There’s no denying that hip-hop and rap appeal to most of the masses due to its oft-perceived realness and reputation for telling things like it is. Whether artists are talking about the hardships of life, women, money, fame or fortune—it’s safe to say that we’ve all been given some memorable bars since hip-hop’s inception over 50 years ago.
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But what happens when an artist takes it too far? Like, all the way too far? Is that just keeping it real or is it downright disturbing? Take for instance the 1999 hit song “Young Girl” by Pharrell and Jay-Z, in which the two harp on falling in love with a young girl. While that seems innocent on the surface, the lyrics that followed in Jay’s verse in particular are now being looked at in a new light amid his recent allegations involving a minor (we’ll get into specifics of his words on the next page.)
So it’s in that vein that we thought we’d take a look at a handful of other artists who’s lyrics are so wild, aged poorly, and that are so outlandish—we’re not even sure how we let them slide all these years. Brace yourselves, you’ve been warned.
Jay-Z
Song: “Young Girl”
Year: 1999
Lyrics:
“Hov’ got a young girl, Hov got a young girl//Still not quite 21, so high strung, such a vibrant thing// I introduce myself, ‘Hi, Miss Thing’ You’re 19?// No, you’re lightning in a bottle I give you a ring tomorrow// The scene that follows Screams of horror, Classic Stephen King novel// Mama don’t think you should take someone so advanced in romance, you should just wait// Papa don’t preach, Hov don’t bite, Hov been through it, I might mold your life// ‘Cause I’ma show you right, Proper etiquette, how to hold your knife// Keep it competitive with Oprah’s ice// Be like Janet, take control of your life”
Why it’s wild: For one thing, Jay-Z is talking about talking to a girl barely over the age of 18 and insinuating sleeping with her. He then goes on to say how he eventually wants to control her and shape her and her impressionable mind into what he wants her to be. Disturbing.
R. Kelly
Song: “Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number”
Year: 1994
Lyrics:
“Take my hand, and come with me, Let me show you to ecstasy// Boy be brave don’t be afraid, Cause tonight we’re gonna go all the way// Don’t mean to be bold, gotta let you know// I gotta thing for you, and I can’t let go my// Age ain’t nothing but a number, Throwing down ain’t nothing but a thing”
Why it’s wild: While this song was sung by then 15-year-old Aaliyah, we know that it was written and produced by R. Kelly who infamously married the minor when he was 27-years-old. The song chronicles the thoughts of a young girl who wants to date an older man. But in no way, shape, or form, is an over 10 year age gap with a minor ever OK and to write a song about it is just perverse.
Sean “Diddy” Combs
Song: “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down”
Year: 1997
Lyrics: “Young, black and famous with money hanging out of my anus.”
Why it’s wild: Besides the current chatter of “freak-offs” and his federal indictment, money hanging out your private parts is just a nasty visual.
Ye, f.k.a Kanye West
Song: “Monster”
Year: 2010
Lyrics: “Have you ever had sex with a pharaoh?/ Put the pussy in a sarcophagus// Now she claiming that I bruised her esophagus// Head of the class and she just won a swallowship”
Why it’s wild: Comparing himself to Egyptian royalty while lowkey pushing violent oral sex? The latter shouldn’t have slid by at all.
Rick Ross
Song: “U.O.E.N.O.”
Year: 2013
Lyrics: “Put Molly all in her champagne, she ain’t even know it// I took her home and I enjoyed that, she ain’t even know it.”
Why it’s wild: This is literally describing date rape. Doesn’t need an explanation.
Biggie
Song: “Me and My Bitch”
Year: 1994
Lyrics: ““When I met ya, I admit my first instinct was to trick// You look so good, I suck on your daddy’s dick.”
Why it’s wild: Ummm, WHAT?! This is pretty self explanatory.
Meek Mill
Song: “Don’t Worry (RIP Kobe)
Year: 2021
Lyrics: “This bitch I’m fuckin’ always tell me that she love, but she ain’t ever showed me//Yeah, and if I ever lack, I’m goin’ out with my chopper, it be another Kobe.”
Why it’s wild: This line was extremely insensitive given the fact that it had only been one year since NBA legend Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash in Los Angeles when Meek decided to drop this song. It even prompted Kobe’s widow Vanessa to speak out against it. Not a good look at all.
Migos
Song: “WOA”
Year: 2016
Lyrics: “Fell asleep on drank at the house party with Diddy (Nah real)“
Why it’s wild: While this lyric seems fine on the surface, given what we know now about Diddy and his famous parties—this could cause everyone to question exactly how the Migos fell asleep at Diddy’s house and what happened in hours that they were asleep.
Chris Brown
Song: “How Many Times”
Year: 2015
Lyrics: “I hit up Diddy, he told me he did it// He said that the liquor just bring out the freaks”
Why it’s wild: Once again, in light of all the freak off news in regards to Diddy and all the unsavory allegations lobbed against him, this line has aged like bad milk.
Lil Wayne
Song: “Karate Chop (Remix)”
Year: 2013
Lyrics: “Beat that pussy up like Emmett Till”
Why it’s wild: Considering the traumatic and widespread impact Emmet Till’s wrongful death caused the Black community as a whole, cheapening what he went through for a sexual simile is just in poor taste.
Tyler the Creator
Song: “Tron Cat”
Year: 2011
Lyrics: “Rape a pregnant bitch and tell my friends I had a threesome”…“In some Kanye West glasses screaming out ‘fuck faggots.’ Catch me in the attic taking photos of my dad’s dick.”
Why it’s wild: Once again, there’s an admission of rape and that’s never OK to joke about. And the homophobic slur and disturbing imagery that follows? Immediately no.
Juicy J
Song: “Slob on My Knob”
Year: 1999
Lyrics: “I started to knock, then came the odor//Smelled like mush//Shouldn’t had a woosh//Told her to stop, and take a dush.”
Why it’s wild: I get it: rapping about sexual escapades are a part of rap. But did it have to be told in this manner? The details could have been spared.
Eminem
Song: “Alfred’s Theme”
Year: 2021
Lyrics: “I’m Diddy’s side bitch// What the fuck? Hold on, wait// I’m Diddy’s side bitch? Oh, I’m still east side, bitch”
Why it’s wild: I know Eminem has been coming for Diddy for years but to imply that he’s his “side bitch” at a time when there are numerous allegations of the Bad Boy mogul allegedly engaging in sexual relations with men…that makes this that much more head-scratching.
Yin Yang Twins
Song: “Pull My Hair”
Year: 2005
Lyrics: ““I got a ten foot pole that’ll go in your hole, take yo soul//Make nut come out yo nose//Fall all on yo clothes”
Why it’s wild: I’m all for sexual pleasure but telling a woman you’ll make her ejaculate so much it comes out of her nose? I think that’d be a hard pass for anyone. No pun intended.
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