HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY: THE 50 GREATEST HIP-HOP LOVE SONGS

"What is a love song?" seems like a trite way to kick off a list such as this, but it's a valid question with varied answers. When one looks at the annals of popular music, a "love song" may seem simple to define, but there are many variations on what it means exactly. Essentially, a love song is a song dedicated to the celebration, loss, discovery, or longing for love and affection. 

Throughout years of music, you'll find classic love songs of every ilk: the ode to pining for love from afar; the bitter rumination on love gone wrong, the recognition of love in a lasting connection; the woeful betrayal of the heart. Some of these “I love you” songs picked up Grammys; others became cult classics. Some of these songs are odes to finding your soulmate, some are tributes to unrequited love—but they've all shaped the sound and scope of the Hip-Hop love song.

So, in honor of 50 Years Of Hip-Hop, here are the ROCK THE BELLS staff picks for the 50 GREATEST HIP-HOP LOVE SONGS.

50. LOTS OF LOVIN'

Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth

A standout track, this 1992 smash is a 90s standard. The dynamic duo from Mt. Vernon showcased their soulful approach on their classic debut album Mecca And The Soul Brother. On this hit single, Peter and Cory delivered a romantic track for the ages. C.L. spits rhymes about loving his lady that are both conscious and heartfelt as he rhymes over Pete Rock's lush sample of the Ohio Player's cover of "What's Going On." It's a musical moment that helped cement Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth as one of the most remarkable duos in rap. And show that "real Hip-Hop" has no shortage of romance. —Stereo Williams

49. NO GREATER LOVE
Blu & Exile

Is there anything greater than an everyday living life love song? Blu makes a case for just that in “No Greater Love” from the 2007 classic, Below the Heavens. The always lyrically impressive Cali MC makes you yearn for a barefoot-around-the-house, early morning-snuggling kind of love. —Jacinta Howard

48. BEAUTIFUL SKIN
Goodie MOB

The foursome out of Atlanta had been known for their fiery street politics and thoughtful-beyond-their-years sage wisdom, but T-Mo, Khujo, Big Gipp, and Cee-Lo broadened their topical and musical range on their underrated sophomore album Still Standing. One of the cornerstones of the project is this heartfelt ode to Black womanhood, as the four emcees woo the sisters with words of adoration, respect, and love. —Stereo Williams

47. WHAT'S LUV?
Fat Joe feat. Ashanti, Ja Rule

Fat Joe's transformation from Bronx street rap "Flow Joe" to chart-topping "Don Cartagena" was cemented with this smash featuring Ashanti and Ja Rule. Over skittering production from Irv Gotti, Joey Crack's rhymes are more contradictory than complementary to Ja and Ashanti's Tina Turner-referencing hook: while she sings, "it should be about trust, it should be about us," Joe sounds like he just wants to get laid. The infectious single put the D.I.T.C. veteran squarely at the top of the pop charts, and Fat Joe became a crossover superstar. —Stereo Williams

46. I KNOW WHAT U WANT
Busta Rhymes feat. Mariah Carey, Flipmode Squad

Busta had already shown that he could flip from frenetic to romantic on 1998's erotic "What's It Gonna Be?," but he went full quiet storm on this hit 2002 duet with pop megastar Mariah. Over the seductive production from Rick Rock, Buss, and the Flipmode Squad drop hushed bars about everything from pet names to perseverance. The second single from It Ain't Safe No More remains not only one of the Brooklyn legend's most successful singles worldwide; it's also one of Ms. Carey's biggest hits of the 2000s. —Stereo Williams

45. SO GOOD
Pharoahe Monch

Pharoahe Monch’s artistic diversity probably doesn’t get talked about as much as it should, and that’s a shame. On this standout from his 2006 offering, Desire, he skillfully weaves a sensual but simple narrative about trusting your partner enough to offer it all to them over a chilled-out sample of Tweet’s gorgeous “My Place.” And when he coaxes: “Let go of your fears, don't run and hide/Just open up, let me come inside… Are you feelin' depressed? Give it to me/Stress? Give it to me…” — it’s so good. —Jacinta Howard

