2010s hip-hop songs: 7 underrated tracks that deserved bigger hits

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• Seven underrated hip-hop songs from the 2010s worth revisiting
  • Kendrick Lamar — “Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst” (2012)
  • Chance the Rapper — “Cocoa Butter Kisses” (2013)
  • Freddie Gibbs & Madlib — “Shame” (2014)
  • Action Bronson — “Baby Blue” feat. Chance the Rapper (2015)
  • Earl Sweatshirt — “Chum” (2013)
  • Mac Miller — “Objects in the Mirror” (2013)
  • Run The Jewels — “Close Your Eyes (And Count to F**k)” (2014)
• Why these songs still matter for hip-hop fans and new listeners

The 2010s gave us seismic shifts in hip-hop. Some tracks exploded into mainstream consciousness. Others quietly reshaped the sound but never snagged the commercial spotlight. Below are seven songs from that decade that still feel fresh, influential, and ripe for rediscovery.

Seven underrated hip-hop songs from the 2010s worth revisiting

Kendrick Lamar — “Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst” (2012)

This two-part epic closes a landmark album with raw storytelling and cinematic production. It’s intimate and ambitious at once.

• Two distinct movements that feel like a short film.
• Lyrics that explore responsibility, mortality, and legacy.
• Production that blends jazz, soul, and cinematic textures.
• A track that rewards repeated listens.

Chance the Rapper — “Cocoa Butter Kisses” (2013)

A hazy, nostalgic cut from Chance’s breakout mixtape. It never got heavy radio play but left a strong cultural footprint.

• Warm harmonies and a lo-fi, homegrown vibe.
• Guest vocal interplay that deepens the chorus.
• Lyrics about adolescence and changing relationships.
• Comforting and specific in equal measure.

Freddie Gibbs & Madlib — “Shame” (2014)

From a collaborative album that slipped between rap subgenres. This track blends grimy soul samples with blunt, precise bars.

• Madlib’s dusty production sets a noir tone.
• Gibbs delivers vivid narratives with cold clarity.
• The track feels timeless, not trendy.
• A modern classic for crate-diggers and lyric heads.

Action Bronson — “Baby Blue” feat. Chance the Rapper (2015)

A soulful duet pairing unusual wordplay with an earworm hook. It captures both artists at an inviting, playful peak.

• Memorable vocal chemistry between the two performers.
• Production that balances boom-bap warmth and modern sheen.
• Thorougly quotable lines wrapped in bizarre imagery.
• Accessible but artistically adventurous.

Earl Sweatshirt — “Chum” (2013)

A terse, introspective piece that reveals the emotional cost of sudden attention. Sparse beats let the lyrics breathe.

• Minimal production puts focus on internal conflict.
• Raw, confessional verses feel immediate and human.
• Less about hooks, more about mood and honesty.
• One of the decade’s most affecting reflections.

Mac Miller — “Objects in the Mirror” (2013)

A reflective song that foreshadows the artist’s evolution. It blends soft-rock textures with classic rap introspection.

• Warm, nostalgic instrumentation supports thoughtful lines.
• Mac’s voice shifts between playfulness and gravity.
• Strong emotional resonance for listeners over time.
• A subtle milestone in a complex catalog.

Run The Jewels — “Close Your Eyes (And Count to F**k)” (2014)

A visceral collaboration that pairs urgency with dense production. It showcases the duo’s knack for confrontational, cinematic rap.

• Hard-hitting beats and aggressive delivery.
• Layered textures that reward focused listening.
• The kind of track that amplifies live shows.
• Brutal, artful, and underplayed by mainstream measures.

Why these songs still matter for hip-hop fans and new listeners

Each selection highlights a different strength of 2010s hip-hop. Some focus on intimate storytelling. Others showcase production risks or genre-blending experiments.

• They reveal artists growing beyond commercial pressures.
• They influenced peers, even without chart dominance.
• They reward attentive listening and connect emotionally.
• Rediscovering these tracks reveals layers missed on first listen.