17 Best Foreign Rap Songs: International Rap Jams

Ride the global wave of rhythm and rhyme with foreign rap that knows no borders. From the gritty streets of Paris to the pulsing nightclubs of Seoul, rap music transcends language and culture.

We’ve curated 17 of the most hard-hitting, rhythmically-rich foreign rap songs that will expand your horizons and make your playlists a passport to the world’s beats.

Here are the best foreign rap songs that you can check out:

List Of Best Foreign Rap Songs

Best foreign rap songs in a list format:

1. “Papillon” by Jackson Wang

Chinese rapper Jackson Wang, a former member of K-pop group GOT7, made a splash with his debut solo single “Papillon”. Featured on the album “Mirrors”, this tune presents a gritty, trap-inspired beat with Jackson’s confident flow, showcasing the bilingual artist’s unique blend of East and West.

2. “Tandem” by Supreme NTM

From their self-titled album, French rap group Supreme NTM brought us “Tandem”. A classic 90s gem that encapsulates the essence of French hip-hop, presenting raw lyrics about life in Paris’ banlieues with infectious beats.

3. “Con Altura” by Rosalía & J Balvin

This song is from Rosalía’s album “El Mal Querer”. The Spanish flamenco-pop princess teamed up with Colombian reggaeton superstar J Balvin, creating a fusion of flamenco, pop, and urban sounds in “Con Altura”. This reggaeton hit is adorned with catchy hooks and impressive vocals.

4. “Dákiti” by Bad Bunny & Jhay Cortez

From the album “El Último Tour Del Mundo”, “Dákiti” is a hit from Puerto Rican sensation Bad Bunny and Jhay Cortez. Combining catchy trap beats with sultry reggaeton rhythms, this song is a testament to the burgeoning Latin trap scene.

5. “Taki Taki” by DJ Snake ft. Selena Gomez, Ozuna, & Cardi B

Featured in DJ Snake’s album “Carte Blanche”, “Taki Taki” is a multicultural musical powerhouse. This Spanglish hit marries trap, reggaeton, and electronic beats, creating a catchy, club-ready anthem.

6. “Miniskirt” by Epik High

This South Korean hip-hop group’s song “Miniskirt” is featured on the album “Remapping the Human Soul”. Epik High weaves thought-provoking lyrics with innovative beats, proving that K-Hip Hop is a force to be reckoned with.

7. “Dior” by Pop Smoke

Hailing from Brooklyn, Pop Smoke fused UK drill beats with his New York flow in “Dior”, from his posthumous album “Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon”. This international collaboration took the rap scene by storm.

8. “Revoluxon” by Woodie Smalls

Belgian rapper Woodie Smalls offers a unique perspective in “Revoluxon” from his album “Soft Parade”. Merging classic boom-bap with a contemporary twist, he proves that Belgian hip-hop is alive and well.

9. “Ngud'” by Kwesta ft. Cassper Nyovest

South African rapper Kwesta, featuring Cassper Nyovest, gave us “Ngud'” from the album “DaKAR II”. It’s a laid-back anthem that effortlessly blends African beats and rhythms with the universal language of hip-hop.

10. “Chillin” by Wale ft. Lady Gaga

From Wale’s album “Attention Deficit”, “Chillin” features Lady Gaga and mixes catchy pop hooks with Wale’s distinct lyrical style, demonstrating the versatility and diversity in American rap.

11. “Deutschland” by Rammstein

Not typically associated with hip-hop, German industrial metal band Rammstein dabbled in rap-style verses with “Deutschland”, featured on their untitled 2019 album. This song offers a gripping narrative on Germany’s complex history.

12. “Energy” by Skepta

UK Grime artist Skepta’s “Energy” from the album “Konnichiwa” exhibits a gritty, fast-paced flow and beats, emblematic of the UK’s grime scene. It’s a musical representation of London’s urban life.

