Will I die slain like my King by a terrorist?
Will my woman be Coretta, take my name and cherish it?
Or will she Jackie O., drop the Kennedy, remarry it?
Killer Mike, “Untitled,” R.A.P. Music, 2012
Love comes in every color, but the fact is…
I never needed 50 Shades of Grey,
Just turn the lights down low and give me every shade of blackness.
Phonte, “Afro Blue (9th Wonder’s Blue Light Basement Remix)”, from Robert Glasper Experiment’s Black Radio Recovered: The Remix EP, 2012
Let bygones be bygones…but where I’m from,
We buy guns and more guns, to give to the young.
Kendrick Lamar, “The Heart Pt. 2,” from O(verly) D(edicated), 2010
Dear Mama, don’t cry, your baby boy’s doin’ good,
Tell the homies I’m in heaven, and they ain’t got hoods.
Seen a show with Marvin Gaye last night, it had me shook,
Drippin’ peppermint Schnapps, with Jackie Wilson, and Sam Cooke…
2Pac, “Thugz Mansion,” Better Dayz, 2002
Footballs, basketballs, microphones, gas and grass…
Just some of the few things that J-Ro likes to pass.
J-Ro of Tha Alkaholiks, “Freestyle Ghetto,” from King Tee’s IV Life, 1995
Everything has a price…
No matter if it’s fortune, fame or your life.
I understood later that it’s all about paper,
Everything has a fee in the land of the free.
O.C., “Land of the Free,” from Show & A.G.’s Live Hard, 2007
Now there she goes again, the dopest Ethiopian,
And now the world around me be gets movin in slow motion
Whenever she happens to walk by, why does the apple of my eye
Overlook and disregard my feelings no matter how much I try?
Fat Lip, “Passin’ Me By,” from The Pharcyde’s Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde, 1992
Your new CD is a weed plate, nothin’ but love songs,
100% pure garbage, just something to break up buds on.
Jadakiss, “Checkmate,” 12", 2005
Ghostface, catch the blast of a hype verse,
My glock bursts, leave in a hearse, I did worse.
I come rough, tough like an elephant tusk,
Ya head rush, fly like Egyptian musk.
Ghostface Killah, “Bring Da Ruckus,” from Wu-Tang Clan’s Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), 1993
The God’s tropical…ladies call me ‘Black Fruit Punch.’
Ghostface Killah, “Ice Water,” from Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, 1995
38-24-37…
You and me, hun, we’re a match made in heaven.
I like to kiss ya where some brothers won’t…
I like to tell ya things some brothers don’t.
Q-Tip, “Bonita Applebum,” from A Tribe Called Quest’s People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm, 1990
You’re too light to fight, plus you’re too thin to win.
Who ya gonna call when I break your glass chin?
Tek, “Wrektime,” from Smif-N-Wessun’s Dah Shinin’, 1993
I love black thighs, you sisters better realize
That real hair and real eyes get real guys.
So before you makeup your face, you better make up your mind…
Common, “In My Own World (Check the Method),” Resurrection, 1994
We were beginners in the hood as 5 Percenters,
But somethin’ must’ve got in us, cause all of us turned to sinners.
AZ, “Life’s a Bitch,” from Nas’ Illmatic, 1994
Hip-Hop got turned into Hit Pop,
The second a record was number one on the pop charts.
But don’t skip on the heart, it gotta start in the ghetto,
Let no one forget about the hard part.
MC Serch, “Pop Goes the Weasel,” from 3rd Bass’ Derelicts of Dialect, 1994
I ain’t never gave a fuck, I never did and never will.
Live my life on principle: keep it true, keep it real.
Better said, I keep it TRILL and no matter who don’t like it,
Homie, that just it how it is, naked truth
Like that stripper that’s in front of me,
And I keep a blunt, and a Bible, and a gun on me.
Killer Mike, “Untitled,” R.A.P. Music, 2012
There’s a million ways to live on this thing called a planet,
I’mma live everyday, I ain’t takin’ nothing for granted.
Sadat X, “The Next Spot,” from High School High soundtrack, 1996
It’s been a long time, I shouldn’t have left you
Without a strong rhyme to step to.
