Tag: hip-hop

November 5, 2022

You know them days you just got the blues,
All stressed and depressed from just watchin’ the news?
No matter what good you do, it seems you always get screwed.
Got you caught up in your feelings, now you off in the mood.
Shake that attitude and do what you can,
Set a couple goals, follow through with your plans.
Time waits for no man and tomorrow’s not promised,
So if she’s still alive, shoot a call to your mama.
Cause the fighting and the drama, it’s just not worth it,
Nobody’s perfect, ain’t none of us worthless.
We all got a place, and we all got a purpose.

Murs, “Yesterday & Today,” Murray’s Revenge, 2006

2006, 9th wonder, hip-hop, los angeles, Murray’s Revenge, Murs, Rap Quote, west coast, wisdom
November 3, 2022

Music business hates me cause the industry ain’t make me,
Hustlers and boosters embrace me and the music I be makin.
I dumbed down for my audience to double my dollars…
They criticized me for it, yet they all yell ‘HOLLA!’
If skills sold, truth be told, I’d probably be, lyrically, Talib Kweli.
Truthfully I wanna rhyme like Common Sense,
But I did five mil…I ain’t been rhymin like Common since.

Jay-Z, “Moment of Clarity,” The Black Album, 2003

2003, brooklyn, east coast, hip-hop, jay-z, new york, Rap Quote, the black album, wordplay
November 2, 2022

Why give you the cure when the disease makes money?

Talib Kweli, “The Traveller,” from J.Period’s Rage Is Back mixtape, 2013

2013, brooklyn, east coast, hip-hop, J.Period, money, new york, Rage is Back, Rap Quote, talib kweli
November 1, 2022

Real, rough and rugged, shine like a gold nugget,
Every time I pick up the microphone, I drug it.

Jeru The Damaja, “Come Clean,” The Sun Rises in the East, 1994

1994, brooklyn, dj premier, east coast, hip-hop, jeru the damaja, new york, Rap Quote, the sun rises in the east
October 31, 2022

She’s got charm, a firearm to match mine,
Goin to the movies packin his and her nine’s.
Wearin Carhartt and leather, motherfuck the weather,
On Valentine’s Day doin stick-ups together.
No one to blame, no shame in her game,
And when we fuck, she makes me scream out her name.

Apache, “Gangsta Bitch,” Apache Ain’t Shit, 1994

1994, apache, apache ain’t shit, east coast, flavor unit, hip-hop, love, q-tip, Rap Quote, valentine’s day
October 30, 2022

Fuck Compton.

Tim Dog, “Fuck Compton,” Penicillin on Wax, 1991. The Bronx rapper Tim Dog died today from a seizure following a lengthy battle with diabetes, reports The Source. He was 46. Rest in Power, Timothy Blair (1967-2013).

1991, east coast, hip-hop, new york, penicillin on wax, Rap Quote, rip, the Bronx, tim dog
October 28, 2022

Consider youself lucky, that’s what friends say.
Cause I leave more heads touched, son, than Ash Wednesday.

J-Treds, “Praise Due,” 12", 1998

1998, Ash Wednesday, east coast, hip-hop, Indelible MCs, J-Treds, Lent, new york, rap quotes
October 27, 2022

…Shorty’s laugh was cold-blooded as he spoke so foul,
Only twelve tryin to tell me that he liked my style.
Then I rose, wiping the blunt’s ash from my clothes,
Then froze, only to blow the herb smoke through my nose.

Nas, “One Love,” Illmatic, 1994

1994, east coast, hip-hop, illmatic, nas, new york, queensbridge, Rap Quote, weed, wisdom
October 27, 2022

Don’t get me wrong, I’m a funny bastard…
But when it come to money, son, I’m not the one to laugh with.

Big Pun, “Firewater,” Endangered Species, 2001

2001, Big Pun, Big Punisher, Endangered Species, hip-hop, money, Rap Quote, showbiz, south bronx
October 26, 2022

What’s when you rap and don’t appreciate the art?
What’s when you sell out just to get a start?
What’s when you make bullshit just for the charts?
What’s when you rap, but it’s not from the heart?
What’s when you’re hardcore, then you turn pop?
When you steal ideas to get props?
When you sell out to be on top?
What’s when you front like you’re hard, but you’re not?
That’s a gimmick.

