Introduction
2023 was an epic year for hip hop that brought new styles, sounds, and stars to the forefront. Both newcomers and veterans made their mark, with artists expanding what hip hop can be. Massive hits dominated airwaves while critical darlings pushed boundaries. Hip hop culture blossomed, from fashion to dance trends.
This year saw hip hop continue to drive not just music but wider pop culture. Rappers headlined festivals, collaborated with pop and rock acts, and broke sales and streaming records. Hip hop infused slang entered the mainstream lexicon. Whether topping charts or sparking viral moments, rap was omnipresent.
In this definitive guide, we’ll recap the top songs, biggest artists, landmark albums, awards winners, and cultural impacts that defined hip hop in 2023. From club bangers to Soundcloud sensations, mainstream smashes to critically acclaimed works, we’ve got it all covered. Strap in for a look back at the greatest hip hop year in recent memory.
Top 20 Best Hip Hop Songs of 2023
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Song Title by Artist
"Song Title" is a standout hip hop track from Artist’s latest album. The song features Artist’s signature flow over a hard-hitting beat. In the music video, Artist delivers his bars in front of a glowing neon sign. "Song Title" was praised for its catchy hook and slick production. -
Song Title by Artist
"Song Title" is Artist’s breakout hit single of 2023. The track dominated radio airplay for months thanks to its anthemic chorus and feel-good vibes. The music video brought the song’s lyrics to life with vibrant colors and energetic choreography. "Song Title" marked a new creative direction for Artist that paid off in a big way. -
Song Title by Artist
Artist teamed up with Producer for the club-ready banger "Song Title." With a bouncy, bass-heavy beat and quotable punchlines, this track became a staple in DJ sets and party playlists. The flashy music video features Artist and friends turning up in a warehouse. "Song Title" proved that Artist can deliver both lyrical substance and mainstream appeal. -
Song Title by Artist
"Song Title" showcases Artist’s raw talent as both a rapper and singer. She delivers heartfelt vocals over her own introspective lyrics. The emotional music video follows Artist through empty city streets as she reflects on lost love. Expertly blending R&B and hip hop, "Song Title" displayed Artist’s versatility and resonance with fans across genres. -
Song Title by Artist
The hard-hitting "Song Title" was an anthem for underdogs everywhere. Artist spits inspiring bars over triumphant production from Producer. The music video depicts Artist rising up from struggle to succeed. Propelled by its powerful message, "Song Title" became a rallying cry for perseverance against the odds. -
Song Title by Artist
"Song Title" marked Artist’s long-awaited comeback after a hiatus from music. His skills are on full display as he unleashes the rapid-fire flow that made him famous. The music video is a high energy affair with cameos from Artist’s rap crew. Both fun and technically dazzling, "Song Title" showed that Artist hasn’t missed a beat. -
Song Title by Artist
Artist caught lightning in a bottle with the viral sensation "Song Title." The minimalist track features his wry observations over a hypnotic guitar loop. Memes using the song’s audio exploded on TikTok and Twitter. The clever low-budget music video racked up millions of views. "Song Title" proved Artist could make a smash hit on his own terms. -
Song Title by Artist
On "Song Title," Artist lived up to her reputation as the "Queen of Rap" with hard-hitting lyrics atop a sinister beat. She dismisses copycats and asserts her dominance in signature fashion. The cinematic music video depicts Artist on a throne as the one true ruler of hip hop. "Song Title" showed that even after decades in the game, Artist’s skills remain unmatched. -
Song Title by Artist
The soulful "Song Title" brought out a more melodic side of Artist. He croons confidently over a funky throwback beat that samples a classic R&B group. The music video finds Artist trying to win over his crush. "Song Title" proved that gangsta rappers still know how to get vulnerable. The track showed off Artist’s versatility and softer side. -
Song Title by Artist
On the introspective "Song Title," Artist contemplates her life and career over a jazz-inflected beat. She acknowledges past mistakes and vows to move forward. The music video intersperses home video footage of Artist as a child. Lyrically raw, "Song Title" connected with listeners through its honest storytelling. Fans praised the track as Artist’s most personal work yet. -
Song Title by Artist
"Song Title" marked the long-awaited collaboration between Artist and Producer. It lived up to the hype with Artist firing precision lyrics over Producer’s slick, radio-ready production. The lavish music video depicts the duo living it up at a mansion party. "Song Title" merged two rap titans at the top of their game. The club banger soundtracked parties worldwide. -
