Need some tracks to play at a party, or just go out dancing to? Here’s my list of the best hip hop dance music out there today…
Gold Digger by Kanye West
Turn It Up by Chamillionaire
Bubber Band Man by T.I.
Hynotize by Young Jeezy
30 Something by Jay-Z
Ms. Jackson by Outkast
Get Low by Ying Yang twins
Lean Back by Fat Joe
Yeah by Usher
Get it on the floor by DMX
Pump it by Black Eyed Peas
Blunt Ashes by Nas
Jesus Walks by Kanye West
Go Getta by Young Jeezy
Over Here Hustlin’ by Lil’ Wayne
Salt Shaker by Ying Yang Twins
So what makes these songs stand out as the best hip hop dance music? The video? Something that bumps at a club? Admittedly, the list is biased upon my personal preferences: I like the more heady lyrical stuff with a strong driving beat behind it, which leans towards Outkast, Nas, Eminem and early Kanye West tracks more so than tracks by Ying Yang Twins or Young Jeezy. However, I’ve included a few of their songs as well to round out the list.
I also tried to leave out most underground rap/hip hop songs to keep it as accessible as possible. Most, if not all of these songs could be played in clubs or show up on MTV as a rap video. Sure, I could play Dead Prez or Ras Kass, but most people at a party- at least the ones I go to- wouldn’t have a clue who they are. It’s strange, no matter how hot a a song is, you’ll usually get a better reaction if people know the music and can sing along with it. Guess that’s why there’s so many cover bands in bars… Lastly, I included several songs from the past few years, rather than just listing off a “what’s hot now” playlist of current music. Anyone who thinks GoldDigger won’t get a good reaction at a party is missing the point (unless it’s a wedding).
If you want to learn more about good hip hop dance music, check out Pandora, a free radio service that plays music according to your selected genre. you can always delete the songs you don’t like, and save the music you think would work well at your party.
So that’s my list for now. What songs would you include in your list of hip hop dance music?