It’s been 10 years since the world learned that rapper J. Cole bought back his childhood home in North Carolina to use as temporary housing for single mothers. The concept of buying back the block or taking a trip down memory lane in general to see your humble beginnings is a regular occurrence for more than handful of your favorite rappers.
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Whether they grew up on the West Coast in California or to the north of the United States in Canada, the humble beginnings from some of hip-hop’s hottest stars just proves that it’s not about where or how you start — it’s about where and how you finish.
In that vein, that we thought it’d be cool to take a look at some of the childhood homes of some the best rappers in the game. From Kanye to Drake, check out how they really started from their respective bottoms!
Pusha T & Malice
Clipse rappers Pusha T and Malice grew up in a middle-class home in Virginia Beach, Va. Their two-story humble abode — which included four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a two car garage and in-ground pool — was featured in a 2014 CNN Tonight segment.
J. Cole
What’s better than hearing J. Cole rap about how his life was shaped at 2014 Forest Hills Drive? Seeing the home up-close and personal for a special tour!
Kanye West
Kanye West’s 1,600 square foot home has been involved in a lot of upheaval over the years, most notably landing in demolition court back in 2020. Thankfully the home is still standing and in decent enough shape for folks to go and visit.
Gucci Mane
Before Gucci Mane was dubbed the “East Atlanta Santa,” he was a baby partially raised in Bessimer, Ala. The small and humble home is where he lived, alongside his mother, older half-brother, and other family members until he turned nine.
50 Cent
Rapper 50 Cent may one of hip-hop’s most notorious trolls and known for living a flashy lifestyle, but things weren’t always that way as evidenced by his meager home and neighborhood in Jamaica Queens, New York.
Drake
Drake often gets flack for being an outsider in the hip-hop world and his very ncie, middle-class, childhood Toronto home definitely doesn’t help. Per reports, the “One Dance” rapper lived in the Forest Hill neighborhood with his grandmother.
Lil Durk
Similar to Drake, Lil Durk’s Chicago home, in the Englewood neighborhood, was actually his grandmother’s house. It’s also a place that he still apparently likes to visit from time to time, though its unclear if his grandma still lives there.
NBA Youngboy
Much like fellow Louisiana rappers Lil Wayne and Boosie Badass, NBA Youngboy proudly reps being from the Northside of Baton Rogue. At one point, he wasn’t even sure if he even wanted to leave his beloved childhood neighborhood. But to reach success, certain sacrifices have to be made.
Dr. Dre and Eazy E
Rappers Dr. Dre and Eazy E lived within four miles of each other in Compton, Calif. and went on to make some of the best music the West Coast ever produced. It’s no wonder why their childhood homes are considered landmarks!
Biggie
A very popular tourist attraction for those with a reverence for both Biggie and hip-hop, the Brooklyn home of the “Juicy” rapper is still around and looks to be in decent shape. While there aren’t any giant Biggie murals at the address itself, its history is well known.
Tupac
Before Tupac Shakur called California home, he lived in a decent home in Baltimore for a spell. He attended Baltimore School for the Arts where he studied poetry, acting and more.
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