20 Rap Songs With Heavy Bass

When it comes to Hip-Hop, the bass is an integral part of the music and can often make or break a song. While some artists prefer using intricate basslines played on the bass guitar, others like a more electronic version of it.

Whether you are looking for songs to test your subwoofer and speakers, or just want to enjoy a playlist of bass-heavy music, here are 20 bass-heavy rap songs that will get the party started.

1. Travis Scott – goosebumps ft. Kendrick Lamar

Released in 2016, the song was inspired by each artist’s liking for the other’s music. The song peaked at number 47 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified platinum a year after its release.

The bass in Goosebumps takes you by surprise, appearing most prominently during the chorus line. There is something very hypnotic about a sub-bass sound and Travis Scott gets it right by being subtle with its use throughout the song.

2. Wiz Khalifa – We Dem Boyz

Leaning toward trap music, this song features the bass as a drum groove that holds the rest of the elements together. We Dem Boyz was released in 2014 as part of his “Blacc Hollywood” album. The bass is aggressive in this song, giving it an anthemic quality that is perfect for a party.

Bass drops are usually associated with EDM music but Wiz Khalifa uses them to great effect in this rap song. The result is a track that is sure to get the crowd grooving.

3. Kanye West and Jay-Z – Gotta Have It

The collaborative album “Watch the Throne” released in 2011 is often considered a benchmark in modern hip-hop and “Gotta Have It” is one of the reasons why. This has a whopping 7 million views on Youtube!

While additional elements such as the tambourine make this track intricate, it is the bass that glues all these different sounds together and allows both rappers to shine during their respective verses. It adds a great deal of energy to the song which boosts your energy levels.

4. DJ Shadow – Nobody Speak feat. Run The Jewels

DJ Shadow is known for resampling often rare and forgotten pieces of music and giving them a completely new format. In Nobody Speak, Caterina Valente’s ‘Ol Man River’ is mixed with a danceable beat, giving the track an old-school vibe.

The bass in this song is more of a deep rumble that can be felt rather than heard. It gives the track a menacing quality that works well with the lyrics about power and corruption. The music video for this track is also enticing.

5. Foreign Beggars & Noisia – CONTACT

Released in 2009, Contact became Foreign Beggars’ most-watched video after the song featured in the popular series ‘Skins’. While Drum and Bass is a popular genre of music today, this song is considered revolutionary owing to its production by Noisia.

If you are a fan of Dubstep, Drum and Bass, or Breakbeat, then you will enjoy the bass in this track. It is raw, visceral, and most definitely ahead of its time.

6. Mac Miller – Loud

Mac Miller is a renowned rapper who is no stranger to heavy bass. His song “Loud” is a great example of his use of the bass to create a catchy and unique sound. The bass in this song is used to create a thumping beat that drives the song forward. It’s best to play this track using a subwoofer for better bass response.

The rap is about the high life and the bass compliments the lyrics perfectly. Its use of the low end of the frequency spectrum gives the track a feeling of power. This is one of many rap songs that actually features the bass prominently throughout the song.

7. Joyner Lucas ft. Logic – ISIS (ADHD)

This next song is a more recent release from 2019 but it has already made waves in the rap community. The song is a collaboration between two of the most promising rappers today and tackles the serious issue of mental health and terrorism.

The song starts with a simple piano melody which is then joined by a series of bass drops. It provides a great contrast to the heavy subject matter of the lyrics and makes for enjoyable listening. The bass in this track is used to great effect, providing the perfect backdrop for both rappers to deliver their verses.

8. Travis Scott – SICKO MODE ft. Drake

“Sicko Mode” is a track from Travis Scott’s 2018 album “Astroworld”. The song features Drake and is one of the most popular tracks on the album.

The bass provides a great foundation for the track and helps to create an atmospheric sound. The track is also notable for its use of sound effects which add to the overall chaotic vibe that Travis Scott is known for. This earned him 2 prestigious awards including a Billboard Music Award for Top Streaming Song (Audio).

9. Mos Def – Mathematics

From the “Black on Both Sides” album, this is one of the most famous tracks by Mos Def. It was released in 1999 and is still a firm favorite amongst rap music fans.

The bass provides the perfect foundation for Mos Def’s lyrics which tackle social and political issues. This is the soundtrack for the popular video game, Madden NFL 2002. It was also quickly featured in one of the episodes of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.

10. J. Cole – No Role Modelz

The use of bass in this track is evident from start to finish and the low end provides the perfect foundation for Cole’s lyrics about overcoming a lack of role models in his life. His verses are punctuated by the bass, which gives the song a lot of energy.

This track was taken from his “2014 Forest Hills Drive” album released in 2015. Not long after its release, it has been certified Platinum by the RIAA. You can stream this on all music platforms.

11. 2Pac – All Eyez On Me

2Pac is a legend in the rap game and this track is one of his most popular songs. It’s easy to get hooked with the heavy bass and catchy beat. This iconic track became the title inspiration for 2Pac’s biographical drama.

You can really feel the bass in this song, it’s one of those songs that you can’t help but nod your head to. It has an old-school vibe to it and is a great example of how the bass can make a rap song more pleasing to the ears.

12. Logic – Ballin

The next rap song that features a heavy bass is Ballin’ by Logic. This track is from his 2013 mixtape “Young Sinatra: Welcome to Forever” and it’s one of the more popular songs on it. The beat is produced by 6ix and it features a distorted bass that gives the song a unique sound.

The bass in this song is more intense than in the previous one, it’s almost like the bass is trying to compete with the rap. Logic’s flow is on point and is a great song to listen to if you want to get hyped up for the day.