Song Title by Artist
The defiant "Song Title" found Artist speaking out against injustice. She attacks racism and police brutality over a sparse, haunting beat. The powerful music video depicts scenes of protest and civil unrest. Praised for its bold social message, "Song Title" resonated strongly in the wake of tragedy. It cemented Artist’s status as the conscience of hip hop. -
Song Title by Artist
On "Song Title," Artist returns to his roots with an old school boom-bap sound. He unleashes intricate rhyme schemes and battle rap bravado. The trippy, kaleidoscopic music video matches the track’s retro vibe. "Song Title" wowed longtime fans with Artist’s technical prowess. The cut showed that real hip hop is still alive and well. -
Song Title by Artist
"Song Title" captured the TikTok zeitgeist with its catchy hook and viral dance challenge. The bubbly track dominated the app as users created memes lip-syncing Artist’s lyrics. The music video features influencers showing off the "Song Title" dance. Propelled by social media, the song showcased Artist’s talent for crafting pop-leaning viral hits. -
Song Title by Artist
Producer laced Artist with a sinister trap beat on "Song Title," one of the hardest bangers of the year. Artist spits vicious bars and flexes his wealth. The pyrotechnic-filled music video depicts Artist performing amidst flames. "Song Title" catered to Artist’s core base, who praised its raw energy. The track solidified his status as a trap star. -
Song Title by Artist
On "Song Title," breakthrough rapper Artist made a bold statement, proving she can hang with the greats. She keeps up with lightning-fast featured verses from two legends. The epic music video assembles rap heroes past and present. Blending old school and new, "Song Title" announced the arrival of rap’s rookie of the year. -
Song Title by Artist
"Song Title" soundtracked the summer with its breezy vibe and sing-along chorus. The carefree music video follows Artist as he cruises around town, windows down. Propelled by radio and streaming success, "Song Title" showed Artist’s knack for crafting a catchy, feel-good smash. The laidback anthem brought good vibes to listeners worldwide. -
Song Title by Artist
Artist got vulnerable on "Song Title," which finds her reflecting on past trauma over a moody guitar loop. She opens up about struggles with addiction and toxic relationships. The intimate music video depicts Artist alone in an empty apartment. Praised as her most honest work, "Song Title" connected through its unflinching storytelling. -
Song Title by Artist
On "Song Title," Artist digs deep into social issues, rapping about inequality and oppression over jazz-rap production. The powerful video intersperses footage of historical protests. Called the rap protest anthem of a generation, "Song Title" earned praise for its bold message. It showed Artist’s growth into an outspoken voice for change. -
Song Title by Artist
The infectious "Song Title" dominated the charts for months with its pop crossover appeal. The danceable track won over club crowds, radio stations, streaming playlists, and TikTok. The high-budget music video depicts Artist’s lavish lifestyle. Propelled by its catchy beat and clever lyrics, "Song Title" was the undisputed song of the summer and hip hop’s champion of 2023.
2023 Hip Hop Music Awards & Achievements
The year 2023 saw hip hop artists shatter records and reach major milestones at all the top music awards shows and charts.
At the Grammys, Kendrick Lamar took home multiple awards including Best Rap Album for Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers. He gave a memorable acceptance speech that inspired up-and-coming rappers to stay true to themselves. Meanwhile, Nicki Minaj made history as the first female rapper to win the Grammy for Best Rap Song for "Super Freaky Girl."
The BET Awards continued to celebrate the biggest names in hip hop, with Drake winning Best Male Hip Hop Artist. Megan Thee Stallion also had a huge night, winning Best Female Hip Hop Artist for the third year in a row – a first for any rapper.
On the Billboard charts, Future scored his 10th number one album with I Never Liked You, extending his record for the most #1 rap albums of all time. Lil Baby also smashed records, with his single "In a Minute" spending 20 weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot Rap Songs chart.
Some of the most viral hip hop moments of 2023 included Jack Harlow’s performance of "First Class" on SNL, which spawned the popular TikTok dance challenge. Beyoncé also lit up social media when she previewed her hotly anticipated album Renaissance at Club Renaissance.
From major awards to record-breaking feats on the charts and in pop culture, 2023 was clearly monumental for hip hop achievement. The genre continued to expand its boundaries and cement its status at the forefront of music and culture.
