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

Released: 2019 • Features: Swae Lee “Sunflower,” by Post Malone and Swae Lee, is a soulful exploration of a tumultuous, hard-to-define relationship. The song, from the soundtrack to “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” depicts a romantic dynamic that cycles through conflict,…

Released: 2020 • Features: Lil Tjay Mood Swings by Pop Smoke, featuring Lil Tjay, is an intimate rollercoaster ride into the deep and sometimes tumultuous dynamics of a romantic relationship. The lyrics encapsulate passionate physical encounters juxtaposed with emotional ups-and-downs,…

Released: 2020 • Features: Lil Baby, DaBaby In “For The Night,” the late Pop Smoke and collaborators Lil Baby and DaBaby craft a narrative spotlighting the unpredictable and often precarious nights they’ve had throughout their journey to stardom. The track…

Released: 2020 “What You Know Bout Love” by Pop Smoke is a soulful exploration of a passionate and youthful romance. The track depicts a refreshing and surprising blend of tenderness, coupled with Pop Smoke’s signature hardcore style. Breathing…

Released: 2019 “Dior” by Pop Smoke is a brash and assertive exploration of the artist’s survival instincts, expensive tastes, and prodigious talents. Glimmers of gleeful ostentation blend with gritty street narratives, making it a hype anthem that embodies…

Released: 2019 • Features: Lil Tjay “Pop Out” by Polo G, featuring Lil Tjay, is a gritty commentary on the violent realities of street life woven with the materialistic glamour of high-level rap success. The song unravels the harsh truths…

Released: 2020 • Features: Stunna 4 Vegas, NLE Choppa, Mike WiLL Made-It Just off top, the title “Go Stupid” by Polo G, featuring Stunna 4 Vegas, NLE Choppa, and Mike WiLL Made-It cues us into a high-energy, bold, and brash…

Released: 2021 “RAPSTAR” by Polo G is an introspective anthem that explores his rise to fame, the challenges he faces in his newfound position, and his internal struggle to reconcile his past with his current success. It also…

Released: 2002 “Hot in Herre” by Nelly is a celebratory and flirtatious track that paints club scenarios using vibrant, playful language. Nelly delves into the vibrant setting of a high energy party, sexual attraction, and the pursuit of…

Released: 2000 • Features: City Spud Alright, we’re about to dive into Nelly’s well-loved anthem, “Ride Wit Me”, featuring City Spud. This classic joint is a celebration of Nelly’s newfound success, centered around themes of luxury, hedonism, and the allure…

Released: 2023 • Features: Lil Uzi Vert “Blood Moon” by Mike WiLL Made-It with Lil Uzi Vert serves as a bold proclamation of their unmatched swagger, lifestyle and skill in the hip-hop world. Packed with off-the-wall imagery, braggadocious claims, and…

Released: 2018 • Features: A$AP Rocky, A$AP Ferg, Nicki Minaj “Runnin'” by Mike WiLL Made-It, featuring A$AP Rocky, A$AP Ferg, and Nicki Minaj, is a bold proclamation of their hard-earned success, unwavering confidence, and unambiguous dominance in the rap game.…

Released: 2018 • Features: Drake “Going Bad” is a high-energy track by Meek Mill and Drake celebrating their riches, influence, and clout. They use the song to reflect on their journey from the bottom to the top of the music…

Released: 1987 “Kill That Noise” by MC Shan takes us on a journey of self-affirmation and resilience. It’s a hip-hop classic which strikes back against those who downplay his skills and the reputation of his community, the Queensbridge.…

Released: 1987 “Left Me–Lonely” by MC Shan is a profound narrative of love found and abruptly lost, centering on the harrowing emotional voyage of a man left desolate by an unexpected breakup. MC Shan’s lyrics blend heartfelt sentimentality…

Released: 2017 • Features: Alessia Cara, Khalid “1-800-273-8255” by Logic, with features from Alessia Cara and Khalid, is a raw examination of the turmoil of depression and suicidal thoughts, eventually leading to a resolution of hope and a pledge for…

Released: 2004 “Karma” by Lloyd Banks intricately showcases the complexities of navigating relationships and personal growth in the world of fame. With raw honesty, Banks delves into themes of rejection, pride, and the never-ending search for authenticity amidst…

Released: 2023 From my expert viewpoint in hip-hop, Lil Yachty’s ‘drive ME crazy!’ isn’t just your run-of-the-mill rap track. With a hook that digs deep, and verses that explore the complexities of love and life, Yachty flexes his…

Released: 2020 “Coffin” by Lil Yachty is a braggadocious track in which the rapper flaunts his wealth, power, and sexual conquests. The song’s title is likely a metaphorical reference to Yachty ‘killing’ the game with his success. It…

Released: 2024 “A Cold Sunday” by Lil Yachty is a lyrically charged track that uses vivid imagery and personal experiences to create a constantly shifting landscape. Essentially, Yachty wrestles with the unpredictable nature of fame, fortune, and relationships…

Released: 2011 • Features: Cory Gunz “6 Foot 7 Foot” by Lil Wayne featuring Cory Gunz, is a lyrical tour de force, exploring themes of power, hustling, and the pursuit of success against all odds. The song alludes to their…

Released: 2011 • Features: Bruno Mars In “Mirror” by Lil Wayne, featuring Bruno Mars, Weezy F Baby finds himself in an introspective space, confronting the face in the mirror as he grapples with themes of introspection, self-identity, personal struggles, and…

Released: 2016 • Features: Wiz Khalifa, Imagine Dragons, X Ambassadors, Logic, Ty Dolla $ign “Sucker for Pain” is a fiery confessional by Lil Wayne and his heavyweight collaborators, where they explore the themes of rebellion, loyalty, struggle, and an unyielding…

Released: 2018 • Features: Lil Uzi Vert “Shoota” by Playboi Carti featuring Lil Uzi Vert exists as an anthem of ascendancy, showcasing two artists unafraid to bask in their success. It’s a triumphant preening of material wealth, braggadocious exploits, and…

Released: 2020 Stepping into the world of “New Tank” by Playboi Carti, we dive headfirst into the ambience of gritty street culture, extravagant lifestyle, and impactful bravado that’s been Carti’s signature style. This track unfolds Carti’s narrative of…

Released: 2017 In “Location,” Playboi Carti masterfully encapsulates his elevated lifestyle, upgraded status, and lavish excesses that have accompanied his success in the hip-hop game. Gravitating around his journey from the streets to the sheets of money and…

Released: 2008 In “Knockin Doors Down,” Pimp C delivers a call to unity in the Southern hip-hop scene while flexing his lyrical muscle and showcasing his hustling prowess. This anthem is a musical salute to overcoming obstacles and…

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…