Let me start from the beginnin', at the top of the list

Released: 2022 “South to West” by Gunna tells a gritty story of how he ascended to wealth and fame in the treacherous world of street life. The song delves into his experiences with violence, the drug trade, sex,…

Released: 2009″Enter Galactic” by Kid Cudi is a trippy track, as real as it gets, letting you hitch a ride through an outer space love affair. The lyrics convey the idea of exploring the depths of a romantic…

Released: 2015 • Features: Swae Lee, Chief Keef Travis Scott’s “Nightcrawler,” featuring Swae Lee and Chief Keef, is a buoyant testament to the wild, high life of hip-hop stardom. This track is a hedonistic ode to raucous nightlife, extravagance, and…

Released: 2020 • Features: DaBaby “Cry Baby” by Megan Thee Stallion, featuring DaBaby, is a bold, unflinching exploration of sexual power dynamics and confident self-expression. It talks about erotic tension, relationship games, and the nature of attraction, all focused through…

Released: 2020 “Girls in the Hood” by Megan Thee Stallion is an assertive, power anthem, replete with self-empowerment motifs and a rebellious spirit that pushes against societal expectations and deadbeat men. With its unapologetic lyrics, it’s an ultimate…

Released: 2021 “Kitty Kat” by Megan Thee Stallion is a fiery anthem that sings of self-empowerment, standing up against stereotypes and the classes of criticism and judgment targeted at her and women like her. This track is a…

Released: 2017 • Features: Lil Uzi Vert “Bad and Boujee” by Migos, features Lil Uzi Vert and it is a masterstroke in 21st-century trap music, shedding light on the trio’s rise from obscurity to prominence. This joint is…

Released: 2001 “Witness (1 Hope)” by Roots Manuva is a dynamic and uncompromising expression of a hustler’s struggle, resilience, and ambition, weaving intricate tales of his journey through life’s hardships and his quest for survival. It’s a pure,…

Released: 2015 In “Fighting For?” by Roots Manuva, the London-based rapper postulates the struggles of living – the fight for existence, for meaning, and against the oppressive aspects of life. It’s a contemplative look at the battles we…

Released: 2015 “Don’t Breathe Out” by Roots Manuva serves as a profound spiritual journey, where the rapper maps out his struggles and triumphs with an introspective lens. His lyrics teeter on the edge of existentialism as they explore…

Released: 1986 • Features: Aerosmith “Walk This Way,” by hip-hop pioneers Run-D.M.C., featuring rock band Aerosmith, is an era-defining track that marries rock and roll to hip-hop in a joyous union. It talks about adolescent experiences and sexual awakenings, exploring…

Released: 1986 “Peter Piper” by Run–D.M.C. is a potent lyrical journey through childhood memories recast in the mold of hip-hop bravado and artistic one-upmanship. It showcases the linguistic prowess of Run and D.M.C., while celebrating the undeniable skills…

Released: 1994 Scarface’s “No Tears” is a relentless exploration of the relentless, deadly cycles of street life, where retribution is swift and survival is the only metric that matters. It’s a raw and unflinching look at the lethal…

Released: 1994 “I Seen a Man Die” by Scarface, a compelling narrative of life, death, and regret, takes the listener on a poignant journey through the often brutal realities of street life. The song wrestles with the struggles…

Released: 2010 • Features: Devin The Dude, Tela, Too $hort “F*** Faces” by Scarface, featuring Devin The Dude, Tela, Too $hort, is an exploration of romantic manipulation, sexual conquests, and a critique of materialism. It’s a tale woven with braggadocio,…

Released: 1985 “P.S.K. ‘What Does It Mean’?” by Schoolly D is a seminal piece of hip-hop history that provides an intimate look into the trials and tribulations of the urban experience while also introducing listeners to a vibrant…