13. XXXTENTACION – Look At Me!

If you’re a fan of bass drops, then this song is a great addition to your playlist. XXXTENTACION was known for his heavy use of bass in his music, and this track is no exception. Despite the heavy bass, the song is still able to maintain a high energy level throughout.

The late singer’s vocal performance is also impressive, as he effortlessly switches between rapping and singing. The lyrics are controversial, as they deal with XXXTENTACION’s struggles with mental health and depression. However, it’s undeniably a powerful song that even non-fans of the artist can appreciate.

14. Kendrick Lamar – DNA.

Kendrick Lamar is one of the most popular rappers in the world and for good reason. His music is always able to strike a perfect balance between being thought-provoking and entertaining. “DNA” is one of his most successful songs, as it was claimed by Billboard as the 31st best song in the year it was released.

The song features a simple, yet catchy beat that is driven by a heavy bassline. Also, have you seen the music video? It’s epic! This is definitely a song that you need to check out if you’re a fan of rap music.

15. Tech N9ne – Worldwide Choppers

Another song that will appeal to fans of heavy bass is “Worldwide Choppers” by Tech N9ne. This track features a who’s who of rappers, including D-Loc, Twisted Insane, Yelawolf, USO, Ceza, Twista, Busta Rhymes, and JL. As you can imagine, with so many rappers on one song, the verses are packed with rapid-fire lyrics.

Chopper is a rap term that refers to a specific style of rapping that is characterized by extremely fast-paced and complex delivery. And this song is the perfect example of that style of rap.

16. Dope D.O.D. – What Happened

Judging by the title, you might think that Dope D.O.D.’s “What Happened” is a dark and somber look at the world around us. And while there are certainly some heavy themes at play in the song, it’s also an insanely catchy banger with a monstrous bassline giving dubstep-like vibes.

This track was released in 2011 as part of the “Branded” album. This now has a whopping 38 million views on Youtube and it’s easy to see (and hear) why. The production is top-notch, with the distorted bassline leading the way and setting the tone for the rest of the song.

17. Logic – 44 More

From the very beginning, it’s clear that “44 More” is going to be a bass-heavy track. The opening notes are deep and menacing, setting the stage for what is sure to be a hard-hitting song.

And that’s exactly what this track is. Logic delivers some of his best bars over a pounding beat that will have your head nodding along. The bassline is relentless which drives the song forward and gives it an extra bit of oomph.

18. 2Pac – Ambitionz az a ridah

Here’s another track by the late, great Tupac Shakur. “Ambitionz az a Ridah” is a single off of his album, “All Eyez on Me”. The song starts with a simple piano melody that sets the stage for 2Pac’s verses. And while the beat is fairly subdued, the bassline is absolutely booming.

It’s clear that the bass was mixed very loudly on this track, and it gives the song an added sense of power. 2Pac’s verses are full of energy and passion, and the bass only adds to that. If you’re looking for a rap song with some serious bass, this is one you need to check out.

19. Biggie Smalls – Hypnotize

This next track will give you a good example of how the bass can be used to create a hypnotic effect. The low, droning quality of the bassline paired with Biggie’s laid-back flow make for a seriously addictive listen.

It’s one of his most iconic tracks, and for good reason – it’s an absolute bop! You can stream this on all music platforms out there.

20. Lil Pump – Molly

Wrapping up this list is “Molly” by Lil Pump. This track is an excellent example of how to use heavy bass in a modern trap song. Pump’s autotuned vocals sound great over the top of the hard-hitting beat, and the whole thing comes together perfectly.

If you’re a fan of trap music, then this is definitely a track that you need to check out. You can also find it on all major streaming platforms just like the rest of the songs on this list.

Other Notable Mentions

Since no list can even encompass all the best entries, here are some honorable mentions. First, we have “Neon Guts” by Lil Uzi Vert feat. Pharrell Williams. Even though the tempo is pretty moderate and steady, the bass is absolutely crazy. The hard hits and the booming vibrations make this a worthy mention.

Another honorable mention is “Ric Flair Drip” by 21 Savage, Offset, and Metro Boomin. This banger has some thumping and vibrating bass throughout. The deep bass hits followed by the underlining vibrations make this a very noteworthy track. Plus, you have three superstars all in one track!

Lastly, a track for the ages is “X Gon’ Give It To Ya” by DMX. Even before this hit was featured in the Deadpool movie, the song was already a chart-topping rap banger. I absolutely love the bass throughout the song and if you sport some high-quality speakers, you can listen to this tune in its entirety!

Final Thoughts

Rap music has come a long way since its humble beginnings in the South Bronx. Today, the genre is enjoyed by fans all over the world and its popularity shows no signs of slowing down. Since the old school days with rappers like Snoop Dogg, Eazy-E, and Dr.Dre, carried on by artists such as Nicki Minaj, Gucci Mane, Tyga, Playboi Carti, Big Sean, Lil Jon, Ludacris, and many others, the genre is unstoppable.

While there are many different styles of rap, one common thread that runs through most rap songs is the heavy bass. Some of these tracks even made the US Billboard Hot 100 which is a prestigious honor. The above list features some of the best bass rap songs for you to give a listen.

Milan Trajkovikj

Milan Trajkovikj

I’m the Deputy Editor for Musician Wave and a touring and recording bass guitarist. I love to share my passion for all things music. I’ve been playing music for over ten years and I love exploring it further through writing. You'll also find me on the Musician Wave YouTube channel.

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