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

Released: 2009 • Features: JAY-Z, Rihanna, Kanye West “Run This Town” by Jay-Z, featuring Rihanna and Kanye West, is a triumphant declaration of dominance and success in the industry, with the artists flexing their influence and the lavish luxuries that…

Released: 1987 • Features: LL COOL J “I Need Love” isn’t just a rap song; it’s LL Cool J pouring out the softer side of his tough guy persona—the side that craves genuine connection over fleeting pleasure. This track is…

Released: 2018 “This Is America” by Childish Gambino hits you with a heavy dose of reality, cloaked in a bop that’ll get bodies moving before the gravity of the lyrics sink in. It’s a vivid social commentary that…

Released: 1996 • Features: JAY-Z Aiight, let’s break it down. “Dead Presidents II” by JAY-Z is the epitome of the hunger for success and the grind for that mighty dollar in the ’90s hip-hop narrative. Hov is speaking on his…

Released: 1987 • Features: Marley Marl Ayo, turn the volume up in your deck and get ready for a lyrical masterclass, ’cause what Rakim and Marley Marl cook up in “My Melody” ain’t nothing short of hip-hop royalty schooling the…

Released: 2017 In “Kills” by Chief Keef, we’re diving deep into a narrative laced with the motifs of street entrepreneurship and indulgent luxury lifestyle, all framed by the harsh realities of the life Keef narrates. The song is…

Released: 2012 • Features: Rick Ross “3Hunna” by Chief Keef featuring Rick Ross is like a sonic embodiment of the streets, with a drill music flavor that originated from Chi-town’s South Side. It’s a braggadocio anthem that flexes on survival,…

Released: 2015 “Stuntin Like My Mama” is a braggadocious anthem where Chief Keef proclaims his prowess and success, likening his flashy lifestyle to the influence of his mother. He reinforces his place in the game, flexing his material…

Released: 2012 • Features: Soulja Boy Yo, let’s dissect this joint “Save That Shit” by Chief Keef featuring Soulja Boy – a track where bravado meets the cold streets with a sprinkle of romance, or lack thereof. The general theme…

Released: 2007 Alright, let’s slide into the groove of “Drop It Like It’s Hot” by Snoop Dogg. This track, it’s a hip-hop anthem that epitomizes Snoop’s distinct blend of smooth, ice-cold flair with the gritty and raw elements…

Released: 1993 • Features: Nate Dogg, Warren G, Kurupt Aight, let’s break it down smooth and lay out the blueprint for “Ain’t No Fun (If The Homies Can’t Have None),” a joint that’s got that quintessential G-Funk vibe, straight from…

Released: 1998 • Features: Busta Rhymes Yo, let’s dive into the high-energy, straight banger “Da Goodness” by Redman featuring the legendary hype man Busta Rhymes. This track is a hard-hitting celebration of wild living and raw hip-hop – no chaser.…

Released: 1993 Yo, let’s talk about “Gin and Juice,” a joint from the iconic Snoop Dogg that’s soaked in that West Coast vibe. Basically, we’re taking a cruise through the laid-back Cali lifestyle where parties don’t stop and…

Released: 2006 • Features: B-Real Yo, it seems like we got a mix-up here. “Vato,” the track that’s got the streets heated, is actually by Snoop Dogg featuring B-Real. B-Real from the legendary Cypress Hill marries his flow into the…

Released: 1996 • Features: Erick Sermon Aight, let’s dive into Redman’s joint “Whateva Man,” featuring the funk lord Erick Sermon. This track is one of them laid-back, yet bouncy cuts that embodies the carefree attitude and raw humor that Red…

Released: 2020 In “Slap Da Shit Outcha,” Redman drops a comedic yet hard-hitting commentary on people who look to exploit others’ success. The theme revolves around people pestering him for money, favors, or material goods simply because he’s…

Released: 2017 “Banana Clip” by Miguel is an artful allegory using military imagery to express the depth of his love and devotion. Miguel likens himself to a soldier in a war, armed not with weapons of destruction, but…

Released: 2019 • Features: Young Thug “Goodbyes” by Post Malone featuring the Atlanta trap maestro, Young Thug, is a melancholy tune that delves deep into the pain of a tumultuous relationship. The song stitches together a narrative of self-destruction, regret,…

Released: 2011 Yo, let’s unpack Rihanna’s joint “Birthday Cake,” a brazen testament to sexual empowerment and titillation. This track’s about claiming your own desires, staking claim on your partner and appreciating the art of seduction. Here, RiRi’s liberating…

