This Hip-Hop Playlist Is Built Around a Runner’s Natural Rhythm—And Will Help You Hold a Steadier Cadence

Whether you’re running outside or just hitting the treadmill, good music can often make the difference between a great run and a blown goal. That’s why we’re putting together 90-minute playlists each month chock-full of songs with enough of a beat to keep you moving. For even more tunes, check out our list of the best running songs.

There’s really no way around the summer heat unless you plan on vacationing in Alaska, Finland, or Manitoba. Even then, you’re going to end up sweating.

All of that is to say that if you’re going to be running, you need a KILLER playlist. Listening to some soothing jazz tracks might be lovely on a crisp fall day, but they aren’t going to cut the mustard in the summer sun. For hot-weather runs, you’ll need something that goes hard—and really only hip-hop songs can give you the motivation you need when it’s 85 degrees and humid.

Hip hop is often considered one of the best genres for running: its beats naturally align with your stride and cadence, the heavy bass provides an energizing pulse that helps with consistency, and the rhythmic focus helps push through fatigue. Nicki Minaj. Eminem. Rihanna. Kendrick Lamar. A$AP Rocky. Beyonce. Jay-Z. All of these artists will help you move through those sweaty, salty miles.

This playlist is a high-octane set of bangers; just fast-paced, bass-thumping, rap-filled jams. Even when you’re tiring out and stopping to buy your second bottle of Gatorade while dripping sweat, these songs will give you the motivation to keep going. Turn up the volume, take another swig of your lukewarm water, and keep pounding on. You’ve got this!

Matthew Huff

Matthew Huff is a freelance writer and runner, and he is the author of MARATHONER: What to Expect When Training for and Running a Marathon, published by Rizzoli Publications. His writing has appeared in Runner's World and BuzzFeed among others, and he is the co-host of “P.S. You're Wrong: A Pop Culture Podcast.” Originally from Michigan, he now lives and runs in New York City, where he is pursuing a career as an expert chicken tender taster.