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Hip-hop songs, explained.

Rap's biggest records decoded: the samples, the double meanings, the beefs and the lines that only make sense once you know who they are aimed at.

58

Songs explained

48

Artists

Hip-Hop

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58 songs

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¥$: Ye, Ty Dolla Sign, Rich the Kid, Playboi Carti CarnivalWhat 'Carnival' by ¥$ — Ye and Ty Dolla $ign, featuring Rich The Kid and Playboi Carti — actually is: a football-terrace chant recorded by Inter Milan's Curva… 2024 2Pac & Dr. Dre California LoveCelebrate the West Coast anthem 'California Love' by 2Pac and Dr. Dre. Explore its origin, lyrical shout-outs, G-funk production, chart dominance, iconic music… 1995 50 Cent In Da ClubUncover the meaning, impact, and cultural significance of 50 Cent's iconic hit 'In Da Club.' Explore its infectious beat, lyrical themes, and legacy in hip-hop… 2003 50 Cent featuring Olivia Candy ShopDiscover the meaning, lyrics, and cultural impact of 'Candy Shop' by 50 Cent featuring Olivia. Explore themes, chart success, production, and more on… A$AP Rocky ft. J. Cole Ruby RosaryAnalyze the lyrics and meaning of 'Ruby Rosary' by A$AP Rocky featuring J. Cole. Explore the themes of legacy, luxury, and the lyrical prowess of two hip-hop… Black Eyed Peas Where Is the Love?Uncover the poignant message and social commentary behind Black Eyed Peas' iconic hit 'Where Is the Love?' Explore its themes of global issues, its lyrics… 2003 Cardi B Bodak YellowDelve into the raw energy, unapologetic lyrics, and meteoric rise of Cardi B's breakthrough hit, 'Bodak Yellow.' Uncover its themes, impact, and cultural… Cardi B UpDive into the boldness, empowerment themes, and cultural impact of Cardi B's hit 'Up.' Discover its lyrics, chart success, and the story behind its creation. 2021 Childish Gambino This Is AmericaWhat 'This Is America' means: the Jim Crow pose, the guns wrapped in red cloth, the choir, the dancing as distraction — and the surprising thing Donald Glover… 2018 Coolio ft. L.V. Gangsta's ParadiseDelve into the poignant lyrics, historical context, and lasting impact of Coolio's 'Gangsta's Paradise' featuring L.V. Explore its themes of struggle, faith… Dave & Tems RaindanceExplore the meaning behind 'Raindance' by Dave and Tems. Analyze the lyrics, the UK rap/Afrobeats collaboration, and its chart-topping success. Drake God's PlanDelve into the heartfelt message, inspiring origins, and massive popularity of Drake's 'God's Plan.' Uncover its meaning, chart domination, and cultural impact. Drake Janice STFUWhat Drake's 'Janice STFU' means: who Janice actually is, the Sopranos sample behind the title, the Lykke Li interpolation, and Drake's fourteenth Hot 100… 2026 Drake Started from the BottomDelve into the rags-to-riches narrative of Drake's 'Started From The Bottom,' exploring themes of ambition, loyalty, and success. 2013 Drake What's NextDive into the introspective lyrics, dynamic production, and chart-topping success of Drake's hit 'What's Next.' Discover its themes, musical composition, and… 2021 Drake and 21 Savage Jimmy CooksDive into the lyrical prowess, cultural influence, and chart-topping success of Drake and 21 Savage's collaboration 'Jimmy Cooks.' Discover its themes, chart… 2022 Drake, Future, and Young Thug Way 2 SexyDive into the playful bravado, catchy beats, and cultural impact of Drake's hit 'Way 2 Sexy' featuring Future and Young Thug. Discover its lyrics, chart… 2021 Eminem Lose YourselfDelve into the raw emotion, intense narrative, and powerful message of Eminem's 'Lose Yourself.' Discover its lyrics, chart domination, and lasting impact on… 2002 Eminem StanWhat Eminem's 'Stan' means: four letters, three from an obsessive fan and one reply that arrives too late — the song that put a word into the dictionary. 