Hip-hop celebrates its birthday Monday (Aug. 11), 52 years after that fateful day in the Bronx when a cultural movement was birthed, thanks to DJ Kool Herc who extended the instrumental “break” sections of songs to create a new genre: hip-hop.
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We’re taking a stroll (or even better a ride!) down memory lane recalling the most lit lyrics everybody and they mama know that continues to transcend generations!
Lil Wayne feat. Kendrick Lamar – “Mona Lisa” (2018)
If you were living under a rock, this song went platinum on TikTok. “Mona Lisa” features Kendrick Lamar where the two narrate the story of their interactions with a seductive stranger, “Mona Lisa.” Spin called the track a “fascinating story of deceit and lust.”
Our favorite part:
“Mona Lisa, long hair, don’t care
She handle the business and don’t ever tell
She bite the bullet and cough up the shell”
JAY-Z – “Public Service Announcement” (2003)
Thank you, Just Blaze!
Sampling a loop from The Little Boy Blue’s “Seed of Love,” Just Blaze said he created the beat in about ten minutes. Jay-Z’s opening line, “Allow me to reintroduce myself!”) was ranked No. 20 in Complex’s “100 Best Opening Lines in Rap History.” Rolling Stone ranked the song in its top ten on their list of the 50 greatest Jay-Z songs.
Our favorite part:
“My name is Hov (oh), H to the O-V
I used to move snowflakes by the O-Z
I guess even back then you can call me
CEO of the R-O-C, Hov
Fresh out the frying pan into the fire
I be the music biz number one supplier
Flier than a piece of paper bearing my name
Got the hottest chick in the game wearing my chain, that’s right Hov”
The Notorious B.I.G – “One More Chance” (1994)
Produced by Rashad Smith and Diddy, “One More Chance” topped the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 where it peaked at No. 2. At the time, it was tied as the highest-debuting single in the chart’s history and matched Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson’s 1995 single “Scream.”
Our favorite part:
“First thing’s first, I Poppa, freaks all the honeys (uh huh)
Dummies, Playboy bunnies, those wantin’ money
Those the ones I like ’cause they don’t get Nathan but penetration
Unless it smells like sanitation…”
Gang Starr & Nice & Smooth – “DWYCK” (1994)
“DWYCK,” released in the early ’90s, was the lead single from Gang Starr’s fourth studio album “Hard to Earn.” The hit sampled “Synthetic Substitution” by Melvin Bliss, “Funky for You” and “No Bones in Ice Cream” by Nice & Smooth, and “Step in the Arena” by Gang Starr.
Our favorite part:
“I chant, “Eenie meenie, miny moe”
I wreck da mic like a pimp, pimps hoes…”
A Tribe Called Quest – “Electric Relaxation” (1994)
Released in February 1994 by Jive Records, “Electric Relaxation” was the group’s second single from their third album “Midnight Marauders” (1993). Rock the Bells ranked it as the third greatest hip-hop beat of all time in 2024. The track was also was featured as the opening theme song for “The Wayans Bros.” for the first two seasons.
Our favorite part:
“I like ’em brown, yellow, Puerto Rican or Haitian
Name is Phife Dawg from the Zulu Nation
Told you in the jam that we can get down
Now let’s knock the boots like the group H-Town
You got BBD all on your bedroom wall
But I’m above the rim and this is how I ball
A gritty little something on the New York street
This is how I represent over this here beat”
Lil Kim – “Crush On You” (Remix) (1996)
Millennials unite!
The original version of “Crush on You,” which sampled “Rain Dance” by the Jeff Lorber Fusion, was by Lil’ Cease in 1996 before the remix featuring Lil Kim was released. The remix peaked at No. 23 on the UK Singles Chart and became a millennials favorite.
Our favorite part:
“Keep your stone sets, I got my own baguettes / And I’ll be doing things that you won’t regret / Lil Kim the Queen Bee so you best take heed / Shall I proceed??? (YES INDEED!!!)”