Released: 1987 “Saturday Night” by Schoolly D is an iconic hip-hop narrative centered around weekly escapades in his Philadelphia neighborhood, incorporating themes of partying, altercations, and substance use. Now let’s unpack what Schoolly D’s got to say. In…

Released: 1989 The track “Am I Black Enough For You?” by Schoolly D is a defiant proclamation of black identity in predominantly white America. It’s both authenticity check and critique of the expectations and stereotypes placed upon African…

Released: 1985 “Gucci Time” by Schoolly D is a reflection on the golden age of hip-hop and a self-assured declaration of his skills. Taking aim at biters (copycats) and weaving in complex themes of power, crime, and street…

Released: 2019 • Features: Mura Masa “Doorman” by slowthai, featuring Mura Masa, is a dramatic exploration of the British punk and grime scene viewed through the eyes of a working class youth desperately trying to navigate the chaos. The lyrics…

Released: 2021 • Features: James Blake, Mount Kimbie “Feel Away” by Slowthai, featuring James Blake & Mount Kimbie, is a piercing exploration of a deteriorated romantic relationship. The track is a raw examination of heartbreak, misplaced desires, and perspectives on…

Released: 2021 “I Tried” by Slowthai is an introspective track that explores his struggle with depression and mental health issues against the backdrop of his hard-hitting rise to success. It’s a raw and punishing view into the artist’s…

Released: 2011 • Features: Wiz Khalifa, Bruno Mars At the heart of “Young, Wild & Free” by Snoop Dogg, featuring Wiz Khalifa and Bruno Mars, is a celebration of youthful exuberance, freedom, and a disregard for societal norms. The song…

Released: 1993At its core, this song is a boastful acknowledgment of Snoop’s journey from the depths of the streets in Long Beach, California to the heady heights of hip-hop stardom, laced with a fierce proclamation of his undying…

Released: 1988 “Talkin’ All That Jazz” by Stetsasonic is an assertive clap-back at critics who deemed hip-hop as unoriginal due to its sampling of other genres. The 1988 jam not only defended the art of sampling but also…

Released: 1988 “Sally” by Stetsasonic is a classic hip-hop cut that verbalizes a genuine appreciation for an intriguing girl who’s out of the ordinary. This narrative track portrays Sally’s character through the lens of Stetsasonic’s members, revealing her…

Released: 2020 • Features: Roc Marciano “Rolls Royce Break Lights” by Stove God Cooks with Roc Marciano is a vivid portrayal of the complex emotions tied up with the hustle and grind of the game. The central theme oscillates between…

Released: 2018 Takeoff’s track “Casper” paints a picture of luxury and supremacy, showcasing the rapper’s lavish lifestyle and his dominance in the game. The title itself is a metaphor for the Rolls-Royce Wraith he’s ghost-riding, a car he…

Released: 2018 “Last Memory” by Takeoff is a vividly painted portrait of a high-rolling lifestyle filled with wealth, women, and worldly possessions — a testament to the rapper’s rise from hardship to astronomical success. It’s a jiggy track…

Released: 2018 “Insomnia” by Takeoff from the hip-hop trio Migos, is a trap anthem about the grind, hustle, and desire to succeed that keeps him awake at night, while reflecting on his success and wealth. Takeoff also showcases…

Released: 2022 • Features: Rich The Kid “Crypto” by Takeoff, featuring Rich The Kid, is a confident and boisterous declaration of financial independence, newfound wealth, and an appreciation for the potential of cryptocurrency for changing the game. The song cleverly…

Released: 2018 • Features: Earl Sweatshirt Aight, let’s bust this down. “E. Coli” by The Alchemist, calling in Earl Sweatshirt on the flow, is an introspective joint that revolves around Earl navigating a world that’s sometimes too much to bear.…

Released: 2019 • Features: Boldy James Straight out the gate, “Ocean Prime” by The Alchemist featuring Boldy James is a deep-sea dive into the spirit of the hustler’s life, interlaced with maritime and nautical metaphors that hook you in. The…

