Hip-hop music maintained its popularity from the 1990s into the 2000s. Through the decade there were notable differences in the genre as it began to influence popular mainstream music and further branched into new categories.

Artists like Lil Jon and the Ying Yang Twins popularized crunk music, a derivative of Southern rap. Crunk music focuses on beat or music rather than lyrics for impact. It is more aggressive music that could be enjoyed at a party. Notice how Lil Jon's style of rapping is similar to yelling. Snap music is a more specific type of crunk music - a good example of a snap song is "Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It."

Alternative hip-hop also emerged with artists like The Roots, Gnarls Barkley and Mos Def. Gnarls Barkley's music contains elements of neo soul, funk and hip-hop. "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley will always be a favorite of mine!

Hip-hop music is not just enjoyed in the United States. It is also immensely popular in Great Britain, where a subgenre of hip-hop called grime became popular. Though the politicians criticized it the way gangsta rap is similarly criticized in the United States, it influenced the British youth and grew huge. It is still trending today, and it has taken influences from other genres like rhythm & blues and rock. Check out a grime song like "Go So High" by Mobb Ryder; rap music is even more interesting with British accents.

1. Lil Jon, "Snap Yo Fingers"

This is quite possibly one of my first MySpace profile songs.

2. Young Dro, "Shoulder Lean"

My cooler friend had to show me this song.

3. Ludacris ft. Pharrell, "Money Maker"

Probably my first ever Ludacris song.

4. Dem Franchize Boyz ft. Jim Jones, "Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It"

Once upon a time, I was able to do this dance. "Crank Dat" was better, though.

5. E-40 ft. T-Pain, "U and Dat"

I'm glad I didn't understand most of these songs in 2006.

6. Baby Bash ft. T-Pain, "Cyclone"

A guilty pleasure from my early middle school days.

7. Bubba Sparxxx ft. Ying Yang Twins & Mr. ColliPark, "Ms. New Booty"

I distinctly remember my older cousin showing me this song!

8. Sean Paul ft. Keyshia Cole, "Give It Up To Me"

Because Sean Paul makes me happy.

9. Yung Joc, "I Know You See It"

A blast from the past.

10. Birdman ft. Lil Wayne, "Pop Bottles"

Again, this was one of my MySpace profile songs.

11. D4L, "Laffy Taffy"

It was the summer before sixth grade when I first heard this song in a shopping mall.

12. Lil Boosie ft. Yung Joc, "Zoom"

I swear, I was able to do this dance, too.

13. Lil Wayne ft. Birdman, "Stuntin' Like My Daddy"

When Lil Wayne was "the favorite rapper" of adolescents.

14. Jim Jones, "We Fly High"

It took me a long time to figure out the connection between "ballin'" and basketball.

15. Lupe Fiasco, "I Gotcha"

I wasn't fortunate enough to hear about Lupe Fiasco until high school.