Side 5 of 11
2004
Sophomore year, everything is crunk
10 tracks
- 01
My Band
D12
hip-hopcomedyFind similar tracks →On the charts
Peaked at #2 on the Hot 100; D12's biggest commercial hit.
Why it mattered
Eminem and D12 at their funniest. The whole song was a joke about Em overshadowing his crew, and it worked because it was true. The video was ridiculous and everyone loved it.
- 02
This Way
Dilated Peoples · feat. Kanye West
undergroundconsciousFind similar tracks →On the charts
Underground hit that gained mainstream traction thanks to Kanye's rising star.
Why it mattered
Kanye on the hook plus Evidence and Rakaa's lyrics made this the perfect bridge between backpack rap and mainstream hip-hop. The beat was warm and the vibe was undeniable.
- 03
Breathe
Fabolous
east coastanthemFind similar tracks →On the charts
Peaked at #5 on the Hot 100 from Real Talk.
Why it mattered
Just Blaze's triumphant horns plus Fab's slick wordplay — this was the strutting-through-campus song. Fabolous hit his commercial peak and the production was cinematic.
- 04
How We Do
The Game · feat. 50 Cent
west coastG-UnitFind similar tracks →On the charts
Peaked at #4 on the Hot 100; The Game's debut era with G-Unit.
Why it mattered
West Coast revival. Game and 50 over a Dr. Dre beat — this was the celebration song, the 'we made it' anthem. Compton was back on the map and the party felt like it'd never end.
- 05
Game Over (Flip)
Lil Flip
Houstonchopped and screwedFind similar tracks →On the charts
Peaked at #15 on the Hot 100; Lil Flip's biggest hit.
Why it mattered
Houston chopped-and-screwed energy meets Pac-Man. The video game sample was genius and the Freestyle King delivered. This was a ringtone era classic before ringtones even peaked.
- 06
Go D.J.
Lil Wayne
southern rapCash MoneyFind similar tracks →On the charts
Peaked at #14 on the Hot 100 from Tha Carter.
Why it mattered
Wayne's evolution from Hot Boys member to solo star was complete. Mannie Fresh's beat was classic Cash Money and Wayne's energy was infectious. This was the DJ shout-out song that actually worked.
- 07
Get Back
Ludacris
southern raphypeFind similar tracks →On the charts
Peaked at #18 on the Hot 100 from The Red Light District.
Why it mattered
Luda at his most aggressive and fun. The hook was a command and the crowd obeyed. This was a mosh pit starter at hip-hop shows and a volume-up moment in every car.
- 08
Still Tippin'
Mike Jones · feat. Slim Thug, Paul Wall
HoustonSwishahouseFind similar tracks →On the charts
Peaked at #60 on the Hot 100 but became one of the most iconic Houston rap songs ever.
Why it mattered
The Salih Williams beat was instantly recognizable. Three Houston legends on one track — this put Swishahouse on the national map. Candy paint, swangas, and syrup culture went mainstream.
- 09
Cupid's Chokehold
Gym Class Heroes
pop-rapfeel-goodFind similar tracks →On the charts
Peaked at #4 on the Hot 100; originally released in 2004, blew up in 2006-07.
Why it mattered
Travie McCoy rapping over a Supertramp sample — this was the feel-good love song that crossed from the indie-rap underground to every radio station in America. Pure charm.
- 10
Bring Em Out
T.I.
trapanthemFind similar tracks →On the charts
Peaked at #9 on the Hot 100 from Urban Legend.
Why it mattered
Jay-Z sample, Swizz Beatz beat, and T.I. at his most anthemic. This was the victory lap song — you played it when your team won, when you aced the exam, when anything worth celebrating happened.
