Hip-hop has got to be one of the most listened-to genres of all time but what hits even harder are the sad rap songs. This is why we have curated a list of 100 sad rap songs that will resonate with you and make you ten times sadder.
In this article, we have heartbreaking tracks that range from very personal experiences and social narration to songs about heartbreak and missing a toxic ex. Whatever sad type of rap song you are looking for, we hope you can find it in our listicle and we apologize in advance for the tears you may shed after listening to these tracks.
Here are 100 sad rap songs, listed:
- Dance With the Devil
- 4 Your Eyez Only
- Keisha’s Song
- Beautiful
- Brenda’s Got A Baby
- I Fall Apart
- Sing About Me, Dying of Thirst
- This Can’t Be Life
- You Never Know
- Suicidal Thoughts
- All That I Got Is You
- When I’m Gone
- Six Feet Deep
- Slippin’
- Suicidal
- Song Cry
- Death Enclaimed
- One Life
- I Feel Like Dying
- Stan
- Life’s a Mess
- Lip Peep
- Robbery
- Colored Dreams
- Calling My Phone
- I’ll Be Missing You
- Tearz
- Long Gone (Save Me From This Hell)
- Changes
- Dear Mama
- Dance
- Lost Ones
- Broken Love
- Dead Homiez
- Do Better
- Last Good Sleep
- No Sense
- Love Scars
- Ball W/O You
- Keep Livin
- Holy Holy
- Smile To Keep From Crying
- Heartbeat
- 1-800-273-8255
- Acid Rain
- Book of Soul
- Perkys Calling
- Rome and Juliet
- We Ball
- Runaway
- They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)
- 03’ Adolescence
- Stray Bullet
- U
- Downtown
- Flight of the Navigator
- Millie Pulled A Pistol On Santa
- Clout Cobain
- Ballad Of Worms
- The Message
- Mockingbird
- Renee
- I Can’t Go To Sleep
- Da Art Of Storytellin’
- Black Balloons
- Retrospect For Life
- Feel
- Tha Crossroads
- Come Back To Earth
- YouAreMySunshine
- 6 Feet Deep
- Apparently
- Sick and Tired
- Good Kid
- Look What You’ve Done
- Everyday Struggle
- Paranoia
- Hurt Me Soul
- Dysfunctional
- Hope Dies Last
- All Along
- Live in the Sky
- Good News
- Strange Ways
- Purity
- Climax
- Laura
- Dead and Gone
- Animal Style
- I Seen a Man Die
- Up and Away
- Mama Cry
- How Could You Leave Us
- 30
- You
- Marvin’s Room
- Cleanin’ Out My Closet
- Why Did You Leave Me
- One Day
- Bye Bye Baby
1. Dance With the Devil
Starting our list with Immortal Technique’s song which is about a teenager who joins a gang and starts selling drugs. To prove himself to his leaders, he leads the gang to attack an older woman, to whom the men do bad things.
In the end, the boy realizes the old woman is his mother and he opts for suicide. This is a very dark story and I recommend listening to it with caution.
2. 4 Your Eyez Only
This is yet another sad and dark song but it’s by J Cole. The song pays tribute to the rapper’s childhood friend and highlights the issue of gun violence. He raps about how he gets to live and raise his children but his friend will miss out on his daughter’s life.
3. Keisha’s Song
You will find many Kendrick Lamar songs on this list as the rapper has a habit of making some of most saddest rap songs ever. This one in particular is about a teenage girl who turns to prostitution to survive and also because of sexual molestation trauma.
The 17-year-old dies tragically as some pervert stabs her. I would only recommend this song to you if you are not an overly sensitive individual.
4. Beautiful
This song is by Eminem and it describes his journey and the obstacles he faced. He talks about depression and isolation in this track and I suggest you check it out.
This song has a very different vibe from his other songs as Eminem shows an emotional and vulnerable side in it. The song was also nominated for a Grammy.
5. Brenda’s Got A Baby
This song by 2pac portrays the consequences of teenage pregnancies. The song narrates the story of a girl who gets pregnant after being sexually assaulted.