13. “Oleku” by Ice Prince ft. Brymo

On the album “Everybody Loves Ice Prince”, Nigerian rapper Ice Prince created a sensation with “Oleku”. The track blends African rhythms with smooth rap verses, reflecting the unique soundscape of Afrobeat and Afropop.

14. “Dans Ma Rue” by Black M

From the album “Les yeux plus gros que le monde”, French rapper Black M gives us “Dans Ma Rue”, a powerful narrative about life in France’s underprivileged neighborhoods, layered over catchy, rhythmic beats.

15. “Tokyo Drift” by Teriyaki Boyz

Featured in the album “Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift”, “Tokyo Drift” by Teriyaki Boyz is a blend of Japanese rap and Western pop culture, creating a catchy, cross-cultural hit perfect for the high-speed car chase scenes in the movie.

16. “Illest Motherf**ker Alive” by Kanye West & Jay Z

This powerhouse collaboration from the album “Watch the Throne” features Kanye West and Jay Z at their best. “Illest Motherf**ker Alive” delivers memorable bars over opulent production, showcasing American hip-hop royalty.

17. “Ya Soshla S Uma” by t.A.T.u.

From the album “200 km/h in the Wrong Lane”, Russian pop duo t.A.T.u. integrated rap-style verses in “Ya Soshla S Uma”. Though not a traditional rap song, this track opened the doors for Russian pop music in the Western music scene.

Fun Facts: Best Foreign Rap Tracks

“Papillon” by Jackson Wang

Jackson Wang, known for his work with K-pop sensation GOT7, was actually born and raised in Hong Kong. He’s fluent in multiple languages, which gives his music a unique multicultural edge. “Papillon” was a massive success in China, hitting number one on the Billboard China V chart.

“Con Altura” by Rosalía & J Balvin

“Con Altura” became an international hit, not just in Spanish-speaking countries, but also in non-Spanish speaking countries. The song’s music video, showing Rosalía and J Balvin on a private jet, has amassed billions of views on YouTube, further cementing the track’s global appeal.

“Dákiti” by Bad Bunny & Jhay Cortez

“Dákiti” made history as the first Latin song to simultaneously top both the Spotify Global and U.S. song charts. It’s a prime example of the rising popularity of Latin music worldwide.

“Taki Taki” by DJ Snake ft. Selena Gomez, Ozuna, & Cardi B

“Taki Taki” had a star-studded line-up of artists across genres and languages, creating a truly multicultural hit. Interestingly, none of the artists knew what ‘Taki Taki’ meant when they recorded the song. DJ Snake just thought it sounded catchy!

“Ngud'” by Kwesta ft. Cassper Nyovest

“Ngud'” became a massive hit in South Africa and holds the record for the most played song on South African radio in 2016. The track’s success helped to elevate South African hip-hop on the global stage.

“Deutschland” by Rammstein

Despite the controversy surrounding its music video, “Deutschland” marked Rammstein’s triumphant return after a decade-long hiatus. The song’s video, filled with historical and cultural references, sparked discussions about Germany’s past, demonstrating the power of music in cultural discourse.

“Tokyo Drift” by Teriyaki Boyz

“Tokyo Drift” became internationally famous due to its feature in the “Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift” film. Interestingly, the track was produced by The Neptunes, a famous American production duo consisting of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, showcasing a unique blend of East meets West.

“Illest Motherf**ker Alive” by Kanye West & Jay Z

“Illest Motherf**ker Alive” features a three-minute silence at the start of the track. This was a deliberate choice by Kanye West and Jay Z, designed to give listeners a moment of anticipation before the beat drops, creating a unique listening experience.

“Ya Soshla S Uma” by t.A.T.u.

“Ya Soshla S Uma” became a breakthrough hit for t.A.T.u. and opened doors for them in Western markets. The English version of the song, “All The Things She Said”, peaked at number one in several countries and gained significant controversy for its provocative music video.

As we wrap up this eclectic world tour, remember, music transcends borders. Open your ears, expand your tastes, and you’ll find that hip-hop’s heartbeat is truly global. Keep vibing, folks!

Thanks for reading.

TBone