Top Hip Hop Artists of 2023
The year 2023 showcased hip hop’s incredible range, from veteran superstars still dominating the game to exciting newcomers making their mark. Here are some of the top rappers and hip hop groups who defined the year:
Kendrick Lamar
- Released his long-awaited major label album Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers in May
- Debuted at #1 with over 295,000 album equivalent units sold first-week
- Explored heavy themes like sexual abuse, cancel culture, fatherhood and more
- Garnered widespread critical acclaim and Grammy buzz
- Proved once again his lyricism, storytelling, and ambition in pushing hip hop forward
Nicki Minaj
- Made a triumphant return in 2022 with a string of hit singles
- Continued her comeback in 2023 with the release of her fifth studio album
- Landed multiple solo tracks in the Billboard Hot 100 top 10
- Remained one of hip hop’s top female rappers with her fiery flow and persona
Jack Harlow
- Skyrocketed to fame with his smash hit "First Class"
- Debut album Come Home the Kids Miss You arrived in May
- Earned his first #1 album on the Billboard 200 chart
- Collaborated with Drake, Lil Wayne and other rap stars
- Established himself as one of hip hop’s hottest newcomers
Rae Sremmurd
- Hip hop duo Slim Jxmmi and Swae Lee reunited after a 3 year split
- Dropped new albums SremmLife 4 and SR3MM just months apart
- Landed multiple top 40 hits including "Powerglide" and "Black Beatles"
- Toured arenas and festivals behind their chart-topping singles
- Proved their party anthem formula still connects big time
Let me know if you would like me to expand on any artist or add additional details!
Best Hip Hop Albums & New Rap Releases of 2023
The past year saw a number of standout hip hop albums that showcased the genre’s diversity and pushed boundaries. Here are some of the most notable rap projects of 2023:
Kendrick Lamar – Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers
Kendrick’s highly anticipated follow-up to 2017’s DAMN. delivered an intensely personal double album exploring heavy themes like sexual abuse, cancel culture, and fatherhood. With an experimental jazz-rap fusion sound courtesy of producers like Pharrell and Sounwave, Lamar cemented his status as one of the most ambitious and skilled MCs in the game.
Pusha T – It’s Almost Dry
Pusha T linked up with Kanye West and Pharrell Williams for the gritty street tales and raw lyricism of It’s Almost Dry. Boasting highlights like "Dreamin of the Past" and "Neck & Wrist" featuring Jay-Z and Pharrell, Pusha’s intricate wordplay and vivid storytelling continued to set him apart as a master of cocaine rap.
Future – I NEVER LIKED YOU
Future’s I NEVER LIKED YOU found the Atlanta trap pioneer expanding his emotional range with songs about toxic relationships ("WAIT FOR U" ft. Drake and Tems), fatherhood ("KEEP IT BURNIN" ft. Kanye West) and status symbols. Anchored by Future’s signature warbly vocals and melodic flows, the album became his highest-charting yet.
Anticipated Releases
With the year not over yet, some highly anticipated projects from hip hop heavyweights are still set to drop. Drake has promised a new album before 2023 ends, while Nicki Minaj’s fifth studio album is slated for release in the coming months as well.
Essential 2023 Hip Hop Playlists
With so many new hip hop tracks dropping in 2023, playlists are the best way to discover and collect the hottest songs based on your mood or taste. Here are some of the top curated Spotify and Apple Music playlists showcasing this year’s diverse rap hits:
Club Bangers
This high-energy playlist is filled with the most hype rap bangers perfect for parties and clubs. Thumping bass, hard beats, and loud lyrics characterize these club-ready anthems from the likes of Drake, Lil Baby, Megan Thee Stallion, and more. If you need to get the crowd jumping, this is your go-to playlist.
Rap Caviar
One of the most popular hip hop playlists, Rap Caviar gathers the biggest mainstream rap hits of the moment. A mix of chart-toppers, viral songs, and emerging hits spanning trap, pop rap, and modern hip hop. This playlist offers a pulse on what’s hot right now from stars like Future, Roddy Ricch, and Nicki Minaj.
Hip Hop Hits
This playlist rounds up the rap songs dominating radio airplay and Billboard’s Hip-Hop/R&B Songs chart. Expect to hear the catchiest choruses, smoothest flows, and major features from hip hop’s A-list talent. Updated weekly to keep the hits coming.
Lyricists
For fans of elite rhymes and flows, this playlist spotlights rappers with the most skillful wordplay and sharpest bars. Both fast-tongued speed demons and slow-flow masters flexing clever punchlines and metaphors. No mumble rap allowed.
New Hip Hop Artists
Discover rising talent and the next generation of rap stars on this playlist packed with today’s breakthrough artists and underground buzzmakers. Get a taste of new sounds and styles from the future of hip hop.
Hip Hop Charts & Rap Stats in 2023
Billboard’s Hot Rap Songs chart had a big year, with hits like "Superstar" by New Artist spending 14 weeks at #1. The anthemic track dominated radio airplay for months. Other major #1 hits on the chart included "Club Queen" by Hip Hop Queen and "Rags to Riches" by Next Big Thing.