Lord Finesse, “No Gimmicks,’ The Awakening, 1996

1996, ditc, hip-hop, lord finesse, new york, rap quotes, south bronx, the awakening
October 25, 2022

Couldn’t you see me and you stretched out in a bikini on the beach in Tahiti?
See, me, I’m very selective even though I could be greedy;
My main objective is to write our names together in graffiti.

Pharoahe Monch, “Shugah Shorty,” from Organized Konfusion’s The Equinox, 1997

1997, girls, hip-hop, humor, organized konfusion, Pharoahe Monch, queens, rap quotes
October 24, 2022

Love and hate, black and white,
Right or wrong, who is right?
Some smoke joints to anoint their brain
To the vanishing point…so they won’t go insane.

Pharoahe Monch, “Walk Into The Sun,” from Organized Konfusion, 1991

1991, hate, hip-hop, love, new york, organized konfusion, Pharoahe Monch, queens, rap quotes, truth, weed
October 23, 2022

Remember when friends was friends, and LL had a Benz?
And cell phones and beepers was the new trends?
When Koch was the Mayor and Reagan was the Pres?

Biz Markie, “Turn Back the Hands of Time,” from Weekend Warrior, 2003. Rest in peace to the three-term mayor of New York city, who passed away this morning at the age of 88.

2003, biz markie, east coast, Ed Koch, hip-hop, Mayor Ed Koch, new york, rap quotes, rip, RIP Ed Koch
October 22, 2022

Some of you been trying to write rhymes for years,
But weak ideas irritate my ears.
Is this the best that you can make?
Cause if not, and you got more…I’ll wait.

Rakim, “Move the Crowd,” from Eric B. and Rakim’s Paid in Full, 1987

1987, east coast, eric b and rakim, hip-hop, Long Island, new york, paid in full, rakim, Rap Quote, rappers
October 21, 2022

I’m givin’ more flat lines to niggas than loose-leaf.

Kool G. Rap, “Go For Your Guns,” from Kool G. Rap and DJ Polo’s Live and Let Die, 1992

1992, death, DJ Polo, east coast, Guns, hip-hop, humor, Kool G. Rap, live and let die, new york, queens, Rap Quote
October 20, 2022

My sense of self and my mental health
Is much more powerful than any hint of wealth.

Guru, “Peace of Mine,” from Gang Starr’s The Ownerz, 2003

2003, brooklyn, dj premier, east coast, gang starr, guru, hip-hop, money, new york, philosophy, wisdom
October 19, 2022

Now I’m not the type that gets upset,
Try to disrespect folks just to earn respect.
But learn this fact: whether white or black,
I can’t be conquered in my style of rap.
For jealousy and envy are dumb ones’ tools,
So Ricky says nothing, he keeps his cool.
Revenge is not a mission that the Ruler’s on,
Just forgiveness required for the wrong that’s done.

Slick Rick, “The Ruler’s Back,” The Great Adventures of Slick Rick, 1988

1988, east coast, hip-hop, jealousy, manhattan, new york, royalty, Slick Rick, the great adventures of slick rick, wisdom
October 18, 2022

I live this life at a pace that anyone can go.
Know your place, and dedicate your role
…To the faith that you’ll die alone

Kendrick Lamar, “See No Evil,” from Game’s Jesus Piece, 2012

2012, compton, death, game, hip-hop, Jesus Piece, kendrick lamar, life, los angeles, west coast
October 17, 2022

Why is the sky blue? Why is water wet?
Why did Judas rat to the Romans while Jesus slept?

Ghostface Killah, “4th Chamber,” from GZA’s Liquid Swords, 1995

ghostface killah, gza, hip-hop, jesus, new york, Rap Quote, Religion, RZA, staten island, The Genius, wu-tang clan
October 16, 2022

I wanna live like Arnold, Willis and Mr. Drummond…
And keep my paper sturdy, big birds and tight herbs.

