UB Celebrates #HipHop50: Top 10 Pioneering R&B/Hip Hop Songs

We couldn’t end our week of Celebrating Hip Hop 50 without featuring an R&B aspect of Hip Hop.

“UB’s Top 10 Pioneering R&B/Hip Hop Songs,” celebrates music that combined R&B and Rap in the beginning of Hip Hop.

In early 1980, Sugarhill Gang‘s “Rapper’s Delight” reached the Billboard Top 40 on the Hot 100, making them the first rap act to reach the top 40. The single went #5 on the Billboard R&B Singles chart.

R&B and Rap & Hip Hop are considered cousins to urban music fans and the bridge between the two started early when hip hop began to gain radio airplay.

Initially R&B singers themselves were rapping a line or two, like New Edition on their 1983 debut single “Candy Girl.”

Rap artists jumping on R&B songs was spearheaded by East Coast rappers such as Roxanne Shante, Big Daddy Kane, Doug E Fresh, Melle Mel and Slick Rick.

Throughout the decade, we would see R&B artists take chances with singles featuring rappers. Many thought rap music was a fad and wouldn’t be around too long, while others condemned the subject matters some chose to rap about.

Regardless of the reason, it was definitely a gamble for established artists, to take a chance on Hip Hop in the early 80s.

Legendary artists Chaka Khan, LeVert and Rick James, helped pioneer a new trend that would become the new normal, by the early 90s.

Check out our list and take a trip down memory lane!

10. Quincy Jones featuring Big Daddy Kane, Ice-T, Kool Moe Dee, Melle Mel with vocals by Tevin Campbell and Siedah Garrett
“Back On the Block” (1989)

Quincy Jones was inspired to record the song “Back on the Block” by his desire to honor the rich history of African American music and highlight the importance of collaboration and unity within the community.

“Back On the Block” explores the return of various artists to their musical roots. The artists each represent different eras and styles of music, and they came together to join forces and create a new sound that incorporates rhythm, soul, blues, bebop, and hip-hop.

The song is a celebration of African American culture, history, and the power of musical collaboration. With its infectious beats, heartfelt lyrics, and stellar lineup of artists.

9. New Edition
“Candy Girl” (1983)

“Candy Girl” was the debut single by New Edition from their debut album of the same name.

Released in February 1983, the single hit #1 on the UK Singles Chart, and #1 on the Billboard Hot Black Singles chart.

8. Joyce “Fenderella” Irby featuring Doug E Fresh
“Mr. DJ” (1989)

Joyce “Fenderella” Irby is the original lead singer and bass player for legendary Klymaxx.

In 1989 she released her solo release and the first single was entitled “Mr. DJ,” featuring Doug E Fresh. The song reached #2 R&B on Billboard’s R&B chart

“I wanted to feature the rapper and then sing the hook. Nobody was doing that! I needed Doug E. to start the record.”

7. LeVert featuring Heavy D.
“Just Coolin'” (1988)

Heavy D was the first rapper to appear on multiple R&B songs, his mix of rap and R&B began to influence other artists to do the same.

“Just Coolin'” went to #1 on the Billboard Hot Black Singles chart.

6. Michel’le featuring Dr. Dre
“Nicety” (1989)

The song was one of the first R&B songs, with a west coast rapper featured. Dr. Dre wrote the song for Michel’le’s debut album.

The song reached #5 in the Billboard R&B Singles chart.

5. Al B. Sure! featuring Slick Rick
“If I’m Not Your Lover” (1988)

The song is about a man who is expressing his confusion about his relationship with the woman he loves. On the remix Slick Rick joined the track, in an attempt to convince the woman to give Al B. Sure! a chance at a real relationship.

The single was the final song released from Al’s debut album, “In Effect Mode,” the remix featuring Slick Rick, reached #2 on the Billboard R&B charts.

4. Midnight Star featuring Ecstasy from Whodini
“Don’t Rock The Boat” (1988)

Released in 1988 as the first single from their self-titled album.

Featuring the late Ecstasy from Whodini, who would use electro-funk and R&B influences to expand hip hop commercially. Whodini’s “One Love,” is a perfect example of that.

The single reached #3 R&B, and was a radio smash. This was the Midnight Star’s first hit without the Calloway brothers.

3. Rick James featuring Roxanne Shante & Big Daddy Kane
“Loosey’s Rap” (1988)

This song went all the way to #1 on the Billboard Hot Black Singles chart.

“Loosey’s Rap” also gave Cold Chillin’s Roxanne Shante the opportunity for major exposure at urban radio, in preparation of her debut album.

Rick James took the elements of funk and distills them down to their most basic component, creating a spare track with a loose feel.

2. Chaka Khan featuring Melle Mel (of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five)
“I Feel For You” (1984)

From her 1984 album, “I Feel for You.” The song was written by Prince and won the 1985 Grammy Award for Best R&B Song.

The single peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and reached #1 on both the U.S. dance and R&B charts, remaining atop both for three weeks each. The song also reached #1 on the UK Singles Chart.

1. Jody Watley featuring Eric B. and Rakim
“Friends” (1989)

Out of all of the early R&B and Hip Hop collaborations, “Friends” would be the one to crossover and become a global smash!

“I wanted to write a song called “Friends” that was the antithesis of the goody two-shoes song that we did, about backstabbers and people trying to hold you down.”

Jody told Ebony; “I said to the label I want to do a duet. They said, “What do you mean a duet? He’s a rapper.” It’s just weird now because it’s so common, but I had to really sell them on what that was. They didn’t see how it was gonna go together.”

Then the label made suggestions; “Well, OK, we like the idea, but what about Will Smith?” And I was like, “No. I like Fresh Prince and all that, but it’s not what I want. I want it to be Rakim.” Rakim was real. I knew whatever he wrote was gonna be in your face. The first time we actually met was in the video, which we did in New York City.”

“Friends” peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot Black Singles chart and #7 on the Hot Dance Club Play chart. The song reached the top ten of the pop, R&B and dance charts in the U.S., as well as being her biggest single in the UK.