44. GOTTA MAN
Eve

The singsongy hook and lighthearted production from Swizz Beatz made this hit single from Let There Be Eve...Ruff Ryders' First Lady inescapable in 1999, and it helped make E-V-E a household name even amongst the superstar Ruff Ryders crew. With an assist from Mashonda, the Philly native raps about her boyfriend, showing love for his street bonafides and those sweet nights alone. A song that cemented her status as the ride-or-die chick of late 90s rap. —Stereo Williams

43. LUV U BETTER
LL COOL J

LL COOL J is the king of the Hip-Hop love song, a place he’d secured long before this entry into his long discography. Here though, he proves he still has a lover’s touch over production from The Neptunes during their dominant run in the early aughts. LL’s lovelorn apology to his woman almost doesn’t even matter because the two-step vibes are so heavy on this mid-tempo gem. —Jacinta Howard

42. THE LOVE RAP
Spoonie Gee

Following the template that he created on 1979's "Spoonin' Rap," Spoonie Gee dropped one of his most monumental records with 1980's "Love Rap." The Pumpkin-produced, drums-only track sees Spoonie riding down the street and encountering a young lady who he expresses interest in. "Love Rap" became a breakbeat within itself: first-generation Hip-Hop DJs used it in their sets and as a soundbed for their MCs. —JayQuan 

41. THE LOVER IN YOU
Big Daddy Kane

The King Asiatic is truly Nobody's Equal when it comes to Hip-Hop love songs. Long considered one of rap's most suave personalities, Kane hit a home-run with this Prince-sampling guide to how to properly love your lady down. Over a stellar flip of The Purple One's 1986 hit "Pop Life," Kane offers everything from movie recommendations to rub downs. —Stereo Williams

40. 21 QUESTIONS
50 Cent feat. Nate Dogg

It is historically noted that, in the early 2000s, 50 famously took down a certain other Queens-born chart-topper with a penchant for singsongy "thug love" anthems. The G-Unit frontman then supplanted his one-time rival with...a singsongy thug love anthem. This smash features one of Nate Dogg's all-time best hooks, as 50 shows that he can get charmingly lovey-dovey with the best of them. —Stereo Williams 

39. CAN YOU GET AWAY?
2Pac

Pac was no stranger to making songs for the ladies; but he most often fell into two categories: sista-girl anthems like “Keep Ya Head Up,” or horn-dog come-ons like “How Do U Want It?” or “I Get Around.” “Can You Get Away?” falls into neither category, it’s arguably the most unapologetically charming and sweet Pac ever got on a single track, as he attempts to woo a young lady away from her trash boyfriend. —Stereo Williams

38. HONEYDIPS IN GOTHAM
The Boogiemonsters

The quartet dropped their stellar debut The Underwater Album at the height of Death Row domination, and as such, the quirky charm of Vex Da Vortex, Mondo and brothers Myntric and Yodared went unheralded by many in the mid-90s. But the video for leadoff track "Recognized Thresholds Of Negative Stress" became a Rap City fixture, and this—the album's second single—became a nerd rap classic; an enduring and endearing ode to all the pretty girls in the city. —Stereo Williams

37. SLOW IT DOWN
Little Brother

A breezy jam that embodies the homie-next-door spirit Phonte and Rapper Big Pooh are so great at delivering, “Slow It Down” is one of the many reasons The Minstrel Show is so appreciated. Pooh keeps it earnest and simple—he’s trying to “see what’s really good” with the woman he’s been eyeing. As for Phonte, there are few artists as capable of delivering super relatable relationship stories as he is. Here, he’s in top form, especially when he closes the song with one of his most quotable verses in a career full of them, stamped by this classic bit of honesty: “I want a girl when I want a girl, and when I don’t want a girl I want a girl who understands that.” —Jacinta Howard