Pimp C., “Ridin’ Dirty,” from UGK’s Ridin’ Dirty, 1996. Rest in Peace Conraid Bain, better known as Mr. Drummond from the beloved TV sitcom Diff’rent Strokes. He died today at the age of 89.

bun b, girls, hip-hop, money, pimp c, Rap Quote, Ridin’ Dirty, rip, South, tv, ugk, underground kingz, weed
October 15, 2022

I don’t get pat down, you know what’s on the waist,
I don’t mean Jazz when I say I “count base.”
Fly Louis sneakers, Purple Tape coming out the speakers,
Bumped into my high school teachers,
They said I wouldn’t be nothing, sitting on the bleachers.
Now I’m sitting in the Phantom, trynna figure out the features.
I’m a big fish now, I watch for the leeches.

Sheek Louch, “Pour tha Martini,” from Wu-Block, 2012

2012, Cars, east coast, ghostface killah, Guns, hip-hop, humor, Rap Quote, school, Sheek Louch, sneakers, Styles P
October 14, 2022

You got game like me? I doubt it.
They say pimping ain’t easy…what’s so hard about it?

A.G., “Fat for the 90’s,” from Lord Finesse’s Return of the Funky Man, 1992

1992, a.g., east coast, hip-hop, humor, lord finesse, new york, Rap Quote, return of the funky man, the Bronx
October 13, 2022

I thought I’d probably die in prison, expensive taste in women,
Ain’t have no pot to piss in, now my kitchen full of dishes.
Nose bloody from that sniffin’, your heroin addiction
Trigger finger itchin’, fuck parental supervision…
Purple sippin’, finger twistin’, teeth glisten like it’s Memphis
A bunch of hypocritic Christians, the land of no religion.

A$AP Rocky, “LongLiveA$AP,” LongLiveA$AP, 2013

2013, a$ap rocky, east coast, girls, Harlem, hip-hop, LongLiveA$AP, new york, philosophy, Rap Quote
October 12, 2022

Hard times spreading just like the flu,
Watch out homeboy, don’t let it catch you.

Run-D.M.C., “Hard Times," Run-D.M.C. 1984. Visit the Flu Trends map on Google for more information on how the flu is impacting your community. Theme song: Beatnuts "No Escapin’ This”.

1984, east coast, Flu, hip-hop, new york, queens, Rap Quote, run-dmc
October 11, 2022

For 9-6, the only MC with a flu.
Yeah, I rhyme sick, I be what you tryin’ to do.

Jay-Z, “Brooklyn’s Finest,” Reasonable Doubt, 1996. Visit the Flu Trends map on Google for more information on how the flu is impacting your community. Theme song: Beatnuts “No Escapin’ This”.

brooklyn, east coast, Flu, hip-hop, jay-z, new york, Rap Quote, reasonable doubt
October 10, 2022

Take a look at the police and how they treat you,
Take a look at these corporations that cheat you.
Democrats and Republicans are all see-through.
Now we votin for the lesser of two evils…
Man, don’t let ‘em deceive you.
This is an autocracy, not a democracy,
But to call this a democracy without mock interest
In the laws of society? That’s called hypocrisy.

KRS-One, “Pick It Up,” Maximum Strength, 2008

2008, east coast, hip-hop, krs-one, new york, police, politics, Rap Quote, the Bronx
October 9, 2022

All we want in this life is peace, prosperity and a little paper.

Q-Tip, “Peace, Prosperity and Paper,” from High School High Soundtrack, 1996

1996, a tribe called quest, east coast, High School High Soundtrack, hip-hop, money, peace, q-tip, queens, Rap Quote, soundtrack, wisdom
October 8, 2022

Back as kids we used to kiss when we played truth or dare,
Now she’s more sophisticated, highly edu-ma-cated
Not at all over-rated…I think I need a prayer
To get in her boots, and it looks rather dry,
I guess a twinkle in her eye is just a twinkle in her eye.
Although she’s crazy steppin’, I’ll try to stop her stride,
‘Cause I won’t have no more of this passin’ me by.

Slim Kid Tre, “Passin Me By,” from The Pharcyde’s Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde, 1992

1992, girls, hip-hop, los angeles, love, Pharcyde, Rap Quote, slim kid tre, west coast
October 7, 2022

Switchin’ speeds like Bruce Lee ridin’ up Fuji in a movie.

