Top 10 Songs of 2023 Ranked

2022 was one of the best years for rap music (and music in general) in recent history. Unfortunately, 2023 was not quite able to provide the same quality of content. There were significantly less notable rap albums, leading to less notable songs. However, the songs on this list are still all fantastic and most definitely worth mentioning, but they are not as special as the songs from 2022. Also, there will only be one song per album, as it would be better to highlight songs from a variety of different albums on this list. Anyway, without further ado, here are the top ten songs of 2023, with some honorable mentions.

Honorable Mention 1: Popular — The Weeknd (feat. Playboi Carti and Modonna)

Madonna and Playboi Carti on the same song honestly does not even feel real, but The Weeknd makes it work on “Popular,” one of the songs for the soundtrack to his HBO show The Idol. The song is bouncy, it’s groovy, and the Madonna feature works perfectly as well. People were really excited to hear Carti after seemingly disappearing from the media, but his feature was a little short and underwhelming. A lot more could have been made from the Playboi Carti feature, and that is why it comes just short of the top ten. The Weeknd’s performance is great as expected, and it is no surprise at this point that he continues to produce great hit songs.

Honorable Mention 2: Didn’t Cha Know — Live At Electric Lady — Denzel Curry (feat. Bilal)

While this song is absolutely fantastic, it is a cover from the 2000 song by Erykah Badu, so it would not be fair to place it on the list, as it is not an original song. The reason that this song had to be mentioned is because of the growth and versatility Denzel Curry shows on this song, as he produces what is probably the best singing performance of his career. “Didn’t Cha Know” is calm, groovy, and frankly just an incredibly smooth live cover. It is quite insane seeing the growth of Denzel Curry; no one in 2019 would think these would be words to accurately describe one of his tracks. However, the Florida rapper has certainly come a long way, and it seems as if he just continues to be consistent with quality music, whether it is a cover or not.

10. BROAD DAY — Offset (feat. Future)

While the beat is great, it’s the unmatched chemistry between Offset and Future on “Broad Day” that makes it one of the best trap songs of the year. There were a few tracks on SET IT OFF that could have made the list, like “SAY MY GRACE” with Travis Scott, or “WORTH IT” with Don Toliver. However, “Broad Day” contains a slightly better rapping performance and feature verse. Offset’s catchy hook along with his nice flows make his contributions excellent. Even more excellent is Future’s feature; he comes into the song so fast, immediately after Offset’s second chorus, and he gives one of his best, most energetic, and most cold-blooded features in a long time. A great collaboration between two trap icons.

9. First Person Shooter — Drake (feat. J. Cole)

While For All The Dogs was not the best album, “First Person Shooter” is a fantastic rap cut. The incredible, grand J. Cole feature is easily one of the best rap verses in 2023, with his pop culture references and flow switch ups. The beat is also phenomenal and quite unforgettable. The second half of this song is not nearly as special as the first, and that does bring the placement of the song down a bit, however the track is still great and deserving of the top ten.

8. drive ME crazy! — Lil Yachty (feat. Diana Gordon)

Similar to “First Person Shooter,” the first half of “drive ME crazy!” is much better than the second. However, it would be an absolute crime to not have Lil Yachty somewhere on this list, as he has put out the best work of his career so far: an impressive alternative, multiple singles, and great features. “drive ME crazy!” is a gorgeous track from Let’s Start Here., with amazing vocals from Diana Gordon, who provides an insanely catchy hook and amazing first verse . Yachty’s singing on the track is quite good as well; his growth as an artist is really apparent on this track. The song is absolute ear candy, and If the second half was stronger, “drive ME crazy!” would easily place in the top three.

7. Half Doin Dope — JID (feat. Lil Yachty and Babytron)

No one should be surprised to see JID on this list, as he is one of the most talented rappers in the world right now. The single “Half Doin Dope” features Lil Yachty and Babytron, a surprising duo to see on a song with JID. However, JID makes it work with an insanely catchy beat, and amazing flows. All three artists bring unique styles to the track, making it one of the most fun songs of the year. Hopefully JID puts out more collaborations and singles like this in the future.