36. CHERRY WINE
Nas feat. Amy Winehouse

There’s something haunting about “Cherry Wine”—as it was recorded posthumously after Amy Winehouse’s untimely death in 2011. And yet, the throwback duet produced by Salaam Remi evokes a spirit of yesteryear when the likes of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terell would trade love-filled odes to one another. —Alec Banks

35. IS IT GOOD TO YOU?

Heavy D & The Boyz
Yet another banger from none other than Teddy Riley, this beloved hit from Heavy D & The Boyz perfectly crystallized everything that made the Heavster such a favorite. With Riley reworking the famous vamp from Junior’s “Mama Used To Say,” Heavy’s charisma is on full display, as he spits his charm and offers his lady everything from rub downs to a little nookie in the garage. There’s even a Charles In Charge reference. What’s not to love? —Stereo Williams

34. HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY
OutKast

There's something so quintessentially Andre 3000 about this quirky and ironic love song from Andre's half of Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. The ATL legend introduces himself as Cupid Valentino, before crooning about contemporary cynicism surrounding love. And he punctuates the whimsical commentary about the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus with bars about insecurity and fear of commitment. —Stereo Williams

33. MAKE ME BETTER
Fabolous feat. Ne-Yo

Assured bordering on cocky, Fabolous’ declaration that even though he’s a “movement” by his lonesome, his woman still manages to make him “better” was much-appreciated. Add in top-notch production from Timbaland and you had a mood for the entire summer of 2007, and beyond. —Jacinta Howard

32. LOVE THIRST
Jean Grae

Over what has to be among 9th Wonder’s best productions, dexterous polymath, Jean Grae keeps it super sensuous on this standout from their collaboration, Jeanius. Appreciated as one of Hip-Hop’s most insightful MCs, she’s relaxed over 9th’s sensual production, making for a timeless entry in her superior discography. Busta Rhymes comes through on the remix, and ups the sexual banter with clever wordplay. —Jacinta Howard

31. MISSED CALLS
Mac Miller

Pulled from an earlier part of Mac Miller’s career, listeners were privy to a certain amount of introspection that we perhaps didn’t see coming from the Pittsburgh native. Situated over a somber piano/organ riff, Miler perfectly sits in the pocket between singing and rapping—something that would become something of a hallmark as his career progressed. —Alec Banks

30. EXCUSE ME, MISS

Jay-Z feat. Pharrell

It's regularly considered to be the moment where Jay-Z started making "grown man" rap, and understandably so. The playboy obnoxiousness of earlier singles like "Who U Wit?" and "Can I Get A...?" is replaced with a suave, debonair flavor that would make Big Daddy Kane proud. Over Pharrell's cool-as-fuck sample of Prince's 1991 album track "Walk Don't Walk," Jay offers to get to know a young lady better. An early '00s smash. —Stereo Williams

29. TELL ME
Slum Village

Crafted during the peak of the Soulquarian collective’s brilliant run, this is a midtempo, soulful standout on Slum Village’s classic Fan-tas-tic Vol. 2. Over groovy production courtesy of J Dilla, and highlighted by D’Angelo’s signature mellow vocals, the message about wanting a woman’s attention is simple and effective. —Jacinta Howard

28. JUST A FRIEND
Biz Markie

"Just A Friend" is one of Hip-Hop's most well-known tracks, and it tells a tale of a haplessly lovelorn guy who has a girlfriend who steps out on him. The late, great Biz was unlike anything we've seen in Hip-Hop, and his timeless hit single endures because of his endearing, comic personality, but also because of it's relatability and evergreen storytelling. A staple and a standard. —Stereo Williams

27. CRUSH ON YOU (Remix)
Lil Kim w/The Notorious B.I.G., Lil Cease

Biggie provides the always-memorable hook, as Cease and Kim trade verses trying to win the affections of a desired mate. It's classic video remains one of the most iconic of all time, and the song itself is an excellent showcase for the charms of Kimberly Jones and the musical chemistry this trio had at it's peak. —Alec Banks

