The 50 Best Songs of 2024

50.Nettspend, "F*CK SWAG"

Album: N/A

Nettspend is anything but a typical teenager. He’s the 17-year-old bad-mouthed cool kid in class unafraid of repercussions. He'll flick a lit cigarette your way with a smirk, daring you to say something. On “F*CK SWAG,” Nettspend delivers dizzying melodies and bass-heavy, distorted soundscapes, expertly curated by his go-to producer, ok. Of the solo singles he's dropped leading up to his debut, BAD ASS F*CKING KID, “F*CK SWAG” marks the defining moment of his career so far—an experimental anthem made for the mosh pit and beyond. —Jon Barlas

49.Young Nudy and Metro Boomin, "John Wayne"

Album: N/A

Imagining Young Nudy in spurs and snakeskin boots is one thing, but seeing him take over a saloon as a gunslinging cowboy wasn’t on my bingo card. Bringing Atlanta to the Wild West, he and Metro Boomin embody the notorious roughneck John Wayne on one of the most menacing collaborations of 2024. Nudy’s signature ATL drawl and commanding presence create a high-noon standoff worth witnessing. “I came in this bitch like I’m John Wayne, two guns on my side, I’m ready to slang something,” he raps, moving through town like an outlaw hunting his next bounty. Side-eye him, and you’re done. —Jon Barlas

48.Bossman DLow, "Get In With Me"

Album: Mr. Beat the Road

BossMan DLow's a man of multiple talents, but his appeal generally comes down to this: He’s got the ability to make you feel really cool. With that goal in mind, his breakout single, "Get In With Me," is a statement of purpose. Checking in at a brisk two minutes, the track takes you through a day of reckless driving and glitzy clubbing for a D-Boy's joyride of a lifestyle, with his snappy quips ringing off like the funniest jokes in barbershop. The bluntness of his flexes makes it all feel like, no matter how extravagant the brag, he's been there before, imbuing his lyrics with a very real sense of authority. —Peter A. Berry

47.Megan Thee Stallion, "HISS"

Album: Megan

Yes, Megan Thee Stallion absolutely cleaned up Nicki Minaj on this—the “Meg’s law” bar is one of the more disrespectful lines in recent memory—but don’t sleep on what she does to Drake. Without saying his name, Megan deftly uses some of the same disses Kendrick Lamar would utilize. “Cosplay gangsters, fake-ass accents / Posted in another nigga hood like a bad bitch” is basically the third verse of “Not Like Us” in a couple of bars. When Meg raps with this level of aggression and competitive energy, she is unstoppable. —Dimas Sanfiorenzo

46.Lil Uzi Vert, "Chill Bae"

Album: Eternal Atake 2

Eternal Atake 2 didn’t receive the warmest reception, disappointing fans with its lack of cohesion. Despite the haphazard effort, there are still a few standout tracks. “Chill Bae” is Lil Uzi at his best, showcasing the emphasis on melody fans have fallen in love with. He brings forth a second vocal line which is pitched up and serves as a perfect accent, as if a mini Uzi is following him around. It’s plenty quirky, but not weird for the sake of being weird. It’s one of too few moments on Eternal Atake 2 that exists in this space, but it’s quickly become an essential piece of Uzi’s discography. —Will Schube

45.BigXthaPlug, "The Largest"

Album: Take Care

BigXthaPlug does everything on a scale worthy of his name. He broke through off the success of his Lone Star State anthem, “Texas,” and since then, he’s been pushing things out that honor the state’s belief that everything’s bigger. Enter: “The Largest.” The beat is one of the most expressive on his album, Take Care. Spitting over a harmonica- and organ-driven slice of War’s soul-funk anthem “Slippin' Into Darkness,” BigX’s booming voice once again asserts itself as one of the most powerful in rap. “Safe to say I'm the biggest, the largest / Been stepping on shit since my mama stayed in them apartments,” he spits. —Will Schube

44.Snoop Dogg Feat. Dr Dre and Alus, "Outta Da Blue"

Album: Missionary

Both in their 50s, Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre tap into something akin to their glory days on the Alus-assisted “Outta Da Blue.” Dre cooks up a percussion-heavy beat, incorporating cowbells, live drums, the occasional machine-produced accent, and a vocal chop that gives the song some melodic texture. Snoop and Dre go back and forth, trading bars and feeding off each others’ flows. Come for the Doggfather talking about chiefing triple hitters and Dre giving shout-outs to late-career Will Smith movies, stay for the wildly random but well-executed interpolation of M.I.A.’s “Paper Planes.”—Will Schube

43.Gunna, “one of wun"

