Not every classic needs a Billboard co-sign. Some tracks might’ve missed the Hot 100, but still hit way harder than half the songs that charted. It’s almost hard to believe these songs never touched the Hot 100, given their iconic status among fans. We’re talking songs that helped define an artist’s career, racked up RIAA plaques, and went viral before viral was a thing.
From Future’s “Monster” to 2Pac’s “Hit ‘Em Up,” these cuts became essential in hip-hop culture without the mainstream stamp of charting on Billboard’s most well-known singles chart. This list is for the underrated, the overlooked, and the undeniable. No Hot 100? No problem. These 18 songs still go crazy.
Money Trees” by Kendrick Lamar featuring Jay Rock (2012)
The K. Dot track featuring his fellow Black Hippy member Jay Rock has officially cemented its status as a certified classic. “Money Trees” may have only snagged the No. 19 spot on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart back in 2013, but let’s be real — people are still belting out “Halle Berry or hallelujah” to this day.
“Many Men (Wish Death)” by 50 Cent (2003)
In true troll fashion, 50 Cent dropped an anthem inspired by the infamous 2000 incident where he was shot nine times in Queens, NY, and lived to tell the tale. The track, unfortunately, never placed on the Billboard Hot 100. Leave it to 50 Cent to make a comeback: when President Trump faced his own assassination attempt in 2024, the song got a major boost. It launched to #4 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales chart faster than you can say Get Rich or Die Tryin’.
“20 Min” by Lil Uzi Vert (2018)
Released on November 17, 2017, as a bonus track on Lil Uzi Vert’s debut album Luv Is Rage 2, “20 Min” gained significant popularity over time. The track became a sleeper hit, especially after going viral on TikTok in 2020, leading to over 1 billion streams on Spotify and more than 200 million views on YouTube. It never charted on the Hot 100, but it did reach No. 17 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart, which ranks songs that are close to entering Billboard’s main singles chart.
“90210” by Travis Scott (2015)
La Flame’s anthem about what you might find down in Beverly Hills is his personal favorite track from his debut album Rodeo. While it never officially landed any chart certifications, it’s been quietly stacking up the platinum plaques in the background. Fast forward to August 2024, and the song went three times platinum, all thanks to his ragers turning it into a crowd favorite.
“Monster” by Future (2014)
The title track from Future’s thirteenth mixtape (yes, you read that right—thirteenth) didn’t snag any solo awards despite its impact on his career and popularity among fans. The overall project marked a pivotal moment for Future, showcasing a darker, more introspective style that influenced his subsequent works. Still, the tape found its moment when it dropped on streaming in 2022, landing at #120 on the Billboard 200 that September.
“Oh Okay” by Gunna featuring Young Thug and Lil Baby (2018)
Real ones know the role “Oh Okay” played in the rise of Gunna’s career, back when he was regularly making music with Lil Baby and Young Thug. The track, which was part of one rapper’s breakout mixtape Drip Season 3, attracted more fans to his growing fan base and made him a rising Atlanta rapper to watch. The mixtape earned him a solid #55 spot on the Billboard 200 back in 2018.
“HiiiPoWeR” by Kendrick Lamar (2011)
The J. Cole-produced track was the first single off Kendrick Lamar’s debut full-length project, Section.80, which dropped in 2011. The track garnered critical acclaim for its lyricism and depth, becoming a fan favorite and a defining piece in Lamar’s early career. However, the project as a whole still made waves, landing at #113 on the Billboard 200.
“March Madness” by Future (2015)
Even when it’s not basketball season, the smash hit from Atlanta’s own is still getting replayed on a loop. Featured on his mixtape 56 Nights with DJ Esco, the track might not have cracked the Hot 100, but it did reach No. 8 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart, which ranks songs just below the main chart. Recognized by Billboard as one of the 100 songs that defined the 2010s decade, Future’s iconic track proves that cultural significance isn’t always measured by a chart-topping position.