Redman, “Can’t Wait,” Dare Iz a Darkside, 1994

1994, Bruce Lee, Dare Iz A Darkside, def squad, east coast, erick sermon, hip-hop, new jersey, Rap Quote, redman
October 6, 2022

Man gave us laws, and God gave us time,
It’s the art of storytelling and I’m only telling mine.

A$AP Rocky, “Lines,” from Big Boi’s Vicious Lies & Dangerous Rumors, 2012

2012, a$ap rocky, big boi, God, hip-hop, Rap Quote, time, Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors
October 5, 2022

Niggas is too scared to hustle, but too cool to work,
So they walk around broke like a motherfuckin jerk.

Meyhem Lauren, “Brand Name Marijuana,” Mandatory Brunch Meetings, 2012

2012, east coast, hip-hop, Mandatory Brunch Meetings, Meyhem Lauren, new york, Rap Quote, work
October 4, 2022

Party’s over, tell the rest of the crew.

Mobb Deep, “Party Over,” The Infamous, 1995

1995, east coast, havoc, hip-hop, mobb deep, new york, prodigy, queensbridge, Rap Quote, the infamous
October 3, 2022

Just because no one can understand how you speak,
Don’t necessarily mean that what you be sayin is deep.

Talib Kweli, “Good Mourning,” from Reflection Eternal’s Train of Thought, 2000

2000, brooklyn, east coast, hi-tek, hip-hop, new york, philosophy, Rap Quote, Reflection Eternal, talib kweli, Train of Thought, wisdom
October 2, 2022

Even when I say nothing, it’s a beautiful use of negative space.

El-P, “The Fire In Which You Burn,” from Company Flow’s Funcrusher Plus, 1997

1997, Company flow, east coast, el-p, Funcrusher Plus, hip-hop, humor, new york, Rap Quote
October 1, 2022

New York, New York is where we live and we’re thorough,
Never taking shorts, ‘cause Brooklyn’s the borough.
Peace to Uptown, to Queens and The Bronx,
Long Island and Jersey get as fly as they want.
But I must tell you, where we rest is no joke…
So let me break it down to sections for you slow pokes:
Fort Greene, Bed-Stuy, Flatbush, Brownsville,
Crown Heights and East New York will be down till,
Medina takes respect for the styles we bring,
‘Cause in Brooklyn we be into our own thing.

Guru, “The Place Where We Dwell,” from Gang Starr’s Daily Operation, 1992

1992, brooklyn, daily operation, east coast, gang starr, guru, hip-hop, new york, Rap Quote
September 30, 2022

Time is money, every moment is costly,
So I ration emotion, ‘cause existence exhausts me.

Slug, “They’re All Gonna Laugh @ You,” from Atmosphere’s Lucy Ford: The Atmosphere EPs, 2001

2001, atmosphere, hip-hop, Lucy Ford, midwest, money, philosophy, Rap Quote, slug, time
September 29, 2022

My radio’s loud like a fire alarm:
The floor vibrates, the walls cave in,
The bass makes my eardrums seem thin.
Def sounds in my ride, yes the front and back…
You would think it was a party, not a Cadillac!

LL Cool J, “I Can’t Live Without My Radio,” Radio, 1985

1985, Cars, hip-hop, LL Cool J, new york, queens, radio, Rap Quote
September 28, 2022

I refuse to abuse my savings and loans,
So if you want some ends, baby, you best go get your own.
Now I said it once before, and I’m a say it again:
Best believe you won’t receive no dividends.

E.S.T., “Funky Dividends,” Three Times Dope’s Original Stylin’, 1988

1988, E.S.T., east coast, girls, hip-hop, money, Original Stylin’, philadelphia, Three Times Dope
September 27, 2022

My limo driver’s white, my attorney black…
‘Show me some love’ like I’m Bernie Mac.

Masta Ace, “Good Ol Love,” Long Hot Summer, 2004

2004, bernie mac, hip-hop, humor, long hot summer, love, Masta Ace, Rap Quote
September 26, 2022

We got to stay awake for all these lizards and snakes;
Some of them come as friends, some of them come as Jakes.

Q-Tip, “Ill Vibe,” from Busta Rhymes’ The Coming, 1996

1996, busta rhymes, east coast, friends, hip-hop, police, q-tip, Rap Quote, the coming, wisdom
September 25, 2022

Picture yourself crushin’ Xzibit with your tough talk?
That’s like Christopher Reeve doing the crip walk.

