Hip-Hop and cinema have always shared a unique bond. From iconic rap tracks amplifying some of the most memorable movie scenes to rappers taking on acting roles — think Eminem in “8 Mile” or ASAP Rocky in “Dope” — the connection runs deep. In fact, some of hip-hop’s most powerful moments have emerged not from traditional albums or singles, but from the soundtracks that accompanied major films.

Consider Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth’s “See You Again”, a heartfelt tribute to the late Paul Walker following his untimely passing. Then there are the more introspective contributions crafted specifically for these projects, often curated by the artists themselves. J. Cole delivered a reflective piece with “Adonis Interlude (The Montage)” for “Creed III”, while Nipsey Hussle and Jay-Z collaborated on “What It Feels Like” for “Judas And The Black Messiah”, a stirring soundtrack brought to life under the guidance of Hit-Boy.

We have compiled a list of 15 standout rap tracks featured on movie soundtracks.

1. “Lose Yourself” by Eminem (8 Mile)

“Lose Yourself” stands as one of Eminem’s most celebrated tracks, originating from a film widely regarded as a landmark in Hiü-Hop history, “8 Mile”. At the time of its release, Eminem was undeniably dominating the rap scene. Beyond its musical impact, the legendary song inspired the concept for his Mom’s Spaghetti restaurant and perfectly tied into the narrative of the movie. With his immortal line, “You only get one shot,” the Detroit-born artist proved he made the most of his moment.

2. “See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth (Furious 7)

Combining poignant piano chords, Charlie Puth’s soulful vocals, and Wiz Khalifa’s heartfelt verses about family, the song served as a touching tribute to Paul Walker’s portrayal of Brian O’Conner following his tragic passing. This emotional piece created arguably the most powerful musical moment in the “Fast & Furious” franchise. Unsurprisingly, the track dominated the Billboard Hot 100 and made history as the first rap song to surpass 1 billion views on YouTube.

3. “Gangsta’s Paradise” by Coolio (Dangerous Minds)

Gangsta’s Paradise by Coolio is inseparable from its connection to the film “Dangerous Minds”, a high school drama featuring Michelle Pfeiffer as a teacher striving to make a difference in the lives of her underprivileged students. The song not only claimed the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 but also reached #1 in multiple countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, Australia, and Canada. Later, Coolio included this triple-platinum hit on his second studio album, also titled “Gangsta’s Paradise”.

4. “All The Stars” by Kendrick Lamar featuring SZA (Black Panther)

“All The Stars” by Kendrick Lamar featuring SZA from the “Black Panther” soundtrack turned out to be a massive hit, yet it’s still somewhat surprising that the track was reserved for the movie’s end credits. Even so, it made perfect sense as the lead single for the album. SZA delivers the now-famous line, “This may be the night that my dreams might let me know/ All the stars approach you,” while Kendrick Lamar reflects the film’s poignant conclusion with verses filled with emotional ups and downs. It’s not just one of the standout moments of the Black Panther soundtrack; it’s also among the most remarkable collaborations between Lamar and SZA.

5. “Hard Out Here For A Pimp” by Three 6 Mafia (Hustle & Flow)

Terrence Howard portrayed DJay, a pimp with dreams of becoming a rapper, in the 2005 movie “Hustle & Flow”. In one memorable scene, he collaborates with his producers to craft the hit track “Hard Out Here For A Pimp.” The song, performed by rap group Three 6 Mafia on the film’s soundtrack, served as a central theme for the story. It also achieved significant recognition, winning the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

6. “What It Feels Like” by Nipsey Hussle & Jay-Z (Judas And The Black Messiah)

Blacc Sam, the brother of Nipsey Hussle, emphasized that any release under the late rapper’s name should only happen if Nipsey personally contributed — whether it be writing the verse, collaborating with the artist, or designing the overall concept. Featured on the soundtrack for “Judas And The Black Messiah”, “What It Feels Like” unites Hussle with Jay-Z to deliver some of the most potent verses in the collection. Nipsey makes nods to Malcolm X, while Jay-Z weaves in references to Drake’s Scorpion album, the January 6th Capitol insurrection, and Fred Hampton, whose legacy serves as the foundation of the film’s narrative.

