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

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…

Released: 2011 In “The Show Goes On” Lupe Fiasco weaves a narrative of resilience and defiant determination. The song, a triumphant anthem disguised as a criticism on societal hardships and adversity, spotlights the satisfying struggle of persistently chasing…

Released: 2007 • Features: Matthew Santos “Superstar” by Lupe Fiasco, featuring vocals from Matthew Santos, is a layered exploration of fame and the pitfalls of superstardom. It critiques the music industry and society’s lust for fame, while shedding light on…

Released: 2003 • Features: Shawnna Ludacris’ “Stand Up” featuring Shawnna is a high-energy track that explores the archetypal club night experience in hip-hop culture. Infused with charisma, bravura, and plenty of energy, the song portrays Ludacris’ commanding influence and the…

Released: 2000 • Features: Shawnna “What’s Your Fantasy” by Ludacris, featuring Shawnna, is a quintessential example of late 90s and early 2000s hip-hop sensuality, and a narrative exploration of erotic desires and fantasies. This song is all about Luda laying…

Released: 2020 Ready or not, we’re diving deep into “Perfect” – a powerful track by Logic that’ll send any hip-hop aficionado into a frenzy. This joint is all about Logic’s rise from rags to riches, his struggle with…

Released: 2019 • Features: Eminem “Homicide” by Logic featuring Eminem is a ferocious diss track aimed at the perceived weaknesses in the hip-hop industry. It calls out rappers for their lack of authenticity and creativity, effectively setting fire to the…

Released: 2023 • Features: sped up nightcore, ARIZONATEARS “Watch This – ARIZONATEARS Pluggnb Remix” by Lil Uzi Vert, featuring sped-up nightcore and ARIZONATEARS, is a braggadocious battle cry, asserting Lil Uzi Vert’s success and status in the rap game. With…

Released: 2021 • Features: Offset, Moneybagg Yo “Run It Up” is a gritty anthem with lyrics that epitomize the hustler mentality pervasive in hip-hop culture. Lil Tjay, Offset, and Moneybagg Yo each take turns detailing their rise from street corners…

Released: 2019 “Sex Sounds” by Lil Tjay is an unabashed portrayal of intimate experiences tinged with a desire for companionship. The song sheds light on the artist’s exploration of physical love and emotional needs, reflecting both the raw…

Released: 2019 “F.N” by Lil Tjay explores the themes of betrayal, loyalty, hardship, and survival in the treacherous streets. The rapper uses assertive, bold language paint a vivid picture of his life experiences, highlighting the struggle between maintaining…

Released: 2021 • Features: 6LACK “Calling My Phone” is a melancholic break up anthem by Lil Tjay, featuring a verse from 6LACK. As the title implies, it explores that universal heartache of a persistent ex who won’t stop trying to…

Released: 2020 • Features: Internet Money “Out Of Love” by Lil Tecca, enhanced by Internet Money, is a social commentary dipped in withdrawal, presenting a critique on materialism within the culture and a declaration of Tecca’s self-commitment. The recurrent theme…

Released: 2019 Aight, let’s get into “Love Me” by the young hip-hop sensation Lil Tecca. This joint is all about the push and pull of romance, especially within the intricacies of the rap game. Tecca’s baring his ambivalent…

Released: 2020 “Our Time” by Lil Tecca is a testament to his meteoric rise in the hip-hop scene, a critique of the fakeness he sees in the industry, and a declaration of his self-determination. With this track, Tecca…

Released: 2021 “LOT OF ME” by Lil Tecca is a hip-hop track centered around success, confidence, and attraction. The song encapsulates Tecca’s personal growth and increasing affluence, and paints the picture of how this affects his romantic and…

Released: 2021 • Features: Jack Harlow “INDUSTRY BABY” by Lil Nas X featuring Jack Harlow is a braggadocious anthem that serves as a defiant statement against the doubters who underestimated these artists’ staying power. The track is a celebration of…

Released: 2022 Lil Nas X’s “STAR WALKIN’ (League of Legends Worlds Anthem)” epitomizes vibrant determination and undying ambition, an anthem that exposes the nuances of resilience even in the face of opposition. Similar to his own trajectory in…

Released: 2021 Lil Nas X spins a tale in “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)” that explores the complexities of a relationship, the pitfalls of indulgence and the struggle of individuality in a non-accepting society. This musical piece…

Released: 2000 • Features: Sisqo Kicking off this lyrical deep dive, let’s set the record straight with Lil’ Kim’s “How Many Licks?” featuring Sisqo – a wild and provocative anthem from the queen of female empowerment in the late ’90s…

Released: 2003 The Jump Off is the lead single from Lil’ Kim’s third studio album, “La Bella Mafia”. The song is a bold declaration of her return to the hip-hop scene after a brief hiatus, showcasing her braggadocious…

Released: 2003 “Magic Stick” by Lil’ Kim, a prominent figure in 90s and early 2000s hip-hop, is a bold declaration of sexual prowess and confidence. In this track, Lil’ Kim flips the script on the traditional male gaze,…

Released: 2022 • Features: Morgan Wallen In “Broadway Girls” by Lil Durk featuring Morgan Wallen, the tune operates on the intersection of hip hop and country music, telling a tale of fleeting attraction, false promises, night life, and the lure…

Released: 2023 • Features: Morgan Wallen “Stand By Me” by Lil Durk, featuring Morgan Wallen, is a reflective and stripped down track that delves deep into themes of loyalty, love, and the harsh realities of the music industry. Durk questions…