26. REDBONE
Childish Gambino

Infidelity is a well–worn theme in Hip-Hop love songs. However, Childish Gambino turns this trope on its head with an exploration of the paranoia of not knowing whether or not one’s partner is being faithful or not. Produced over one of the funkiest grooves in recent memory, “Redbone” is a pleasurable descent into a relatable mindstate. —Alec Banks

25. EYE KNOW
De La Soul

Producer Prince Paul flips "Peg" from 70s AM rockers Steely Dan for this slice of De La heaven. Posdnous and Trugoy gush about the object of their respective affections as only De La Soul can; with quirky come-ons and the kind of slang that could only come from the D.A.I.S.Y. Age. One of the most truly effervescent singles in a catalog with a surplus of classics. —Stereo Williams

24. HEY LOVER
LL COOL J feat. Boyz II Men

On this hit single, Uncle L perfected the rap ballad lane that he'd helped define for a decade. The sample of Michael Jackson's "Lady In My Life" is truly one of the decade's most inspired, as LL rhymes about loving the lady down passionately, with Boyz II Men providing the seductive harmonies and "this is more than a crush" hook. A smash from 1995's Mr. Smith, it was further proof that LL COOL J set the standard for Hip-Hop love songs. —Stereo Williams

23. HOW'S IT GOIN' DOWN
DMX

When DMX kicked down the door of rap's late 90s "jiggy" era, he was heralded as the gritty antidote to all of the shiny suits. But X was always versatile, and he showcased a softer side with this hit from his debut, It's Dark And Hell Is Hot. Whether the original or Faith Evans-assisted video version, it remains one of Dark Man X's purest love songs, as he woos a lady by acknowledging even a thug needs affection. —Stereo Williams

22. WE FIGHT/WE LOVE
Q-Tip feat. Raphael Saadiq

Q-Tip’s 2008 album, Renaissance is full of down-to-earth, groovy love songs, including one of its most notable entries, “We Fight/We Love,” which perfectly captures the push and pull between lovers over Raphael Saadiq’s bubbly bassline. —Jacinta Howard

21. IN THE MORNING
J. Cole feat. Drake

Drake is very well known for crooning about love and heartache, but in his collaboration with J. Cole, he turns down the saccharine love pleas for a gruff-voiced verse that’s just plain sexy. It makes sense Drake was so intently focused—as the story goes, Cole had already recorded the song during his early mixtape days, Drake ended up hearing it through mutual collaborators and asked to get on it, and lo, we have one of the sexiest rap songs of any decade. —Jacinta Howard

20. 4:44
Jay-Z

There’s no doubt that throughout the entirety of 4:44 Jay-Z is at his most vulnerable, so of course, the title track is no exception. Jay’s honesty is both inspring and coaxing, especially when offers lines like: “Look, I apologize, often womanize/Took for my child to be born, see through a woman's eyes/Took for these natural twins to believe in miracles/Took me too long for this song, I don't deserve you…” —Jacinta Howard

19. ONE MORE CHANCE (Remix)
The Notorious B.I.G.

Biggie's loverman odes are almost easy to take for granted, and "Big Poppa" may be more of the late Brooklyn legend's theme song, but it's this classic remix and it's DeBarge-derived melody that cemented Christopher Wallace as Hip-Hop's most unlikely ladies' man. The lyrics make it clear that Biggie's wit and charm were his best qualities when it came to his more R&B-flavored tracks, and the cameo-drenched video remains one of his absolute best. —Stereo Williams

18. RENEE
The Lost Boyz

The Lost Boyz have no shortage of hits, and Mr. Cheeks relays a dark tale of lost love in the most tragic sense on this classic single from the Queens crew. Over haunting production, Cheeks recalls how he met his boo Renee, and how much she got him to open up and explore the possibility of true love; only for things to take a horrific turn. One of the 90s' best, and evidence that Cheeks has always been a storyteller of the highest order. —Stereo Williams