M.O.P. – “Ante Up” (2000)
“Ante Up” from M.O.P.’s fourth studio album “Warriorz” was seen as their breakthrough single and the smash reached No. 7 on the UK Singles Chart. The song has also been featured in several movies, including “The Last Castle,” “Brown Sugar” and “You Got Served.”
Our favorite part:
“Ante up, yap that fool
Ante up, kidnap that fool
It’s the perfect timing, you see the man shining
Get up off them goddamn diamonds
Ante up, yap that fool
Ante up, kidnap that fool
Get him (get him) get him, hit him (hit him) hit him
Yap him (zap him), yap him (zap him)”
Digable Planets – “Rebirth of Slick” (1992)
Even if you weren’t born in the ’90s, we’re sure you’ve heard the hook, “I’m cool like dat!”
The Grammy Award winning song for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group peaked at No. 15 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming the group’s only top-40 single. The song was also certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 1993. Cleveland.com ranked the song No. 142 of the best 200 rap songs, describing it as “the pinnacle of jazz rap” in 2021.
Our favorite part:
“But I’m cool like dat, I’m cool like dat
I’m cool like dat, I’m cool like dat
I’m cool like dat, I’m cool like dat
I’m cool like dat, I’m cool (I’m cool, I’m cool)”
Nicki Minaj – “Itty Bitty Piggy” (2000)
Calling all Barbz!
“Itty Bitty Piggy” from Minaj’s third mixtape “Beam Me Up Scotty” is dare we say… a classic? The original rap over Soulja Boy’s beat “Donk” has become one of Minaj’s most popular and well known mix-tape tracks.
Our favorite part:
“Ay-yo, I was on the plane with Dwayne / You could call me Whitley, I go to Hillman / Listen, I’m the baddest in the school, the baddest in the game / Excuse me, honey, but nobody’s in my lane
Chris Brown feat. Busta Rhymes’ – “Look At Me Now” (2011)
If you’re blessed to have enough breath control, you KNOW that Busta Rhymes’ verse on Chris Brown”s “Look at Me Now” was a game changer and those who can keep up with Rhymes’ lightning-fast bars know that to be true! Critics praised Rhymes (and Lil Wayne’s) verses, and so did fans. It reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making it Brown’s highest chart position since “Forever” (2008).
Our favorite part:
“Cause I’m feelin’ like I’m runnin’ And I’m feelin’ like I gotta get away, get away, get away
Better know that I don’t, and I won’t ever stop ‘Cause you know I gotta win everyday-day (go) See, they really, really wanna pop me (blow)
Just know that you will never flop me (oh) And I know that I can be a little cocky (no) You ain’t never gonna stop me”
Megan Thee Stallion – “Plan B” (2022)
Megan first previewed the song during her performance at Coachella in 2022, and a week later, she released it to her fellow Hot Girls. Megan said that the track, which served as the second single from her second studio album “Traumazine,” was “very m*therf*cking personal to her” and it was dedicated “to whom the f*ck it may concern.”
Our favorite part:
“Mugler suit in my meetin’, Wagyu steak when I’m eatin’
Makin’ so much money, this n*gga dumb if he’s cheatin’
*itches watchin’ and hatin’ (Yeah), put that sh*t in they faces
I’ll buy the whole buildin’ and keep them h*es in they places
Mobb Deep – “Shock Ones II” (1995)
“Shook Ones, Part II” was the duo’s lead single from their 1995 album “The Infamous.”
Producer Havoc described why they remixed the song, saying it was because of their “nervousness about failing because we had come off of the Juvenile Hell album, which wasn’t too successful. So, we were kind of paranoid. So, we made the first “Shook Ones” and was like, “Okay, that’s all right. But, let’s try to fuck with this shit again” just to be sure, and we ended up making “Shook Ones Pt. II.”
Our favorite part:
I got you stuck off the realness, we be the infamous
You heard of us, official Queensbridge murderers
The Mobb comes equipped for warfare, beware
Of my crime family who got ‘nough shots to share
For all of those who wanna profile and pose
Rock you in your face, stab your brain with your nose bone
You all alone in these streets, cousin
Every man for they self in this land we be gunnin’…
Roscoe Dash, Waka Flocka Flame, Wale – “No Hands” (2010)
What a time to be alive!
