Three Surprising Rap Hits: Lyrics That Stunned and Astonished
Rap music has come a long way since its inception, but some of the most memorable tracks have surprising lyrics that were initially met with disbelief. Let's explore three examples that even seasoned hip hop fans found hard to believe came from the pens of these rappers.
Case 1 of 3: In da Club by 50 Cent – Memorably Basic
In da Club, 50 Cent's debut single off his 2003 album Get Rich or Die Tryin', is one of those tracks that many found to be unimaginative and basic. The song's opening line, "Go shorty. It's your birthday. We gon party like it's your birthday. We gon sip Bacardi like it's your birthday. And you know we don't give a f if it's not your birthday," is so generic and repetitive that it's hard to take seriously.
Lyrics: "Go shorty. It's your birthday. We gon party like it's your birthday. We gon sip Bacardi like it's your birthday. And you know we don't give a f if it's not your birthday."
Despite the song's simple and repetitive lyrics, 50 Cent's raw energy and the basic beat made the track a hit. The goofy buck-toothed grin in the video and the pitchy attempt at singing contributed to the overall memorable quality of the track. While older hip hop fans criticized the newcomer, younger audiences latched onto the song, contributing to its success on the Billboard charts.
Case 2 of 3: Bodak Yellow by Cardi B – Crappy Yet Popular
Bodak Yellow, Cardi B's hit single from 2017, features lyrics like "And I just checked my accounts. Turns out Im rich. Im rich. I put my hand above my hip. I bet you dip he dip she dip." The song's repetitive and simplistic nature left many hip hop enthusiasts confused as to why it gained such widespread popularity.
Despite Cardi B's success, many music critics and fans felt that her lyrics were subpar compared to other talented female emcees like Missy Elliott, MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, and Lauryn Hill. While the song was praised for its impact, many believed that the level of artistry was lacking.
Case 3 of 3: Eazy-Duz-It by Eazy-E – Revolutionary Profanity
Eazy-Duz-It, released in 1988 by Eazy-E, was a groundbreaking track that paved the way for future hip hop artists. The song featured 34 curse words, which was highly unusual for that period in the genre when music was generally clean.
Despite the controversial nature of the lyrics, the track still managed to gain recognition through word-of-mouth and respect from the hip hop community. The use of profanity and slang contributed to the song's revolutionary impact and helped propel N.W.A. to legendary status.
This track, combined with the release of N.W.A.'s album, Straight Outta Compton, transformed the gangsta rap genre and paved the way for future artists like Cardi B to explore more explicit themes without fear of radio backlash.
While these tracks may seem basic or inappropriate to some, they undeniably played a crucial role in shaping the modern hip hop landscape, demonstrating that sometimes, the unlikeliest of lyrics can become monumental hits.