Side 6 of 11
2005
The ringtone era goes to college
9 tracks
- 01
Dem Boyz
Boyz N Da Hood
trapAtlantaFind similar tracks →On the charts
Peaked at #27 on the Hot 100; Young Jeezy's group on Bad Boy South.
Why it mattered
Atlanta street rap with a hook built for stadiums. Boyz N Da Hood brought Jeezy's trap energy to a group format, and this was the standout — aggressive, catchy, unavoidable.
- 02
Play
David Banner
southern rapbassFind similar tracks →On the charts
Peaked at #7 on the Hot 100 from Certified.
Why it mattered
Mississippi bass music at its finest. David Banner made something so heavy and primal that the subwoofer test at every car audio shop was this track. Pure energy.
- 03
Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It
Dem Franchize Boyz · feat. Peanut, Charlay
snapAtlantaFind similar tracks →On the charts
Peaked at #7 on the Hot 100; snap music's biggest moment.
Why it mattered
The snap music movement had its anthem. Simple, repetitive, and absolutely infectious — everyone on the floor was doing the exact same lean. Atlanta kept innovating.
- 04
Hate It or Love It
The Game · feat. 50 Cent
west coaststorytellingFind similar tracks →On the charts
Peaked at #2 on the Hot 100; nominated for two Grammys.
Why it mattered
The underdog anthem. Game and 50 over a soulful Dr. Dre beat telling their come-up stories. This transcended hip-hop — it was the song you played when you needed to remember why you grind.
- 05
Touch the Sky
Kanye West · feat. Lupe Fiasco
hip-hopsoul sampleFind similar tracks →On the charts
Peaked at #42 on the Hot 100 from Late Registration.
Why it mattered
Curtis Mayfield sample, Lupe Fiasco feature, and Kanye at his most triumphant. The beat built and built until you felt like you could fly. This was the 'anything is possible' song.
- 06
Fireman
Lil Wayne
southern rapCash MoneyFind similar tracks →On the charts
Peaked at #32 on the Hot 100 from Tha Carter II.
Why it mattered
Wayne's ascent to best-rapper-alive status was in full swing. This was the lead single from Carter II and it hit like a statement of purpose. The South had a new king.
- 07
Back Then
Mike Jones
HoustonSwishahouseFind similar tracks →On the charts
Peaked at #12 on the Hot 100; Mike Jones's signature hit.
Why it mattered
281-330-8004. Mike Jones said his name and phone number so many times it became a national meme before memes existed. Houston rap at its most unapologetically repetitive and effective.
- 08
Grillz
Nelly · feat. Paul Wall, Ali, Gipp
pop-rapHouston crossoverFind similar tracks →On the charts
Peaked at #1 on the Hot 100; certified platinum.
Why it mattered
Nelly bridged St. Louis and Houston with Paul Wall on the assist. Grillz went from Southern rap accessory to nationwide trend overnight. The song was the commercial.
- 09
Stay Fly
Three 6 Mafia · feat. Young Buck, Eightball, MJG
MemphiscrunkFind similar tracks →On the charts
Peaked at #13 on the Hot 100 from Most Known Unknown.
Why it mattered
Willie Hutch sample flipped into Memphis crunk perfection. Three 6 Mafia were about to win an Oscar and this was the victory lap single. The South ran hip-hop in 2005.