“No Hands” ’till this DAY keeps any party jumping and we’re not mad at it. In 2023, the song was certified diamond by RIAA selling over 10 million copies, and has gone on to become one of the best-selling rap songs of all-time.
Our favorite part:
“R-O-S-C-O-E (O-E), Mr. Shawty-Put-It-On-Me (please)
I be going HAM (HAM), shawty upgrade from bologna (please)
Them n*ggas tipping good, girl, but I can make it flood (I can)
‘Cause I walk around with pockets (pockets) that are bigger than my bus (whoa)
“Rain, rain, go away” that’s what all my haters say
My pockets stuck on overload (whoa), my rain never evaporates”
Future – “Thought It Was a Drought” (2015)
“Thought It Was A Drought” kicked off Future’s “DS2” album where he rapped about his affinity for cough syrup, drug-dealing, and hints of his breakup with Ciara. Oh, and he made mention– multiple times– exactly what he did to your girl while wearing Gucci flip flops.
Our favorite part:
“I just f*cked your b*tch in some Gucci flip flops
I just had some b*tches and I made ’em lip lock
I just took a piss and I seen codeine coming out
We got purple Actavis, I thought it was a drought”
Migos – “Bad and Boujee” (2017)
In December 2016, nearly every woman was calling herself “Bad and Boujee!” The song, which was nominated for Best Rap Performance at the Grammys, quickly became an Internet phenomenon with memes and viral trends online, especially with the lyrics “rain drop, drop top.” It peaked at No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 for the week of January 21, 2017, making it the first No. 1 single for both Migos and Lil Uzi Vert.
Our favorite part(s):
“Raindrop (Drip), drop-top (Drop-top)
Smokin’ on cookie in the hotbox (Cookie) …
“OFFSET, woo, woo, woo, woo, woo!
Rackaids on rackaids (Racks), got back-ends on back-ends
I’m ridin’ around in a coupe (Coupe)
I take your bih’ right from you (You)
B*tch, I’m a dog, roof”
Kendrick Lamar – “Humble” (2017)
Did you know “Humble’s” beat, developed by Mike Will Made It, was originally intended for Gucci Mane? However, the song was later shown to Lamar and the rest is history. The song received four nominations at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards: Record of the Year, Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, and Best Music Video.
Our favorite part:
“My left stroke just went viral!”
The Notorious B.I.G. – “Juicy” (1994)
The track, produced by Poke of the duo Trackmasters and Diddy, is widely considered one of the greatest hip-hop songs of all time. If the original “Juicy” track isn’t enough, there’s a version with an alternative chorus sung by Bad Boy Records trio Total.
Our favorite part:
“We used to fuss when the landlord dissed us
No heat, wonder why Christmas missed us
Birthdays was the worst days
Now we sip Champagne when we thirsty”
Meek Mill – “Dreams and Nightmares” (2012)
“This what you been waiting for?? You ready?”
If you want to get any kickback jumping, just play this 2021 banger where Meek Mill continuously raps for around 200 seconds without any hooks nonstop. Pitchfork listed the song, which reached the top spot of the Billboard Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart and was certified double platinum, as the 92nd best of the 2010s in 2019, and
Our favorite part:
All of it… just all of it.
J. Cole feat. TLC- Crooked Smile (2013)
This certified platinum hip-hop and R&B ballad features a sample of Jennifer Hudson’s “No One Gonna Love You.” Lyrically, Cole encourage embracing one’s flaws and self-acceptance as the R&B group sings along. The track peaked at No. 27 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and reached No. 7 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
Our favorite part:
“Love yourself, girl, or nobody will
Though you a woman I don’t know how you deal
With all the pressure to look impressive and go out in heels
I feel for you, killin’ yourself to find a man that’ll kill for you
You wake up, put makeup on
Stare in the mirror, but it’s clear that you can’t face what’s wrong
No need to fix what God already put his paintbrush on
Your roommate yelling, “Why you gotta take so long?!”
What it’s like to have a crooked smile”
Straight From 
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