Side 7 of 11
2006
Snap music and screaming lyrics
7 tracks
- 01
What You Know
T.I.
trapAtlantaFind similar tracks →On the charts
Peaked at #3 on the Hot 100; won a Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance.
Why it mattered
DJ Toomp's synths were menacing and T.I. delivered his most commanding performance. This was the King album's crown jewel — trap music's graduation to the mainstream.
- 02
Keys Open Doors
Clipse
east coastNeptunesFind similar tracks →On the charts
From Hell Hath No Fury; Neptunes production at its most minimalist and hard.
Why it mattered
Pusha T and Malice over a Neptunes beat that sounded like a haunted music box. Clipse made coke rap into high art and this was the thesis statement. Virginia had something to say.
- 03
Kick Push
Lupe Fiasco
consciousstorytellingFind similar tracks →On the charts
Peaked at #61 on the Hot 100; Lupe's debut single from Food & Liquor.
Why it mattered
A rap song about skateboarding that was also about freedom, youth, and not fitting in. Lupe Fiasco arrived as the most literary rapper of his generation. This was the announcement.
- 04
I Wanna Fuck You
Akon
clubr&b-rapFind similar tracks →On the charts
Peaked at #3 on the Hot 100 (as 'I Wanna Love You' on radio).
Why it mattered
Akon's Konvict Music era was in full swing. The explicit version was what everyone actually played — the radio edit lost the point entirely. Club music with zero subtlety.
- 05
Pop, Lock and Drop It
Huey
snapdanceFind similar tracks →On the charts
Peaked at #6 on the Hot 100; a one-hit wonder that defined a moment.
Why it mattered
The dance was the song and the song was the dance. Every party, every school dance, every function — someone was dropping it. St. Louis snap-crunk at its most effective.
- 06
What's Happenin' (Remix)
Juvenile · feat. B.G.
bounceNew OrleansFind similar tracks →On the charts
The B.G. remix became the definitive version in the South.
Why it mattered
Cash Money reunion energy. Juvenile and B.G. back together reminded everyone why New Orleans bounce rap was foundational. The remix hit harder than the original and DJs knew it.
- 07
Mr. Me Too
Clipse
east coastNeptunesFind similar tracks →On the charts
From Hell Hath No Fury; a critical favorite and fan anthem.
Why it mattered
Pharrell's bouncy beat with Pusha and Malice calling out every rapper biting their style. Clipse had the confidence to make a diss track that didn't name names because it didn't need to.
