What’s the Most Rapped Over Beat of All-Time? Posted by Nathan S. on 12/04/13 | Filed under Debates, RH Nation Answers

Once again we've made it to Wednesday, or as I like to call it, NewQuestionOfTheWeekDay. Frankly it's way better than what we have now - what the fuck is a "wendnes"? Why do I want that to be a day? But NewQuestionOfTheWeekDay? I'm all in. 

Anyway, whenever possible I like to work in suggestions from RefinedHype Nation, and since we kicked off the day talking abotu Biggie Beats, I thought we'd keep things the production train rolling with a great question from the homie: 

I especially like that question because, in a round-about-way, you're asking "what's the most influential beat of all-time"? If more rappers have gone over a certain beat more than any other, that has to say something. 

First, as always, we need to lay down some guidelines. Obviously we talking about the most rappers to ever rhyme over the same instrumentals. That doesn't neccesarily mean they all have to be "freestyles"/mixtape type songs, although 99.9% of them probably will be. And there also neccesarily isn't a direct correlation between the "best" beats and the most rapped-over beats. "Banana Clipper" is an amazing beat, but it's probably too much for most rappers to want to touch. "Beamer, Benz or Bentley", by contast - who couldn't rap over that shit? Last but not least, it probably helps the beat's case if the song is associated with a certain feeling or theme. Again, "TROY" is an established tribute beat. For a minute there, anyone who wanted to prove they were a serious lyrical emcee couldn't stay away from that "Exhibit C" instrumental. 

Second, the biggest factor to weigh is longevity vs. the internet. For example, take "TROY" vs. "Control". "T.R.O.Y." has been out for more than 20 years, and in that time it's probably the leading "nostalgia/tribute" beat of all-time. However, because of the timing, a lot of the raps over "TROY" were also on cassette or CD, and therefore relatively fewer. On the other hand, "Control" came out during the age of YouTube and computer mics.  If I Google "Control Freestyle", I get 28 million results. So has "T.R.O.Y." racked up more raps over 20 years than "Control" in a few months? Honestly, I don't know. That's why it's a great question. 

Some nominees that come to mind. From the old school/classic vault I obviously have "TROY", I feel like I've heard a lot of "Shook Ones Pt. II" and "I Used to Love H.E.R." over the years, I'll throw in "Who Shot Ya" as well. More recently, when I think beats that every rapper breathing had to freestyle over, I think "Control", "Started From the Bottom", "Beamer, Benz or Bentley", "Exbihit C"...oh shit, obviously "A Milli"..."Niggas in Paris". Basically any beat Papoose or Cassidy has rapped over in the last five years is a contender. 

I'm sure I'm forgetting some, which is exactly I have RefinedHype Nation. I'm stoked to see what y'all come up with, leggoo.