To this day, New York remains a huge hip-hop hub as newcomers make a name for themselves. In honor of hip-hop turning 50, here is a short list of classic songs that help serve as the sound of New York.

The rappers considered among the best in history not only stand out for their commercial success, but also for their cultural impact, innovative lyrics and ability to transcend genre boundaries. Here, check out the Top 20.

Some of hip-hop's best collaborations have came about when rappers banded with some of the era's biggest pop stars. What future collaboration will be added to this list?