“Dear Mama” is the song that made it OK to admit: even if they kill people and sell drugs, deep down, thugs are all sensitive mama’s boys.
It was the third hip-hop act ever (after Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five’s “The Message”“ and Public Enemy’s album, Fear of a Black Planet) to be placed in the Library of Congress.
Tupac’s mom, Afeni Shakur, died on May 2nd, 2016.
Watch Tupac talk about this song in the video below:
Look around you in this studio right now. I have women working on my music. They understand where I’m coming from. So does my mama. I always play my music for her before it comes out. Why do you think I wrote ‘Dear Mama’? I wrote it for my mama because I love her and I felt I owed her something deep. (2Pac, 1995)
To see annotations on this song by the cast and author of the Broadway musical Holler If Ya Hear Me, which tells a powerful story of today using Pac’s music, see here
In Eminem’s tribute letter 2Pac he states that even though he had a bad relationship with his Mom; “I could put ‘Dear Mama’ in and damn near be in tears.”
A police state is one in which the government exercises rigid and repressive controls over the social, economic, and political life of the population. A police state typically exhibits elements of totalitarianism and social control, and there is usually little or no distinction between the law and the exercise of political power by the executive. (Wikipedia)
In their politically-conscious style of hip-hop, Dead Prez repeatedly call attention to the way in which Black America exists in a police state within mainstream US society. From the School to Prison-Pipeline, to the War on Drugs, to Prison Industrial Complex, to the stripping of certain rights or welfares for the formerly incarcerated, the lives of Black Americans are restricted and exploited through US government policies. In this song, they call for a violent but justified revolution against this systematic oppression.
The song “Humble” by Kendrick Lamar has made significant waves in the music industry since its release in 2017. Known for its catchy beat and thought-provoking lyrics, the track explores various themes and offers an insight into Lamar’s perspective on society, success, and self-confidence.
In essence, “Humble” serves as a commentary on the current state of hip-hop culture, as well as a call for individuals to embrace their own flaws and prioritize humility over arrogance. The song’s opening line, “Wicked or weakness, you gotta see this,” sets the stage for Lamar’s exploration of the dichotomy between good and evil, strength and vulnerability.
On the ironically braggadocious track “HUMBLE.” Kendrick Lamar challenges his competition. It was released a week after the first promotional single, “The Heart Part 4,” with a music video directed by Dave Meyers and The Little Homies. It features religious imagery mixed with urban life, such as Kendrick in priest’s robes and a moving re-enactment of Leonardo Da Vinci’s painting The Last Supper—juxtaposing this with the concept of humility in the chorus.
On a religious note, the song could also be a reference to the verse James 4:7.
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
—Thus linking to April 7th, the date Kendrick told the industry to have their shit together.
Mike WiLL Made-It produced the beat. It features a deep piano riff and a banging 808 bass line. This style of production is a departure from the sound of Kendrick’s previous jazz-influenced project, To Pimp a Butterfly. It seems to reference the character Deebo’s theme song from the popular comedy movie Friday (1995). Kendrick is also shown riding through the neighborhood on a bicycle in the music video, similar to Deebo in Friday.
The song debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 on April 22, 2017, making it not only the highest charting song for Kendrick, but also one of the highest debuting hip-hop singles since “Love the Way You Lie” by Eminem. The song later hit No. 1 on the chart on June 5, 2017, making it Lamar’s first solo No. 1 song and second No. 1 song overall on the charts.
“Homicide" is the third single released from Logic’s 2019 album, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind.
The track exhibits Logic and Eminem’s rapid-fire flows. The title seems to assert that they are lyrically murdering their detractors and non-lyrical rappers.
In a 2018 interview with HardKnockTV, Logic shared his thoughts on Eminem and his desire to collaborate with him:
It was awesome […] to be recognized by one of my favorite MCs of all time, one of my favorite artists […] I fuck with him. I want to work with him. I want to do a song with him. I think that could be pretty cool.
Logic, the renowned American rapper, captivated the music world with his hit single, “Homicide.” Released in 2019, this compelling track features lyricism and storytelling that leaves listeners in awe. As one delves into the meaning of the song, it becomes evident that Logic explores various themes, including fame, competition, and the rapper’s own journey within the music industry.
The song ‘Homicide’ by Logic featuring Eminem is one of the most popular hip-hop tracks of 2019. The song, which starts with a voice message from comedian Chris D’Elia, has become a cultural phenomenon. While it might seem like another mainstream rap song, there is much more to it than first meets the ear. This article will explore the meaning behind the ‘Homicide’ song, its lyrics, and its impact on society.
The song that quite possibly got 50 Cent shot – and maybe Jam Master Jay as well. 50 names plenty of names of old-time Queens drug dealers.
From Vibe:
You’ve come under attack for violating the code of the streets with songs like “Ghetto Qu'ran,” where you mention names. Is that a fair criticism?
Everything that’s in “Ghetto Qu'ran” is in Cop Shot—a book in the fucking library. Everything in that song was in the newspapers at the time that it went on. The shit that these niggas is talking don’t make fucking sense.
In “Passin' Me By,” The Pharcyde refer to the aphorism of someone being “out of your league”—no matter how much you long for someone, it doesn’t mean that your wish will come true.
The song is the second single from The Pharcyde’s debut album, Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde.
It peaked at #1 on the Hot Rap Singles, #52 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #28 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks charts in the spring of 1993. Later, Pitchfork Media included the song at #41 on their Top 200 Tracks of the 90’s.
This is Raekwon’s response to 50 Cent’s song “How to Rob”. In the song, 50 cent talked about robbing different rappers. Specifically, he said he would rob Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, RZA, and Ol' Dirty Bastard.
Catch Rae, Ghost and RZA for them funny ass rings.
I’d rob ODB, but that’d be a waste of time
Probably have to clap him, run and toss the 9.
Raekwon responds to 50 cent by threatening to kick his ass and by insulting him
50 fantasizes robbing the era’s biggest of rapper and singers; many of his targets clapped back (and 50 appreciated the publicity!)
Although he’s fully famous now, 50 still engages in “beef marketing” (e.g. a blatantly corporate scheme with Kanye West and silly jabs at Jadakiss and Fat Joe)
Two excellent commentaries on the song:
From Combat Jack
From Trackmasters
And as said in Beef (2003):
?50 Cent’s “How To Rob” mocked a new phenomenon. An MC dissing dozens of artists, who take his threats seriously and his disses personally.
This single off 50’s first (unreleased) album Power of the Dollar came out in 1999 and made him almost famous.
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