The 100 Best Southern Rap Songs of All Time

It’s wild to go from most underrated to most celebrated.

As most of you know, I grew up in the great state of Virginia. While I wouldn’t categorize Va as the Deep South, we’re undoubtedly Southern. Our tea is actually sweet – none of that flavorless brown water you get north of us.

But while Virginia is geographically situated in the South, much of our musical influences in the late 80s/early 90s often came from our northern brethren. That East Coast sound often defined our region, and when Southern acts like 8ball & MJG began to turn heads around the time I was in middle school, my friends often turned up their noses at artists who sounded “too country.”

Even as an eighth grader that made no sense to me. Um, WE are kinda country too.

It was my first brush with the very real bias against Southern hip-hop, a sound that varied drastically from the West Coast G-Funk and the East’s boom bap that dominated airwaves. But the Southern sound was so alluring to me – yeah it was raucous and downright nonsensical sometimes, but it was so soulful. So authentic.

It felt like home.

Decades later, the South has emerged as THE preeminent leader in hip-hop, and looking back it’s easy to see why. When other regions got stuck in their comfort zones, locking themselves into one sound, the South constantly innovated, and eventually, others followed their lead.

Today, we celebrate those trendsetters by naming the 100 best songs to come out of the South.

And I didn’t come alone.

For this project, I formed a five-member panel, consisting of fans of the Soul In Stereo Cypher on Facebook as well as readers of this site, to serve as our experts. Here’s how it went down:

Each panelist nominated their picks for the 30 best Southern rap songs of all time. We threw all the songs together, removed the duplicates, and each panelist ranked the entire list individually. We averaged out the scores, and that determined the placements.

A quick shout-out to our panelists before begin:

• Veteran music writer and OG Soul In Stereo contributor Troy Smith

• Brandon O’Sullivan, aka DAT BOY THEO of ShatterTheStandards.com. His content is Soul In Stereo approved, show him some love at his site.

• My girl Bee Bertrand, representing Orlando

• The homie and unofficial No Limit Soldier James Moore

• And of course, your master of ceremonies, your favorite rapper’s least favorite album reviewer, Edward T. Bowser.

For purposes of this list, we defined Da Souf as any artist hailing from one of these states: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

Below you’ll find the results of weeks of work and research – songs that tear the club up, bring introspection to a new level, start parties, trigger tears and redefined hip-hop.

And in case you were wondering, yep, there’s a playlist right here. Enjoy.

Just missing the cut:

Boyz N Da Hood, “Dem Boyz”

Future, “March Madness”

DJ Taz featuring Raheem the Dream, “That’s Right”

504 Boyz, “I Can Tell”

Plies, “Plenty Money”

Smilez & Southstar, “Tell Me”

Hot Boys, “Help”

Field Mob and Ludacris, “Georgia”

Ying Yang Twins, “Whistle While You Twerk”

100. Nappy Roots featuring Anthony Hamilton, “Po Folks”

Troy: Nappy Roots proved country music and hip-hop existed on common ground. The group’s big hit “Po’ Folks” was everywhere in 2002 as an endearing anthem that did away with hip-hop’s usual bravado in favor of relatability. Even if you were the richest guy on the planet, you wanted to sing, “All my life been po’ but it really don’t matter no mo.” Nappy Roots just made it feel so good.

99. DJ Screw & Lil Keke, “Pimp Tha Pen”

98. Plies featuring T-Pain, “Shawty”

97. Playboy Carti, “Magnolia”

96. Flo Rida featuring T-Pain, “Low”

95. Jeezy featuring Nas, “My President”

94. Ying Yang Twins, “Wait (The Whisper Song)”

93. B.G. featuring Big Tymers, “Hennessey & XTC”

92. DJ Jimi, “Where They At”

91. The Last Mr. Bigg, “Trial Time”

90. Jeezy featuring Bun B, “Over Here”

Bee: Flow so icy clear, we hustlin’ hard, don’t worry about us, we good over here.

89. Trillville featuring Lil Scrappy and Lil Jon, “Neva Eva”

88. Pastor Troy, “No Mo Play in GA”

87. Juicy J featuring Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz, “Bandz A Make her Dance”

86. Young Buck, “Shorty Wanna Ride”

85. 8ball & MJG, “Mr. Big”

84. Rich Gang, “Lifestyle”

83. Lil Flip, “Game Over”

82. Trina, “Da Baddest”

81. Timbaland featuring Ludacris, “Fat Rabbit”

80. UNLV, “Drag Em N Tha River”

Edd: UNLV are quietly one of the most influential groups in Southern rap history. The fact that this beat found its way over to Juvenile years later is no coincidence – “Drag Em N Tha River” played an major role in the rise of the signature New Orleans bounce sound, as well as being an early launching point for both Cash Money Records and Mannie Fresh. Without “Drag Em N Tha River,” Southern rap may have looked very different today.