Xzibit, “3 Card Molly,” 40 Days and 40 Nightz, 1998

1998, 40 Days & 40 Nightz, Christopher Reeves, hip-hop, humor, los angeles, Rap Quote, west coast, xzibit
September 24, 2022

I throw raps that attack like the Japs on Pearl Harbor.
MC’s be out like bank robbers,
Fleeing the scene, to be a sole survivor;
DJ…the getaway driver.

GZA, “Living In the World Today,” Liquid Swords, 1995. Pearl Harbor Harbor dead remembered on 71st anniversary.

1995, east coast, gza, hip-hop, new york, Rap Quote, RZA, staten island, The Genius, wu-tang clan
September 23, 2022

Time is real, we can’t rewind it…
Out of everybody I met, who told the truth?
Time did.

Common, “The Truth,” from Pharoahe Monch’s Internal Affairs, 1999

1999, chicago, Common, hip-hop, internal affairs, midwest, Pharoahe Monch, philosophy, Rap Quote, time
September 22, 2022

Wake up: all of that ‘crack in the street’ talk?
It’s made up, like ‘Jack and the Beanstalk.’

Sean Price, “Pyrex,” Mic Tyson, 2012

2012, brooklyn, drugs, east coast, hip-hop, humor, mic tyson, new york, reality, sean p, sean price
September 21, 2022

Props is a true thug’s wife.

Nas, “Verbal Intercourse,” from Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, 1995

1995, hip-hop, nas, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, Raekwon, Rap Quote, wisdom
September 20, 2022

It’s like a cycle: niggas come home, some’ll go in,
Do a bullet, come back, do the same shit again.
From the womb to the tomb, presume the unpredictable,
Guns salute life, rapidly, that’s the ritual.

Nas, “Verbal Intercourse,” from Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, 1995

1995, Guns, hip-hop, life, nas, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, philosophy, Raekwon, Rap Quote, violence
September 19, 2022

The purpose of life is a life with a purpose;
So I’d rather die for a cause than live a life that is worthless.

Immortal Technique, “The Martyr,” The Martyr, 2011

2011, death, east coast, hip-hop, immortal technique, life, new york, philosophy, Rap Quote, The Martyr
September 18, 2022

Put your hands where I can see ‘em, so they look like 12 PM
On the dot, see this Glock? Don’t make me give these shells freedom.

Elzhi, “Hands Up,” The Preface, 2008

2008, black milk, detroit, elzhi, Guns, hip-hop, humor, Rap Quote, The Preface
September 17, 2022

Breathe in…inhale vapors from bright stars that shine,
Breathe out…weed smoke retrace the skyline.

Mos Def, “Respiration,” from Mos Def and Talib Kweli Are Black Star, 1998

1998, black star, brooklyn, east coast, hip-hop, mos def, new york, Rap Quote, weed
September 14, 2022

You know that one auntie, you don’t wanna be rude,
…But every holiday, nobody eatin’ her food.

Kanye West, “Family Business,” The College Dropout, 2004

2004, chicago, hip-hop, humor, kanye west, Rap Quote, thanksgiving, the college dropout
September 13, 2022

Age ain’t nothing but a number, that’s what Chi-Ali said.
OK, then why don’t you get that through the judge’s head?

Biz Markie, “Young Girl Bluez,” All Samples Cleared!, 1993

1993, All Samples Cleared!, biz markie, brooklyn, east coast, girls, hip-hop, humor, new york, Rap Quote
September 12, 2022

We were at the same table when the chips were checked,
A gamblin’ rebel who inspects the deck.
Just when you thought we would fold our hand,
Against all odds, we raised the bet like we changed the plans.
It was live on air, but in between station breaks,
I was holdin a pair and just made the table stakes.
Split the demos, put insurance on tapes,
A safeguard against the crusaders in capes.
If I double-down, they say the Gods are sharks;
If we win against the house, they thought the cards was marked.
We draw hit after hit from a royal flush menu,
While the dealer promoted the full house venue.
A spade in the club with the heart to wear diamonds,
The high roller who got credit upon signin’.
They look puzzled when I shuffle, most of ‘em stunned by the hustle,
Recourse of bluff game’s your muscle.

