Rap is one of the most popular genres in the modern day, even though it was a genre that emerged from struggle and oppression. It started with political undertones but has since begun covering various topics and events. Whether it’s a personal story or an overall reflection of the environment surrounding the artist, rap is saturated with emotion and intensity – it’s what fuels the genre.
Oftentimes, that emotion is conveyed through the lyrics, which are usually the most important aspect of the song. You can’t have a good rap song without good lyrics, and that’s a fact. But, fully aware of how large and prominent the genre is, I wanted to consolidate some of the highlights of the genre and the incredibly talented artists within this group.
Considering lists from Complex, RapTV, Rolling Stone, Westworld and XXL Mag regarding both the best rap lyrics to scream along to, as well as the best one-liners in rap and just straight up the best rap tracks, I have compiled 50 of the best lyrics from the rap genre.
From old to new, small songs to smash hits, fun to serious, here is a list of 50 of the best rap song lyrics.
- Tyler, The Creator, “Yonkers”
- Meek Mill, “Dreams and Nightmares (Intro)
- Drake, “Know Yourself”
- Bobby Shmurda, “Hot N*****”
- Rick Ross, “Idols Become Rivals”
- Ludacris, “Move B****”
- Travis Scott, “Sicko Mode”
- Chief Keef, “Faneto”
- N.W.A., “Fuck Tha Police”
- Corda, “Have Mercy”
- 2 Chainz, “Birthday Song”
- Future, “I Thought It Was A Drought”
- Big Sean, “I Don’t F*** With You”
- Jay-Z, “99 Problems”
- Pop Smoke, “Welcome to the Party”
- Nicki Minaj, “Monster”
- Lil John and the Eastside Boyz, “Get Low”
- YG, “FDT”
- Notorious B.I.G., “Flava In Ya Ear”
- Snoop Dogg, “Gin and Juice”
- 50 Cent, “21 Questions”
- Cardi B, “Bodak Yellow”
- Drake, “Stay Schemin”
- J. Cole, “No Role Modelz”
- Young M.A., “OOOUUU”
- Lil Wayne, “6 Foot 7 Foot”
- Jay-Z, “D’Evils”
- Kanye West, “Touch the Sky”
- Notorious B.I.G., “Just A Memory”
- Big L, “Lifestyles Ov Da Poor & Dangerous”
- Eminem, “Legacy”
- Sean Price, “60 Bar Dash”
- Drake, “Fancy”
- Big Daddy Kane, “Cause I Can Do It Right”
- Common, “The 6th Sense”
- Big L, “Freestyle with Jay-Z”
- Lil Wayne, “SportsCenter”
- Jay-Z, “Diamonds Are Forever (Remix)”
- J. Cole, “Looking for Trouble”
- Big Daddy Kane, “Set It Off”
- Ad-Rock, “Ch-Check It Out”
- L.L. Cool J, “I’m That Type of Guy”
- 2Pac, “Changes”
- Rob Sonic, “Dark Heart News”
- Nas, “N.Y. State of Mind”
- Rakim, “I Know You Got Soul”
- Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five, “The Message”
- 2Pac, “Dear Mama”
- Jay-Z, “Moment of Clarity”
- Eminem, “Lose Yourself”
1. Tyler, The Creator, “Yonkers”
“I’m not gay, I just wanna boogie to some Marvin”
A great example to kick off this list, this play on words and Marvin Gaye’s name is witty and fun. It’s a good model of lyrical wordplay rappers often employ in their work.
2. Meek Mill, “Dreams and Nightmares (Intro)”
“Hold up, wait a minute, y’all thought I was finished?”
This is a great line to quote when you’ve been through a rough time and are coming out on the other side.
3. Drake, “Know Yourself”
“I was running through the 6 with my woes”
One of the most iconic lines in the Top 200 in 2015, constantly quoted and played all over social media, this line can speak for itself.
4. Bobby Shmurda, “Hot N****”
“Mitch caught a body ‘bout a week ago”
I think we’re all familiar with this line because of its repetition years ago, but it’s catchy and catchy songs are fun.
5. Rick Ross, “Idols Become Rivals”
“We veterans, so it’s better if you go get your army”
I really liked this play on words and the use of veterans and armies to articulate the situation between old rappers and new rappers.
6. Ludacris, “Move B****”
“Move b****, get out the way”
I still regularly quote this line to this day – some people get it, some people don’t. If you do, I like you.
7. Travis Scott, ”Sicko Mode”
“Yeah, this s*** way too formal, y’all know I don’t follow suit”
A clever play on words, Travis Scott uses different meanings of the same word to create a crafty one-liner. I like it.
8. Chief Keef, ”Faneto”
“I’m a gorilla in a f*****’ coupe, finna pull up to the zoo”
A comical line that makes you question what some of these people were thinking when writing these tracks, this is a fun one to rap along to with your friends.
