Hip hop and soul are two genres that have been intertwined since the birth of hip hop in the late 1970s. Hip hop soul is a subgenre of contemporary R&B that combines elements of hip hop with soul music. It emerged in the early 1990s and has since become one of the most popular styles of music.
Here are our top 15 picks for the best hip hop soul songs:
1. “No Diggity” by Blackstreet ft. Dr. Dre – This song topped charts worldwide when it was released in 1996, thanks to its catchy beat and smooth vocals.
2. “If I Ruled The World (Imagine That)” by Nas ft. Lauryn Hill – This track features Nas’ iconic rhymes mixed with Lauryn Hill’s powerful voice.
3. “Ex-Factor” by Lauryn Hill – A classic hit from Ms. Hill’s debut album, this song showcases her unique blend of hip hop and R&B.
4. “Umi Says” by Mos Def – Mos Def’s poetic lyrics combined with a funky beat make this track a must-listen for any fan of hip hop soul.
5. “Brown Sugar” by D’Angelo – This breakout hit from D’Angelo’s debut album helped put him on the map as a leading figure in the genre.
6. “I Can Love You” by Mary J Blige ft Lil Kim – With Mary J Blige’s signature vocal style backed up by Lil Kim’s confident flow, this song is an instant classic.
7. “The Light” by Common – Common delivers introspective lyrics over a mellow instrumental on this standout track from his critically acclaimed album Like Water For Chocolate.
8. “I Used To Love H.E.R.” by Common – Another gem from Common, this song uses metaphors to explore his complicated relationship with hip-hop culture.
9. “Are You That Somebody?” by Aaliyah – This song features the late Aaliyah’s smooth vocals mixed with Timbaland’s innovative production.
10. “On & On” by Erykah Badu – Badu’s unique voice and poetic lyrics make this track a standout from her debut album, Baduizm.
11. “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)” by Missy Elliott – This hit single showcases Missy Elliott’s signature style of blending hip hop and R&B with a futuristic twist.
12. “All Falls Down” by Kanye West ft Syleena Johnson – With Syleena Johnson providing the soulful hook, Kanye West delivers introspective lyrics on this classic track from his debut album The College Dropout.
13. “Love Of My Life (An Ode To Hip-Hop)” by Erykah Badu ft Common – This collaboration between two hip hop soul legends pays homage to their love for the genre.
14. “Ms Jackson” Outkast – Outkast’s biggest hit is an ode to Andre 3000’s ex mother-in-law featuring a funky beat and smooth vocal delivery
15. “I’ll Be Missing You” Puff Daddy ft Faith Evans- This tribute to Notorious B.I.G became one of the all-time greats in hip-hop/soul history thanks to its emotional impact and memorable melody.
These tracks represent some of the best that hip hop soul has to offer, but there are countless other songs that could have made this list as well. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just discovering the genre, these songs provide an excellent starting point for exploring what makes hip hop soul such a powerful blend of musical styles.