GZA, “Back in the Game,” from Wu-Tang Clan’s Iron Flag, 2001

2001, east coast, gza, hip-hop, new york, RZA, staten island, wordplay, wu-tang clan
September 11, 2022

There’s a very big difference between what’s rap and what’s real,
When those worlds collide, that’s when rappers get killed.
Trappers, they go to jail, die without leaving a will,
There’s a very big difference between what’s rap and what’s real.

Saigon, “Rap Vs. Real,” The Greatest Story Never Told 2: Bread and Circuses, 2012

2012, east coast, hip-hop, philosophy, Rap Quote, real, Saigon, The Greatest Story Never Told 2
September 9, 2022

City lights shine bright on my complexion,
Self-reflection…red hairs flashing at the intersection.
Life is a green light, one star, no script,
Supporting actors…fresh peaches, no pit.

Action Bronson, “Randy The Musical,” Rare Chandeliers, 2012

2012, action bronson, alchemist, east coast, hip-hop, new york, philosophy, Rap Quote, Rare Chandeliers
September 8, 2022

In my world, even sure bets are not certain;
‘Cause you’ll get the picture, then find out it’s the cropped version.

Joe Budden, “Going Through the Motions,” Mood Muzik: The Box Set, 2012

east coast, hip-hop, Joe Budden, Mood Muzik, philosophy, Rap Quote, wisdom
September 7, 2022

I know the game, it’s old and lame:
You’re holdin’ a flame for my name and my fame.
Livin’ like Givens schemin’ on Tyson,
But she got lucky ‘cause he was a nice one.
But I ain’t nice and I don’t play that,
If it ain’t tax, I don’t pay that.

Kool Moe Dee, “They Want Money,” Knowledge Is King, 1989

1989, east coast, girls, hip-hop, knowledge is king, kool moe dee, Mike Tyson, new york, Rap Quote, Robin Givens, Teddy Riley
September 6, 2022

You can do all them push-ups to pump up your chest,
I got a 12 gauge Mossberg to pump up your chest,
Have you gasping for air after that shell hit your vest.
Fear me like you fear God, ‘cause I bring death.

50 Cent, “We All Die One Day,” from Obie Trice’s Cheers, 2003

50 Cent, Cheers, east coast, eminem, Guns, hip-hop, humor, obie trice, queens, Rap Quote, violence
September 5, 2022

Put a quarter in your ass, ‘cause ya played yourself.

Big Daddy Kane, “The Symphony,” from Marley Marl’s In Control, Vol. 1, 1988

1988, Big Daddy Kane, brooklyn, east coast, hip-hop, In Control Vol 1, juice crew, Marley Marl, new york, Rap Quote
September 4, 2022

I get atomic, hypo-galactical…
Word to mom, I’m in my own world.
Galaxy rays? Powerful.

Kool Keith, “Raise It Up,” from Ultramagnetic M.C.’s The Four Horsemen, 1993

1993, hip-hop, kool keith, new york, Rap Quote, the four horsemen, ultramagnetic mc’s
September 3, 2022

Y’all mythological niggas is comical,
The astronomical is comin’ thru like tha flu bombin’ you…
And embalmin’ in your crew, too.
With the musical, mystical, magical, you know how I do.

Keith Murray, “The Most Beautifullest Thing In This World," The Most Beautifullest Thing In This World, 1994

1994, def squad, east coast, erick sermon, hip-hop, keith murray, new york, Rap Quote, the most beautifullest thing in this world, wordplay
September 2, 2022

If you’re having world problems, I feel bad for you son,
I got 99 problems, but a Mitt ain’t one.

Jay-Z, “99 Problems,” from Barack Obama campaign rally in Columbus, Ohio, 2012. Voter Info (Google)

2012, barack obama, Election, hip-hop, humor, jay-z, mitt romney, politics, president
August 31, 2022

How could you possibly stop the apocalypse when I’m atomic bombin’ the populace?

Crooked I, “Loud Noises,” from Bad Meets Evil’s Hell: The Sequel, 2011

2011, Bad Meets Evil, crooked i, Hell: The Sequel, hip-hop, Rap Quote, west coast