79. Pastor Troy, “Vica Versa”

78. Field Mob, “Sick of Being Lonely”

77. Timbaland and Magoo featuring Fatman Scoop, “Drop”

76. David Banner featuring Lil Flip, “Like a Pimp”

75. Lil Wayne and Birdman, “Stuntin Like My Daddy”

74. Mystikal featuring Pharrell, “Shake It Fast”

73. Future, “Mask Off”

72. Big Mike, “Playa Playa”

71. Project Pat, “Out There”

70. Lil Wayne featuring Static Major, “Lollipop”

Bee: Sticky sweet, candy-coated for the streets.

69. 504 Boyz, “Wobble Wobble”

68. 2 Live Crew, “I Wanna Rock”

67. Tela featuring 8ball and MJG, “Sho Nuff”

66. Big KRIT, “Mt Olympus”

65. Luke featuring Trick Daddy, “Scarred”

64. Rick Ross featuring Styles P, “BMF (Blowin’ Money Fast)”

63. Jeezy featuring Kanye West, “Put On”

62. Big Tymers, “Get Your Roll On”

61. Gucci Mane, “Lemonade”

60. Young Bleed, “How Ya Do Dat”

James: One of the early No Limit club bangers, featured on the I’m Bout It movie soundtrack.  Boat party in the video.  You could see the impact years later with Ricky Smiley’s comedy bit, and Problem’s “Like What” remake.

59. Juvenile featuring Soulja Slim, “Slow Motion”

58. Big Tymers, “Still Fly”

57. Gucci Mane featuring Jeezy, “So Icy”

56. Jeezy featuring Bun B, “Trap or Die”

55. Lil Troy, “Wanna Be a Baller”

54. Tag Team, “Whoop! There It Is”

53. Khia, “My Neck My Back”

52. Scarface featuring Jay Z and Beanie Sigel, “Guess Who’s Back”

51. Paul Wall featuring Big Pokey, “Sittin Sidewayz”

50. Tear Da Club Up Thugs, “Slob on My Nob”

Brandon: “Slob on my knob, like corn on the cob” became a memorable catchphrase, echoing in clubs across the South. A raw and unapologetic anthem, this song, solely rapped by Juicy J, is notorious for its explicit lyrics and hypnotic crunk beat. It’s a staple in the Southern rap genre, often cited for its straightforward storytelling and vivid imagery. This track not only reflects the uncensored nature of the genre but also influences the explicit direction of future rap songs.

49. Lil Jon and the Eastside Boyz featuring Ludacris, Chyna White, Too Short and Big Kap, “Bia Bia”

48. Trick Daddy, “I’m a Thug”

47. Petey Pablo, “Raise Up”

46. TRU, “No Limit Soliders”

45. Outkast featuring Goodie Mob, “Git Up, Get Out”

44. Crime Mob featuring Lil Scrappy, “Knuck if You Buck”

43. Three 6 Mafia, “Stay Fly”

42. Hot Boys and Big Tymers, “I Need a Hot Girl”

41. Ludacris featuring Pharrell, “Southern Hospitality”

40. UGK, “One Day”

Troy: “One Day” sets the tone for UGK’s Ridin’ Dirty, one of the most influential rap albums of all time. It was a game-changer for both UGK and hip-hop as a whole. Bun B and Pimp C’s emotional rhymes, paired with Ronnie Spencer’s spot-on Ronald Isley impression, brought a sentimentality and soul to Southern rap that became a mainstay.

39. Outkast, “Da Art of Storytellin (Pt. 1)”

38. Outkast, “SpottieOttieDopalicious”

37. Missy Elliott, “Get Ur Freak On”

36. Ludacris featuring Mystikal and I-20, “Move”

35. Gangsta Boo featuring DJ Paul and Juicy J, “Where Dem Dollas At”

34. Boosie Badazz featuring Webbie and Foxx, “Wipe Me Down”

33. UGK, “Pocket Full of Stones”

32. DJ DMD, Lil Keke and Fat Pat, “25 Lighters”

31. Mike Jones featuring Slim Thug and Paul Wall, “Still Tippin'”

30. TRU, “I’m Bout It Bout It”

James: This was Master P’s first hit and national breakthrough.  It was the transition between the Richmond, CA era of No Limit back home to New Orleans and set him on the path to take over the game.

29. Juvenile, “Ha”

28. Jay Electronica, “Exhibit C”

27. Little Brother featuring Joe Scudda, “Lovin It”

26. Arrested Development, “Tennessee”

25. Timbaland and Magoo featuring Missy Elliott and Aaliyah, “Up Jumps the Boogie”

24. Lil Wayne, “A Milli”

23. Outkast, “ATLiens”

22. B.G., “Bling Bling”

21. Trick Daddy featuring Trina, “Nann”

20. Project Pat featuring Three 6 Mafia and La Chat, “Chickenhead”

James: Classic hood call & response record.  Even Bardi from the Bronx had to remake it.

