successful R&B ballads, Mariah Carey’s comeback single finds her nearly rap-singing her tale of listening to the radio and reminiscing over the 808-styled hip hop production that ruled the 2000s.
10
No Guidance
By chris Brown ft drake (2019)
In the Top 10 there has to be a song from recent years in order to articulate that hip hop soul is still alive– albeit in a more pop-angled way. A dream collaboration from two contemporary R&B heartthrobs turned toxic bad boys is exactly what had the streets and BBQ’s jumping upon release.
9
Buy U A Drank (Shawty Snappin’)
By T-Pain ft Young Joc (2007)
T-Pain’s knack for auto-tuned vocals sounding as if they are pleasantly packed in an air-tight bag full of gold grills propelled this crunk tune of barside courtship to the top of charts and music listeners’ hearts. It’s a blueprint for today’s rap-sung efforts.
8
One in a million
By aaliyah (1996)
Ethereal coolness and laid back swag made Aaliyah a household name after she dropped this intergalactic number that “goes on, and on, and on.” Timbaland and Missy Elliott had produced an electro-hop&B sound that explored drum and bass and trip hop. Would go on to be sampled by the likes of Normani and Don Toliver.
7
real love
By mary j. blige (1992)
“Look up in the sky, it’s a bird, it’s a plane”.. Nope it’s actually one of the flyest songs that birthed the genre of hip hop soul through the raw vocals of Mary J. Blige, a boom bapped edit of new jack swing production, and a plethora of remixes.
6
When I See U
By fantasia (2006)
“I love it! I love it! I love it!” proudly shouts Fantasia in ad-libbed harmony during a song about experiencing butterflies. With a “stuttering” beat, this No. 1 R&B hit redefined the trope of crushing due to a sincere and convincing performance from the ‘American Idol’ champion.
5
fantasy (remix)
By Mariah Carey ft Ol’ Dirty Bastard (1995)
Mixing the Tom Tom Club’s “Genius of Love” had already been brilliant, but adding on an improvised Ol’ Dirty Bastard rap verse birthed the sibling genre of hip POP soul. Mariah Carey’s image change has inspired the likes of Latto to sample “Fantasy,” which Mariah then remixed.
4
Slow jamz
By Twista ft kanye west & Jamie Foxx (2003)
This on-the-nose song resonated for how Jamie Foxx listed “some Marvin Gaye, some Luther Vandross, a little Anita” over Kanye West’s chipmunk soul alteration of a signature Vandross ad-lib, and Twista’s smooth, but fast rapping.
3
Let it Go
By keyshia Cole ft Lil’ Kim & Missy ELLIOTT (2007)
When hip hop soul experienced a renaissance and resurgence in the mid-2000s, Keyshia Cole lead the pack with her authenticity. So much so that two rap legends blessed her with verses about a “damn that’s hot” Juicy-sampling song meant for rebounding in the club after heartache.
2
Killing Me Softly
By The Fugees & Ms. Lauryn hill (1996)
A Roberta Flack cover with one of the best call and response portions in any song hip hop or R&B. The “la, la, la” portion and the “one time’s” are to live for when out in a public setting and this plays.
I can love you
By mary j. blige ft Lil’ Kim (1997)
The number one spot on this countdown has to go to the originator, the Queen of Hip Hop Soul. While this song harkened on the old nostalgia of hip hop soul’s early days, it embraced the new wave of electro-hop&B production taking over the guard. Lil’ Kim’s fiery verse about “Dippin on ya Ninja Honda with Tanisha and Rhonda,” goes down as one of the most memorable rap moments on an R&B song. It’s fitting that she did a stellar job over a sample of her own “Queen B*tch.” Mary J. Blige on that sample– also felt like a declaration for her own throne. Musically speaking, this became one of the defining moments for Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins who had not produced for Brandy yet. Historically, the single dropping in May 1997 brought attention to the hurt and pain Lil’ Kim felt losing The Notorious B.I.G. Mary J. Blige had been going through her own series of drama. Due to these factors, “I Can Love You” is the ultimate hip hop soul song for how it made raw and passionate energy from the artists involved translate to Pop Culture history.