9. N.W.A., ”Fuck Tha Police”
“F*** the police”
If you like rap, you know this song. If you don’t know this song, you don’t like rap. And if you don’t love this song, you don’t love rap.
10. Cordae, “Have Mercy”
“Suite presidential that’s inauguration, ‘cause we cookin’ crack like Ronald Reagan”
A clever dig at one of the worst presidents America has ever seen, anything taking shots at Ronald Reagan is an excellent thing in my book.
11. 2 Chainz, “Birthday Song”
“All I want for my birthday is a big booty ho”
Early 2010s rap and hip-hop had zero ‘chill’ or regard for talking about women’s bodies. This song is so ridiculous it can escape ridicule.
12. Future, “Thought It Was a Drought”
“I just f****** yo b***** in some Gucci flip flops”
Imagine someone successful telling you he stole your woman wearing flip-flops. That’s a pretty low blow.
13. Big Sean, “I Don’t Fuck With You”
“I don’t f*** with you”
This song became somewhat of a meme towards the end of its legacy, but hey, it was a catchy song and it’s message was clear.
14. Jay-Z, “99 Problems”
“I got 99 problems, but a b**** ain’t one”
A song that is always played in throwback playlists, this line is particularly fun to just belt out at the top of your lungs.
15. Pop Smoke, “Welcome to the Party”
“B****, I’m a thot, get me lit”
Sometimes, the one-liners in rap songs are better than stand-up comedians.
16. Nicki Minaj, “Monster”
“Aaaaah, I’m a motherf****** monster!” and “If I’m fake I ain’t notice ‘cause my money ain’t”
Nicki Minaj’s verse in “Monster” is one of the most iconic female rap verses in modern music. But, remember to breathe while rapping along.
17. Lil John and the Eastside Boyz, “Get Low”
“To the window, to the wall! ‘Til the sweat drop down my balls”
This is an obnoxiously fun line to shout out in the clubs with your friends. It’s cathartic, honestly.
18. YG, “FDT”
“F*** Donald Trump”
I really don’t know what else to say other than, need I say more?
19. Notorious B.I.G., “Flava In Ya Ear”
“N***** is mad I get more butt than ashtrays”
I mean, it’s kind of annoying how good this line is.
20. Snoop Dogg, “Gin and Juice”
“With my mind on my money and my money on my mind”
A good way to live your life (in moderation), mind your business, keep your mind on making your money and supporting yourself, and not to focus on what others are doing.
21. 50 Cent, “21 Questions”
“I love you like a fat kid love cake”
Well, that’s certainly one way to tell someone you love them.
22. Cardi B, “Bodak Yellow”
“These expensive, these is red bottoms, these is bloody shoes”
One of the biggest rap songs of the millennia, “Bodak Yellow” is a song about embracing everything you have. Nothing wrong with that.
23. Drake, “Stay Schemin”
“You wasn’t with me shootin’ in the gym”
Drake is reflecting on the friends who have been with him since the beginning, and how important they are. And that no one will ever be on the same level as those who were with him at that point.
24. J. Cole, “No Role Modelz”
“I came fast like 9-1-1 in white neighbourhoods, ain’t got no shame ‘bout it”
A cheeky political line that makes you go ‘oo’ when you first hear it, it’s a realistic truth that is conveyed in very few words.
25. Young M.A., “OOOUUU”
“These haters on my body, shake ‘em off”
Forget the people who keep you down, get rid of them. They’re no good for you. Young M.A. gets rid of his, so should you.
26. Lil Wayne, “6 Foot 7 Foot”
“Real g’s move in silence like lasagna”
A line that made me laugh out loud the first time I heard it, of course, it was being added to the list.
27. Jay-Z, “D’Evils”
“We used to fight for building blocks, now we fight for blocks with buildings; that make a killing.”
A political statement from Jay-Z, he reflects on the circular aspect of society and how backwards things have become.
28. Kanye West, “Touch the Sky”
“I’m trying to right my wrongs, but it’s funny, them same wrongs helped me write this song.”
Before Kanye West went off the deep end, he was a great lyricist. “Touch the Sky” shows his ability to craft catchy one-liners that make you sit and think.
29. Notorious B.I.G., “Just A Memory”
“Climb the ladder to success, escalator style”
A line that genuinely makes me chuckle, this line is about climbing the ladder of success as fast as you can. With some help.
30. Big L, “Lifestyles Ov Da Poor & Dangerous”
“I wasn’t poor, I was po, I couldn’t afford the o-r”
This is a clever play on words – it acknowledges the gaps in education for the rich and poor and ‘proper’ English, as well as the ‘OR’, not being able to afford healthcare, as well as just being broker than broke. It’s quite a brilliant line.
31. Eminem, “Legacy”
“The best part about me is I am not you”
Eminem is known for being an incredible lyricist, but I think we’ve all met people in our lives that we’re glad we’re nothing like. Eminem just knows how to articulate it.