19. Three 6 Mafia featuring UGK and Project Pat, “Sippin on Some Sizzurp”

18. Lil Jon & The Eastside Boyz featuring The Ying Yang Twins, “Get Low”

17. Outkast, “Player’s Ball”

16. Goodie Mob, “Cell Therapy”

15. Outkast, “Elevators (Me and You)”

14. Outkast, “So Fresh So Clean”

13. Outkast, “B.O.B. (Bombs Over Baghdad)”

12. Three 6 Mafia, “Tear Da Club Up”

11. Scarface, “I Seen A Man Die”

10. C Murder featuring Magic and Snoop Dogg, “Down For My Ns”

Brandon: This song is a gritty, hard-edged anthem symbolizing loyalty and brotherhood. The hook, “I’m down for my n****z, I ride for my n****z, I die for my n****z,” the song captures the essence of solidarity within the community, becoming a certified anthem. The collaboration between C-Murder, Snoop Dogg, and Magic highlights the cross-regional influence of Southern rap. Its impact is felt in both its lyrical content and its beat, which has been influential in shaping the sound of Southern hip-hop. The song remains a beloved classic, embodying the ethos of loyalty that’s central to much of Southern rap.

9. 8ball & MJG, “Space Age Pimpin'”

Troy: 8ball & MJG was key to giving Southern rap an underlining funk influence. On their most recognizable song, “Space Age Pimpin,'” the duo create their own brand of syrupy cocksure backed by hazy guitar sounds and infectious bass lines. True to its name, “Space Age Pimpin'” sounded ahead of its time.

8. Rich Boy and Polow da Don, “Throw Some D’s”

Bee: D’s on the ride, Southern swag, now you know we worldwide.

7. Clipse, “Grindin”

Brandon: Known for its distinctive, minimalist beat and the iconic sound of pen tapping thanks to The Neptunes, “Grindin’” is a seminal work in Southern rap. When Pusha opens up with, “From ghetto to ghetto, to backyard to yard, I sell it whip on whip, it’s off the hard,” it vividly portrays street hustling. The song, a key track from Clipse’s debut album (Lord Willin’), resonated deeply with audiences for its authentic portrayal of the drug trade. Its influence extended beyond music, impacting street culture and fashion, and is often credited for putting Virginia on the hip-hop map.

6. Master P featuring Silkk da Shocker, Mia X and Fiend, “Make Em Say Uhhh”

Bee: Master P’s callin’, the anthem’s here.

5. Geto Boys, “Mind Playing Tricks On Me”

Troy: Nothing else sounded like “Mind Playing Tricks on Me” when it arrived in 1991. The Geto Boys’ hit ushered in the horrorcore genre. It also turned Scarface into a star. From the moment he utters, “I sit alone in my four-cornered room staring at candles,” the song creates a level of paranoia that haunts far beyond its five-minute run time. It’s not just one of the great Southern rap songs, it’s one of the greatest hip-hop songs of all time, period.

4. T.I., “What You Know”

Edd: King of the South? Debatable. But in 2006, TI,’s claim to the throne was solidified with this DJ Toomp-produced banger. TI’s confidence is through the roof as he drops punchline after punchline, backed by a score that is as hard-hitting as it is regal. Tip made a strong case for the crown with this one.

3. Juvenile, “Back That Thang Up”

Brandon: Once you hear “Cash Money Records taking over for the ’99 & the 2000,” it’s time to rush to the dance floor. This song is a cultural phenomenon, with its string-heavy, dance-friendly beat and catchy lyrics. It’s a party anthem that transcended regional boundaries, making waves nationwide. The collaboration between Juvenile, Lil’ Wayne, and Mannie Fresh exemplifies the powerhouse of talent in Southern rap. The song is not only a club staple but also a significant marker in the rise of Cash Money Records.

2. Missy Elliott, “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)”

Edd: I know some dissenters may twist their lips to say “is this really a Southern rap song?” Well, as a native of Va, let me assure you – no song captures the unconventional structure, iconic slang and boundless creativity that defines Southern rap quite like “The Rain.” From the exceptional sample, hilarious wordplay and, of course, that mind-bending video, Missy’s instant classic has become the benchmark for artistic expression in hip-hop. Twenty-seven years later and it still’s ahead of the curve.

1. UGK featuring Outkast, “Int’l Player’s Anthem”

James: Three 6 Mafia (producers of this song and the original from Project Pat) never miss with a Willie Hutch sample.  Andre 3000 set it off with the intro during OutKast’s peak.  UGK & Big Boi didn’t disappoint on the verses.  Star-studded video complete with T-Pain snapping in the choir stand.

What songs did we miss? Share your Southern rap faves below, and don’t forget to check out the playlist.