In a world where music is often measured by streaming numbers, one song has risen above the rest, not just for its popularity, but for its impact, quality, and cultural significance. That song is Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright,” which has recently claimed the top spot on Spotify’s list of 100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs of the Streaming Era.
Spotify ranks “Alright” by Kendrick Lamar as the No. 1 Greatest Hip-Hop Song of the Streaming Era. 🔊 PIC.TWITTER.COM/LFXKHWXIK3
— XXL Magazine (@XXL) MAY 20, 2024
“Alright,” a track from Kendrick’s critically acclaimed album “To Pimp A Butterfly,” is more than just a song. It’s a powerful blend of social commentary and an infectious club banger that has resonated with listeners worldwide, leaving a lasting impact on hip-hop culture.
The song explores themes of perseverance and faith in the face of oppression and difficulty. It describes the struggles that many people face in life, including poverty, police violence, and addiction. Despite these challenges, the chorus of the song captures a high level of optimism and belief that things will eventually get better.
Since its release in 2015, “Alright” has become an important protest song in the Black Lives Matter movement. It has been widely accepted as one of this generation’s most important protest anthems and is seen as a symbol of hope.
“Alright” was selected for four awards at the Grammy Awards in 2016, including the “Song of the Year” and the “Best Rap Song”. It won the latter. It also won the “Best Rap Performance” category at that year’s Grammys. Online music outlet, Pitchfork, ranked it as number one on their list of “Best song of the 2010s”.
Unlike other rankings, Spotify’s CLASSICS catalog program, which covers the period from 2015 to the present, focuses on qualitative aspects. Factors such as quality, influence, replay value, and cultural significance are considered, proving that streaming numbers are not the only measure of a song’s greatness.
Among the notable tracks on the list are Coi Leray’s “Players” (2022), Fivio Foreign’s “Big Drip” (2019), Doechii’s “Yucky Blucky Fruitcake” (2020), YG ft. Nipsey Hussle’s “FDT” (2016), and Sexyy Red’s “SkeeYee” (2023). Each of these songs, in their own way, has contributed to the rich tapestry of hip-hop music.
Kendrick Lamar’s impact on hip-hop continues to reverberate, and “Alright” stands as a testament to his artistry and social relevance. The song’s recognition as the No. 1 Greatest Hip-Hop Song of the Streaming Era by Spotify is a testament to its impact and popularity. Kendrick Lamar’s lyrical prowess and the song’s compelling beat have made it a standout in the hip-hop genre.
The newest iteration of Spotify CLASSICS, a celebration of catalog music chosen by Spotify’s North American editorial team, highlights major hits such as Drake’s “God’s Plan,” Future’s “Mask Off,” Kendrick Lamar’s “Humble,” and “WAP” by Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion.
Spotify’s hip-hop editorial team undertook the ambitious task of reviewing thousands of songs to compile this definitive list. The list reflects the editors’ music and cultural expertise, rather than being driven by streaming data, meaning that massive streaming numbers were not a prerequisite for inclusion.
Many fans online have been waiting by their phones all weekend as Apple Music counts down their official Top 100 Albums of All Time. But that isn’t the only countdown recently published by a streaming service. Spotify shared their list of the best rap songs of the streaming era earlier today. It won’t surprise many to know that the most critically adored rapper of the past 10 years, Kendrick Lamar, tops the list.
Kendrick appears on Spotify’s list a leading 6 different times. Three of his appearances come as features on other artist’s songs. Jay Rock’s “King’s Dead” comes in at number 59, Baby Keem’s “Family Ties” at number 35, and Travis Scott’s “Goosebumps” at 13. Three of Kendrick’s own songs also land on the list. Two DAMN hits drop in the top 30 with “DNA” at number 28 and “HUMBLE” at number 16. But the biggest achievement of all is that his anthem of perseverance, “Alright,” has claimed the top spot.
So, if you haven’t already, give “Alright” another listen—it’s a timeless gem! And remember, in the words of Kendrick Lamar himself, “We gon’ be alright.”
