Whether you choose to admit or not, D4L made a lasting impact when they released their breakout “Laffy Taffy” single on October 18, 2005. In previous years, rap songs that sounded like they were created for a SNL skit typically fell on deaf ears but the Atlanta quartet managed to achieve the unthinkable when the song reached the top of the Billboard 100, cementing the arrival of “ringtone rap.”
Despite the cheesiness of it all, there was a lot of fun to be had during the reign of “Laffy Taffy” and other related songs. So to celebrate its 10-year anniversary (and subsequent death, ha!), here is the best snap music songs that ever dropped.
15. Cherish ft. Sean P – “Do It To It”
Producer: Don Vito
Hopping on the bandwagon of a popular musical trend isn’t necessarily a bad thing–if you have the skills to go the distance with your own sound. The King sisters got lost in the shuffle after their debut single and are largely considered one-hit wonders. Even though that’s technically not true.
14. K-Rab ft. D4L – “Bubble Gum”
Producer: K-Rab
K-Rab is said to be the forefather of snap music. It’s not the most credible title to hold in rap but what can you do when the sound becomes a runway sensation?
13. D4L – “Laffy Taffy”
Producers: K-Rab, Born Immaculate & Broderick Thompson Smith
Containing one part goofy and one part game changer, “Laffy Taffy” would go on to become a synonym for half-baked attempts from rap artists trying to create a radio hit. It also was the catalyst for less talented artists to enjoy successful careers in the biz. Go ahead and love it and hate it at the same time.
12. V.I.C. – “Get Silly”
Producer: Mr. Collipark
Remember when Soulja Boy moonlighted as a record label exec? Collipark Music’s flagship artist V.I.C. rode the wave of the snap music to gain brief notoriety but he inadvertently caught a monster hit with his follow-up single, “Wobble” years down the line.
11. Danity Kane ft. Yung Joc – “Show Stopper”
Producers: Jim Jonsin, Timbaland, Danja, Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, Mario Winans, Bryan Michael Cox, Rami, Ryan Leslie, & Scott Storch (All these guys were really needed???)
The arrival of “Show Stopper” foreshadowed the reign of reality TV stars actually using their platform’s struggle to climb up the Billboard Charts. Buy these girls a drink next time you see them in the club, Yazz The Grayest.
10. One Chance ft. Fabo – “Look At Her”
Producer: Soundz & Chocolate Star
Usher became real adept at blocking these dude’s numbers after this song ran its course, but they had an earnest run nonetheless. Also, there’s that Fabo guy again.
9. D4L – Betcha Can’t Do It Like Me”
Producer: DJ Pooh
Fueled by all the local copycats in their backyard, the Down for Life crew remixed “Laffy Taffy” and fired off a cotton candy soft diss at all the haters. A close observation in the video alludes to Shawty Lo’s eventual exit from the group to create unapologetic D-boy rap.
8. Pop It Off Boyz – “Crank Dat Batman”
Producer: Lil Action
Following the success of Soulja Boy’s “Crank Dat,” every superhero–and their sidekick was cranked, spanked and ganked. This record is simply the best clone.
7. Bo Hagon ft. Fabo, Princess & Diamond – “Wuz Up”
Producer: Lil Jon
The BME click wanted in on the snap music frenzy but didn’t want to compromise their gangsta, either. Bo Hagon never released an album with Lil Jon but he found the perfect middle ground with this record.
6. Yung Joc – “It’s Going Down”
Producer: Nitti
The current Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta’s platinum-selling debut to world all but masked the finger-snapping culture for a more upbeat Bankhead bounce.
5. Dem Franchize Boyz ft. Jermaine Dupri, Da Brat & Bow Wow – “I Think They Like Me (So So Def Remix)”
Producer: Pimpin & Parlae
So So Def reached a zenith of swag and trendiness when this record dropped locally and exploded across the nation thanks to 106 & Park (RIP).
4. Soulja Boy – “Crank That (Soulja Boy)”
Producer: Soulja Boy
The year 2007 ensured that snap music was on its way to transforming into a more dance-oriented subgenre and it all started with a 16-year-old kid in Atlanta making music in his bedroom.
3. Lil Jon ft. E-40 & Sean P – “Snap Yo Fingers”
Producer: Lil Jon
The King of Crunk knew he could pretty much best any wannabe rapper trying to piggyback off a popular movement. He was right.
2. Dem Franchize Boyz ft. Peanut & Charlay – “Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It”
Producer: Parlae
When actual dope dealers and killers started to pop their fingers and snap their bodies, there was denying a Hip-Hop phenomenon was at hand. To top it off, the record was a step-by-step instruction manual to learn the dance.
1. T-Pain ft. Yung Joc – “Buy U A Drank (Shawty Snappin’)”
Producer: T-Pain
Not only is “Buy U A Drank (Shawty Snappin’)” the best song on this list, it remains an easy pick in today’s modern radio playlist. A bona fide classic.
The 15 Best Snap Music Songs Of All-Time