Album: One of Wun

When Gunna dropped his album One of Wun, he was batting away rumors of being a rat, defending himself against allegations of snitching on Young Thug during his RICO trial. So much has changed since, but it still permeates throughout One of Wun. On the title track, though, Gunna puts the problems aside. After the album’s first track, “collage,” on which Gunna implores: “We don't stop, we just, just keep pushing,” he drops any semblance of worry on “one of wun.” Over drums that cruise like a late-night joyride and synths that bring Gunna’s voice from the cosmos down to Earth, he insists he’s not scared of his city. Almost defiantly, he raps: “Ride around the town in a drop-top coupe and the motor in the trunk, you can hear it.” —Will Schube

42.Ken Carson, “ss”

Album: A Great Chaos (Deluxe)

For Ken Carson, it’s all about energy. His tracks seem to take on a new life when he hits the stage, and “ss” is perhaps one of his most impressive to date. “My white hoe got big tits, she remind me of Sydney Sweeney,” Carson raps with thick autotune, as the beat-switch and uncapped energy could turn any venue into an environment worthy of the tour name: Chaos World. In the end, “ss” wasn’t just a viral moment that the “Anyone But You” actress interacted with, it’s one that Carson expertly doubled down on as he continues to ascend as rap’s next big thing. Oh, and More Chaos will ensue in 2025. —Jon Barlas

41.NLE Choppa Feat. 41, "Or What"

Album: SLUT SZN

The producer behind "Or What," EMRLD Beats, recently came under fire for silly comments where he dismissed production that incorporates soul or boom bap, calling it "unc" music. It's a puzzling take—especially if you listen to “Or What,” a track that sounds like a flip of a soulful ’80s cut, complete with warm, mournful Rhodes and majestic horns.

Take away the snazzy extended outro and what you get is fucking "unc" rap here—and that’s what makes it work. The soulful production contrasts perfectly with the song’s playful subject matter (essentially, sex), serving as a perfect palate cleanser for the hyperactive energy NLE Choppa and 41 bring. —Dimas Sanfiorenzo

40.Lil Yachty, "A Cold Sunday"

Album: Something Ether

Lil Yachty first teased “A Cold Sunday” back in 2023, but it wasn’t fully released until this year. He unveiled the loosie as the third installment of his “Verses I’m Proud of” series, and it’s clear why he was particularly fond of his lyrical prowess on the track. He employs his half-warbled flow, weaving through one-liners with ease—rarely taking even a second to admire the web he’s weaved before moving onto the next bar. The track features a relatively faithful sample of Citation’s soul-pop track “Inspiration of My Life,” with Yachty deferring to the original melody to give the barrage of bars some color. —Will Schube

39.4Batz, "act ii: date @ 8"

Album: U Made Me a St4r

All transparent internet gimmicks aside, 4Batz really did something with “act ii: date @ 8.” For the track, he grafts his pitched-up vocals onto a relaxed soundscape that feels designed for late-night cruising. In the era of forced toxicity, the Dallas artist is refreshingly earnest, diving deep into his tricking bag for some sincere lyrics that don’t feel all that forced: “I buy you shit because you rare / And, plus, because you know I care.” While he had cultivated a buzz before “date @ 8,” the track served as an official arrival for one of the most mesmerizing new talents Dallas has to offer. —Peter A. Berry

38.J. Cole, "Trae The Truth in Ibiza"

Album: Might Delete Later

“7-Minute Drill” captured the attention of listeners eager to hear Cole’s response to Kendrick’s verse on Future and Metro Boomin’s “Like That.” But after scrubbing the track, Cole gave his other songs a chance to breathe, allowing for “Trae The Truth in Ibiza” to stand out. The song chronicles a trip J. Cole took to the Spanish island with Houston rapper Trae The Truth in 2012. His staccato flow in the beginning feels like a teen trying to learn how to drive a stick shift, but the song highlights Cole’s artistic strength in storytelling. He’s a legend now, so there’s no need to reminisce on the climb. Instead he’s focused on course-correcting, battling his ego, letting go of perfection, and doubling down on an exceptional work ethic that sets him apart from his peers. In June, he released a video on YouTube with footage of the Ibiza trip and a recent conversation with Trae about their time there. —Morgan A. Grain

37.Cash Cobain and Laila! Feat. Big Sean, 6lack, Fabolous, Flo Milli, Kenzo B, Lay Bankz, Luh Tyler, Anycia, Chow Lee, Kaliii, YN Jay, FLEE, Don Q and Rob49, “Problem”

It’s been a while since we’ve had a proper rap posse cut. So shout-out to Cash Cobain for flipping Laila!’s “Not My Problem and putting it out there for the world to use. In the process, more than a dozen rappers hopped on the track. So, what do you do with all that heat? You string them together for one long-ass track.