17. MIND SEX
dead prez

If you were in college in the early aughts, this might’ve gotten played in the dorm room when your partner came over for a “massage.” A little on the nose? Yes. Still a classic? Also, yes. A mood starter for sure, dead prez made it okay to “burn an incense and just chill” before the fun times kicked off. —Jacinta Howard

16. BEAUTIFUL
Snoop Dogg feat. Pharrell

A perfect summertime jam, Snoop Dogg embraced the easy-breezy vibes of The Neptune’s production on his 2003 hit, “Beautiful.” With Pharrell’s Curtis Mayfield-inspired crooning, and Snoop explaining why his love interest is his “favorite girl,” this became an instant hit that still has legs. —Jacinta Howard

15. KILLING ME SOFTLY
Fugees

"Killing Me Softly With His Song" was already a classic long before Lauryn Hill, Pras and Wyclef got around to covering it on their 1996 opus The Score, but the Jersey trio's take on it became the song's most famous cover since Roberta Flack's iconic 1973 version. Clef gave the timeless tune a distinctly Hip-Hop spirit, and Lauryn's perfect vocal added just the right amount of soul. The result was one of the biggest hits of the 1990s—a smash that turned the Fugees into a household name. —Stereo Williams

14. AROUND THE WAY GIRL

LL COOL J

With Mama Said Knock You Out, LL COOL J opened the 1990s with a bang, and one of the album's highlights was this hit single about the neighborhood jewels. It’s a song that endures because it speaks to every generation of women from the block. LL’s ode to the girls from around the way features the lush production of Marley Marl (an ingenious flip of the Mary Jane Girls); with the laid-back vibes carrying Mr. Smith's smoothed-out lyrics describing his ideal cutie who grew up on your street. A perfect love song for Lisa, Angela, Pamela and Renee. —Stereo Williams

13. THE PROTOTYPE
OutKast

By the time OutKast released Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, Andre 3000 and Big Boi had nothing to prove, but they both still had a lot to express and explore musically. 3000 does so throughout The Love Below with its expansive, experimental sound. “The Prototype” isn't just a clear gem on his side of the album. It’s the kind of song that happens when an artist is free to dig deep and discover exactly what they’re capable of. Lyrically poetic yet grounded, sonically earthy yet exploratory; on “The Prototype,” Andre does more than “tiptoe to the sun” on this song—he further secures his legacy as one of the most gifted writers of our time. —Jacinta Howard

12. ELECTRIC RELAXATION
A Tribe Called Quest

ATCQ has one of Hip-Hop's most celebrated and influential discographies, but there's no denying that "...Relaxation" holds a special place amongst fans. The jazzy feel of the track is the perfect backdrop for Q-Tip and Phife Dawg to perfect their smoothest lines for the ladies: as Q-Tip promises "if I was working at the club, you would not pay;" and Phife boasts that, not only does he not discriminate when it comes to girlfriends, he'd be willing to elope if his mother doesn't approve of his woman. —Stereo Williams

11. PASSIN' ME BY
The Pharcyde

Fatlip, Bootie Brown, SlimKidTre and Imani crafted a tune that awkward kids everywhere could relate to with this seminal single from 1992. The Pharcyde's ode to unrequited love sounds like every teenager whoever harbored a crush for someone who was "out of their league," as the quartet from Los Angeles rap about their bad experiences trying to find love in all the wrong places. Timeless Hip-Hop. —Stereo Williams

10. YOU GOT ME
The Roots feat. Erykah Badu, Eve

The Roots had scant major radio hits when they released their stellar third album Things Fall Apart back in 1999, but when this smoothed-out slice of soul-meets-Hip-Hop hit the airwaves, it did more than get the Philly crew commercial attention. With a hook written (and originally performed) by a then-unknown Jill Scott and an uncredited appearance by none other than Eve, The Roots delivered one of the greatest Hip-Hop odes to the ups-and-downs of relationships. —Stereo Williams

