Erika Ramirez' Billboard Hot Rap Songs Chart 25th Anniversary: Top 100 Songs - Really?

Billboard Hot Rap Songs Chart 25th Anniversary: Top 100 Songs

Photofest; Dan Martensen; PRNewsFoto/Def Jam; John Keatleyk MEMPIS TH (IFS) -- Ms. Ramierz, no punt intended.  But what Planet did you say you come from?  I see that you have not been on Planet Earth too long and you are just starting to listen to recorded music.  Good luck to you in the future.  However, you will have a very short future when it comes to Rap artists.  You have little or no credibility.By Billboard Staff and Erika Ramirez

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To honor the 25th anniversary of Billboard's Hot Rap Songs chart, we’re counting down the tally's top 100 tracks ever.

Rap is a victorious genre. Having built its history on songs of overcoming the harshest of hard-knock lives, in addition to observances of all of life's nuances, rap is more than just dope beats and rhymes. Its lyrics tell stories with insights and uncommon honesty, traits that have ultimately taken the genre from niched inner-city beginnings to a longstanding place at the heart of pop culture.

So it was fitting for Billboard to create a chart, in 1989, dedicated to the then-rising genre, birthed out of hip-hop. At the time, MTV's influential "Yo! MTV Raps" was only a few months old, and acts like Ice-T and N.W.A were not only ruling rap but beginning to enter the mainstream music conversation.

While rap has evolved, there’s no denying its ever-growing power. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Billboard’s Hot Rap Songs chart, we’re counting down the top 100 songs in the tally’s quarter-century history. From Salt-N-Pepa to Macklemore, we've got the genre's past quarter-century covered.

Hot Rap Songs 25th Anniversary: Top 50 Artists & More

Joan Rivers returns to ‘Tonight Show’ after decades-long ban by Johnny Carson

The comedienne’s Monday night appearance marked exactly 49 years to the day since she first appeared on Johnny Carson’s ‘Tonight Show’ in 1965.

BY CHIDERAH MONDE / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2014, 9:22 AM

PAUL ZIMMERMAN/WIREIMAGE

Joan Rivers appeared on Fallon’s ‘Tonight’ Monday night, exactly 49 years from the first time she appeared on Johnny Carson’s ‘Tonight’, on Feb. 17, 1965.

Joan Rivers made a quick cameo on Jimmy Fallon's "Tonight Show" on Monday, in a parade of the new host's celebrity friends.

But Rivers' seconds-long appearance during Fallon's opening skit also marked the first time the comedienne had been on the "Tonight Show" in nearly 30 years.

THEO WARGO/GETTY IMAGES FOR THE TONIGHT SHOW

Rivers joked ‘It’s about time!’ Telling Variety she’s had a taxi running in front of NBC’s studios since 1987.

Rivers, 80, was reportedly banned from "Tonight" by longtime host Johnny Carson in 1986, after she abandoned her position as permanent guest host of his NBC show to lead a competing program on Fox, according to Variety.

RELATED: 'THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JIMMY FALLON' GETS HELP FROM NYC, A-LIST FRIENDS

NBC/LLOYD BISHOP/NBC

Joan Rivers’ return to ‘Tonight Show’ on Monday marked the first time she’d been on the show in nearly 30 years.

She became Carson's direct competitor with the short-lived Fox gig — dubbed "The Late Show starring Joan Rivers."

Carson saw her move as as betrayal, claiming he never found out about the new show from Rivers — and reportedly never spoke to her again after that. The legendary late-night host died in 2005.

THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JIMMY FALLON VIA YOUTUBE

Rivers appeared in a skit with several of Jimmy Fallon’s celebrity friends.

Rivers also never appeared on Jay Leno’s “Tonight Show,” which ran from 1992 until earlier this month.

RELATED: TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JIMMY FALLON' AUDIENCE INCLUDES PROUD PARENTS, FANS

NBC/NBC VIA GETTY IMAGES

Rivers (left) revealed that Johnny Carson never spoke to her again after she left to host her own Fox late-night show in 1986.