Every few bars, Laila!’s “Problem” vocal plays, punctuating the verses of Big Sean, Fabolous, Anycia, Luh Tyler, Flo Milli (a standout on the track), and more. It could easily be overwhelming, but it’s not—instead, it’s innovative, somewhat hypnotic, and hilariously entertaining. All in all, 15 rappers appear, which is impressive, though it doesn’t quite match The Game’s “It’s Okay (One Blood)” Remix, which boasted 24 rappers. —Trey Alston

36.21 Savage, "Redrum"

Album: american dream

Despite his deadpan demeanor, 21 Savage has always had a theatrical side, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that the Atlanta rapper can slice through a track like “Redrum,” all while a sample of 1960s Brazilian singer Elza Laranjeira wails in the background. A common critique of Savage is that he is monotone and that his raps sound too similar. But I’d argue that “Redrum” features some of Savage’s most creative bars; at one point, he raps, “I'll never do no song with no rat, pussy / Put a Lego in a stick, it rat-a-tat, pussy.” At another point, he spits, “Smack niggas, then, I get on Live and sing.” —Jordan Rose

35.The Weeknd Feat. Playboi Carti, "Timeless"

Album: Hurry Up Tomorrow

"Timeless" is a victory lap, showcasing The Weeknd and Playboi Carti at the peaks of their respective powers. On the spacey, Pharrell-produced track, both artists deliver lines like "ever since I was a jit, I’ve been legit," blending their very different styles—Weeknd’s smoothness and Carti’s animated energy. The studio version is great, but this is one of those songs that really needs to be heard live. Performances in São Paulo and at Camp Flog Gnaw highlighted the pair’s undeniable chemistry, effortlessly gliding over otherworldly, buzzy synths in a way only they could. —Jon Barlas

34.Jordan Adetunji, “KEHLANI”

Album: N/A

If you spent even a minute on TikTok this year, there’s virtually no chance that you haven’t heard Jordan Adetunji’s heavily modified voice singing about how awesome Kehlani is. The title is in all caps because he’s really into how much of a “boss” the singer is, comparing her to the woman he’s trying to woo. Millions of videos have already been made to this earworm of a track, which is the first to successfully incorporate sexy drill elements without Cash Cobain’s help. Kehlani loved it so much she hopped on the remix. So, who will be the next R&B songstress that Adetunji turns into the star of a viral social media hit? —Trey Alston

33.Yeat, “Breathe”

Album: 2093

Yeat is a man with a million voices, so when he decides to do outrageous things like saying the word “breathe” nearly 30 times in the same song, he can still keep you on your toes, alternating between pitched-up alien voices and much lower registers. When you throw in an off-the-wall beat from Bart How and Starboy that sounds like it should be playing in a nightclub on Mars, you end up with one of the most oddly addictive (and energizing) rap songs of the year. —Eric Skelton

32.Drake, "Circadian Rhythm"

Album: N/A

Because of, ahem, extenuating circumstances, Drake is once again finding himself underappreciated. Forget the big streams for a sec—none of the several singles he's landed on have placed in the Billboard Hot 100's top 40. It feels like a proverbial changing of the guard. But let's not get too crazy; The Boy's still got it. Just check out "Circadian Rhythm," a showcase for his customarily irresistible melodies and an unaffected confidence that, somehow, still pretty believable. Here, he shifts taunts an ungrateful rap game and an ex with equal dismissiveness, and his quips are as cutting as ever: “You sent a eight-minute voice note straight from the heart/I reply like, "Yeah, whatever, when can you come get your stuff?"

Like some of the most memorable Drizzy cuts, it's a tune you'll inevitably murmur under your breath—evidence of just how and why he can still be up. —Peter A. Berry

31.Karol G, "Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido"

Album: N/A

As the Latin American pop princess, Karol G has been a fixture on playlists since the 2023 release of her modern-day classic Mañana Será Bonito. Instead of taking a break, however, she returned with another summertime anthem, “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido”—a song about a relationship that never materializes due to poor timing.

The track features the melodic rhythms of Dominican merengue, a choice that feels intentional. The Colombian singer recorded the song in the Dominican Republic and shared on Instagram, “When I need to disconnect from the world and reconnect with myself, I go there.” Perhaps that’s why the song resonates with such pure escapist pleasure. —Alejandro De Jesus

30.Sabrina Carpenter, "Please Please Please"

Album: Short n' Sweet

Sabrina Carpenter digs into her Dolly Parton bag with her pop country hit “Please Please Please.” It’s a genre bender, with ’80s disco influences making it the perfect track to listen to while rollerblading down the boardwalk. But it’s the lyrics that make the song truly hit, tapping into a common relationship fear of your shitty boyfriend embarrassing you in public. She opens with, “I know I have good judgment. I know I have good taste. It’s funny and it’s ironic. That only I feel this way.” We’ve all been there.