Released: 2005 • Features: 50 Cent “How We Do” by The Game featuring 50 Cent is a boastful anthem of West Coast swagger and street credibility. It delves into their gritty backgrounds and the lifestyle changes that have accompanied their…

Released: 2012 • Features: 2 Chainz, Rick Ross “Ali Bomaye” by The Game featuring 2 Chainz and Rick Ross, is a hard-hitting anthem declaring their immense wealth, success, power, and their unabashed confidence. The track is steeped in a grand…

Released: 2005 • Features: 50 Cent The Game’s “Westside Story” featuring 50 Cent is a cut straight out the streets of Compton, an unapologetic declaration of survival, resilience, and unabashed allegiance to the West Coast. It’s a song that lays…

Released: 2011 • Features: Lil Wayne The Game’s “Red Nation,” featuring the iconic Lil Wayne, is an anthem that exudes pride in the Bloods, a notorious street gang based in Los Angeles. The overlying theme in this banging track, laced…

Released: 1994″Big Poppa” by The Notorious B.I.G. drips with swaggering bravado, methodically painted pictures of luxurious living, and bold romantic pursuits. The song stands as one of Biggie’s signature tracks, giving an intimate glimpse into the charismatic persona…

Released: 1997 A’ight, folks. We diving into one of the illest tracks from one of the realest ever did it – “Hypnotize” by The Notorious B.I.G. This joint right here, it’s all about the power of words, the…

Released: 1997 • Features: Mase, Diddy “Mo Money Mo Problems” by The Notorious B.I.G., featuring Mase and Diddy, is an emblematic anthem of the late 90s hip-hop. It explores the paradox of success and wealth breeding not just opulence, but…

Released: 1999 • Features: Tariq Trotter, Erykah Badu, Eve “You Got Me” by The Roots, featuring Tariq Trotter, Erykah Badu, and Eve, is a profound reflection on trust, commitment, and loyalty amidst the chaotic lifestyle of the entertainment industry. The…

Released: 2002 • Features: Cody Chesnutt “The Seed (2.0)” by The Roots featuring Cody Chesnutt is a powerful narrative about creativity, transformation, and the struggle of maintaining artistic integrity. On one level, it’s a song about insemination, but on another…

Released: 1996 “What They Do” by The Roots is a deep-seated criticism of the contemporary hip-hop scene, expressing discontent with its commercialization and loss of originality. The track calls out artists for their lack of creativity, pretentiousness, and…

Released: 2009 “Disturbia” by The Sequence is a profound exploration of the internal struggle associated with mental instability. Utilizing hip-hop’s storytelling ability, the lyrics convey a narrative of entrapping darkness, anxiety, and the struggle to maintain sanity amidst…

Released: 2005 “Stay Fly” by Three 6 Mafia, featuring 8Ball & MJG, and Young Buck, is a celebratory anthem that embodies the Southern hip-hop lifestyle with a strong emphasis on the pursuit of luxury, success, and the necessity…

Released: 2005 In “Half On a Sack,” Three 6 Mafia dives deep into the excesses of street life, drug-using culture, their experiences on tour, and sexual escapades. This piece is a raw and explicit portrayal of the group’s…

Released: 2008 • Features: Rihanna “Live Your Life” by T.I., featuring the incomparable talents of Rihanna, is a strong anthem of resilience, ambition, and self-assuredness in the face of adversity. Through lyrical storytelling, it promotes the importance of embracing the…

Released: 2008 “Whatever You Like” is a lush slice of anthemic hip-hop from Atlanta’s own T.I., a lyrical love letter from a bankroll baller to his significant other, showing how he spares no expense to treat her right.…

Released: 2008 • Features: Justin Timberlake “Dead And Gone” by T.I., featuring Justin Timberlake, is a profound narrative about shedding one’s old ways and striving towards growth and redemption. The song is laced with remorse, regret, introspection, resiliency, and ultimately,…