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.
The Distinguishing Eras of Hip Hop Soul Progress
R&B of the past three decades can be splintered into three time periods based on two songs: the before and after of Aaliyah’s “One In A Million” and the after of T-Pain’s “Buy U A Drank (Shawty Snappin/). When "One In A Million” dropped, the song featured a sense of futurism, with production that borrowed from overseas genres of UK garage and drum and bass. Sure enough this bounce would be heard throughout songs crossing the 2000’s mark. Prior to “One In A Million,” hip hop soul had been more boom bap centric, but newly emerging producers for the crop of Aaliyah’s and Brandy’s had a different direction.
When T-Pain dropped “Buy U A Drank,” listeners were getting familiar with the sounds of trap music which consisted of autotune, snap, and crunk. As trap grew more popular in hip hop, that ultimately trickled over into R&B, as well as the crossover gems. This portion of the countdown gives off that balance with songs that fit right in the cranny of those three differing time periods.
There is a collection of solo R&B songs that were run completely by superstars of Aaliyah’s magnitude. There are the R&B/hip hop collaborations that have a perfect synergy of combining both genres in order to get a ‘106 & Park’ wave of hits that managed to make a statement on TRL as well. In this portion of the countdown only one song is from the 2010’s– and fittingly that tune holds the qualities of the lead superstardom meets contemporary trap&B production.
“You”
By lloyd ft lil wayne (2006)
appears
at
No.
Thirty-Three
35
harpsichord’s greatest
hip hop soul songs of all time
Published DeCEMBER 2023
40
Love
By Keyshia Cole (2005)
For most millennials they remember the days of walking down the hallway and hearing their classmates wailing at the top of their lungs the passionate chorus. Elongating her syllables, Keyshia Cole had a hit “that fou-oun-oun-ddd” its way to the hearts of many fans in dramatic fashion.
B-Side Alternative selection
Heaven Sent
By Keyshia Cole (2007)
On the ‘Just Like You’ album, the Oakland native had an angelic gem that is mistakenly typed as “Sent From Heaven” during music streaming searches thanks to the misleading chorus.
39
Motivation
By Kelly Rowland Ft Lil Wayne (2011)
The Destiny’s Child songstress released an icy classic that managed to bring a steamy and chilling chorus where she discussed not being able to “feel my legs.” Passionately describing activities in the bedroom, Rowland is accompanied by one of Lil Wayne’s nastiest guest appearances to date.
38
Only You
By 112 Ft The Notorious B.I.G. & Mase (1996)
Bad Boy Records made being fly sound superior with this throwback classic that sampled the groovy “I Get Lifted” by KC and the Sunshine Band. The quartet boy band declared “I need you in my life,” after asking “where do I go? What do I do?” with passionate harmonizing pleas.
37
Creep
By TLC (1994)
Fresh and crisp, the trio that helped start the hip hop soul movement of the 90s, makes the idea of infidelity sound ‘CrazySexyCool’. Delivering their verses in a low register over a jazzy horn and boom bap-fueled beat, the hook discusses “keep[ing] it on the down low,” becoming a legendary No. 1 staple in girl group history.
36
Differences
By Ginuwine (2001)
Another romantic ballad where people mistake the name of the song (some calling it “My Whole Life Has Changed” thanks to the hook), Ginuwine expresses admiration with his falsetto. By the end it’s the continual ad-libs that seal the deal, with an added effect of auto tuned vocals thrashing against the wedding music.
B-Side Alternative selection
Pony
By Ginuwine (1996)
Magic Mikes be damned, this is the breakout romp that made male strippers want to tell their conquest to “jump on it, [and] ride it.”
35
You
By lloyd ft lil wayne (2006)
Managing to modernize an interpolation of Spandau Ballet's "True," Lloyd is often misheard singing “she’s five, two.” Other than that Mandela effect adding to the catchiness, Lil Wayne brings the street edge to intensify what sounds like a high speed Star Wars chase. The video was inducted into the ‘106 & Park’ video hall of fame, after spending sixty-five days on the countdown, thirty-four of which were at No. 1.
34
Are You That Somebody?
By aaliyah (1998)
Flamenco claps and the sound of baby cries is the odd combination that made this an inescapable hit from the “Baby Girl” of the R&B scene. The choreography from the music video made this number a strong point.
33
Family Affair
By mary j. blige (2001)
A main component of hip hop soul is the ability for the music to make you want to dance, and that’s exactly what Dr. Dre’s g-funk and a triumphant Mary J. Blige do on the song about a “dancery” where “we’re celebrating no more drama in our lives.”
