By Ismael AbduSalaam
Yesterday (September 11) Billboard celebrated its 50 year history by compiling a list of the top charting Hip-Hop and R&B songs of all time.
And the results are surprising.
The criterion for the list was based on Billboard tracking the popularity of songs based on sales and number of radio plays.
Other important but largely subjective factors like cultural influence, genre innovation, and timeless or classic quality were not considered.
Under these rules, several hook-centered songs made the top 10 such as Mariah Carey’s “We Belong Together,” (#2) Flo Rida’s “Low,”(#8) and Next’s “Too Close” (#9).
While the rankings were dominated by classic and modern R&B songs, several current rap stars made the list.
Kanye West secured #17 with 2005’s “Gold Digger,” which spent ten weeks atop Billboard’s Top 100 singles chart.
Upstart Soulja Boy’s 2007 breakout single “Crank Dat” landed him at #48.
The YouTube phenomenon single charted #1 for seven consecutive weeks and earned Soulja Boy a place in history as the youngest artist to write, produce, and perform a U.S. #1 single.
Mogul 50 Cent trailed at #49 with 2003’s “In Da Club.” The track was 50’s first #1 single and retained that position for nine weeks.
Afterward, it stayed on the charts twenty-two weeks.
Clearly revealing the disparity between fan critical acclaim and actual support, numerous celebrated and noticeably absent artists like Tupac, Stevie Wonder, Jay-Z, The Notorious B.I.G., Aretha Franklin, Al Green, and Earth, Wind, and Fire could not match the staying power of Lil Jon, Flo Rida, and Destiny’s Child.
Other notable entries on the all time list include: one hit wonder Tag Team’s "Whoomp! (There It Is)" at #20, Nelly’s “Dilemma” at #24, Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paraside” at #28, and Outkast’s “Hey Ya” at #46.
Usher retained the most rated singles on the compliation at four: “Yeah!,” (#4) “You Make Me Wanna,” (#37) “U Got It Bad,” (#41) and “Burn.” (#47)
The rankings are topped by Chubby Checker’s 1960’s smash hit “The Twist.”
To view the entire list, visit http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/specials/hot100/charts/top-rbhiphop.shtml.