She keeps the pregnancy hidden and is forced to raise the baby when she is a 12-year-old.
6. I Fall Apart
This sad rap song by Post Malone is about the heavy emotional experience a person has after a breakup. If you have been through one then I recommend listening to this song, perhaps it can help you get over your ex.
The song went diamond in the USA so I’m guessing many people are heartbroken in this world.
7. Sing About Me, Dying of Thirst
This song by Kendrick Lamar is divided into sections. The first part is about a young man who was murdered which leads to the second part that highlights the rapper’s struggles of growing up in Compton neighborhood.
Ultimately, the song ends by portraying Kendrick’s desire to leave a lasting legacy behind.
8. This Can’t Be Life
This song is a collaboration between Jay-Z, Beanie Sigel, and Scarface as the rappers talk about the harsh realities of life and dealing with loss. The repetitive and minimalistic beat fits perfectly with the flow of these iconic rappers.
9. You Never Know
Yet another song by Immortal Technique but this one is about the loss of love. The song also addresses concerns about HIV/AIDS and encourages people to use protection.
10. Suicidal Thoughts
This is a very raw song about suicide by the Notorious BIG who raps about wanting to escape depression and regret by ending his life. It is a dark song that shows the rapper’s inner thoughts in detail.
11. All That I Got Is You
This song is by Ghostface Killah and Mary J. Binge and it showcases the rapper’s childhood struggles with poverty. He also mentions the love he has for his family and how important familial bonds are.
12. When I’m Gone
If you are an Eminem fan, you would know the love he has for his daughter, Hallie, and how often he writes songs for her. This 5-time platinum song is about his relationship with her and how his fame impacts their life.
13. Six Feet Deep
This iconic song is by the Geto Boys who rap about the realities of an urban life. Death and violence are common themes in this song so I suggest listening to it with caution.
14. Slippin’
This platinum-certified song by DMX depicts the personal struggles of the rapper which include addiction. He also talks about poverty and the other obstacles he faced in his life.
I would recommend this song to you as the wordplay is quite marvelous.
15. Suicidal
This song is by YNQ and Juice Wrld and as the name suggests, it is about depression, seeking solace in drugs, and suicidal ideation. It is a very deep song, one that is loved by many as it charted on top in many charts.
16. Song Cry
This track by Jay-Z has a very different vibe from his usual songs about sex, money, and girls. This one is about the struggles in a romantic relationship.
Jay-Z skillfully raps about a man who is trying to fix his public image while dealing with private matters. The song ranked #25 on the US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard).
17. Death Enclaimed
This song is by Youngboy Never Broke Again who raps about his intimate fears. He expresses his fear of being killed and of fake love and fake friends. If you are a paranoid person I suggest you give this track a listen.
18. One Life
This song by The Last Emperor and Too Poetic is about self-discovery and a person’s pursuit in life to find his purpose. The song shows the poetic talent of the rappers and I recommend you listen to this masterpiece.
19. I Feel Like Dying
This song by Lil Wayne is about the rapper’s struggles with depression and addiction and how he has thoughts of ending it all. This song can be very triggering if you also feel this way hence I would not recommend this to everyone.
20. Stan
This song by Eminem is quite iconic as the word “Stan” is now used for obsessed fans. The song itself is a sad number that portrays the dangerous and draining consequences of fame.
I recommend you listen to this song if you daydream a lot about how fun it must be to be famous.
21. Life’s a Mess
This song is by Juice Wrld and features Halsey. The song is about relationship problems and how love comes with a lot of emotional struggles. If you are dealing with heartbreak then I recommend listening to this hit.
22. Hellboy
This song was released by the late Lil Peep in 2016. The song is about inner demons and addiction as the rapper passed away tragically in 2017 due to an accidental drug overdose.
23. Robbery
Another Juice Wrld hit song that is about heartbreak and betrayal in relationships. The word “robbery” is used to symbolize getting emotionally robbed by a lover.
