In the latest episode of the NFR Podcast, hosts Luca and Anthony celebrated reaching the halfway mark of the 2020s by sharing their personal picks for the top 25 hip-hop songs of the decade so far. Reflecting on the sheer volume of music released in the past few years, the duo also discussed the overwhelming flood of high-quality tracks, defying the long-standing “Hip Hop is Dead” narrative.
“The amount of material we’ve had to sift through is staggering,” Anthony remarked, with Luca chiming in on how difficult it was to narrow their choices down. In fact, both hosts admitted that their original selections could have easily stretched to a top 50 or even a top 100 list. But after extensive research, revisiting old lists, and revisiting albums and singles from 2020 to 2024, they felt confident in their final 25 selections.
As the hosts began revealing their rankings, the debate over which songs truly stood out from the crowd intensified. Among the picks were Joey Bada$$’s “Make Me Feel,” Kid Cudi’s ethereal “The Void,” Little Simz’s “Woman,” Kendrick Lamar’s hard-hitting “Not Like Us,” and Conway the Machine’s “Lemon” featuring Method Man.
Luca’s highlights included “The Void,” which he argues is possibly Cudi’s best song of the decade, lauding its atmospheric production and emotional resonance. Anthony, on the other hand, celebrated “Aquamarine” by Black Thought for its immaculate lyricism, along with “Feel the Fire” by Metro Boomin, featuring Takeoff and ASAP Rocky, calling it an example of an absolute lyrical masterclass.
Moving through their lists, the discussion shifted toward songs from artists like Baby Keem, Westside Gunn, and J. Cole. Luca chose tracks like “SYM” by Jad and “Kitchen Lights” by Westside Gunn, while Anthony favored songs like “Go Flick the Rebirth” by Bally James and “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar. Both hosts agreed that the ongoing influence of Kendrick, who appeared on multiple tracks across their lists, has been instrumental in shaping the 2020s sound.
As the list advanced, the hosts spent significant time dissecting a few tracks that helped define the decade. Highlights included Run The Jewels’ politically charged “Walking in the Snow,” and the rare collaboration between Nas and Lauryn Hill on “Nobody,” which they described as a stand-out track from the “King’s Disease” series. Tyler, The Creator’s “Sorry Not Sorry” was also discussed for its vulnerability and growth, marking a departure from his previously more edgy persona.
Big Sean’s “Deep Reverence” came up as an example of hip-hop’s emotional weight, especially given the inclusion of Nipsey Hussle’s posthumous verse. The hosts also discussed the seismic impact of J. Cole’s feature on Benny The Butcher’s “Johnny P’s Caddy,” ultimately ranking it as one of the decade’s finest collaborations.
Narrowing down their top five was no easy task. The battle for the number one spot came down to Denzel Curry’s “Walkin” and Kanye West’s “Life of the Party,” featuring Andre 3000. After much deliberation, Luca placed “Walkin” at the top due to its seamless fusion of modern and classic influences, while Anthony gave “Life of the Party” its due for its emotional depth, particularly Andre 3000’s unforgettable verse.
The conversation continued with discussions about songs like Kendrick Lamar’s “The Hard Part 5,” ScHoolboy Q’s “Thank God For Me,” and other chart-toppers. Both hosts agreed that songs like “Johnny P’s Caddy” and “Walkin” would become defining moments in the hip-hop landscape for years to come.
While their final list was set, the hosts made sure to give some love to tracks that almost made the cut. Among the honorable mentions were “Father Time” by ScHoolboy Q and “Look Over Your Shoulder” by Busta Rhymes featuring Kendrick Lamar. Luca also pointed out the absence of Drake in the top 25, though his tracks were present in the honorable mentions. Similarly, Anthony noted that artists like Conway and Lupe Fiasco didn’t quite make it, though they certainly had worthy contributions to the decade.
As the episode concluded, Luca and Anthony reflected on the lasting impact of the decade’s most influential tracks. For both, the songs in their top 25 embody the continued vibrancy of hip-hop, a genre that continues to evolve and captivate with every new release. From Kendrick Lamar to Drake, Tyler The Creator, and beyond, the 2020s have proven to be a golden era for the genre, one marked by experimentation, collaboration, and incredible growth.
Their discussion wrapped up with an exciting announcement: they plan to revisit their picks in the coming years, continuing to track the sounds that will shape hip-hop’s future.
