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

Released: 2003 • Features: Boosie Badazz, Bun B “In My Pocket” by the legendary Pimp C, featuring Boosie Badazz and Bun B, is a clever and gritty testament to the relentless pursuit of wealth in the hip-hop game. It lays…

Released: 2006 “Pourin’ Up” by Pimp C is a classic homage to the Southern hip-hop lifestyle – full of opulence, street hustle, and that distinct Texas flavor. It’s an unfiltered slice of the late Pimp C’s life, soaked…

Released: 2017 • Features: InI “Grown Man Sport” by Pete Rock, featuring InI, is a gritty ballad of maturity, resilience, and survival in a difficult world. This hip-hop piece navigates the complexities of urban existence, encapsulating the struggles of maintaining…

Released: 2005 “Real Talk” by Outlawz channels the raw, unfiltered struggle for survival in the streets while grappling with fame and success. The song layers gritty themes of personal challenges and societal injustices with the group’s hardened resolve…

Released: 2024 • Features: YG “Last Time That I Checc’d” by the late Nipsey Hussle featuring YG is a forceful assertion of Hussle’s ascent from the streets to the top echelons of hip-hop, defying the odds and doing it his…

Released: 2018 • Features: Belly, Dom Kennedy “Double Up” by Nipsey Hussle featuring Belly and Dom Kennedy is fundamentally a celebration of the profound transformation the title artist, Nipsey, experienced in his life – transitioning from the hard streets of…

Released: 2018 Now peep this, “Grinding All My Life” by Nipsey Hussle is a straight-up banger, with our man Nipsey hittin’ pen and pad to spit about his lifelong grind, the hustle and sacrifices he’s made to earn…

Released: 2006 “Sexy Love” by Ne-Yo is one of those classic R&B jams that perfectly encapsulates the intoxicating feeling of being head-over-heels infatuated with someone. The song marries infectious beats with smooth lyrics, expressing the artist’s deep infatuation…

Released: 2007 “Because Of You” by Ne-Yo is an emotive R&B-hip-hop track illustrating a love so intense, it’s akin to addiction. Ne-Yo crafts a narrative where the protagonist grapples with a consuming love he can’t quit, establishing a…

Released: 2006 Aigh’t let’s talk ’bout “So Sick,” by Ne-Yo, a track soaked in heartbreak and melancholy. Just off the bat, shawty, the song paints an emotive picture of an artist wrestling with the aftermath of a torn…

Released: 2000 “Country Grammar (Hot Shit)” by Nelly is a celebration anthem, portraying his Midwestern roots and his journey to fame. The track centralizes on the themes of wealth, power, and the celebration of his own success while…

Released: 1994 “The World Is Yours” by Nas is an assertive affirmation of self-worth and ambition, laying bare the struggles and aspirations of a young man navigating the mean streets of New York City. The track intertwines the…

Released: 1996 • Features: Ms. Lauryn Hill “If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)” by Nas featuring Lauryn Hill is an imaginative and deeply reflective hip-hop track that explores the possibility of a world shaped by the rapper’s ideals. The…

Released: 1994 Straight from the get-go, “N.Y. State of Mind” by Nas lays bare the unsettling realities of life in the inner-city neighborhoods of New York. Nas delivers a raw, unfiltered account of his surroundings, using his words…

Released: 2004 “Sunshine” by Mos Def, now known as Yasiin Bey, is a powerful track that paints a vivid picture of his life, career, and purpose, brimming with empowering messages about self-assertiveness and community solidarity. The song touches…

Released: 1999 “UMI Says” by Mos Def is a powerful expression of black consciousness and self-determination. At its core, the song is about embracing the power within to influence the world and being reminded of life’s fragility and…

Released: 1999 “Hip Hop” is a powerful track by Mos Def, where he presents an intricate analysis of the hip-hop culture, industry, and its socio-political implications. He is formulating a commentary on hip-hop’s evolution, its impact on society,…

