The lyrics and videos of mainstream hip-hop often present a world of violence and drugs, new-found wealth and materialism, homophobia and misogyny. It doesn't have to be that way. Express your own ideas about what hip-hop should be, take a look at the songs below and let us know what you think.
Contains explicit lyrics (included for critical review and commentary).
I rock sweat pants and brown bare feet No make-up but I feel sexy Got my skin out and my hair nappy I hope you gotta sweet tooth 'cuz it's just that deep
Here I am now look at me I wonder if you can see what I see Flaws written all over me My imperfections like . . . READ MORE LYRICS »
WARNING! Contains explicit lyrics (included for critical review and commentary).
Hmm... Dogg... I meet mo' bitch niggaz than hoes - look here And I really don't know, but that's just how it go' (damn) Dogg - so many niggaz like to keep up shit And just like a bitch (beotch) niggaz be talkin' shit (nigga) Smilin' . . . READ MORE LYRICS »
Never badder than bad 'cause the brother is madder than mad At the fact that's corrupt as a senator Soul on a roll, but you treat it like soap on a rope 'Cause the beats in the lines are so dope Listen for lessons I'm saying inside music that the critics are blasting me . . . READ MORE LYRICS »
If I could change the nation there would be no more black-on-black crime No more mothers struggling, nobody on the grind Everybody in the 'hood would all get along And all the kids around the world would know right from wrong If I could change the nation... If WE could change the nation! READ MORE LYRICS »
WARNING! Contains explicit lyrics (included for critical review and commentary).
Later on that day My homey Dr. Dre came through with a gang of Tanqueray And a fat ass j, of some bubonic chronic that made me choke Shit, this ain't no joke I had to back up off of it and sit my cup . . . READ MORE LYRICS »
WARNING! Contains explicit lyrics (included for critical review and commentary).
Now these pussy niggas putting money on my head Go on and get your refund motherfucker, I ain't dead I'm the diamond in the dirt, that ain't been found I'm the underground king and I ain't been crowned When I rhyme, something special happen' every . . . READ MORE LYRICS »
Shackles and chains Yea, dem a' put 'pon me mind And make we feel a go insane Why dem want fi do that, and mash upon we brain Me tell dem, shackles and chains Dem a' put 'pon we heart Yea, and make we feel a go insane Why dem want fi do that to we and . . . READ MORE LYRICS »
This ain't paradise Not a fairy tale True story, we living on hell
There's people that's my age But their eyes are piss yellow Everybody's got issues stemming out of this ghetto Swear to God we're young men but we feel real old Tired look on my face but I'm wide awoke