2000 Fergie London BridgeWhat Fergie's 'London Bridge' means: she called it a punch in the face announcing her solo career. The Tower of Power sample, the 79-place chart jump, and the… 2006 Flo Rida Right roundDive into the energetic beats, lyrical content, and global success of Flo Rida's hit 'Right Round.' Discover its themes, production, and cultural footprint. Future ft. Drake & Tems Wait For UDive deep into the themes and meaning of 'Wait For U' by Future featuring Drake and Tems. Explore its lyrics, production, and cultural impact. 2022 Future, Metro Boomin, and Kendrick Lamar Like ThatDive into the intricate themes, innovative production, and cultural significance of 'Like That' by Future, Metro Boomin, and Kendrick Lamar. Discover its… 2023 Gunna & Burna Boy WGFTAnalyze the lyrics and meaning of 'WGFT' by Gunna featuring Burna Boy. Explore the fusion of trap and afro-fusion, and the celebration of success and nightlife. Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX FancyDive into the sharp wit, confident swagger, and cultural impact of Iggy Azalea's 'Fancy' featuring Charli XCX. Explore its themes, production, and legacy. Jack Harlow First ClassDive into the smooth flow, catchy hooks, and cultural influences of Jack Harlow's hit 'First Class.' Discover its lyrics, chart performance, and impact. 2022 Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys Empire State of MindUncover the triumphant spirit and iconic lyrics of 'Empire State of Mind' by Jay-Z ft. Alicia Keys. Explore its themes of ambition, success, and its legacy as… 2009 Kanye West StrongerUncover the empowering meaning, groundbreaking production, and cultural impact of Kanye West's iconic hit 'Stronger.' Explore its Daft Punk sample, themes of… 2007 Kendrick Lamar AlrightDive deep into Kendrick Lamar's 'Alright,' an anthem of hope and resilience. Explore its lyrics, themes of Black empowerment, cultural impact, and its role in… 2015 Kendrick Lamar LutherExplore the raw honesty, aspirational dreams, and formative struggles in Kendrick Lamar's unreleased track 'Luther.' Delve into its potent lyrics, thematic… 2010 Kendrick Lamar Not Like UsDive into the powerful narrative, lyrical prowess, and cultural influence of Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us.' Discover its themes, chart success, and impactful… 2023 Kendrick Lamar Squabble UpDive into the intricate layers of Kendrick Lamar's track 'Squabble Up.' Discover its themes, lyrics, and cultural significance in the world of hip-hop. 2023 Lauryn Hill Doo Wop (That Thing)Uncover the powerful message, social commentary, and musical genius of Lauryn Hill's 'Doo Wop (That Thing)'. Explore its themes, lyrics, chart success, and… Lil Baby Dead FreshWhat Lil Baby's 'Dead Fresh' means: a Pharrell-produced flex that premiered on a Louis Vuitton runway before it was a single. Credits, chart history and the… 2026 Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow Industry BabyDelve into the celebration of success, self-acceptance, and resilience in 'Industry Baby' by Lil Nas X & Jack Harlow. Discover its lyrics, themes, and cultural… 2025 Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus Old Town RoadDiscover the genre-blending phenomenon 'Old Town Road' by Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus. Explore its themes, lyrics, cultural impact, and musical composition. 2025 Lil Uzi Vert What You SayingAnalyze the lyrics and meaning of 'What You Saying' by Lil Uzi Vert. Explore the high-fashion references, the energetic Jersey Club influence, and Uzi's… Lizzo Truth HurtsUncover the empowering message, self-love anthem, and cultural impact of Lizzo's hit 'Truth Hurts.' Explore its themes, chart success, and iconic lyrics. 