Released: 1999 In “Mathematics,” Mos Def brings a cold, calculated approach to showcasing the social, economic, and political problems plaguing urban African American communities. Every bar of this rap classic is a statistical incision into the grim reality…

Released: 2020 “Me Vs Me” by Moneybagg Yo is a bold statement of self-confidence and self-assertion. This track reflects a paramount theme seen throughout hip-hop: battling one’s darker tendencies while maintaining loyalty and authenticity. Let’s dive into the…

Released: 2023 • Features: Future “Keep It Low” by Moneybagg Yo, featuring Future, is an exploration of the enthralling yet complex experiences of the modern hip-hop lifestyle. Brimming with themes of wealth, power, toxic relationships, and street credibility, the song…

Released: 2023 “Ocean Spray” by Moneybagg Yo delves into the artist’s complicated relationship with life on the streets, his rise to fame, and his struggle to escape the pull of the streets while appreciating the luxuries his success…

Released: 2021 “Time Today” by Moneybagg Yo is a boldly assertive track where the artist lays bare his defiance, wealth, and independent spirit. The song captures the essence of his hard-earned success, flaunting the fruits of his triumph…

Released: 1995 • Features: Big Noyd Let’s break it down, son. “Give Up the Goods (Just Step)” by Mobb Deep, featuring Big Noyd, is a showpiece of raw urban storytelling. It vividly portrays the gritty reality of street life in…

Released: 1995 “Shook Ones, Pt. II” by Mobb Deep is a gritty exploration of street life and violence, underscored by the stark realities of Queensbridge, New York, where the duo grew up. It’s a stark commentary on survival,…

Released: 2005 • Features: Ciara, Fatman Scoop “Lose Control” by “Missy Elliott”, featuring “Ciara, Fatman Scoop” is like the quintessential party anthem, embodying the spirit of energetic beats, irresistible dance hooks and an infectious rhythm that is meant to take…

Released: 2001 “Get Ur Freak On” by Missy Elliott is a bold invitation to express your individuality and creativity without inhibition. The song, dripping with self-confidence and swagger, exalts the idea of letting loose and embracing one’s own…

Released: 2002 “Work It” by Missy Elliott is an iconic hip-hop track that blends sensuality, assertiveness, and wit in a powerful lyrical composition. Emphasizing the artist’s confident sexuality and assertive approach to life, the track offers an empowering…

Released: 2013 • Features: Miley Cyrus, Wiz Khalifa, Juicy J “23” by the super producer Mike WiLL Made-It, which features Miley Cyrus, Wiz Khalifa, and Juicy J, is an infectious ode to sneaker culture, party lifestyle, and individualism. The song…

Released: 2017 • Features: Travis Scott “Sky Walker” by Miguel featuring Travis Scott is an uptempo vibe track that acts as a manifesto for living life on your terms, without concern for detractors or haters. The song, soaked in metaphors…

Released: 2010 • Features: J. Cole “All I Want Is You” by Miguel, featuring J. Cole, is a poignant reflection on lost love and the struggle to move on. The lyrics express a deep longing for a past relationship, underpinned…

Released: 2017 • Features: Travis Scott “Sky Walker” by Miguel featuring Travis Scott is an anthem to living life to the fullest, unbothered by the haters and focused on positivity. The song encapsulates a carefree, seize-the-day mentality while nodding to…

Released: 2004 Stepping up to the plate, we’re here to tackle ‘Hoe Cakes’ by the one and only arch-villain of hip-hop, MF DOOM. In essence, this standout track from the ‘MM..FOOD?’ album is a slick, tongue-in-cheek ode to…

Released: 1999 • Features: Pebbles The Invisible Girl “Doomsday” by MF DOOM, featuring Pebbles The Invisible Girl, is a self-reflective journey of the artist’s inner struggles, using intricate wordplay to reflect on his personal life, the nature of the music…