Of course the song is of a modern era, so Sabrina’s concern isn’t simply heartbreak, but conserving her fragile ego and a well beat face of makeup. You know, the important things. —Morgan A. Grain

29.Charli XCX, “360"

Album: Brat

The first moment of Charli XCX’s year-defining album BRAT begins with a synth that reverberates against itself—bouncing off the walls like Pac-Man staying out of trouble. It builds a world in which all of BRAT exists: knowingly sleazy, referential to club nights of days (and decades) past, and daring to be ambitious in scope, reaching for the top of the pop charts. All of this is alluded to on “360,” but the song is also a helluva banger in its own right. Charli predicts the future when she sings: “I went my own way and I made it / I'm your favorite reference, baby.” When BRAT arrived, who knew how prophetic this line would be. During the chorus, she adds: “I'm everywhere, I'm so Julia,” referring to Uncut Gems muse Julia Fox. These days, though, everyone’s aspiring to be just like Charli. —Will Schube

28.Tems, “Burning”

Album: Born in the Wild

With “Burning,” Nigerian singer Tems gets vulnerable about the challenges of skyrocketing to fame and popularity as a music artist. It’s a ’90s-inspired R&B song, but thematically, it echoes Britney Spears’ pop classic “Lucky.” Both tracks center on a singer living the dream, yet grappling with the loneliness and blues that come with hypervisibility—without the comfort of being truly seen or understood. Instead of accepting this unfulfillment, Tems sings, “I believe in me,” asserting her determination to discover and define herself on her own terms. —Morgan A. Grain

27.Real Boston Richey, “Help Me”

Album: Richey Rich

Real Boston Richey’s breakout moment came back in 2020 with his gritty Future collaboration, “Bullseye 2.” But then, controversy followed. Most notably, snitching allegations were raised by 1090 Jake—a claim that can be poison for a rapper like Richey. Despite the drama, Richey has managed to push forward, crafting the biggest song of his career with the mournful "Help Me," an old-school street single that has been able to generate chart success.

The track, carried by a strangely infectious yet melancholic hook, centers on relationship woes. But, honestly, it also works as an allegory for some of the stress Richey has faced over the past few years. As he raps, "He tried to end my career, truth be told, I don’t fuck with holmes." —Dimas Sanfiorenzo

26.SZA, "Saturn"

Album: Lana

“Saturn” debuted on Grammy night—possibly the happiest evening of SZA’s life—but on the song, the singer-songwriter wanted to be somewhere else altogether. On the dream pop-coated ballad, SZA imagines herself in an outer realm, no longer wanting to be “stuck in this paradigm.” Despite SZA’s morose thoughts, “Saturn” caught instant acclaim, no surprise since her sophomore album SOS broke multiple records. Now that fans are anticipating her third album, tentatively titled Lana, we can’t help but wonder what other planets SZA has on her itinerary. —Jaelani Turner-Williams

25.Don Toliver, “Bandit”

Album: HARDSTONE PSYCHO

While his label boss remains the king of ambience, Don Toliver put forth a compelling case of his own with tracks like "Bandit," a dystopian outlaw anthem designed for rough riding … and probably some Nike commercials. Grafting his elastic vocals over a radioactive electric guitar line, Toliver unloads a hook that doubles as a challenge and a fly guy's self-affirmation: “I do damage / You niggas can't stand it / Psycho bandit / Like it's Marilyn Manson.” Toliver's sticky voice only enhances that collision of ideas, which all feel random, yet viscerally connected enough to be symbolic. All together, it's not a big surprise the song became his highest-charting solo single to date. Swirled with a futuristic soundbed, the whole affair is at once stylish, manic, and rebellious. —Peter A. Berry

24.Future, Metro Boomin Feat. Travis Scott and Playboi Carti, “Type Shit"

Album: We Don't Trust You

If conventional meme wisdom holds that Drake is the heart, J. Cole is the mind, and Kendrick Lamar is the soul of hip-hop, then what do you make of Future, Carti, and Travis? On “Type Shit,” their first collaboration together, the holy trinity of trap debauchery gives us something heartless, mindless, and soulless: an icy, industrial posse cut powered by Metro Boomin’s gloomy production and lyrics so raw they could easily be pulled from Iceberg Slim’s notebook.