2017 Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Thrift ShopDelve into the humor, cultural commentary, and catchy beat of Macklemore & Ryan Lewis's 'Thrift Shop.' Uncover its lyrics, chart dominance, and social… MC Hammer U Can't Touch ThisUnpack the infectious energy, iconic dance moves, and lasting cultural impact of MC Hammer's 'U Can't Touch This.' Discover its sample origins, chart… Megan Thee Stallion HissDive into the fierce empowerment, bold lyrics, and cultural impact of Megan Thee Stallion's 'Hiss.' Discover its themes, chart performance, and more. 2023 Missy Elliott Work ItDelve into the innovative sound, empowering message, and cultural impact of Missy Elliott's groundbreaking hit 'Work It.' Explore its lyrics, chart dominance… Missy Elliott ft. Ciara & Fatman Scoop Lose ControlDive into the infectious energy and groundbreaking sounds of Missy Elliott's 'Lose Control' featuring Ciara & Fatman Scoop. Explore the song's meaning… Nelly DilemmaUncover the story behind Nelly and Kelly Rowland's hit song 'Dilemma.' Explore its themes, lyrics, chart success, and cultural impact. A detailed analysis. Nelly Hot in HerreDive into the infectious energy, cultural impact, and lyrical breakdown of Nelly's iconic hit 'Hot in Herre.' Explore its themes, chart success, and legacy in… Nicki Minaj Super BassDive into the electrifying world of Nicki Minaj's 'Super Bass.' Explore its playful lyrics, infectious beat, cultural impact, and evolution of female… Nicki Minaj Super Freaky GirlDive into the bold and playful energy of Nicki Minaj's 'Super Freaky Girl.' Discover its themes, chart success, and cultural influence. 2022 OutKast Hey Ya!Delve into the infectious energy, lyrical wit, and cultural impact of OutKast's 'Hey Ya!'. Discover its blend of genres, themes of relationships, and lasting… Polo G RapstarDive deep into the introspective journey, lyrical mastery, and cultural significance of Polo G's hit 'Rapstar.' Discover its themes, chart performance, and… 2021 Post Malone RockstarDive into the dark, hedonistic world of Post Malone's 'Rockstar.' Explore the song's themes, trap-infused production, and cultural impact. Discover its lyrics… Public Enemy Fight the PowerThe meaning and making of Public Enemy's 'Fight the Power': Spike Lee's commission, the Bomb Squad's dense production and a protest anthem built for motion. 1989 Salt-N-Pepa ShoopDive into the infectious energy and empowering message of Salt-N-Pepa's 'Shoop.' Explore its lyrics, catchy beat, cultural impact, and enduring legacy as a… Shaboozey A Bar Song (Tipsy)Dive into the vibrant world of Shaboozey's 'A Bar Song (Tipsy)', exploring its lyrical themes, musical composition, and cultural impact. Discover the song's… 2022 Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa Young, Wild & FreeDiscover the meaning, lyrics, and cultural impact of 'Young, Wild & Free' by Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa. Explore its carefree message, production, and chart… The Black Eyed Peas Boom Boom PowDive into the futuristic sound, lyrical innovation, and cultural impact of The Black Eyed Peas' hit 'Boom Boom Pow.' Discover its lyrics, chart success, and… The Fugees Killing Me Softly With His SongExplore The Fugees' groundbreaking version of 'Killing Me Softly.' Dive into its themes, Lauryn Hill's iconic vocals, its hip-hop/soul fusion, chart success… 1996 Vanilla Ice Ice Ice BabyUncover the story behind Vanilla Ice's iconic hit 'Ice Ice Baby.' Explore the song's themes, chart success, and enduring cultural impact. Dive into the lyrics… Yung Miami Spend DatWhat Yung Miami's 'Spend Dat' means: luxury talk as a test of attention, power and reciprocity. The 2026 hit's hook, production and chart rise explained. 2026

About this list

Every entry sets out what a song is about and where that reading comes from: writing credits, interviews, the record's own history. Lyrics are quoted only as far as an explanation needs. Missing a song? Suggest it and it goes on the list. Back to all songs.