In the music industry, there are artists who achieve immense success with a single hit song and then fade into relative obscurity. These artists, known as one-hit wonders, leave an indelible mark on the music industry despite having only one notable hit in their career.
In the realm of rap, one-hit wonders have produced iconic tracks that have left a lasting impact on the genre.
Here, Fan Arch takes a deep dive into the stories of 25 of the most popular one-hit wonder rappers, exploring their rise to fame, the stories behind their hit songs, and the legacies they've left behind.
1. Juvenile
Hit Song: "Nolia Clap"
Year: 2004
Label: Rap-A-Lot Records
Notable Achievements: Juvenile and his group UTP achieved widespread success with their single "Nolia Clap," which garnered popularity on the rap and R&B charts. Despite not achieving another hit, the track's club play and impact solidified their status as one-hit wonders.
2. Huey
Hit Song: "Pop, Lock & Drop It"
Year: 2006
Label: Jive Records
Notable Achievements: Huey's "Pop, Lock & Drop It" became a staple on music platforms like 106 & Park, embodying the essence of ringtone rap. Despite releasing a follow-up single and two albums, Huey is primarily remembered for this chart-topping hit, cementing his status as a one-hit wonder.
3. Volume 10
Hit Song: "Pistol Grip Pump"
Year: 1994
Label: RCA
Notable Achievements: Volume 10's "Pistol Grip Pump," produced by The Baka Boyz and others, peaked at No. 14 on the Rap Singles chart. While the song achieved moderate success, Volume 10 is recognized as a one-hit wonder due to the lack of subsequent hit singles.
4. Smoothe da Hustler
Hit Song: "Broken Language" (with Trigga The Gambler)
Year: 1995
Label: Profile Records
Notable Achievements: Smoothe da Hustler's collaboration with Trigga The Gambler on "Broken Language" showcased his lyrical prowess. Despite the song's impact, Smoothe da Hustler is categorized as a one-hit wonder, leaving a lasting impression with his distinctive flow.
5. Apache
Hit Song: "Gangsta B**"
Year: 1993
Notable Achievements: Apache's "Gangsta B**" made a significant mark in the rap scene, leaving an enduring impact despite being his sole notable hit. The track solidified his status as a one-hit wonder and showcased his unique contribution to the genre.
6. Khia
Hit Song: "My Neck, My Back (Lick It)"
Year: 2002
Label: Big Cat Records
Notable Achievements: Khia's "My Neck, My Back (Lick It)" gained notoriety for its provocative content and managed to climb to No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. Despite the song's success, Khia is predominantly recognized as a one-hit wonder for this raunchy ode.
7. Mims
Hit Song: "This Is Why I'm Hot"
Year: 2007
Label: Capitol Records
Notable Achievements: Mims surprised the music scene with "This Is Why I'm Hot," which soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, infusing New York rap with renewed energy during a period dominated by Southern rap. Despite its immense success, Mims remains a one-hit wonder, leaving an indelible mark on rap.
8. J.J. Fad
Hit Song: "Supersonic"
Year: 1987
Notable Achievements: J.J. Fad's "Supersonic" propelled the group to platinum status, earning them a Grammy nomination and solidifying their place as the first female rap group to achieve such commercial success. The track's influence extended to Fergie's 2006 hit "Fergalicious," further cementing J.J. Fad's one-hit wonder status.
9. Afroman
Hit Song: "Because I Got High"
Year: 2000
Label: Universal Records
Notable Achievements: Afroman's "Because I Got High" became a cultural phenomenon, achieving widespread popularity and cultural impact. Despite releasing other tracks, Afroman is primarily remembered for this chart-topping hit, securing his position as a one-hit wonder.
10. Positive K
Hit Song: "I Got a Man"
Year: 1992
Label: Island Records
Notable Achievements: Positive K's "I Got a Man" garnered attention for its catchy hooks and clever wordplay, earning him widespread acclaim. Despite not replicating the success of this hit, Positive K is celebrated as a one-hit wonder, leaving an enduring mark with this iconic track.
11. Biz Markie
Hit Song: "Just a Friend"
Year: 1989
Label: Cold Chillin' Records
Notable Achievements: Biz Markie's "Just a Friend" became an iconic anthem, resonating with audiences and achieving widespread popularity. Despite his significant influence in hip-hop culture, Biz Markie is primarily remembered as a one-hit wonder due to the enduring legacy of this track.
12. Tag Team
Hit Song: "Whoomp! (There It Is)"
Year: 1993
Notable Achievements: Tag Team's "Whoomp! (There It Is)" became a massive hit, dominating the R&B charts and attaining significant club play. Despite their impactful single, Tag Team is primarily recognized as a one-hit wonder, leaving an indelible mark with this chart-topping track.
13. Stacey Q
Hit Song: "Two of Hearts"
Year: 1986
Label: On the Spot Records
Notable Achievements: Stacey Q's "Two of Hearts" garnered widespread acclaim and commercial success, cementing her status as a one-hit wonder despite releasing other tracks. The song's enduring popularity solidifies her place in the realm of one-hit wonder rappers.
14. Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock
Hit Song: "It Takes Two"
Year: 1988
Label: Profile Records
Notable Achievements: Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock's "It Takes Two" became a monumental hit, achieving widespread acclaim and commercial success. Despite their significant impact on the music scene, the duo is primarily remembered as one-hit wonders due to the enduring legacy of this iconic track.
15. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
Hit Song: "The Message"
Year: 1982
Label: Sugar Hill Records
Notable Achievements: Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five's "The Message" made a profound impact on the rap scene, attaining significant acclaim and cultural relevance. Despite their influence, the group is predominantly recognized as one-hit wonders, leaving an enduring mark with this seminal track.
16. Special Ed
Hit Song: "I Got It Made"
Year: 1989
Label: Profile Records
Notable Achievements: Special Ed's "I Got It Made" resonated with audiences, achieving widespread acclaim and cultural impact. Despite his contribution to the rap scene, Special Ed is primarily remembered as a one-hit wonder, leaving an indelible mark with this influential track.
17. Young MC
Hit Song: "Bust a Move"
Year: 1989
Label: Delicious Vinyl
Notable Achievements: Young MC's "Bust a Move" became a cultural phenomenon, achieving widespread acclaim and commercial success. Despite his contribution to the rap scene, Young MC is primarily celebrated as a one-hit wonder, leaving an enduring mark with this iconic track.
18. Positive Force
Hit Song: "We Got the Funk"
Year: 1979
Label: Sugarhill Records
Notable Achievements: Positive Force's "We Got the Funk" became a monumental hit, achieving widespread acclaim and cultural impact. Despite their influence, Positive Force is predominantly recognized as a one-hit wonder, leaving an enduring mark with this iconic track.
19. The Black Eyed Peas
Hit Song: "Where Is the Love?"
Year: 2003
Label: A&M Records
Notable Achievements: The Black Eyed Peas' "Where Is the Love?" became a global phenomenon, resonating with audiences and achieving widespread acclaim. Despite their subsequent success, the group is primarily remembered as one-hit wonders due to the enduring legacy of this impactful track.
20. Masta Ace Incorporated
Hit Song: "Born to Roll"
Year: 1994
Label: Delicious Vinyl
Notable Achievements: Masta Ace Incorporated's "Born to Roll" garnered widespread acclaim and commercial success, solidifying their position as one-hit wonders despite releasing other tracks. The song's enduring impact cements their legacy as one of the most popular one-hit wonder rappers.
21. Lord Tariq and Peter Gunz
Hit Song: "Deja Vu (Uptown Baby)"
Year: 1997
Label: Columbia Records
Notable Achievements: Lord Tariq and Peter Gunz's "Deja Vu (Uptown Baby)" achieved significant commercial success and cultural impact, solidifying their status as one-hit wonders despite not replicating the success of this iconic track. Their enduring legacy as one-hit wonder rappers remains etched in music history.
22. Young Dro
Hit Song: "Shoulder Lean"
Year: 2006
Label: Grand Hustle Records
Notable Achievements: Young Dro's "Shoulder Lean" became a chart-topping hit, achieving widespread acclaim and cultural relevance. Despite releasing other tracks, Young Dro is primarily remembered as a one-hit wonder, leaving an indelible mark with this influential track.
23. Masta Ace
Hit Song: "Sittin' on Chrome"
Year: 1995
Label: Delicious Vinyl
Notable Achievements: Masta Ace's "Sittin' on Chrome" garnered widespread acclaim and commercial success, solidifying his position as a one-hit wonder despite releasing other tracks. The song's enduring impact cements his legacy as one of the most popular one-hit wonder rappers.
24. Blahzay Blahzay
Hit Song: "Danger"
Year: 1995
Label: Mercury Records
Notable Achievements: Blahzay Blahzay's "Danger" achieved significant commercial success and cultural impact, solidifying their status as one-hit wonders despite not replicating the success of this iconic track. Their enduring legacy as one-hit wonder rappers remains etched in music history.
25. Big Tymers
Hit Song: "Still Fly"
Year: 2002
Label: Cash Money Records
Notable Achievements: Big Tymers' "Still Fly" became a chart-topping hit, achieving widespread acclaim and cultural relevance. Despite releasing other tracks, Big Tymers are primarily remembered as one-hit wonders, leaving an indelible mark with this influential track.
Despite achieving success with a single hit, these artists have left an indelible mark on the genre, solidifying their place in music history.
Their iconic tracks continue to resonate with audiences and contribute to the rich tapestry of rap music, showcasing the enduring legacy of one-hit wonder rappers in the realm of music.
ncG1vNJzZmiekaOus6%2FHZ5qopV%2BXubCz0micp6yVp8Gitc2mnKesX6m1pnmRbmSmp6OperG7z66jmqpdpLumeceiq2avn6Oxpr6Mq5ipqJWnwA%3D%3D