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

Released: 2023 • Features: CeeLo Green Killer Mike’s “DOWN BY LAW,” featuring vocals from CeeLo Green, is a poignant reflection on the intersections of race, faith, economic struggle, and the pervasive effects of systemic racism. The track’s essence is steeped…

Released: 2023 • Features: André 3000, Eryn Allen Kane, Future “SCIENTISTS & ENGINEERS” by Killer Mike, featuring André 3000, Eryn Allen Kane, and Future is an introspective and candid look at the artist’s reality, ambitions, and struggles, laced with social…

Released: 1998 • Features: Tekitha, Hell Razah “One Step” by Killah Priest, featuring Tekitha and Hell Razah, is a sonic journey through the lived experiences of African Americans, touching on the deep historical pains of slavery, economic deprivation, and ongoing…

Released: 2024 • Features: Travis Scott “GET OFF ME” by Kid Cudi, featuring Travis Scott is an assertive anthem that leverages hip-hop’s bravado to express the duo’s elevated status in the music industry and the expectations that come with it.…

Released: 2023 • Features: B.G., Sexyy Red “Yonce Freestyle” by Kevin Gates, featuring B.G. and Sexyy Red, breathes an atmosphere of hedonistic excess and elite status. The song celebrates wealth, power, sexual freedom, and lifestyle of hip-hop superstars, woven together…

Released: 2016 In “Really Really,” Kevin Gates spits bars that reflect his journey, success, and the reality of his hustle in the rap game. The Baton Rouge rapper lays out the grinding tale behind his diamonds and carefully…

Released: 2016 “2 Phones” by Kevin Gates is basically an account of the hustling life, brimming with street lingo and insider references that encapsulate the daily grind of a hustler’s life. This track is steeped in the cultural…

Released: 2020 “Can I” by Kehlani is a provocative, seductive song that speaks candidly about the sexual tension and irrepressible desire within a passionate, intimate relationship. Using explicit language and graphic details, Kehlani paints an unabashed picture of…

Released: 2019 • Features: Ty Dolla $ign “Nights Like This” is an evocative testimony of heartbreak and betrayal by Kehlani, featuring Ty Dolla $ign. The song explores the harsh reality of unrequited love and the painful aftermath of a failed…

Released: 2013 • Features: Baauer, JAY-Z “Higher” by Just Blaze, featuring Baauer and JAY-Z, is an audio embodiment of supreme confidence and unyielding triumph. The recurring theme throughout the track hinges on the idea of not just excelling, but transcending…

Released: 2018 • Features: Lil Uzi Vert “Wasted” by Juice WRLD featuring Lil Uzi Vert is a gritty tale of love, drug use, and self-destruction. This introspective song captures the confusion and chaos of a turbulent relationship, where love is…

Released: 2020 • Features: Marshmello Just like a gut-punching emotional rollercoaster, “Come & Go” by Juice WRLD and Marshmello, takes us through the turbulence of Juice’s intimate struggles and victories. This lyrical journey reveals the duality of human nature and…

Released: 2022 • Features: Yasiin Bey “Stars” by JID feat. Yasiin Bey is a stage-by-stage tour of the artist’s struggles, dreams, and the realities of fame, exploring the tensions between artistic integrity, survival instinct, and the trappings of stardom. Anchored…

Released: 2018 “151 Rum” by JID is a chilling vignette of his violent, poverty-stricken upbringing in East Atlanta. The song’s high-energy, urgent delivery symbolizes the life-or-death stakes of his environment, while its cryptic, vivid lyricism unveils a narrative…

Released: 2021 At first glance, “Stranger” by Jhené Aiko projects an artist dissatisfied with repetitive encounters and moved by a desire for deeper human connection. It’s a smooth finger tap on the pulse of romantic monotony, where Aiko…

Released: 2013 • Features: Childish Gambino “Bed Peace” by Jhené Aiko, featuring Childish Gambino, is a vivid call to escape from the chaos of everyday life, focusing on the sensual sanctuary offered by an intimate relationship. The song pays homage…