Think of how many weak shows you slept through…
Time’s up, I’m sorry I kept you.
Rakim, “I Know You Got Soul,” from Eric B. & Rakim’s Paid In Full, 1987
Fuck a stray bullet, I take aim when the gun draws,
For everlasting fame, I will maim those who change the gun laws.
Cause post-traumatic stress disorder, ask any vet I’ve worked with.
My purpose? Catching bodies like safety nets at the circus.
Pharoahe Monch, “Damage,” from PTSD, 2012
I bumped into Loon, he like ‘Well, As Salaam-Alaikum.’
You know I ain’t Muslim, my nigga, I’m about my bacon!
Ma$e, “Higher,” from Kanye West Presents G.O.O.D. Music: Cruel Summer, 2012
I scored 1.1 on my SAT,
And still push a whip with a right and left AC.
Redman, “Blackout,” from Method Man and Redman’s Blackout!, 1999
You’re a trivial part in a trivia game.
Now what’s your aim? A presidential campaign?
Like Ross Perot? He lost it though…
But he got a billion in tha bank fo’ sho’!
Aceyalone, “All Balls Don’t Bounce,” from All Balls Don’t Bounce, 1995
Yo, it’s 1 universal law but 2 sides to every story,
3 strikes and you be in for life, mandatory.
4 MC’s murdered in the last 4 years,
I ain’t tryin to be the 5th one, the Millennium is here.
Yo, it’s 6 million ways to die, from the 7 deadly thrills,
8-year olds gettin’ found with 9 mill’s.
It’s 10 P.M., where your seeds at? What’s the deal?
Mos Def, “Mathematics,” from Black on Both Sides, 1999
I judge wisely…as if nothin ever surprise me,
Loungin, between two pillars of ivory.
I’m lively, my dome piece is like buildin stones in Greece.
My poems are deep, from ancient thrones I speak.
Killah Priest, “4th Chamber,” from Genius/GZA’s Liquid Swords, 1995
You can’t fool all the people all of the time,
But if you fool the right ones, the rest will fall behind.
Dead Prez, “Propaganda,” Let’s Get Free, 2000
Now what Clan you know with lines this ill?
Bust shots at Big Ben, like we got time to kill.
Method Man, “Protect Ya Neck (The Jump Off),” from Wu-Tang Clan’s The W, 2000
They use the simple back and forth, the same, old rhythm
That a baby can pick up, and join, right with ‘em.
But their rhymes are pathetic, they think they copacetic
Using nursery terms, at least not poetic…
Kool Keith, “Ego Trippin,” from Ultramagnetic MC’s Critical Beatdown, 1988
You’s a nigga everybody diss, cause you can’t bust this,
You got a bad name like Dick Butkus.
J-Ro, “The Next Level,” from Tha Alkaholiks’ Coast II Coast, 1995
Cause the boyz in the hood are always hard,
You come talkin’ that trash, we’ll pull your card.
Knowin’ nothin’ in life but to be legit,
Don’t quote me boy, cause I ain’t sayin’ shit.
Eazy-E, “Boyz-N-The-Hood,” from N.W.A. & The Posse, 1987. Eric “Eazy-E” Lynn Wright (September 7, 1963 – March 26, 1995) (via upnorthtrips)
We got it on lock like Barack got the nomination
Masta Ace, “Pass the Mic,” from Masta Ace & Edo G’s Arts and Entertainment, 2009
Putting styles on lock, and making beats by the bundle,
Scooping more props than Bryant Gumbel…and staying humble.
Pete Rock, “Escape,” from Pete Rock & CL Smooth’s The Main Ingredient, 1994
These niggaz ain’t thugs, the real thugs is the government.
Don’t matter if you Independent, Democrat or Republican,
Niggaz politickin’ the street, get into beef,
Start blastin’…now a new cat is executive chief.
Talib Kweli, “Ghetto Afterlife,” from Reflection Eternal’s Train of Thought, 2000
You’re mad cause my style you’re admiring…
Don’t be mad, UPS is hiring.