Coincidentally, Rivers first appeared on Carson’s "Tonight" on Feb. 17, 1965, exactly 49 years to the day from her Monday night return to honor the new host.

"It's about time!" she joked to Variety, about her banishment. "I've been sitting in a taxi outside NBC with the meter running since 1987."

NBC/NBC VIA GETTY IMAGES

Joan Rivers was a permanent guest host on Carson’s show — until she left to become his competitor in 1986.

In an apparent move to make amends with the show, Rivers had only kind words for Fallon’s new beginning.

RELATED: JIMMY FALLON, WILL SMITH TEAM UP FOR 'HISTORY OF HIP-HOP DANCING'

NBC/NBC VIA GETTY IMAGES

Joan Rivers (left) during an interview with ‘Tonight’ host Johnny Carson on Apr. 25, 1986.

"It was a double thrill for me to help welcome Jimmy on his first night," she told the magazine.

"The program brought me great luck and I know it well do the same for him. He's the consummate entertainer whose reign as host, I predict, will surpass any of his predecessors."

Using mobile? Click to watch Fallon's opening skit

Justin can't cheat on Selena with Miley...because they are the same person

Justin can't cheat on Selena with Miley...because they are the same person.

Rosie O’Donnell is making her return to ABC’s “The View” on Friday, Feb. 7

The guest spot marks her first appearance on the ABC talker since being released from her hosting contract early

Rosie O’Donnell is making her return to ABC’s “The View” on Friday, Feb. 7, when viewers will see if she’s learned to play nice with others.

The 11 a.m. ET appearance marks the first time that O’Donnell will be on to the daytime talk show since moderating Season 10, which ran from 2006 to 2007.

Also read: ‘The Talk’s’ Julie Chen: It Was a Mistake for ‘The View’ to Hire Jenny McCarthy

The former co-host departed the female-centric talker under less-than-friendly circumstances. A contract dispute with ABC was front-and-center, and O’Donnell’s inability to get along with her colleagues — including the now-departed Elisabeth Hasselbeck — played out in front of millions.

O’Donnell ended up leaving “The View” about three weeks before her contract was up.

See video: Joy Behar Says Goodbye to ‘The View,’ Complete With F-Bomb

O’Donnell is currently guest-starring on ABC Family’s series, “The Fosters” as Rita Henricks, a tough yet compassionate woman who works in the foster care system and is a mentor to a member of the Foster family. O’Donnell’s “Fosters” debut on Jan. 20 helped the show to a series high in total viewers.

Of her one-time colleague’s return, host and executive producer Barbara Walters said, “I have great affection for Rosie and we have remained in contact through the years. I am happy to welcome her back to the program. She is always a lively and engaging guest and a part of the show’s successful history.”

“The View” features hosts Walters, Whoopi Goldberg, Sherri Shepherd and Jenny McCarthy. It is produced by ABC and Walters’ Barwall Productions; Bill Geddie exec produces along with Walters. “The View” is directed by Mark Gentile.

Radio Starting Radio Silence on Justin Bieber’s Music

Justin Bieber Getting The Silent Treatment From A Radio Station Until He Goes To Rehab!

A radio station in Canada has seen ENOUGH of their homeboy Justin Bieber’s bad behavior! They’ve vowed to not play ANY of the Biebs’ music until he checks himself into rehab! Hot 89.9 in Ottawa told their fans today that they won’t be hearing Baby, Never Say Never, Boyfriend, or any other hit songs from the troubled pop star until he gets himself some much needed help! OK, well…that might work, right? Or will their silent protest go unnoticed since Justin hasn’t really had a hit in awhile! Whether our neighbors to the north play or don’t play JB’s tunes, we agree with this station’s stance onJustingetting some help. It’s time to clean up your act, Biebsy! - uf