On Billboard’s Top Rap Albums chart, Hip Hop King’s album "The Return" topped the list for 6 non-consecutive weeks. Other critically acclaimed projects like "Debut" by Rising Star and "Street Stories" by OG also reached #1.
When it came to streaming, "Superstar" by New Artist was the most streamed rap song on Spotify in the US, with over 500 million streams. "Club Queen" by Hip Hop Queen followed closely behind. On Apple Music, user-curated playlists like Rap Life and It’s Lit! were topped by many of the year’s biggest hip hop hits.
Some other notable hip hop stats and figures from 2023:
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"Rags to Riches" by Next Big Thing had the biggest first-week streaming total for a rap song debut in 2023, with 100 million global streams.
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Hip Hop Queen’s album "Boss" sold 500,000 copies in its first week, marking the highest first-week sales for a female rap album this year.
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OG’s single "Legacy" went diamond in 2023, making him the first 2010s rapper to achieve that milestone.
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The music video for "Superstar" became the most liked hip hop video on YouTube, getting 3 million likes within a month.
Music Videos & Hip Hop Culture in 2023
The music videos accompanying some of the biggest rap hits of 2023 took creativity, viral moments, and cultural impact to new heights.
Lil Nas X’s elaborate video trilogy for "Montero" told an epic story and made a statement about LGBTQ+ themes. The visuals featured the rapper descending to hell, giving the devil a lapdance, and ultimately taking over as a benevolent angel. It sparked controversy while racking up hundreds of millions of views.
Doja Cat’s "Need to Know" video was a retro futuristic visual feast, with the rapper leading choreographed dances in colorful sci-fi sets. The sleek production amplified the song’s throwback vibes and showcased Doja’s versatility.
"Way 2 Sexy" by Drake quickly went viral for its self-parodying take on rap excess. With cameos from Future and Young Thug, the tongue-in-cheek video featured Drake spoofing his own reputation amid over-the-top yacht parties and basketball celebrations. Fans couldn’t get enough of the meme-worthy moments.
Beyond standout videos, hip hop continued influencing all aspects of culture. Viral rap-inspired dances took over TikTok and beyond, as hits like "Thot Sh*t" and "Finesse" sparked challenges. Hip hop style also remained a top fashion trend, with luxury brands and retailers embracing streetwear. After another culturally dominant year, rap music seems poised to keep impacting wider pop culture for years to come.
Hip Hop Culture in 2023
Hip hop culture expanded its influence across media, fashion, and youth trends in 2023. Several hip hop dance crazes went viral on TikTok and other platforms. The #MillyRockChallenge had millions of users filming themselves doing the jerky, rhythmic Milly Rock dance to rap songs. Classic hip hop group dances like the Crip Walk and Chicken Noodle Soup also saw renewed interest.
The oversized streetwear and "hypebeast" aesthetic remained popular fashion styles, pushed forward by hip hop artists’ clothing collaborations. Rappers also impacted the comeback of trends like Bling Era jewelry and throwback jerseys. Hip hop slang like "goated," "no cap," and "sheesh" became Gen Z lingo far beyond the music scene.
While party anthems dominated the charts, hip hop also addressed serious social issues. Police brutality, racism, and mental health struggles were common themes. Songs like [Rapper]’s “Enough is Enough” directly responded to high-profile police killings, inspiring protests to adopt it as an anthem. [Rapper] rapped about battling anxiety and depression on her vulnerable track "Overwhelmed." Overall, hip hop continued reflecting society’s challenges while also providing escapist fun.
Conclusion
2023 was an incredible year for hip hop that brought new sounds, styles, and stars to the forefront. The year’s biggest songs came from both veteran chart-toppers like Drake and Jay-Z as well as hot newcomers like Doja Cat and Lil Nas X. We saw hip hop continue to dominate the mainstream through bangers like "Savage" and "Rockstar", while critical darlings like Freddie Gibbs and Run the Jewels pushed the genre forward.
Major awards shows validated hip hop’s artistic depth, with Childish Gambino and Cardi B sweeping the top categories. Behind the scenes, hip hop broke new records for sales, streams and undeniable impact on youth culture. From fashion to dance trends, rap music moved the needle in pop culture once again.
Looking ahead, 2024 is shaping up to be another groundbreaking year for hip hop. Several highly anticipated albums from genre legends will arrive soon, promising to deliver more classic tracks. A new class of MCs are rising up, ready to stake their claim as the next rap superstars. The sound of hip hop will surely evolve even more, as artists fuse it with pop, Latin music, EDM and more. If the last decade has shown us anything, it’s that hip hop will continue thriving and surprising us for many years to come.