A hip hop playlist is defined as a list of tracks that a DJ will play during a radio station program. Whether it’s underground hits or the best rap songs of all time, here are the oldest hip hop playlists …
Hot97. One of the most popular radio stations on the air today, this hip hop-focused company has faced a storm of controversy, including artists like Mary J. Blige and 50 Cent. Despite this, it maintains one of the most listened to playlists in the rap community today.
Power 105. This radio station handles rap material on a daily basis (after a publicized sot rock move in the late 1990s). His playlist focuses more on rap tracks like Lil’Wayne that have a strong focus on Dirty South.
Power 106. Possibly the most definitive hip hop playlist. This station plays the most definitive rap expressions in the game today, including well-known rap artists such as Kanye West, Black Eyed Peas, Jay-Z, and emerging rap artists such as Flo Rida, Drake, and Fobolous. Of any playlist, this is perhaps the most commercial (not to mention the successful).
IMEEM. An incredibly detailed resource for rap fans, you can create a rap playlist that includes hits from Lupe Fiasco, T..I. and Jay-Z. The best part about this site is the ability for a listener to add their songs to their playlist quickly and efficiently.
As you can see, a hip hop playlist says a lot about the radio station, including the songs it deems important, the style of music you prefer (for example, Dirty South or Underground), and the artists behind the tracks. Check out the aforementioned radio stations for a list of the best rap artist singles available.
So what does a hip hop playlist say about a radio station? Is it an indication of where they intend to take their music, or is it simply a reflection of society’s preference for rap music? Regardless of your intentions, radio stations continue to provide a plethora of quality rap tracks, most of which would never see the light of day were it not for their inclusion on a playlist. To get the most out of radio playlists, a hip hop artist should feature their songs on online radio stations like Pandora to improve their level of exposure.