Carti is positioned to win here. He gets the final verse and delivers lines that are both wry (“Put the ho down with the gang, now she think she my manager, type shit / Shawty thought she was the one, but I’ll forever have a boss bitch”) and irreverent (“Eighty-one thou’ for the teeth, I still ain't smiling for this bitch”). —Dimas Sanfiorenzo

23.Ayra Starr, “Commas”

Album: The Year I Turned 21

In the spirit of Katt Williams’ prophecy of reckoning, 2024 is the year of spotlighting facts and mental wellness as true wealth. And singer Ayra Starr captures this year's unbothered and thriving essence through “Commas,” the sizzling single from her sophomore album, The Year I Turned 21. Ayra sings in a blend of English, Pidgin, and Yoruba over a mellow Afropop beat, giving a nod to her heritage while highlighting her confident truth as a rising star in the Nigerian music scene. She confidently sings, “Smallie wey dey mighty,” which means “a small girl who is powerful,” and “Na which kind life wey I never see? / I carry God, so I fear nothing / Steady increasing the commas,” showing her divine reliance and unapologetic self-celebration, symbolizing boundless progress and prosperity. —Gabrielle Nicole Pharms

22.Beyoncé, "Texas Hold ’Em"

Album: Cowboy Carter

Beyoncé’s two lead Cowboy Carter singles, "Texas Hold ’Em" and "16 Carriages,” were met with mixed reviews upon release—with some critics (and even radio stations) challenging the songs’ “authenticity.” Native Houstonians, such as myself, weren’t shocked or outraged. We know our city. Growing up, whether you lived in the suburbs or inside the Loop, the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo was the one thing you looked forward to showing up and showing out in your finest Western wear—or at least a cowboy hat.

Everything about Cowboy Carter is intentional, and “Texas Hold ’Em” was an obvious single to lead the charge of country’s renaissance. The track, a unique blend of soul and country-western, starts with catchy plucks of the banjo—an instrument that originated in West Africa and was brought to North America in the 17th century by enslaved persons—played by iconic multi-instrumentalist Rhiannon Giddens. Beyoncé sings in a way that encourages listeners to engage in a do-si-do or whatever moves that make you “take it to the floor.” —Gabrielle Nicole Pharms

21.Latto, “Brokey”

Album: Sugar Honey Iced Tea

Besides reminding folks that she’s not like all the regular-degular girls who only take trips on their birthdays, Latto’s “Brokey” maintains that she is still in a league of her own. With her unapologetically Southern vocals over a beat evocative of a mid-aughts Gucci Mane single, Latto sets herself above the rest—even if lyrically, she leaves listeners wanting. But that’s the point. She’s not here to scratch intellectual itches. Titillation is the name of the game, and “Brokey” is a bragadocious anthem perfectly fit for the get-ready-and-pregame-together-before-a-night-out playlist. Money, she’s definitely got more than you. Sex, she’s obviously a pro. Power is hers to take. —Morgan A. Grain

20.SahBabii, "VIKING"

Album: Saaheem

No song from SahBabii’s Saaheem demanded more attention than “Viking,” which features the Chicago rapper in peak form, crafting a song so good even Tyler, the Creator took notice. Whether it’s Sah’s playful yet calculated wordplay (“Tatted their face like he Gucci Mane, went Brr and I made 'em icy”) or his charismatic flows—warping his vocals on nearly every other line—“VIKING” quickly invaded playlists and proved that SahBabii might just be the Norse God of street hits. —Jon Barlas

19.Eminem Feat. JID, "Fuel"

Album: The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce)

Sometimes, cross-generation collabs can get a little clumsy. Styles can be as fickle as the rappers you decide to record with, and even properly aligned spitters can have off days on wax. But Eminem and JID are stylistically compatible in the best ways possible, and they prove it on “Fuel,” an electrifying standout from The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce). Both got bars off, but Em took home the most memorable quips, unloading a multi-entendre at Diddy while giving a 2Pac shout-out. And, quite naturally, it all rhymes flawlessly as Slim Shady and JID let their flows cascade over the track like an oil spill as they twist and turn syllables in every direction. —Peter A. Berry

18.Kendrick Lamar, “squabble up”

Album: GNX

Kendrick continued his 2024 victory lap with the drop of GNX. Part love letter, part therapy journal, each song takes listeners on a journey through Kendrick’s soul. The album’s second track, “squabble up,” serves as a sonic tour of LA culture, and its interpolation of Debbie Deb’s freestyle classic “When I Hear Music” gives the song its quintessential West Coast vibe. At its core, “squabble up” is a dance track. But Kendrick proves that he doesn’t have to choose between creating thought-provoking art and certified commercial hits. He has the range and skill to do both at the same time. —Morgan A. Grain

17.Sexyy Red, "Get It Sexyy"