Released: 2013 • Features: Kendrick Lamar “Stay Ready (What a Life)” by Jhené Aiko featuring Kendrick Lamar is a song that explores the idea of seizing the moment and embracing the deep connection between two souls. It emphasizes the impermanence…

Released: 2006 • Features: Common, “DAngelo” “So Far To Go” by J. Dilla featuring Common and D’Angelo is a lyrical exploration of intimacy, vulnerability, and the journey of a relationship. It’s an ode to the bright sparks and deep connections…

Released: 2006 “U-Love” by J Dilla is a testament to the power of simplicity. The Motor City maestro strips it down to the bare bones, spinning a narrative that’s light on words but heavy on sentiment. Dilla’s saying…

Released: 2021 • Features: 21 Savage, Morray “m y . l i f e” by J. Cole, featuring 21 Savage & Morray, is a gritty exploration of the pain, survival, and triumph that marks the journey through poverty, hustle, and…

Released: 2014 “Love Yourz” is a reflective masterpiece by J. Cole, stressing the importance of self-acceptance and contentment. Through intricate lyrics, Cole examines societal pressures, personal demons, and systemic struggles, ultimately arguing that happiness doesn’t come from materialism…

Released: 2011 • Features: Kendrick Lamar In the track “Hood Gone Love It” by Jay Rock, featuring the lyrical wizard Kendrick Lamar, the theme is characterized by a triumphal homecoming that encapsulates the diverse elements of the street culture they’ve…

Released: 2004 • Features: Fat Joe, Jadakiss The song “New York” by Ja Rule, featuring Fat Joe and Jadakiss, is a raw and unapologetic expression of their New York upbringing, with a narrative grounded in the gritty realities of the…

Released: 2002 • Features: Ashanti “Mesmerize” by Ja Rule featuring Ashanti is a flirty exchange between two lovers, exploring the chemistry, sexual tension, and affection between them. The narrative immerses us in their intimate moments, from playful banter to deep…

Released: 2004 • Features: R. Kelly, Ashanti “Wonderful” by Ja Rule, featuring R. Kelly and Ashanti, is a lyrical exploration of how fame, fortune, and materialism can affect relationships. At its core, this song addresses the age-old question: would you…

Released: 2004 “By Your Side” by Jadakiss is a stirring and powerful testament to loyalty, showing the grittier and grimier aspects of street life while humanizing the tough exterior presented to the world. The song paints a raw…

Released: 1999 “Movas & Shakers” by Inspectah Deck is a head-nodding anthem to the hustlers and the dreamers, those doing what they can to survive while holding on to their dreams of a better life. It also offers…

Released: 2003 “Who Got It” by Inspectah Deck, one of the lyrically sharpest members of the Wu-Tang Clan, is a bravado-filled affirmation of his lyrical prowess and status in the rap game. The song is a testament to…

Released: 2003 In “City High”, Inspectah Deck of the Wu-Tang Clan provides an in-depth and gritty narrative of life in the inner city. The song is a compelling portrayal of the struggle for success, the pursuit of wealth…

Released: 1994Features: Das EFXIce Cube’s “Check Yo Self” featuring Das EFX is a quintessential part of 90s gangsta rap that hands out an unambiguous message for self-restraint and the perils of recklessness. The lyrics spin a narrative that…

Released: 1993 “You Know How We Do It” by Ice Cube is a vibrant exhibit of the West Coast lifestyle, offering a glimpse into the world of hip hop in South Central Los Angeles. It’s about the hustle,…

Released: 2024 • Features: Clypto, Mykah Estelle “Hustlers & Survivors” by IAMGAWD featuring Clypto and Mykah Estelle is a gritty anthem for those on the grind, trying to get by despite life’s hurdles. The track offers a candid portrayal of…

Released: 2024 • Features: Clypto, J. Arrr “Wrong Side of the Gun” by IAMGAWD, featuring Clypto and J. Arrr, is a gripping narrative that lyrically portrays their rise from struggle to prominence. It emphasizes the devaluation of authenticity in rap…

