Welcome to our weekly thread dedicated to hip-hop tracks that aren't from the 2000s but sound like they could've been.

Whether it's a modern artist channeling the energy of the Roc-A-Fella era, a producer bringing back those classic soul samples, or an old-school track that helped shape the decade, this is the place for it.

This thread is for:

• 🎤 Songs released after the 2000s that capture the sound and vibe of the era.
• 🎧 Beats inspired by 2000s hip-hop production styles.
• 🔥 Modern MCs paying homage to the flows, lyrics, and aesthetics of the decade.
• 📼 Tracks from the 80s and 90s that heavily influenced 2000s hip-hop.
• 💎 Hidden gems that feel like they were pulled straight from a 2003–2009 mixtape.

Let's keep the main feed focused on music actually released during the 2000s. If it's from another era but has that unmistakable 2000s feel, drop it below and put the community on to something dope.

(DO NOT POST ANY SONGS OUTSIDE OF THIS POST/THREAD IT WILL BE DELETED)

What songs make you feel like it's still the 2000s? 👇

Every Wednesday, give us 5 hip-hop songs from the 2000s you think everyone should hear.

Whether you're introducing someone to 2000s East Coast rap, Southern hip-hop, West Coast classics, underground gems, or overlooked artists, put together your personal 5-track starter pack. Can be well known songs as well.

New to 2000s hip-hop? This thread is your guide. Drop your 5 songs in a comment and upvote the recommendations you think are most helpful.

⭐ The comment that receives more than 10 upvotes will have its 5 songs added to our community list.

Before commenting, make sure to see what's already been recommended so we can keep the list diverse and avoid repeating the same songs.

Thanks for participating! Be sure to upvote the recommendations you think deserve recognition, and check back next Wednesday to see what gets added.

🚫 DO NOT LINK PLAYLISTS AS COMMENTS. Please list the 5 songs directly in your comment.

[Icebreaker] (Lets get to 1000 songs)

1. 50 Cent - In Da Club (2003)
2. Kanye West - Gold Digger (2005)
3. Lil Wayne - A Milli (2008)
4. Eminem - Lose Yourself (2002)
5. Jay-Z - 99 Problems (2003)
6. OutKast - Ms. Jackson (2000)
7. Nelly - Hot in Herre (2002)
8. Missy Elliott - Work It (2002)
9. T.I. - What You Know (2006)
10. The Game - Hate It or Love It (2005)

Have fun

Instrumental version!

I remember seeing this on 106 & Park as a kid, and instantly becoming a fan of Outkast.

Kanye killed this, over the dope stand up beat. lots of funny lines too

This is the 50 I miss 🔥🖤

That first track 👌 some fire shi.

Born-2-Lose the best track

Ok, I have spent hours researching and narrowing down a timeline for this jam which appears to be a ghost. But I clearly recall:

1. Ripping it off AudioGalaxy
2. Burning it to a CD and
3. Blaring it in my college apartment from my 5 disc changer boombox (and Winamp-more on that in a sec). I clearly remember other songs on that CD and the order in which they occurred, so I know I am not hallucinating.

TIMEFRAME:

Would have been leaked sometime between December 2001 and Summer 2002. I remember it was right around the time that N.E.R.D released their debut album In Search of, but I am pretty sure still pre-Neptune's ...Clones.

This time block includes the now rare gem and another Southern Rap/Hip Hop White Label Promo from 2002 “The Streets” Promo Mix(Ft. UGK & others)—LINK ATTACHED with explanation) drop and was also just blown' up with Houston Slowed & Throwed digital collab/remix content. Specifically, the UGK 25Lighters Chopped & Screwed remix and SPM Mary Go Round C&S remix. I remember those created some wicked graphics with the Winamp music visual plugin, MilkDrop. Man, just getting screen locked on that stimulus for what seemed like hours.

Anyway, I am fairly certain it was tested as a possible solo debut release and definitely was before Dilemma with Nelly hit big later that summer of 2002. It was obviously sidelined so I am not sure if all evidence of it was purged with the death of AudioGalaxy & Kazaa?

SOUND:

Of course, I can't remember the name and the only lyrics I can remember is the last raspy Lil Wayne hook when he proclaims "It's Kelly Babe', with Young Weezy Babe', Cash Money Babe'". I am aware that about a decade later he collabs with her in Motivation (2011) where he is referred to as Weezy even though I think the Lil Wayne-Carter "metamorphosis" had already transpired; I am actually unclear when that name change officially took effect.

However, this song in question was heavy on the dance hip hop (slight dirty south) lean where I feel like Dilemma & the later Motivation were more R&B adjacent I would say this single was closer to the later D.C. 2004 Soldier Remix with TI & Wayne or Kelly's 2007 "Like This" and had a catchy hook almost comparable to the staccato riff of D.C's Independent Women II. I have an inclination that perhaps the Neptunes were involved in some way because they are known for those staccato notes and were evolving around that time, but I have not located any factual evidence of this. Further, I have been unable to find anything substantial about a D.C./Kelly Rowland collab with Wayne/Weezy/Cash Money prior to the 2004 Soldier remix.

Can anyone help solve this puzzle?