Famed music publication Rolling Stone is catching major heat and being accused of “mocking” Black music after they ranked Sexyy Red‘s smash hit “SkeeYee” Best Rap Song of 2023.
On Wednesday (December 20), Rolling Stone released their list of ‘The 15 Best Rap Songs of 2023.’ Gracing the short list is Sexyy Red, Drake, Lil Yachty, Latto, Ice Spice, J. Cole, and many more.
As everyone in Hip-Hop celebrates the hit genre smashing a major milestone by reaching its 50th anniversary, there have been tons of events, celebrations, and controversial lists of “bests” popping up and going viral all year long.
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Creating their own list of “bests” is Rolling Stone, which has since come under fire for highlighting one particular artist’s music. Let’s jump right into their list and break downs. Coming in at No. 15 is Offset and Cardi B‘s “Jealousy.” The publication calls the song “their best collaboration yet.” No. 14 is given to Quavo and Takeoff‘s “Patty Cake,” which is highlighted in honor of the late Migos member.
At No. 13 is Doja Cat‘s “Agora Hills,” described as “a standout” track on her fourth studio album ‘Scarlet.’ At No. 12 is United Kingdom’s own Central Cee and Dave‘s viral track “Sprinter.” At No. 11 is Gunna‘s “Fukumean,” which is positioned as a comeback track after the rapper was released from prison on an Alford plea in the highly-publicized YSL RICO case in Atlanta.
At No. 10 is Baby Keem and Kendrick Lamar‘s “The Hillbillies,” which is described as a “fun track that reaffirms their partnership as a place of comfort for the globe-trotting Lamar, and a spotlight for his younger cousin on the come up.” At No. 9 is J Hus and Drake’s Afrobeats Summer smash “Who Told You.” At No. 8 is Brooklyn rap trio 41’s New York Drill hit “Bent.”
At No. 7 is Drake and J. Cole’s “First Person Shooter,” which is donned by the publication as a rap holiday hit.” At No. 6 is Playboi Carti‘s Opium label artist Ken Carson and his hit “Jennifer’s Body.” At No. 5 is Lil Yachty and J. Cole’s “The Secret Recipe,” on which the publication says “Yachty held his own with Cole.” At No. 4 is Detroit’s own Veeze and his hit “Not A Drill.”
At No. 3 is Ice Spice’s Club and New York Drill banger “Deli.” At No. 2 is Latto and Cardi B’s record-breaking collab “Put It On Da Floor Again.” And finally, holding the No. 1 spot is St. Louis’ own Sexyy Red with her contagious street and club smash “SkeeYee.”
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The publication claims that Sexyy caught the top spot as “we’ve entered the era of the Regular Rap Girl, in which stars are made out of grit, not glamor.” While referencing Cardi’s “Bodak Yellow,” Ice Spice’s “Munch,” and GloRilla‘s “F.N.F (Let’s Go),” Rolling Stone claims “SkeeYee,” engineered by Grammy-winning producer Tay Keith, offers the same roots-repping “this-is-where-I’m-from-and-this-is-what-I-like” lyrics.
However, several people online were not here for Rolling Stone listing “SkeeYee” as No. 1. In fact, on X (formerly Twitter), several users called out the publication for seemingly “mocking” Black music and real/traditional Rap and Hip-Hop. One person wrote, “Catchy? Yes. Best???? Anybody rapping for accolades is sure to quit after this travesty. I’m convinced they want Black folks to tear each other down by mocking us.”
While a second person wrote, “I refuse to believe this is not satire,” a third added, “The list is fraudulent, probably the most played rap song of the year, doesn’t make it the best.” A fourth added, “I don’t even know what the song is about. I like it, I enjoy it but best rap song of 2023.” Someone else said, “I think they should rename the list. This should be most hype songs … most hype hip-hop songs of 2023.”
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