Ludacris Picks “Rapper’s Delight” as Best Hip-Hop Song of All Time
Backstage at J. Cole’s Dreamville Festival, Ludacris revealed his pick for the best rap song of all time, and his choice couldn’t have been more fitting. The Atlanta legend, known for his influential contributions to the hip-hop industry, selected “Rapper’s Delight” by the Sugarhill Gang, calling it a track that essentially introduced Hip-Hop to the masses.
“I’ma go with Rapper’s Delight,” Ludacris said. “I would have to say that triggered a butterfly effect. If anybody else come to you today and try to say what the best Hip Hop song is – if that song didn’t happen, that song wouldn’t happen!”
Released in 1979, “Rapper’s Delight” is widely credited with bringing hip-hop into the mainstream, serving as one of the first rap songs to gain significant radio play and commercial success. The song helped solidify the genre’s place in popular culture, influencing countless artists and shaping the future of hip-hop music. Ludacris’ choice highlights its monumental importance in the history of rap music, marking it as the song that sparked a revolution.
Other notable artists like Anycia, Young Nudy, Juvenile, Wale, and EarthGang also shared their favorite rap tracks in the interview, adding a variety of perspectives from across the hip-hop spectrum.
Ludacris Reflects on Heroic Moment with Snoop Dogg
In addition to reflecting on his favorite rap song, Ludacris also took a trip down memory lane to recall a memorable moment involving Snoop Dogg. The Atlanta icon recently reminisced about a legendary weed-smoking contest he had with Snoop Dogg, marking it as one of his “hero moments.”
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Ludacris shared fond memories of the event, which occurred during the 21st anniversary of his album Chicken-N-Beer. The rapper explained how he and his friend, Poon Daddy, were invited by Snoop to his studio, where a weed-smoking challenge was underway.
Ludacris described the scene vividly: “We get there, they start lighting up blunts. I’m talking like six, seven blunts in rotation all at one time. My man Bishop Don Magic Juan was there. Anyone knows Don Juan knows that he puts the blunt up to his nose and inhales and then tries to pass it to somebody else.”
Despite the heavy smoke, Ludacris remained determined, saying he “wasn’t hitting the booger blunt” but still joined in on every other blunt that came around. The challenge continued for hours, and eventually, Ludacris watched his friend Poon Daddy tap out—a moment that was both surprising and historic.
Ludacris reflected, “For the first time in my life, I look at Poon and I see him get passed a blunt and he goes ‘Poon tapped out.’” He proudly added that while he didn’t out-smoke Snoop, it was a “hero moment” for him to be in the studio with one of his idols, Snoop Dogg.
This anecdote serves as a testament to Ludacris’ deep respect for Snoop and his status in the hip-hop world, further cementing the bond between these two legendary figures in rap history.