Album: In Sexyy We Trust

The baddies will always win, and “Get It Sexyy” is their theme song. Sexyy Red has the rare ability to create uniquely authentic music that still connects with a wide demographic of people. (Because who doesn’t want to feel sexy and talk their shit?) “Get It Sexyy” is her highest-charting song of the year, partly because the song highlights the special chemistry between Tay Keith and Sexyy; Tay is the only producer who consistently crafts the dark, slightly twisted Southern-inspired beats that perfectly complement Red's natural charisma and charm.—Jordan Rose

16.Tyler, the Creator Feat. GloRilla, Sexyy Red, and Lil Wayne “Sticky”

Album: CHROMAKOPIA

Tyler, the Creator made us wait until fall to hear CHROMAKOPIA, but it didn’t take long for the single “Sticky” to take off—particularly with HBCU bands, to whom the song pays homage with an arrangement primed for percussion, brass and wind instruments. Tyler admits as much in a response on X to Jackson State’s marching band’s viral performance of the song: “THIS IS WHY I MADE STICKY!!!!!! THIS IS WHY I ARRANGED IT THAT WAY. THIS BEAUTIFUL MY HEART IS FILLED.”

Tyler has always known how to keep the fun in music, and this track is no exception. With brazen verses by Glorilla and Sexxy Redd, Tyler’s signature beat and melody changes, and Solange-esque harmonies, “Sticky” is sure to keep campuses hype for years to come. —Morgan A. Grain

15.Cash Cobain Feat. Bay Swag, “Fisherrr"

Album: PLAY CASH COBAIN

You know that sensation when the alcohol hits your bloodstream after you take a heavy shot of Casamigos Reposado or Hennessy in the club? That’s what it feels hearing the beat drop on Cash Cobain and Bay Swag’s “Fisherrr.” The track has a slower tempo than typical song-of-the-summer contenders, but the way that Cash and Bay glide on the beat makes its intoxicating lyrics go down even smoother.

Despite “Fisherrr” being a very New York-sounding song, horny talk is a universal language, so if you’ve ever met a person “with an attitude but [they] bad as fuck” so you got over it, then you’ll wave your hand to the beat all the same. —Jordan Rose

14.Hanumankind, "Big Dawgs"

One of the biggest global rap hits of 2024 came from a 32-year-old rapper hailing from Malappuram, Kerala, India. “Big Dawgs,” a raucous track by Hanumankind, blew up in part thanks to its frenetic, raw music video featuring cars, bikes, and jaw-dropping stunts. While the visuals are undeniably incredible, it’s the track itself that truly stands out. On the song, Hanumankind raps about staying "10 toes down" and remaining true to his hustle, with a flow that channels the spirit of Memphis legend Project Pat. It’s a seamless fusion of old-school swagger and modern energy. —Trey Alston

13.Tinashe, “Nasty”

Album: Quantum Baby

Tinashe might want someone to match her freak, but her single “Nasty” proves that very few pop stars are on her level. Released a decade after her first charting hit—the ScHoolboy Q-assisted “2 On”—the singer’s viral song made its rounds after being meme-ified, with Tinashe joined in on the fun herself. “Nasty” rides with atmospheric production, throbbing bass, and a teasing “I’ve been a nasty girlllll, nasty” hook, making the song an undoubtable summertime hit. Ten years into being a solo act, Tinashe hasn’t lost a step.—Jaelani Turner-Williams

12.¥$ Feat. Playboi Carti and Rich tha Kid, “Carnival”

Album: VULTURES 1

No. 1 records have escaped Playboi Carti for the majority of his career. But a link-up with frequent collaborator Ye and Ty Dolla $ign at the height of VULTURES 1 hype made “CARNIVAL” feel like a Christopher Nolan movie coated in smoke. While hundreds of thousands of TikTok videos drove the hooligans-assisted “go go go go” chant into the ground—propelling the song to its No. 1 peak on the Hot 100—“CARNIVAL” turned out to be the gold both Ye and Carti needed to strike at this point in their careers. Let’s also not forget the mainstream resurrection of Rich The Kid, who is one of the main reasons why the track is so addictive. —Jon Barlas

11.Kendrick Lamar, “euphoria”

Album: N/A

Yes, "Not Like Us" is the iconic track, but let’s not forget the near-fatal blow Kendrick Lamar dealt to Drake before that. "Euphoria"—partially named after the sex-filled show about teenagers that Drake executive produces for Max—was Kendrick’s warning that he wasn’t to be messed with. Drake had lightly jabbed at Kendrick’s height and contract splits; Kendrick responded by calling him an embarrassment to the culture in a hundred different ways. Woof.