It is a heart-wrenching song and I suggest you give it a chance.
24. Colored Dreams
This is a very socially charged song by the South African rapper, Reason who talks about the struggles his people face in his country. It ranges from themes of poverty and racism to social injustice.
25. Calling My Phone
This gut-wrenching song by rapper Lil Tjay conveys a message on loneliness, longing, and other problems in a modern relationship. The beat of this song is very infectious and I suggest you give this song a listen.
26. I’ll Be Missing You
While Puff Daddy is not my favorite rapper on the planet, I cannot disagree with the fact that this is one of the saddest songs as it pays tribute to the legendary Notorious BIG who was murdered.
The song was number 1 on many charts and beautifully celebrates the memory of the last rapper.
27. Tearz
If you haven’t heard this iconic song by the Wu-Tang Clan then you must be living under a rock. The upbeat melody of this song may make you forget the sad story it describes of a man who dies from HIV/AIDS due to infidelity.
The group spread awareness about using protection and I urge you to listen to this song as well.
28. Long Gone (Save Me From This Hell)
As the name suggests, this track is about depression, substance abuse, and inner turmoil with the rap duo $uicideboy$ singing about getting saved from this hell on Earth. This is one of my favorite songs on this list and I would recommend it to you too.
29. Changes
This song is by the late rapper, 2pac, who addresses many social and political issues in this track. The struggles of African Americans with racism, poverty, and police brutality are discussed cleverly by the rapper as he urges a need for social change.
The song was also nominated for a Grammy award.
30. Dear Mama
Yes, I put two songs by 2pac back to back on this list because why not? This one in particular is a heartfelt tribute and appreciation for the rapper’s mom and it’s for any single mother who bravely raised her kids on her own.
31. Dance
Nas released this iconic song in 2002 it’s about his life experiences and it portrays the resilience of the rapper. This is a very personal and raw song and if you like it when rappers are vulnerable then this song is for you.
32. Lost Ones
This song is a blunt song that portrays the consequences of a couple going through an unplanned pregnancy. The difficulty, responsibilities, and hard decisions that come with relationships are described hauntingly in this track.
33. Broken Love
The late rapper Mo3 collaborated on this hit with Kevin Gates in 2020 and it portrays the heartache and pain in a relationship. The romantic disappointment is perfectly portrayed in this song and it is relatable for everyone, I believe.
34. Dead Homiez
This song is by Ice Cube and trust me when I say this song is not for the lighthearted people. It’s about gun violence and reflects the loss of close loved ones to this tragedy.
35. Do Better
This track is a song about domestic violence that Lil Donald wrote after a close friend of his told him about her experience. The song is encouraging men to do better, telling them that violence is not the answer.
36. Last Good Sleep
This song is a dark walk down the road that is of depression and mental distress. The hip-hop crew Company Flow released it in 1997 and I suggest you check it out if you are dealing with similar problems.
37. No Sense
The track No Sense was released by Baby Keem in 2021 and it describes the chaotic nature of the music industry along with struggles for success. The minimalistic beat blends seamlessly with the rapper’s flow.
38. Love Scars
This is yet another hit song about heartbreak but it’s by rapper Trippie Redd. I suggest you listen to this song as it delves into the emotional pain and heartache that comes after betrayal from a lover.
39. Ball W/O You
This rap track is by 21 savage who describes the sacrifices that come with joining the hip-hop world. Whether this is about losing love or any other type of loss, I will leave that to your interpretation.
40. Keep Livin
Jean Grae is the mastermind behind this song and I recommend all women to listen to this song. It highlights the struggles of making way in a male-dominated industry and the struggles that come with the pursuit of dreams.
41. Holy Holy
As the name of the song suggests, Vic Mensa discusses religion in this track along with conflict and ambition. If you have grown up in a religious family then I would highly recommend this song to you.
42. Smile To Keep From Crying
Boosie Badazz knew what he was doing when he created this iconic song with a unique piano beat and dark lyrics. The song is about always putting a brave facade on even though you are breaking on the inside, a feeling we all can relate to.