9. ONE LOVE
Whodini

Whodini created an anthem and a Hip-Hop salutation with "One Love" from their Back In Black album. The cautionary tale warns of the downside of multiple love interests and gave the legendary trio one of their biggest hits. Over an oft-sampled Larry Smith production, Ecstasy and Jalil make it clear: you're lucky to have just one. —JayQuan


8. TEENAGE LOVE
Slick Rick

In 1988, the world was watching Slick Rick. After the gargantuan success of 1985's game-changing single "The Show"/"La Di Da Di," MC Ricky D and Doug E. Fresh parted ways. "Teenage Love," the lead single from Rick's solo debut The Great Adventures of Slick Rick saw the rapper re-emerge, picking up where he left off with a tale of young love and a warning about the perils of teenage relationships. —JayQuan

7. POETIC JUSTICE
Kendrick Lamar feat. Drake

In Kendrick Lamar’s video for “Poetic Justice,” it opens with the disclaimer, ““All characters in this visual are entirely fictional. The events that occur are purely symbolic and should not be taken literal.” What transpires is a tragedy befitting a Shakespeare stage play, illustrating that love and loss are often the same side of the coin. —Alec Banks

6. MAHOGANY
Eric B. & Rakim

Eric B. & Rakim's third album Let The Rhythm Hit 'Em contained a little something for everyone one. In addition to a DJ cut - "Eric B. Made My Day", social commentary on "In The Ghetto" and lyrical excellence on "Untouchables" Ra hit us with his first "love rap". Over an Al Green drum loop Ra describes his escapades with "Mahogany" which remains one of his most revered pieces. —JayQuan

5. ALWAYS ON TIME
Ja Rule feat. Ashanti

Ja Rule and Ashanti dominated the radio in the early 2000s for a reason – they made super catchy music. “Always On Time” is one of the most notable of their long list of collabs, with its easygoing premise and singable lyrics. —Jacinta Howard

4. BONITA APPLEBUM
A Tribe Called Quest

There are few songs in any genre as enduring and beloved as this quirky love song from A Tribe Called Quest. Frontman Q-Tip is the lone rhymer, as he woos a potential lover with the breeziest of come-ons ("Glad to meet ya...") while also somehow making it clear where his head is at ("If ya need 'em, I got crazy prophylactics!") Like LL COOL J's "Around The Way Girl," it's a song that pulls off the neat trick of appealing to so many because of its relatability. Q-Tip's charm and that classic Daylight sample make it one of the best rap tracks ever. Bonita, Bonita, Bonita... —Stereo Williams

3. I NEED LOVE
LL COOL J

LL COOL J wasn't the first MC to create a rap ballad, but he was the first to make one commercially successful. Before "I Need Love" LL released "I Want You" and "I Can Give You More" which were more drum heavy in the tradition of Rick Rubin production. "I Need Love" was heavy on melody and dominated the radio as the second single from Bigger And Deffer, COOL J's sophomore album. "I Need Love" reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot Black Singles chart and 14 on the Hot 100. —JayQuan

2. THE LIGHT
Common

Common has to be one of the most sincere rappers around, an idea clearly illustrated in what’s become one of his signature tracks. Over a sample of Bobby Caldwell’s groovy “Open Your Eyes,” he raps with his heart on his sleeve, grounded by J Dilla’s earthy, comforting production and the idea that he was talking about Erykah Badu, who he was very publicly dating at the time and who famously starred in the Nzingha Stewart-directed video. —Jacinta Howard

1. YOU'RE ALL I NEED/I'LL BE THERE FOR YOU

Method Man and Mary J. Blige

Everyone has their favorite, but it’s hard to argue against Method Man and Mary J. Blige’s timeless duet as the quintessential Hip-Hop love song. It has everything: a throwback to a classic soul perennial; just enough grit to make the love and commitment shared in the lyrics feel earned, and just off-the-charts musical chemistry from Meth and Mary. It’s everything one could want in a love song. The sweet sentiment of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's original transported into the grimy 1990s. Perfection. —Stereo Williams