32
Where my Girls At
By 702 (1999)
A call to arms to friends needed to defend someone willing to fight for her man. Electro-hop&B was in the midst of its heyday when it came to being the new wave of hip hop soul production, and this trio scored one of the highest selling girl group songs of all time as a result.
31
Superstar
By Usher (2004)
When it comes to deep cuts this one from Usher’s Diamond selling album, ‘Confessions’ is a salute to “my No. 1.” The song has surged in cult popularity thanks to his Vegas residences, because back upon its release it helped further cement Atlanta’s stronghold of R&B and pop.
30
U Know What’s Up
By Donell Jones Ft Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes (1999)
Laid back in attitude and suitable for lounges where only the grown and sexy can occupy, Donell Jones scored a No. 1 R&B hit with this jaunt. Left Eye of TLC flexes her rapping skills, as the Chicago native alerts his girl that “I'm digging you, I'm feeling you.” The song came at a time where “Whassup?,”itself would become a popular catchphrase for Y2K beer lovers.
29
Touch Me, Tease Me
By Case Ft Mary J. Blige & Foxy Brown (1996)
Who would have thought that a sample of the tumbling drums of Schooly D’s “P.S.K. (What Does It Mean?)” would convert into a knocking beat for a tantalizing anthem about foreplay? Mary J. Blige's command of the sing-song hook, Case’s begging adlibs at the end, and Foxy Brown’s ‘Ill Na Na’ spirited verse sealed the deal in this bonafide classic.
28
Come & talk to me
By jodeci (1992)
As one of the first hip hop soul songs of all time, the quartet swerved out the way of new jack swing with a more slowed down beat. The production captured the chill of the rising boom bap trend, while also showcasing seductive harmonies. A hip hop remix by Puffy cemented the song’s status at parties and on radio.
27
Why Don’t We Fall In Love
By amerie (2002)
On the song that feels like summer, Amerie belts her heart out about her romantic feelings over the sounds of jazz, and a slight go go beat produced by Rich Harrison. The debut offered a revitalization of go go’s place in R&B music.
B-Side Alternative selection
1 Thing
By Amerie (2005)
Go go drums and clicking high heels powered this gem that defined an era where the DC sound almost seemed inescapable on both pop and urban radio.
26
they don’t know
By jon B. (1998)
“Don’t listen to what people say,” has to be sung in the most clever melody known to R&B music. Just the backing of a gondola guitar and a subtle electro-bounce turns this ballad by Jon B. into a treasure.
B-Side Alternative selection
Missing You
By case (2001)
The Production duo of Tim Kelly & Bob Robinson provided mid tempo ballads that centered around a male singer giving a convincing performance about missing someone.
25
Let me Hold You
By Bow Wow ft Omarion (2005)
The arm dance that Bow Wow does by the staircase went viral in recent years, but since its official release in the 106 & Park days, listeners loved Jermaine Dupri and No I.D.’s take of Luther Vandross’s "If Only for One Night.” This became one of the signatures for aughts rap/sung collaborations.
B-Side Alternative selection
Like You
By bow wow ft ciara (2005)
Bow Wow had a hold on rap/sung collaborations, and this one had people imitating the chorus run out of breath after seeing the cute elevator.
24
foolish/Unfoolish
By ashanti (2002)
Her self-titled debut gained her the name “The Princess of Hip Hop & R&B” from the media. “See my days are cold without you,” she sings on the album’s biggest hit. Due to its sample of DeBarge’s “Stay With Me,” it was only fitting that a “F*cking You Tonight” verse from The Notorious B.I.G. appears on the remix.
23
This is how we do it
By Montell Jordan (1995)
This is a signature just-got-paid party anthems, as Montell Jordan sings “this is how we do it, it’s Friday night.” With an infectious sample of Slick Rick’s “Children’s Story,” this became one of the first successful new jack swing and hip hop soul crossovers for pop music.
22
Let me Love You
By mario (2004)
The best hip hop soul moments happen when a ballad has a groove. The production of Scott Storch and the pen of Ne-Yo make Mario’s pleading a case for partnership resemble the quest of a superhero. It dances at night once the mission starts taking place.
21
Dilemma
By Nelly & Kelly Rowland (2002)
From the signature look of the band-aid on Nelly’s left cheek, and Kelly Rowland’s red streaked bob, this would become one of the biggest love duets of the early aughts. A bonafide smash hit, the rap/sung ballad contains a sample of Patti LaBelle's "Love, Need and Want You."