6. Mamas PrimeTime — Westside Gunn (feat. JID, Conway the Machine, and Cartier A Williams)

Westside Gunn, JID, and Conway the Machine team up for one of the most interesting songs of the year. The beat is eerie, strange, but quite intriguing. However, the real reason that “Mamas PrimeTime” is so high on the list is because of JID’s amazing feature which proves yet again why he is one of the best rappers in the world today. His consistency is unmatched; JID has not put out a single bad verse in the last few years. He flows over the beat so effortlessly, and is such a great transition from Westside Gunn to Conway the Machine. The other two rappers put out great verses as well, and it makes for a really interesting rap collaboration.

5. Am I Dreaming — Metro Boomin (feat. A$AP Rocky and Rosiee)

While Spiderman: Across the Spider Verse was handily one of the best films of 2023, the soundtrack was nowhere near the top of anyone’s 2023 album’s list. However, there were definitely some highlights in the soundtrack, however it was “Am I Dreaming” that really stood out as the best song from the soundtrack Metro Boomin’s beat on is catchy, quality, and absolutely beautiful; A$AP Rocky’s verse is fantastic, as well as the vocals from Rosiee who carries the hook. This song is great, and it hits extra hard listening to it as the credits roll at the end of Spiderman: Across the Spider Verse. Metro has been on an incredible run, and hopefully his collaboration album with Future releases soon.

4. SORRY NOT SORRY — Tyler, The Creator

Despite having only eight tracks, The Estate Sale was without a doubt one of the best rap projects of 2023. All the songs were great, but none as creative or unique as “SORRY NOT SORRY,” which sees Tyler cleverly going through his different eras and personalities while doing it over fantastic production from Tyler himself. His tone, energy, and lyrics change to match each era. The brilliant track is a perfect closer to The Estate Sale, and it really should have been on the original tracklist of CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST, as the track is really a phenomenal way to close a project, and probably a better closer than “SAFARI,” the track that closes out the original tracklist. Anyway, Tyler has been consistently putting out impressive, creative, and quality projects, and hopefully he keeps it up in the future, which he almost certainly will.

3. Kingdom Hearts Key — JPEGMAFIA and Danny Brown (feat. redveil)

The JPEGMAFIA beat on this song is the most impressive and best produced beat of the year; the sample flip from a 1996 Japanese cartoon is absolutely genius and it sounds unbelievable. Frankly, the beat is almost hard to comprehend at first, but it is truly unique and fascinating. JPEGMAFIA and Danny Brown both do their thing over the masterful instrumental, and the redveil feature near the end of the track is amazing as well. There is not a more well-produced song from the year 2023 than “Kingdom Hearts Key,” and not a more unique rapper/producer than JPEGMAFIA.

2. What If You Hypnotize Me? — Sampha (feat. Léa Sen)

Beautiful production, amazing vocals, and an incredible feature to close out the song. “What If You Hypnotize Me?” is no doubt one of the best songs of the year. The instrumental, with a beautiful piano loop, is so gorgeous and calming, and Sampha’s voice fits perfectly on top of it. As the instrumental changes near the end of the song, Léa Sen, the only feature on the entirety of Sampha’s exceptional album Lahai, comes through with a peaceful, yet powerful feature, that puts the listener in a trance. Listening to this song is like therapy, as it is so angelic and stunning, especially Léa Sen’s amazing outro.

1. SIRENS — Travis Scott

Completely contrasting the number two pick on the list, “SIRENS” is a dark, almost scary rap song. The beat, which Travis Scott produced himself, is one of the best in all of his career: it’s loud, it’s weird, and most of all, it’s unique. Travis is rapping better than eve — he never sounded this menacing on a song in his life. So much is achieved in the 3:24 runtime: amazing verses, crazy instrumental breaks, video game sounds which transition into insane synths, and even an outro skit from Drake. Every listen of this song is a whole journey, and it is truly one of the best songs from Travis Scott thus far in his career.

Conclusion

So, there it is, the top ten best songs of 2023. Again, the year was not as good as 2022 for music, especially rap music, but there were still song impressive tracks that should stick around in people’s minds for a while.