43. Heartbeat
Childish Gambino is without a doubt one of the most talented rappers of our generation. This legendary track is about the ups and downs of a passionate relationship and I recommend you listen to it.
44. 1-800-273-8255
This song is named after the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and it is a famous song that highlights mental health problems by Logic, Alessia Cara, and Khalid. The song encourages people to seek help during tough times.
45. Acid Rain
Chance the Rapper released Acid Rain in 2013 and it is a mixture of gospel, jazz, and hip-hop. The song is about the musician’s struggles with fame and his personal growth.
46. Book of Soul
If you have lost someone close in your life then this song by Ab-Soul is for you. The rapper wrote this song for his late girlfriend, Alori Joh, who was a singer herself.
47. Perkys Calling
If you like it when piano is mixed in with hip-hop then this track by Future from his mixtape, Purple Reign, is right up your alley. The song describes struggles with drug addiction, mainly with the prescription drug, Percocet.
48. Romeo and Juliet
Trippie Redd wrote a song about love and heartache, referencing the iconic Romeo and Juliet of Shakespeare. The obstacles in a relationship are discussed and how wild and burning young love is.
49. We Ball
Meek Mill’s emotional number, We Ball, is a tribute to his friends and family that he has lost tragically. The song talks about violence and gives hope to people who have lost their beloved people.
I would suggest you watch the music video of this song as it is an emotional and raw piece.
50. Runaway
Of course, Kanye West was going to be on this list, even though he is not exactly my favorite artist in the world. This famous song is about Kanye acknowledging his failed relationships and the image it has created for him in the media.
Quite ironic as I remember a certain blonde artist (Taylor Swift) being mocked by him several times for the same thing.
51. They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)
Don’t let the upbeat melody of this legendary song fool you as it is a sad song that is a tribute to Pete Rock and CL Smooth’s close friend, Trouble T-Roy, who tragically passed away. The track reflects on their friendship and how he will always be alive in their memories.
52. 03’ Adolescence
I swear this article is not sponsored by J Cole, it’s just he has some of the most gut-wrenching rap songs out there. This one in particular is about the struggles of an adolescent from peer pressure and relationships to self-discovery and temptations.
53. Stray Bullet
As you can probably tell by the name of this song, the gun violence in urban areas and the impact of stray bullets are described cleverly in this track by Organized Konfusion. If you have been a victim of this, my heart goes out to you.
54. U
You might as well name Kendrick Lamar the king of sad rap songs at this point. This song is about the rapper’s struggle with depression and fame along with his constant feelings of self-doubt.
55. Downtown
This song is by August Alsina featuring Kidd Kidd and the two discuss the consequence of gun violence and how it affects people. Is it based on a true story I would recommend you check its music video out.
56. Flight of the Navigator
If you are always thinking about the passage of time and how unpredictable everyone’s life is then Childish Gambino wrote the perfect song for you. The melody of this song is very calming and you should give it a listen.
57. Millie Pulled A Pistol On Santa
This is a very powerful song by De La Soul and it is about a young girl named Millie who trunks to violence to protect herself from her abusive father. This song is a harsh reality check of the world and its cruelties.
58. Clout Cobain
We all know about the word “clout” and how much toxicity is attached to it. Denzel Curry targets this toxicity in his track, mentioning the pressure of the media industry and how it can affect you in horrible ways.
59. Ballad Of Worms
Cage is a talented and well-known rapper who is loved for his emotional and raw storytelling. This track explores his struggles whether it’s with his career or addiction.
60. The Message
This is an iconic song by Dr. Dre who addresses the mistakes he has made in his past and the need to make changes so it doesn’t happen again. It is an encouraging journey about personal growth, and the collaboration with Mary J. Blige’s vocals adds another twist to it.
61. Mockingbird
Mockingbird is Eminem’s famous song that he wrote for his daughter, Hailee. He expresses his love for her and apologizes for the effect his fame and popularity have had on their lives.