Released: 2008 “Disturbia” by Rihanna is a dazzling narrative that encapsulates the feeling of mental unrest and anxiety. It takes listeners on a journey through the troubled mind of an individual struggling to cope with inner turmoil. Rihanna…

Released: 2016 Right off the bat, “44 Bars” by Logic is a self-reflective lyrical journey that grapples with the realities of success, fame, and the grit behind his journey to prominence. It’s a deep dive into the peace,…

Released: 2023 Aesop Rock’s “Infinity Fill Goose Down” is a captivating lyrical exploration of rebellion against conformism and the status quo, with a central theme revolving around personal freedom and nonconformity. Known for his intricate wordplay, Aesop uses…

Released: 2023 “Time Moves Differently Here” by Aesop Rock is an intriguing exploration of the relationship between fast food culture and the looming notion of time’s relentless march. At its core, it reflects on the incongruity of the…

Released: 2022 • Features: Blockhead, Lupe Fiasco That vibing track with Aesop Rock and Lupe Fiasco is “Pumpkin Seeds”, which also features Blockhead. It’s a gripping narrative exploring existential anxieties, introspection, and societal pressures. The lyrics unveil a complex understanding…

Released: 1995 “Sugar Hill” by AZ can be seen as a vivid portrayal of the rapper’s aspirations for wealth and a luxurious lifestyle. The lyrics reflect themes of hustle, ambition, struggle, and survival, painting a picture of AZ’s…

Released: 1998 When we get into the rap virtuoso AZ’s “New Life,” we find ourselves exploring a journey of transformation; a relentless pursuit of a better existence, illuminated through the prism of a hardened, streetwise perspective. This track…

Released: 2019 • Features: Swae Lee “Sunflower – Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” by Post Malone and Swae Lee orbits around the themes of emotional turbulence in the context of a relationship. It’s a powerful commentary on the volatility that often…

Released: 2006 • Features: DJ Premier “The Format” by AZ is a testament to authenticity, resilience, and triumph over adversity. It’s a gritty narrative about overcoming trials, rising to the top and staying true to one’s craft and roots. AZ…

Released: 1995 In “Rather Unique,” hip-hop icon AZ crafts a lyrical self-portrait that encapsulates his individuality, resilience, and lyrical prowess. The track is a profound exploration of his life experiences, identity, and worldview, deftly interwoven with incisive social…

Released: 2015 • Features: The Weeknd, Swae Lee, Future “Drinks On Us” by Mike WiLL Made-It featuring The Weeknd, Swae Lee, and Future is an anthem of dominance and indulgence in the hip-hop industry. The song exudes a sense of…

Released: 1993 “Inner City Boundaries” by Freestyle Fellowship is a deeply introspective track that uses sharp poetic language to discuss themes of self-awareness, freedom, and cultural pride. This tune is a definitive declaration of the group’s resolve to…

Released: 1993 Time to breakdown a true head-bobber, “Mary” by the LA-based Freestyle Fellowship. This track is an infectious tune that takes a deep dive into the relationship between hip-hop culture and marijuana, otherwise known as Mary, a…

Released: 1989 “Whip Appeal” is a sultry 90’s R&B classic by Babyface that centers around the concept of love, connection, and the unique ‘whip appeal’ only the one you love can have on you. It reflects on the…

Released: 2018 • Features: Vince Staples, Ludwig Göransson “Ice Cold (Final Round)” by Mike WiLL Made-It, featuring Vince Staples and Ludwig Göransson, takes us on a frosty journey through the peaks and troughs of hip-hop success. Staples explores the paradoxes…

Released: 1999 “Sunshine Men” by Freestyle Fellowship draws a stark line between authentic hip-hop artists – as represented by the group themselves – and those who have sold out, contributing to a shallow, commercialized music industry. The song…

Released: 2019 “Right Here” is a lyrical showcase by Pharoahe Monch, underpinning his relentless quest to establish Queens–his home turf–on the hip-hop map. In this song, Monch leverages his signature style of punchy, clever lyricism spiced with raw…

Released: 2017 • Features: Kendrick Lamar, Gucci Mane, Rae Sremmurd In “Perfect Pint,” Mike WiLL Made-It orchestrates a reflective and vivid narrative with heavy-hitters Kendrick Lamar, Gucci Mane, and Rae Sremmurd. The song navigates through themes of success, excess, and…