The 25 most memorable hip-hop one-hit wonders

In 2006, New York rapper Mims came onto the music scene blazing with his debut single “This Is Why I’m Hot.” Mims uses the track in the most boastful way to highlight just how hotter he is than anyone who tries to compete with him. As he says on the hook, “I’m hot ‘cause I’m fly / You ain’t ‘cause you not / This is why, this is why, this is why I’m hot.” The track became a No. 1 hit record on the Billboard Hot 100. 

In 1997, hip-hop duo Lord Tariq and Peter Gunz released their hit single “Deja Vu (Uptown Baby).” It was the only single released from their album Make It Reign. The track reached No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a platinum-selling success, but the group broke up shortly after. 

Dr. Dre co-produced J.J. Fad’s hit single “Supersonic.” The song starts off with the hip-hop trio beatboxing, before the beat comes in as the ladies gives a definition of what “supersonic” means. As they say on the second verse, “Supersonic is a word when people start to listen / Especially bigger people, they play close attention.” “Supersonic” was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance in 1989, making J.J. Fad the first Grammy-nominated female hip-hop group.

Although Wreckx-N-Effect already had a hit single with 1989 single “New Jack Swing,” they’re mostly known for their 1992 single “Rump Shaker.” The track was co-produced by Teddy Riley, and featured Pharrell’s first songwriting credit. It’s the perfect mix of new jack swing and hip-hop for a track about women dancing and showing off their voluptuous bodies. 

For fans who wanted to hear a party anthem in 2004, then J-Kwon’s “Tipsy” was the perfect track. On the song, J-Kwon raps about people drinking and partying at the club. “Tipsy” peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

Typically when artists come out with a dance-crazed song that’s super successful, it seems to be tough for them to match that success as a follow-up. In 2015, rapper Silento released his debut single “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)” which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. However, he didn’t release a full-length album until three years later. 

When people hear Positive K’s 1992 hit “I Got a Man,” it may sound like a duet between him and a woman. However, Positive K is actually the voice of both voices on the track. On “I Got a Man,” there’s a dialogue with a guy trying shoot his shot at a lady, but she’s telling him that she’s already taken. 

In 1993, Cecil Glenn and Steve Gibson, also known as the hip-hop due Tag Team released their debut single “Whoomp! (There It Is).” From the opening line of, “Party people! / Yeah, Tag Team music in full effect” was the perfect line to introduce the group, but also to make sure it was a party anthem brewing. It was the type of track that had people on the dance floor, a song that reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

In 2002, hip-hop duo Smilez & Southstar released their only album Crash the Party, which featured their hit single “Tell Me.” On the track, the duo tell a story about a relationship and then dealing with heartbreak. The song reached No, 10 on the Billboard Hot Rap Songs chart. 

In 2008, hip-hop trio GS Boyz released their hit debut single “Stanky Legg.” It’s one of those tracks that is known for sparking a dance routine, in which people extend their leg, rotate in a circular motion, and then repeat it on the other leg. The song peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks chart. 

In 1989, Young MC released his debut album Stone Cold Rhymin’ which featured his hit single “Bust a Move.” The funky guitar bass line, which was performed by Red Hot Chilli Peppers bassist Flea, gives the song a rock vibe, but Young MC brings his raps of trying to make a move on a woman who catches his eye. “Bust a Move” won the 1990 Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance. 

In 2006, DJ Webstar teamed up with Young B on his debut single “Chicken Noodle Soup.” The song is known for having a dance associated with it that originated in Harlem. The dance in the video drove fans all over the world to upload their dance videos on YouTube. “Chicken Noodle Soup” became a top-20 hit on Billboard’s Hot Rap songs chart. 

In 2003, Bone Crusher became one of the newest artists signed to the So So Def roster. His debut album AttenCHUN! was led by the hit single “Never Scared.” On the track, Crusher raps about people stepping to him wrong and how he’s not going to back down if people come at him incorrectly and disrespectfully. 

In 2006, St. Louis rapper Huey released his hit single “Pop, Lock & Drop It.” It was the only song released from his debut album Notebook Paper, an album that reached the top 40 on the Billboard 200. “Pop, Lock & Drop It.” was a club anthem that became a top-10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. 

Hip-hop duo Duice were a fan of women wearing short shorts with their 1993 single “Dazzey Duks.” The song became a top-20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a double-platinum success in less than a year after its release. 

In 2011, YC teamed up with Future on his debut solo single “Racks.” Co-produced by Sonny Digital, the song finds YC rapping about all of his riches. Although the song reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot Rap songs chart, people didn’t hear much from YC after the success of it, meanwhile, Future went on to become a huge rapper. 

Jibbs’ 2006 debut single “Chain Hang Low” was always quite the catchy song due to the sample of the children’s nursery rhyme “Do Your Ears Hang Low?” With the title, the song reflects on how much rappers love showing off their jewelry. As he says on the hook, “Do your chain hang low? Do it wobble to the flo’? / Do it shine in the light? Is it platinum, is it gold?” 

In 1992, Paperboy released his debut album The Nine Yards, which featured his hit single “Ditty.” The song reached No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rap Solo Performance. The success of “Ditty” helped make his album reach Gold-selling status. 

In 2007, hip-hop trio Shop Boyz released their only studio album Rockstar Mentality, which featured the hit song “Party Like a Rockstar.” It was always an enticing sound on how the track blended elements of hip-hop with punk rock. On the track, the group mentions a number of rockers including Travis Barker, Marilyn Manson, and the Osbournes. “Party Like a Rockstar” peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, totally dude! 

In 1995, Skee-Lo released his debut single “I Wish.” On the track, Skee-Lo reflects on falling short when it comes to getting a girlfriend, and he compares himself to other men who seem to have it all. As he raps on the hook, “I wish I was a little bit taller, I wish I was a baller / I wish I had a girl who looked good, I would call her.” 

In 1997, hip-hop duo K.P. & Envyi released their club anthem “Swing My Way.” On the track, the two detail a night on the town and seeing a potential lover that catches their attention. As they say on the hook, “Shawty swing my way / You sure look good to me / Now would you please swing my way / Shawty, swing my way.” 

In 1994, Los Angeles rapper Ahmad released his smooth and mellow hit single “Back in the Day.” On the track, Ahmad reminisces on his childhood and teenage years in which life was much more simple, and he wishes he could go back to those times. As he says on the hook, “Back in the days when I was young / I’m not a kid anymore / But some days I sit and wish I was kid again.” The song became a top-30 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

In 1996, Washington D.C. native DJ Kool released his hit song “Let Me Clear My Throat.” On the track, listeners can hear fans cheering and participating, due to the song being recorded live at the Bahama Bay club in Philadelphia. It’s the type of track that knows how to get the party started. 

When girl group TLC released their hit single “No Scrubs,” there’s no doubt that the lyrics struck a nerve with some men. So much, that hip-hop group Sporty Thieves released their response to it with “No Pigeons.” The song topped a number of hip-hop charts and was a top-20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. 

In 1994, The Lady of Rage released her first single “Afro Puffs.” On the track, not only does the rapper describe her hairstyle, but she wants people to not be fooled, she’s rough and tough no matter the hairstyle she’s rocking.