62. Renee
This song is by Lost Boys and it is about the relationship of the rapper with a girl named Renee. The track is an interesting journey of the couple’s struggle and I would recommend you check it out.
63. I Can’t Go To Sleep
This track is about insomnia, as suggested by the name, and the anxiety it causes. Wu-Tang Clan cleverly sings about their struggles with Isaac Hayes on this track.
64. Da Art Of Storytellin’
If you like emotional songs that portray urban life then this song by Outkast is the one you are looking for. The fast rap flow of the artist will have you on your toes.
65. Black Balloons
This song by Denzel Curry has a catchy beat but the lyrics are dark as they delve into addiction and mental health problems. I recommend you listen to this one-of-a-kind song, it is very underrated in my opinion.
66. Retrospect For Life
This is a track by Common and Lauryn Hill and it portrays the problems that arise with unexpected pregnancies. The consequences of such decisions can drastically change your life and the two artists beautifully captured that.
67. Feel
Kendrick Lamar released this song in 2017 and it discusses a bunch of different topics. From his struggles with isolation and self-doubt to the weight of fame and other emotional struggles, Kendrick stuns everyone with this raw masterpiece.
68. Tha Crossroads
This is a heartfelt tribute by Bone Thugs N Harmony to their beloved friend, Easy-E. The themes of grief and loss are heavy in this song so I would suggest you listen to it with caution.
69. Come Back To Earth
This is one of the saddest rap songs about the problems in life and the need to escape from them. It gets ten times more depressing when you realize the singer is Mac Miller, who tragically lost his life in 2018.
70. YouAreMySunshine
Flatbush Zombies is a hip-hop group that discusses death, and the inner struggles of a person in this life. The song is a blend of minimalistic beats with a slow rap flow.
71. 6 Feet Deep
This track by Geto Boys explores the themes of death and violence that are part of the harsh realities of ghetto life. Their narration and lyrics are very raw and I recommend you give this song a listen.
72. Apparently
If you are looking for a song about self-discovery and personal journey then J Cole made just the song for you. The song has a catchy beat and the lyrics are very grim which helped the track get a 2 times platinum certification.
73. Sick and Tired
Another hit by Denzel Curry is particularly interesting because he raps with his alter ego, Zeltron, in it. The song addresses serious issues such as inequality, racism, and violence. I like this number and would recommend you to give it a listen too.
74. Good Kid
The words “good kid” are used by Kendrick Lamar to describe his transformation into a good kid because of the harsh life he had in Compton. This is a very vulnerable number from Lamar and perhaps that is why it is loved by so many.
75. Look What You’ve Done
This song is a tribute from Drake to his mother and uncle thanking them for all the sacrifices they made for him so he could have everything. It is a lovely song that shows the struggles of two people raising a kid.
76. Everyday Struggle
Notorious BIG wrote this song to emphasize the struggles of the rapper in the music industry and his journey toward success. His experiences with crime and financial problems are also highlighted in this track.
77. Paranoia
Chance the rapper cleverly delves into the fears and anxiety that come with life in Chicago’s streets. He raps about the dangers and trauma faced, especially due to racial injustice.
78. Hurt Me Soul
Lupe Fiasco released this number in 2006 and it highlights his struggles in the music industry as well as the impact of certain messages in the hip-hop world. The rapper says he is in a constant fight to create meaningful music but also wants commercial success.
79. Dysfunctional
I like this song because of the fast-paced rap flow and the catchy beat. The song itself is about mental health and personal struggles such as relationships. Tech N9ne, Big Scoob, and Krizz Kaliko created a hit.
80. Hope Dies Last
This is a German rap song by Bushido featuring Cassandra Steen. The track is about resilience and hope in tough situations.
81. All Along
Kid Cudi released All Along in 2013 and it is about the rapper’s struggles. This includes his journey in the music industry and the anxiety and peer pressure that comes with it.
82. Live in the Sky
If you love Jamie Foxx then you must have heard about this iconic collaboration of his with T.I. This track addresses themes of love and loss and also the need to do better in life and make a brighter future for oneself.
