Top Hip Hop Songs 2009 | Genius

See which rap hits made it to the top according to Genius pageviews.

In honor of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary, we look back at the top artists, songs, albums and producers of the Genius Era from 2009 to present.

The year is 2009. Drake is new to the block. Eminem is making his first big comeback. Kid Cudi is soundtracking his college house parties everywhere. But neither (yet) the hip-hop legend has the power to overtake JAY-Z. JAY-Z has topped his list of his Top Songs of 2009 on his Genius with his pop crossover hit “Empire State of Mind.”

“Empire State of Mind,” from Jay’s 11th studio album, is no surprise. Blueprint 3, is the top of this list. Featuring a radio-friendly hook from Alicia Keys, this New York City anthem is the result of JAY-Z, a rapper who has already won six Grammy Awards and won ten of his No. 1 albums. It was the first step in a major career for him. I just came out of retirement.Although he’s previously topped the charts as an artist to watch with hits like Rihanna’s “Umbrella” and Mariah Carey’s “Heartbreaker,” Hov is his first Billboard Hot debut. 100 No. 1 lead An artist with an “Empire State of Mind”.

“Empire State of Mind” was produced by Al Shux with songwriters Angela Hunte and Jane’t “Jnay” Sewell-Ulepic. Initially rejected by Roc Nation, the song made its way to JAY-Z after EMI Music Publishing’s Jon “Big Jon” Platt heard it and decided it was a perfect fit for Hov. Jay recorded the verse the night he received the song and nearly tapped Mary J. Blige to sing the chorus. He eventually asked her Alicia Keys. “So when I walk into the studio, I feel like someone is challenging me. ‘Oh, wasn’t I good enough?'” she told Vh1’s. story teller“So I go in, I hit it hard.”

Blueprint 3 It became Jay’s 11th studio release to top the Billboard 200, breaking the record for most number one charts previously shared with Elvis Presley. Also, the Brooklyn native has won three more Grammy Awards and two more of his Top 10 hits. His number 9 on this list is ‘Run This Town’ and ‘Young Forever’.

Comfortable at the top of his game, Hov didn’t release a new project in 2010, but made his royal comeback the following year, teaming with a splintered ex-mentee who pushed him to even greater heights. . More on that album, or at least its most famous songs, in a later installment.

1. ‘Empire State of Mind’ by JAY Z (ft. Alicia Keys)
2. ‘Forever’ by Drake, Kanye West, Lil Wayne and Eminem
3. “Beautiful” by Eminem
4. Drake’s “Best Ever”
5. ‘Bedrock’ by Young Money
6. “The Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare)” by Kid Cudi
7. “Bastard” by Tyler, The Creator
8. ‘Itty Bitty Piggy’ by Nicki Minaj
9. ‘Run This Town’ by JAY Z (ft. Kanye West & Rihanna)
10. “Soundtrack 2 My Life” by Kid Cudi