32. Sean Price, “60 Bar Dash”
“My mama ain’t raise no fool because my mama ain’t raise me, fool”
A clever play on words that is incredibly self-deprecating, but honest. What’s not to like?
33. Drake, “Fancy”
“Better late than never but never late is better”
Honestly, “Better late than never but never late is better” is a great motto to live by. I never thought I’d be taking life advice from Drake.
34. Big Daddy Kane, “Cause I Can Do It Right”
“I won’t say I’m the baddest, or portray that role / But I’m in the Top Two, and my father’s getting old”
Another witty line and play on words, Big Daddy Kane says he’s in the top two baddest of all time with his dad, and well, his dad is getting old. Guess he’s gonna be the baddest of all time soon.
35. Common, “The 6th Sense”
“My life is one big rhyme / I try to scheme through it”
I mean, life is one giant scheme, isn’t it? Excuse me, I’m going to go have an existential crisis now.
36. Big L, “Freestyle with Jay-Z”
“I’m so ahead of my time, my parents haven’t met yet”
I think we’ve all felt that we were far beyond our years, or born in the wrong generation. This line articulates that, to an even larger extent.
37. Lil Wayne, “SportsCenter”
“I see beef as dead meat”
The word “beef” has taken on a completely different meaning than its origin, and well, Lil Wayne doesn’t understand the new meaning, understandably.
38. Jay-Z, “Diamonds Are Forever (Remix)”
“I’m not a businessman, I’m a business, man”
Rap is known for its witty play on words. Jay-Z’s “Diamonds Are Forever” has a pretty good example of that.
39. J. Cole, “Looking for Trouble”
“Ironic you been sleeping on the one that you been dreamin’ ‘bout”
This is a particularly attention-grabbing line, as it acknowledges that feeling of being neglected in your relationship, even though this person is supposed to be madly in love with you, all consumed by you.
40. Big Daddy Kane, “Set It Off”
“If you are what you eat then feed me dope”
More adored for its comedic effect, this is just a line that makes you chuckle.
41. Ad-Rock, “Ch-Check It Out”
“Believe when I say I’m no better than you, except when I rap, so I guess it ain’t true”
An interesting juxtaposition – putting yourself on the same level and acknowledging you’re both human, but, you’re just better. Think about that one.
42. L.L. Cool J, “I’m That Type of Guy”
“I’m the type of guy that picks her up from work early, takes her to breakfast, lunch, dinner and breakfast”
A romantic line with a witty twist, L.L. Cool J is just that kinda guy that romances a woman before and after dessert.
43. 2Pac, “Changes”
“Instead of war on poverty, they got a war on drugs so the police can bother me”
Wise beyond his years, 2Pac saw the ‘war on drugs’ for what it was and was unafraid to note his observations in his work.
44. Rob Sonic, “Dark Heart News”
“If I had a dollar for every time I couldn’t sleep / I could buy a million locks and finally read a book in peace”
As a book lover, this line speaks to me in so many ways. If I had a dollar for every time I was interrupted while reading, I could buy myself a custom in-home library.
45. Nas, “N.Y. State of Mind”
“I never sleep ‘cause sleep is the cousin of death”
It’s been pointed out that minds like Shakespeare were the first to make this connection, but Nas just puts it so eloquently.
46. Rakim, “I Know You Got Soul”
“I start to think, and then I sink / Into the paper like I was ink, when I’m writing / I’m trapped in between the lines, I escape when I finish the rhyme”
A gorgeous depiction of the relationship between song and songwriter, and how every piece of work a songwriter creates holds a piece of themselves.
47. Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five, “The Message”
“Don’t push me cause I’m close to the edge / I’m trying not to lose my head / It’s like a jungle / Sometimes it makes me wonder / How I keep from goin’ under”
The music industry is a difficult place, and Grandmaster Flash is very aware of this. This bar is a perfect representation of what it feels like to be in the industry.
48. 2Pac, “Dear Mama”
“And even as a crack fiend, mama, you always was a black queen, mama”
A beautiful tribute to his mother, 2Pac’s “Dear Mama” walks through everything he wishes he could say to his mother face to face.
49. Jay-Z, “Moment of Clarity”
“If skills sold, truth be told / I’d probably be, lyrically, Talib Kweli / Truthfully, I wanna rhyme like Common Sense / But I did 5 mill’ – I ain’t been rhyming like Common since”
A rhyming bar about wishing to be someone else, but after a certain amount of success, you don’t want to be anyone but yourself.
50. Eminem – ”Lose Yourself”
“His palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy / There’s vomit on his sweat already: mom’s spaghetti / He’s nervous, but on the surface, he looks calm and ready / To drop bombs, but he keeps on forgetting / What he wrote down. The whole crowd goes so loud / he opens his mouth but the words won’t come out / He’s choking, how? Everybody’s joking now / The clock’s run out, time’s up, over – blaow!”
In my opinion, I saved the best for last. “Lose Yourself” is one of the best, most recognisable rap songs out there.