The Notorious B.I.G., “Flava In Ya Ear (Remix),” 12", 1994
Catch a throatful from the fire vocal
Ashing and molten glass like Eyjafjallajökull.
MF Doom, “Guv’nor,” from JJ Doom’s Key to the Kuffs, 2012
Let’s advance the game:
How many times can we rhyme about cars and chains?
How many bricks can a nigga really sell?
How many times can a nigga really go to jail?
How many murders can you do on one album?
Put ‘em together, must of did about a thousand.
I’m just saying, let’s change it up.
If not, nigga, hang it up.
Lord Jamar, “Advance the Game,” The 5% Album, 2006
Battling me is some deadly shit,
So come equipped with rhymes, guns and two extra clips.
Aim for the head, ‘cause you don’t wear a vest there,
Bullet makes a window, your brain needing fresh air.
MF Grimm, “Emotions,” Scars & Memories, 2005
Next time you see a brother down
Stop and pick him up,
Cause you might be the next one stuck.
Grand Puba, “Mind Your Business,” Ya Know How It Goes 12", 1992
Never become so involved with something that it blinds you.
Never forget where you from; someone will remind you.
DMX, “It’s On,” from DJ Clue’s The Professional, 1998
Rappers spit rhymes that are mostly illegal,
MC’s spit rhymes to uplift their people.
KRS-One, “Classic (Better Than I’ve Ever Been),” 2007
I will endanger your species like an ostrich,
Hold you hostage, and crazy feed you swine sausage!
Busta Rhymes, “Do My Thing,” The Coming, 1996
I don’t like thugs, I don’t like nerds,
I don’t like myself and I hate bein’ disturbed.
Sean Price, “Critically Acclaimed,” from Statik Selektah’s 100 Proof (The Hangover), 2010
Wouldn’t it be nice if life was sort of like a dream,
And everything wasn’t really what it seemed?
What if everything you ever wished for was in reach,
And you could learn everything your school didn’t teach?
Wouldn’t it be nice if the banks didn’t fuck up the loans,
And people ain’t have to move out they homes?
With no GM or AIG…and for that matter no cancer or A-I-D?
Bun B, “So Close, So Far,” from Statik Selektah’s 100 Proof (The Hangover), 2010
Braniac dumb-dumbs, bust the scientifical,
Approach to the course and the force is centrifugal.
Can you find your way through the lyrics that be catchin’ ‘em?
Throw another rhyme across the room, they be fetchin’ ’em.
Masta Ace, “Jeep Ass Niguh,” Slaughtahouse, 1993
6’n the mornin’ police at my door,
Fresh Adidas squeak across the bathroom floor.
Out the back window I make a escape,
Don’t even get a chance to grab my old school tape…
Ice-T, “6’N the Mornin’,” Rhyme Pays, 1987
Alright, it’s getting really close to the election day.
I’m voting; please don’t cut off my Section 8.
As soon as pastor pass the collection plate,
I’m like, ‘Shit, I’m trying to stack for a Escalade!’
Casual, “It’s Like That,” from Handsome Boy Modeling School’s White People, 2004
Telling my business to kids I don’t even know,
You’re like a daytime talk show…and that’s low.
Guru, “Take it Personal,” from Gang Starr’s Daily Operation, 1992
How far must you go to gain respect? Um…
Well, it’s kind of simple: just remain your own.
Or you’ll be crazy sad and alone.
Q-Tip, “Check the Rhime,” from A Tribe Called Quest’s The Low End Theory, 1991
I want a girl with extensions in her hair,
Bamboo earrings, at least two pair,
A Fendi bag and a bad attitude,
That’s all I need to get me in a good mood.
She can walk with a switch and talk with street slang,
I love it when a woman ain’t scared to do her thing.
LL Cool J, “Around the Way Girl,” Mama Said Knock You Out, 1990
I left my Phillie at home,
Do you have another?
I wanna get blunted, my brother.
Smooth B, “DWYCK,” from Gang Starr’s Hard to Earn, 1994
Some seek fame cause they need validation,
Some say hating is confused admiration.
Nas, “Stay,” Life is Good, 2012