"Not Like Us" is the hit, "Meet the Grahams" is the haunting slow burn, and "6:16 in LA" is the deep cut. But "euphoria" is where Kendrick truly shows his range as a rapper. The song features so many different rhyme schemes and cadence flips, even Eminem would take notes. —Trey Alston

10.Shaboozey, "A Bar Song (Tipsy)"

Album: Where I've Been, Isn't Where I'm Going

Who would have thought that J. Kwon's unforgettable 2004 club anthem would become the foundation for the year's hottest country song? Shaboozey's "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" builds on that legacy, but takes a hard turn—transforming the upbeat, turn-up anthem into a reflection on a person ready to escape their troubles by diving headfirst into a bottle. It’s a country song with a twist on a club classic, broadening its appeal to fans who might not typically gravitate toward country. And that's part of why it’s become the biggest single of the year, even tying the record of 19 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, previously held by Lil Nas X’s "Old Town Road." Coincidence? —Trey Alston

9.Doechii, "NISSAN ALTIMA"

Album: Alligator Bites Never Heal

Doechii’s had quite the year. She dropped a stellar mixtape, got props from Kendrick Lamar, and delivered the best NPR Tiny Desk Concert performance of 2024. On a technical level, she’s also quickly emerged as one of the most promising rappers today. A big part of that is how batshit insane her lyrics can get, and how effortlessly she can flip from horny to motivational in the blink of an eye.

“NISSAN ALTIMA,” originally part of her Swamp Session series, is the breakout track from her Alligator Bites Never Heal tape, and it’s easy to see why. Her full zany skill set is on display here—a breathtaking, tongue-twisting performance that makes all the accolades she’s receiving well-deserved. How many rappers can pull off a line like: “Take a trip out of Japan and I tsunami her vagina”?—Trey Alston

8.Tommy Richman, "Million Dollar Baby"

Album: N/A

There was a time where Tommy Richman’s “Million Dollar Baby” was truly inescapable. A strong song-of-the-summer contender, Richman’s high-pitched hook—“Cause I want to make it, Million Dollar Baby”—was seconds away on any platform’s For You page scroll. Tommy’s superpower is making music that somehow sounds both nostalgic and of the moment, and “MILLION DOLLAR BABY” is the winning lottery ticket for all of ISO Supremacy. No wonder why Brent Faiyaz is contemplating retirement; Richman is the freshest face of the wave. Don’t let the fact it didn’t show up on COYOTE tell you differently. —Jon Barlas

7.Central Cee and Lil Baby, "BAND4BAND"

Album: CRG

Great rappers need other great rappers. Central Cee and Lil Baby are two exceptional MCs who have, at times, struggled with consistency. “BAND4BAND” captures a moment of rap lightning, with the two matching each other’s skill and intensity to create the stunting anthem of 2024. Baby has taken a lot of shit over the years for sounding uninspired, but here he slightly steals the track, delivering sharp lines like, “They hit him up on his birthday, did him the worst way, he had a death wish.” The verse seems to have lit a fire under Baby, who went on one of the more inspired feature-verse runs of 2024.

As the saying goes, bands sharpen bands. —Dimas Sanfiorenzo

6.GloRilla, "Yeah Glo!"

Album: Ehhthang Ehhthang

GloRilla had a brutal 2023. While she remained relatively productive in terms of output, her songs weren’t sticking commercially or creatively. Then, at the top of the year, she dropped “Yeah Glo!”—a modern-day crunk classic. The song captures the high energy and charisma that made her the Rookie of the Year in 2022. Part of its strength is that she’s on the offensive, addressing critics who threw dirt on her after a cold stretch. “Big Glo, where you been at? Mane, everywhere, I'm workin' hard / Maybach and G-Wagon trucks, got M&Ms in my garage / Quick to crank up on a ho, you bitches better not get me started,” she raps on the track.

Glo would go on to have higher-charting songs ("Wanna Be" with Megan Thee Stallion ) and achieve new milestones (dropping her debut album GloRious), but “Yeah Glo!” remains the highlight of her year. —Dimas Sanfiorenzo

5.Playboi Carti, "H00dbyair"

Album: I Am Music

Remember the night "H00BYAIR" dropped? On Instagram, Carti’s bald-headed collaborator Blackhaine shouted, “Carti's dropping again! Tonight!” And within hours, Carti delivered a clear standout from his flurry of I AM MUSIC-era loosies. At the time, it felt like the taste of an imminent album. Carti was introducing a new era, playing with a lower register as he twisted his voice in thrilling new directions—up, down, and sideways. Wearing a fur coat, surrounded by his Opium signees in the accompanying video clip, he looked and sounded wildly confident, ready to take his rightful place atop the modern rap hierarchy.