83. Good News
This song by Mac Miller is a sad song that discusses struggles with mental health and the search for positivity. Mac had a talent with his words and beats and I recommend you check this song out.
84. Strange Ways
This song is a collaboration between Madvillian and MF DOOM. the rappers delve into the complexities of modern life and the toll these take on the people.
85. Purity
This song by A$AP Rocky and Frank Ocean shows the realities of fame and how the pursuit of authenticity is very hard. Both the rapper and singer skilfully make this song amazing and I suggest you check it out ASAP (pun intended).
86. Climax
This song by Young Thug is in his signature style with a trap and hip-hop mixture. The themes of the song are success and wealth and the journey to achieve these.
87. Laura
Yet another song named after a woman describes the complicated relationship between two people by Prince Pi. No offense to the rappers but they are extremely predictable, when any of them release a song named after a woman you should immediately know its theme at this point.
88. Dead and Gone
This chart-topping song by T.I. featuring Justin Timberlake is about leaving behind a troubled past and evolving as a human being. The rapper discusses his legal troubles and the desire to move forward positively.
89. Animal Style
This is a song by the Murs about a homosexual relationship that ends tragically due to societal pressures. Love, discrimination, and prejudice are discussed in this song and I recommend you give this a listen.
90. I Seen a Man Die
This is a gut-wrenching track by Scarface who talks about violence and trauma that stays with you after you witness somebody lose their life right in front of you. It is a very raw song so listen to it with caution.
91. Up and Away
Another German track on this list but this one is by Casper. It is about one’s ambitions and stepping out of their comfort zone to pursue their dream. It is about the desire to break free from life and reach something greater.
92. Mama Cry
This song by YNW Melly is about the pain of a person in life who wishes for better circumstances. The rapper’s voice is filled with sorrow as he raps about his difficult situations.
93. How Could You Leave Us
This song is a heartbreaking track about dealing with a parent who has an addiction and then passes tragically. The lyrics reflect feelings of anger, abandonment, and grief, and it is an incredibly sad song.
94. 30
30 is an age number in this song as Danny Brown reflects on aging and personal growth. The delivery of the rapper is unique so I suggest you check this song out.
95. You
This is a rap song by German rapper, Kollegah. The song is about self-confidence and ambition. The artist raps about his journey to success. The beat is quite catchy and fast-paced.
96. Marvin’s Room
This song is from Drake’s 2011 album, Take Care, and it includes the rapper’s intoxicated thoughts about his ex. Loneliness, heartbreak, and yearning are the common themes in this hit song.
97. Cleanin’ Out My Closet
This sad number by Eminem discusses his complex relationship with his mother and the feelings of betrayal and abandonment that he has felt. It is a very vulnerable Eminem song, one that is loved by his fans.
98. Why Did You Leave Me
Snoop Dogg rarely raps about anything other than hoes, money, and drugs. In this number, he raps about a lost love and the heartbreak he felt with feelings of betrayal and abandonment.
99. One Day
This hit by UGK is about a person’s personal life struggles and the wish to have a better, brighter future. It is a sad yet hopeful song and I would recommend you check it out.
100. Bye Bye Baby
Nas wrote the perfect song for all cheaters out there so if you are one of them then you should check this out! The song shows the rapper’s remorse over his actions, of infidelity, that led to a breakup.
I would feel bad for the artist but really, what was he expecting?
FAQs
How did Mac Miller pass away?
The rapper tragically lost his life in 2018 from an accidental overdose involving fentanyl. The dealer that got him this drug has been found guilty of selling it as it is a huge crime.
Which rapper has the most amount of Grammy nominations?
Jay-Z, Beyonce’s husband, has the most amount of Grammy nominations among all rappers. As of 2022, it has been recorded that he has around 88 nominations throughout the entirety of his career.
How did Notorious BIG die?
The famous rapper lost his life in 1997 when he was assassinated in a drive-by shooting as he was leaving a party. The rapper was only 24 years old when he departed tragically. The rapper was shot 4 times according to his autopsy report.