7. “Shake Ya Tailfeather” by Diddy, Nelly & Murphy Lee (Bad Boys II)

Diddy teamed up with Nelly at the peak of his career and St. Lunatics member Murphy Lee to create the vibrant track “Shake Ya Tailfeather.” Featured on the soundtrack for “Bad Boys II”, this energetic collaboration turned into a chart-topping success, securing the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100. The music video, directed by Benny Boom, was set in Miami and showcased model and actress Esther Baxter, accompanied by clips from “Bad Boys II” scattered throughout the visuals.

8. “Keep On, Keepin’ On” by MC Lyte & Xscape (Sunset Park)

Drawing from the timeless sample of Michael Jackson’s “Liberian Girl,” MC Lyte and Xscape delivered an unforgettable blend of music with “Keep On, Keepin’ On.” This smooth collaboration, produced by Jermaine Dupri, soared into the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. First featured on the soundtrack for the comedy-drama “Sunset Park”, the track later found its place on Lyte’s fifth studio album, “Bad As I Wanna B.”

9. “Juice (Know The Ledge)” by Eric B. & Rakim (Juice)

Eric B. & Rakim, legendary figures in hip hop, crafted this dynamic track for the critically acclaimed film “Juice”, a gripping coming-of-age thriller featuring Omar Epps, Tupac Shakur, Jermaine Hopkins, and Khalil Kain. In this electrifying piece, Rakim delivers an intense, first-person account of a local criminal reflecting on the consequences of his reckless choices. The song’s impact extended beyond its era, with 50 Cent later revealing to NME that “Juice (Know The Ledge)” inspired his decision to pursue a career in rap.

10. “Grand Finale” by DMX, Method Man, Nas & Ja Rule (Belly)

Renowned director Hype Williams made his feature film debut with “Belly”, a gripping crime drama starring Nas, DMX, and Method Man, which has since gained status as a cult classic. The film’s soundtrack brought these three artists together for the powerful track Grand Finale, a production crafted by Irv Gotti and Lil Rob that also included a fiery contribution from Ja Rule.

11. “Window Shopper” by 50 Cent (Get Rich or Die Tryin’)

Taking inspiration from Eminem, 50 Cent made his acting debut in the film “Get Rich or Die Tryin'”, a story loosely based on his own life growing up in Queens, New York. Naturally, he also played a significant role in the film’s soundtrack, which was released under his G-Unit label. Among the harder-edged tracks featured on the 18-song compilation, one standout was “Window Shopper,” a sleek and refined song that climbed into the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100.

12. “Men in Black” by Will Smith (Men In Black)

While Will Smith initially gained fame as a rapper, he became one of the leading blockbuster stars of the ’90s. In 1998, he starred alongside Tommy Lee Jones in the sci-fi action film “Men In Black”, and naturally, he contributed its signature theme song. Sharing the same title as the film, the track was produced by Trackmasters and featured a sample of Patrice Rushen’s “Forget Me Nots.” With additional vocals from Coko of the R&B group SWV, the song narrates the battles of Smith and Lee’s characters against alien threats, with lines like “Here come the men in black, the galaxy defenders.” 

13. “Regulate” by Warren G ft. Nate Dogg (Above The Rim)

When Suge Knight and Dr. Dre took on the role of executive producers for the “Above The Rim” soundtrack, Warren G and Nate Dogg collaborated on its standout single, “Regulate.” The track, which also appeared on Warren G’s debut album, was both produced and performed by him. “Regulate” became a massive hit, rising to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

14. “King’s Dead” by Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Future & James Blake (Black Panther)

As Kendrick Lamar spearheaded the creation of the “Black Panther” soundtrack, he ensured his labelmates from TDE were prominently featured. This led to a collaboration with Jay Rock, Future, and James Blake on the album’s second single, “King’s Dead.” Lamar’s verse in the song adopts the perspective of Erik Killmonger, the film’s antagonist who seeks to dethrone King T’Challa.

15. “Days Of Our Livez” by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony (Set It Off)

Few films have made as lasting an impression as “Set It Off”, F. Gary Gray’s heist classic featuring stellar performances from Jada Pinkett, Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox, and Kimberly Elise. Equally memorable was its soundtrack, a rich compilation showcasing contributions from artists like Latifah, Busta Rhymes, En Vogue, Goodie Mob, MC Lyte, and Brandy — who teamed up with Tamia, Gladys Knight, and Chaka Khan for the heart-wrenching track “Missing You.” Another highlight from the soundtrack was “Days Of Our Livez,” a melodic offering by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony that climbed to #20 on the Billboard 200 and later found its place on the Cleveland group’s “The Collection Volume One” compilation.