Now, almost exactly 12 months later, the album still hasn’t arrived, but all it takes is a scroll down Opium’s Instagram page to remember how powerful Carti is when he’s confidently leaning into his idiosyncrasies. Whenever he does finally decide to share this album with the world, we (and his army of Opium faithful) will be ready. Until then, we’ll keep running back "H00BYAIR." —Eric Skelton

4.Billie Eilish, "Birds of a Feather"

Album: Hit Me Hard and Soft

The bad guy has softened over the years. Or has she? "Birds of a Feather" from Hit Me Hard and Soft is an incredible track—uncharacteristically romantic-sounding, with a cheery melody from Billie Eilish. I say “sounding” because, in true Billie fashion, there’s a perverse twist to it.

The song is sung in a muted, almost monotone delivery, with a downbeat vibe. And beneath the catchy earworm hook, which feature lines like, "Til I'm in the grave/'Til I rot away, dead and buried/'Til I'm in the casket you carry If you go, I'm goin' too."

The song is really about possession—the desperate longing to be loved to the point of death. Or, as Billie herself put it: “I wanted it to feel toxic and a little bit love-bomby.” —Dimas Sanfiorenzo

3.Drake, “Family Matters"

Album: N/A

Drake got his ass beat by Kendrick Lamar in their rap war, but he still took down everyone else who tried to jump in.

There was nothing he could do about that psychopath from Compton, but The Boy made quick work of ASAP Rocky, Rick Ross, and The Weeknd on his seven-minute response track. The second verse is a heater, with Drake picking the aforementioned artists off like he’s playing laser tag. He wraps it up with a series of sharp one-liners, like, “Kendrick just opened his mouth, someone go hand him a Grammy right now” and “We get that you like to put gin in your juice / We get that you think you’re Bishop in Juice.”

“Family Matters” is a very worthy diss song, one of the best rap tracks of the year. But it’s cursed by a pattern that doesn’t get talked about enough: Whenever Drake drops a fire diss, it’s almost always overshadowed by his opponent dropping something darker. It happened with “Duppy Freestyle,” when Pusha T dropped “Story of Adidon,” and history repeated itself when “Family Matters” got buried within the hour by the ominous “Meet the Grahams.” In the end, Kendrick won the war, but Drake still put up a hell of a fight with this track .—Jordan Rose

2.Future & Metro Boomin Feat. Kendrick Lamar, "Like That"

Album: We Don't Trust You

“Like That” is a perfect storm of “what the fuck?” moments, all coming together at the right time, in the right sequence, and with the perfect delivery. It creates a symphony of pure hip-hop that will be remembered for years to come.

The track kicks off with an orchestral punch—trumpets, snares, and an “Everlasting Bass” sample expertly flipped by Metro Boomin. Then Future steps in with a warm-up verse—mostly unrelated to any beef—delivering his signature Future-isms, like losing diamond rings in women’s throats ("If I lose a carat, she might choke").

But of course, it’s Kendrick Lamar who steals the show, pushing the first red button in what would become the great rap war of 2024. It’s been said a million times before, but it’s worth repeating: Dot’s verse is a bright red double-exclamation point, one of the most vicious statement-makers in hip-hop history. With just one verse and one line in particular—“fuck the big three, it’s just big me”—he caused a seismic shift that continues to ripple through the culture. —Jordan Rose

1.Kendrick Lamar, “Not Like Us”

Album: N/A

There wasn’t a single space or event Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” didn’t occupy this year—whether it was clubs, barbecues, or even baby showers. What started as the song of the summer quickly evolved into song of the year, and it did so with undeniable force. At this point, it’s bigger than music. The atomic diss track even made its way into the political arena—for better or for worse—when presidential candidate Kamala Harris interpolated its lyrics for campaign commercials.

“Not Like Us” has transcended the realm of diss tracks and firmly entered the collective pop culture zeitgeist, to a degree that would make even Drake envious. To put things in perspective, while “Back to Back” earned one Grammy nomination, “Not Like Us” has racked up five, and it’s on track to have the entire country calling Drake a “certified pedophile” during the Super Bowl Halftime Show.

There’s also an irresistible quality to “Not Like Us” that contributes to its massive appeal. Once the song begins, it has to be played to the very end. Each of the song’s three verses delivers a heavy-hitting punch, with quotables all over the place—from “Sweet Chin Music and I won't pass the aux” to “No, you not a colleague, you a fuckin' colonizer.”

“Not Like Us” is one of those rare tracks that will echo throughout the next decade. Even if you’re someone like DJ Akademiks—who's made no secret of his OVO loyalties—you’ll still find yourself accidentally singing along. That’s the power of “Not Like Us.” Even the biggest haters have no choice but to respect it. —Jordan Rose