Top 10 Greatest Rap One Hit Wonders
#10: “Whoomp (There It Is)” (1993)
Tag Team Rap duo Tag Team will be forever known for their hit “Whoomp (There It Is).” The crossover single went platinum four times and helped bring hip hop to a wider audience. Containing an inviting beat and catchy hook, this single brings together many classic elements of early 90s rap. Unable to find that early success again, the duo released a lesser sophomore effort and their label filed for bankruptcy a few years later. Tag Team went into a hiatus and briefly returned for a variety of performances and media appearances. Even if the group doesn't release music anymore, “Whoomp (There It Is)” finds new generations of fans through its use in commercials and films.
#9: “Party Like a Rockstar” (2007)
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Shop Boyz The Shop Boyz's 2007 release “Party Like a Rockstar” works as a fist-bumping anthem for hip-hop fans and even some skeptics. Although it was a one-hit wonder, the debut single went multi-platinum and granted them a small window of attention. It took them many years to deliver a follow-up. But at that point, most people moved on from their original track. While the Shop Boyz haven’t recorded in a long time, they deserve some respect for going all out with a straightforward message. “Party Like a Rockstar” is ultimately a shameless and entertaining celebration of life.
#8: “Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)” (1992)
Digable Planets “Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)” represents the ever changing sounds of rap in the 90s. Digable Planet’s track uses a catchy horn riff as the foundation for an ingenious song that rose to 15 on the Hot 100. While the group only has two studio albums to their name, their influence on less mainstream forms of hip-hop earned them a brief moment in the spotlight. They won a Grammy for their critically-lauded hit. It turned out to be one of the more popular entries in the jazz rap era. While reunion tours in the 2010s proved the trio was still interested in performing together, they’ve never topped this single.
#7: “Jump Around” (1992)
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House of Pain There’s only a handful of hip-hop tracks that get people of all ages dancing. House of Pain’s “Jump Around” is a great example of a universal hit. With its awesome sampling and fierce attitude, the song is guaranteed to thrill the audience. Jump Around’s collaboration with Cypress Hill’s DJ Muggs led to the rap trio striking gold with this single in the U.S. and around the world. Eventually, House of Pain would later join a supergroup and rapper Everlast would make a brief splash as a solo artist. None of their subsequent work together or as individuals could match the fury of this one-of-a-kind hit. Although they haven't reunited in a number of years, there's always a chance they'll return.
#6: “Just a Friend” (1989)
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Biz Markie Although some call it a novelty song, “Just a Friend” by Biz Markie is a classic in its own right. The rappers’ fun verses make way for a bittersweet chorus that still puts a smile on your face. Markie’s top-ten single carries an endearing quality that most artists can only hope for. Its pop rap sounds helped make it a crossover hit in the late 80s, allowing for the performer to partially live off of its success. While he mostly stopped making his own music in the 2000s, he featured on tracks from other artists like Beastie Boys. “Just a Friend” still pops up in commercials and other media as an evergreen favorite.
#5: “93 ‘til Infinity” (1993)
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Souls of Mischief “93 ‘til Infinity” is a one-hit wonder and a supremely underrated hip-hop piece by the Souls of Mischief. Delving into a more alternative style, the song has a high-quality production and an amazing beat courtesy of producer A-Plus. The group trades lyrics and laid back vibes in a single that has everything you could need. But the Oakland rappers weren’t able to keep their early success going. Souls of Mischief’s schedule of output became a lot more sporadic after the 90s. Their highly-acclaimed debut album and this lead track carry a timeless quality that deserves another listen.
#4: “I Wish” (1995)
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Skee-Lo Skee-Lo’s “I Wish” wasn’t just a hit, it was an anthem for men who didn’t feel like all-stars. The self-effacing message veers away from the braggadocio lyrics that are common in rap music. With an alternative feel, it was also a much different sounding single from the hardcore movements taking control in the mid-90s. While the Grammy-nominated track reached 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, but Skee-Lo's subsequent releases didn’t achieve the same attention. If it's any consolation, the artist's song and video will always be fun additions to one of the best decades for the genre.
#3: “It Takes Two” (1988)
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Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock "It Takes Two" by Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock is widely considered one of the best and most important hip-hop recordings ever. The platinum single was also immensely successful upon its release. In the late 80s, the New York hip-hop duo helped shape rap music into a mainstream genre. But Base's solo album "The Incredible Base" had a limited chart performance and failed to capitalize on the popularity of "It Takes Two." The two stopped recording music together after their album "Break of Dawn" didn't land with audiences. While DJ E-Z Rock died in 2014, his work lives on through this hit's use in various film soundtracks.
#2: “Bust a Move” (1989)
Young MC Even if you don’t know Young MC, you definitely know this late 80s single. “Bust a Move” has become one of the timeless classics of hip-hop history. The artist's smooth flow rides over the top of an iconic production, receiving near unanimous critical acclaim. It was both a top-ten hit and a Grammy-winning song. The rapper diversified his output after this track ended up being his only substantial release, making appearances in both film and television projects. With one of the best grooves of its respective decade, “Bust a Move” is a welcome addition to any dance party.
#1: “Baby Got Back” (1992)
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Sir Mix-a-Lot Decades after its release, “Baby Got Back” hasn’t lost any of its intensity or charm. Although Sir Mix-a-Lot might be a one-hit wonder, his biggest release never fails to get people excited. It manages to come off as cheeky without being too explicit for wider audiences. That great blend may be why it remains one of the more groundbreaking songs of its genre. He rode that message all the way to number one on the Hot 100 and created a cultural touchstone at the same time. Even if he couldn’t repeat that success, Sir Mix-a-Lot continues to be a household name for this track.