Released: 2024 • Features: Clypto, Rim, Greensllime “Carbon Monoxide” by IAMGAWD, featuring Clypto, Rim, and Greensllime is an uncompromising, hard-hitting sonic assault that takes no prisoners. Packed with vivid imagery and layered references, this track provides a stark and sobering…

Released: 2024 • Features: Clypto “Bloodstained Suede II” by IAMGAWD featuring Clypto is a bold assertion of the artist’s self-belief, lyrical prowess, and refusal to be deterred by the challenges that come with the rap game. The song employs visual…

Released: 1999 Fam, “Publicity” by GZA, one of the illest lyricists from Wu-Tang Clan, is an audacious, metaphor-laden critique of the hip-hop industry and the media that covers it. Dive into this lyrical maze, and you’ll discover a…

Released: 1995 • Features: RZA, Ghostface Killah, Killah Priest Stepping into the “4th Chamber,” an illustrious cut from “GZA’s” classic “Liquid Swords,” we’re met by a posse of Wu-Tang Clansmen – GZA, RZA, Ghostface Killah, and Killah Priest. This heavy-hitter…

Released: 1995 “Liquid Swords” by GZA, one of the most prominent members of the Wu-Tang Clan, is a lyrical masterpiece layered with metaphors, similes, and vivid wordplay. This track offers a deep dive into GZA’s adept ability to…

Released: 2019 “Who You Foolin” by Gunna is a hard-hitting track that explores the rapper’s rugged upbringing, his unflinching journey from the hood to the heights of hip-hop, and his struggle to trust and find genuine love amidst…

Released: 2017 “Drip or Drown” by Gunna is a track that embraces the luxurious lifestyle and relentless hustle that accompanies fame. The song is a reflection of Gunna’s journey in the rap game; moving from a place of…

Released: 2022 • Features: Drake “P power” by Gunna, featuring Drake, is a celebration of the hedonistic lifestyle that the world of hip-hop often symbolizes. This track delves deep into themes of lust, power, and the allure of…

Released: 2023 • Features: Key Glock In “Glizock & Wizop,” Gucci Mane links up with Key Glock to pen a fiery track that’s deeply rooted in the journey from struggle to opulence, direct from the streets, with a heavy dose…

Released: 2017 • Features: Migos Yo, we’re about to break down “I Get the Bag” by Gucci Mane featuring Migos. A vivid depiction of the hustler lifestyle, this track highlights the relentless pursuit of wealth and the glamorous lifestyle often…

Released: 2019 • Features: 50 Cent “City On The Map” by Griselda, featuring 50 Cent, is a braggadocious anthem laying claim to their city, flaunting their success, and tackling their struggles from the streets to stardom. The song unveils the…

Released: 2019 Griselda’s “Chef Dreds” is a hard-hitting track that flexes their street credibility while interspersing details about their high-life hustling in the world of hip-hop. This is a vivid picture of how their past street life intertwines…

Released: 2008 Ghostface Killah’s “Ghostface X-mas” is a festive take on the Yuletide season seen through the lens of hip-hop culture. The lyricism marries traditional Christmas imagery with hip-hop iconography for a unique celebration of the holidays. In…

Released: 1996 • Features: Raekwon, Cappadonna “Iron Maiden” by Ghostface Killah featuring Raekwon and Cappadonna, is a gritty portrait of street life, resonating with vivid imagery and unfiltered life experiences. At its core, the song is a testament to survival,…

Released: 2024 G Herbo’s “Subject” is a lightning bolt of energy, showcasing the Chicago rapper’s raw talent and no-holds-barred perspective. Through his masterful storytelling skills and gritty lyricism, Herbo captures the life on the streets, a hustle for…

Released: 2016 In G Herbo’s “Write Your Name”, the underlying sentiment is a mournful, streetwise homage to lost friends and allies. The song is an unflinching look at the reality of gang violence and its tragic outcomes. At…

Released: 2020 • Features: Lil Uzi Vert, Juice WRLD, Chance the Rapper “PTSD” by G Herbo featuring Lil Uzi Vert, Juice WRLD, and Chance the Rapper is a plaintive anthem that delves into the raw and unvarnished reality of street…