“Hit ‘Em Up” by 2Pac (1996)
One of the most scathing diss tracks in rap history, 2Pac made sure to rep Cali hard while wishing his former friend Biggie nothing short of the absolute worst. The track didn’t just burn bridges — it set them on fire. It wasn’t released as a single in its own right, but rather as the B-side of 2Pac’s 1996 maxi-single, “How Do U Want It / California Love.” Due to the high sales of the maxi single as a package, it technically charted on the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 1 for two weeks, but never got its flowers as a standalone single. If it were released in the streaming era, its impact could have been measured individually.
“The World is Yours” by Nas (1994)
Inspired by the legendary gangster flick Scarface, the track features Nas reflecting on his life in the “Rotten Apple” (AKA New York) while making it clear he’s running the rap game. Although it never made the Hot 100, this song is regarded as one of Nas’ finest and reached No. 14 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart in 1994. Nas turned cinematic inspiration into street poetry, and the world couldn’t help but listen.
“Black and White” by Juice WRLD (2018)
Despite not making the Hot 100, “Black & White” became a fan favorite from Juice WRLD’s debut album Goodbye & Good Riddance, released in 2018. The track managed to secure the No. 23 spot on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart and has an enduring presence in Juice WRLD’s discography.
Doomsday” by MF DOOM featuring Pebbles the Invisible Girl (1999)
Focusing on another late great, MF DOOM reminded everyone why he’s not the one to mess with, all while flexing over a smooth R&B beat sampled from Sade’s “Kiss of Life” (because you always have to keep the audience guessing). After his tragic passing was announced on New Year’s Eve 2020, the song debuted at #14 on the Billboard LyricFind Global charts in January 2021. It was a fitting tribute to a lyrical mastermind whose influence lives on even after his passing.
“Till I Collapse” by Eminem (2002)
The rapper’s anthem about perseverance and determination in the rap game definitely paid off in a big way. Despite its immense popularity and cultural impact, the song was never released as a single, which limited its eligibility for the Hot 100 chart. Still, it became Eminem’s first non-single to surpass one billion Spotify streams in 2021. In 2022, the track was also eight times certified platinum by the RIAA. Its massive streaming success and multiple platinum certifications prove it’s one of the strongest songs in his arsenal.
“Codeine Crazy” by Future (2014)
Released in 2014 as the closing track on Future’s Monster mixtape, “Codeine Crazy” wasn’t promoted as a commercial single, which limited its eligibility for charting. Ask any Future fan, though, and they’ll speak to the track’s acclaim and influence. In 2022, it was certified Gold by the RIAA for surpassing 500,000 units sold. The track is often hailed as one of Future’s most iconic works, praised for its raw emotion and introspective lyrics (yes, about lean).
“The Story of Adidon” by Pusha T (2018)
While the track didn’t make it onto any Billboard charts, it undeniably secured Pusha T’s victory over Drake in their 2018 beef and dropped the bombshell about the Toronto native’s secret child. Fast forward to 2024, and it was ironically voted by Billboard as the second most scathing hip-hop diss of all time. Guess when you combine hard-hitting bars with shocking revelations, it’s bound to leave a mark on both the game and history.
“Yonkers” by Tyler, the Creator (2011)
The rapper stirred up plenty of controversy with his breakout single, including rapping that he’d stab Bruno Mars in the esophagus — a bar that definitely got people talking. Despite the shock value, the track solidified him as a must-watch lyricist for years to come. It earned him the No. 2 spot on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart in 2011, proving that even with the wildest bars, he was destined to be a force in the rap game.
“The New Workout Plan” by Ye (2004)
On the track, the Chicago native isn’t giving you tips for that perfect summer bod. Instead, he’s rapping about the impossible beauty standards and unattainable expectations that women face every single day. Featured on his album The College Dropout, the track made its mark, reaching No. 58 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart in 2004 but never the Hot 100. The song set the stage for Kanye’s upcoming songs that blended deep social commentary with classic beats.
“I Don’t Want to Do This Anymore” by XXXTentacion (2016)
The late XXXTentacion had a unique way of creating love songs with an emo rap twist. His track about yearning for a lost love might not have earned Billboard chart success, but that didn’t stop it from resonating with fans. The song went two times platinum in 2020, proving that while the charts might not have shown it, his audience was deeply connected to the emotion and vulnerability he poured into his music.