Released: 2004 Aight, let’s vibe off with “One Beer” by MF DOOM. In essence, this joint brushes on the cutthroat nature of the rap scene, DOOM’s lyrical craftsmanship, and a critique on material culture in hip-hop. Your boy…

Released: 2004 “Rapp Snitch Knishes” by MF DOOM, featuring Mr. Fantastik, is an assertive track, hitting hard on the controversial topic of snitching culture within the rap industry. The lyrics showcase an allegory of rappers who mouth off…

Released: 2022 In “Her”, Megan Thee Stallion delivers a high octane, fierce affirmation of her selfhood. The track is an empowered declaration of her unique identity, sexual prowess, and financial success, juxtaposed against the haters and the status…

Released: 2020 At its core, “Savage” by Megan Thee Stallion is a fierce anthem of self-affirmation and female power. The song rides roughshod over the traditionally male-dominated nature of hip-hop as Megan lyrically flaunts her independence, her sensuality,…

Released: 2021 “Thot Shit” by Megan Thee Stallion showcases the rapper’s unabashed and audacious approach to sexuality, wealth and success. The song is a defiant manifesto of female empowerment and self-confidence, laying down a challenge to the, often,…

Released: 1994 “Bring The Pain” by Method Man is a quintessential 90s banger. This Wu-Tang staple serves as a lyrical declaration of Method Man’s prowess as an emcee and his assertion that he’s ready to face any challenges…

Released: 1999 • Features: Redman Alright, we’re about to bounce through the grime-dripped, boom-bap turbulence of Method Man and Redman’s joint “Da Rockwilder.” This track is a testament to the potent, bravado-filled, and lyrically adept partnership of these two rap…

Released: 2024 • Features: Future “Giving Chanel” by Meek Mill featuring Future paints a vivid picture of the two artists’ hard-fought journeys from the streets to the stratosphere of fame and success, showcasing their wealth and luxury as badges of…

Released: 2012 “Dreams and Nightmares” by Meek Mill is a profound narrative about the struggles and victories of a rapper’s hustle from the streets to stardom. The song is a vivid account of Meek’s journey through incarceration, the…

Released: 1987 “The Bridge” by MC Shan, produced by Marley Marl, is a ballad to Queensbridge, a neighborhood in Queens, New York, projecting its significance in the start of the hip-hop movement. An anthem of pride and allegiance,…

Released: 1990 “Pray” by MC Hammer is a rhythmic sermon, a call to prayer as a solution to life’s hardships and a means to achieve personal ambition. Through his lyrics, Hammer motivates listeners to believe in prayer as…

Released: 1990 “Have You Seen Her” by MC Hammer is a nostalgic voyage, a sentimental journey fueled by love lost or rather yet to be found. This 90’s B-side track is a tireless quest full of longing and…

Released: 1990 MC Hammer’s “U Can’t Touch This” is a self-confident ode to his skills, both in music and dance, and a reflection of his place in the music industry. It exudes a level of musical prowess and…

Released: 2018 “Self Care” by Mac Miller is a self-reflective journey through the struggles of life, the search for personal growth, and the importance of self care amidst chaos and adversity. With a vibe that bounces between melancholy…

Released: 2022 • Features: The Temper Trap “Love Lost” by Mac Miller featuring The Temper Trap provides a reflective dive into a broken relationship scarred by miscommunications, missteps, and the consuming passion of striving for success. The song grapples with…

Released: 2016 • Features: Bilal Mac Miller’s “Congratulations (feat. Bilal)” is a deeply emotive exploration of love, paralleling the highs and lows of a relationship with the journey of his own life. The song is an introspective look at the…

Released: 2012 • Features: Guy Sebastian “Battle Scars” by Lupe Fiasco featuring Guy Sebastian is an eloquent exploration of the emotional pain and endurance that come with unrequited love. The scars referred to in the song symbolize the long-lasting emotional…