Repetition remains a reality in the rap game, and specific bars tend to get overlooked. This is an opportunity to take a closer listen and really consider what these artists have to say. We encourage your opinions.
Keep in mind, these are the most noteworthy lyrics of the week, not necessarily the best. Also, it's hard to get everything right - if you notice any errors, don't hesitate to let us know in the comments section. Lines we're not sure about will be bolded.
This series is brought to you by our collaborators at gotbars.com, currently one of the most efficient providers of the latest hip-hop and R&B lyrics. Get familiar and create an account with them to continue the discussion directly:
Most Heartfelt: Eminem - Headlights
Marshall Mathers may have proclaimed himself a rap god with the release of The Marshall Mathers LP 2, but he shows a very mortal side throughout the project that culminates in "Headlights".
Em' rose to fame bitterly bashing his mother on wax, and with this song he aims to finally apologize, not so much cleaning out his closet as restoring and organizing its contents. Whether you dig the track as a whole or not (Nate Ruess' contribution leaves something to be desired), the lyrical content is undeniably heartfelt. There's no sign of Slim Shady here.
[Excerpt]
To this day we remain estranged, and I hate it, though
'Cause you ain't even get to witness your grandbaby's growth
But I'm sorry, Mama, for 'Cleaning Out My Closet', at the time I was angry
Rightfully maybe so, never meant that far to take it, though, 'cause
Now I know it's not your fault, and I'm not makin' jokes
That song I no longer play at shows and I cringe every time it's on the radio
Hit the badge to read the rest of the words:
Most Socially Conscious: Talib Kweli - The Wormhole
"Anybody trynta convince you the Illuminati is filled with rappers, play them this song." -Talib Kweli
This Oh No-produced cut from Talib's upcoming independent album Gravitas was one of the most thought-provoking tracks that dropped this week. Talib aims to dispel the mysticism surrounding Illuminati hypotheses (especially in relation to the music industry), and brings to light the tangible, ongoing injustices in the world, reminding us to always question the powers that be.
Educate yourself.
Gravitas is scheduled to drop on December 15th.
[Excerpt]
The Federal Reserve, the World Bank and the IMF
Helpin' the poor get poorer, you in debt until your dyin' breath
The food, the vaccines, humanitarian aid
They want control of the region, they really tryna get paid
Obey thy consumer, make a product out of man
Where's the conspiracy? It's always been the plan
Hit the badge to read the rest of the words:
Best Imagery: Action Bronson - Through The Eyes Of A G
Feat. Ab-Soul
Bronson's a contender for "Best Imagery" pretty much every time. It was hard to choose the the most lyrically poignant moment from his new Blue Chips 2 mixtape with Party Supplies, but "Through The Eyes Of A G" is definitely a standout with Soulo in the cut. In the rap game, anything is possible, and these two tend to let their imaginations run wild.
The track samples The Pharcyde's "Passing Me By", by the way.
[Excerpt: Action Bronson]
I'm signin' autographs in Spanish - I live with Michael Jackson's anguish
Hop in the Vanquish and vanish off the manor in a strange manner
Aim the hammer at your dame's bladder, like it ain't matter
I smoke 'til I got down syndrome - tan gators, brown linen
Multi-colored money, seven different kinds of cheeses
My silhouette resemble Jesus in all seasons
[Excerpt: Ab-Soul]
I get bored with niggas talkin' 'bout who they used to be, what they used to do
My homie headed to court, not for a 2-on-2
Ironically, I'll have you know we do it for the sport
Or at least to keep a little gold in this uniform
I'm abnormal like a unicorn that you could get on
Cows jump over moons when my nouns and verbs move
Hit the badge to read the rest of the words:
Best Wordplay: Roc Marciano - Doesn't Last
A standout, self-produced cut from Roc Marciano's new mixtape The Pimpire Strikes Back, which is available in our mixtape section and comes highly recommended.
Marciano has a way with words, plain and simple. No one handles multisyllabic rhyming quite like this pimp renaissance emcee.
[Excerpt]
Robberies with a costume - send shots at your top, fool
We tycoons - my nigga, we are not coons - not cool
Thousand-dollar croc shoes, slidin' in 'em, you livin' like a Yaku'
I'm out in Yemen, you nibblin' on dry food
[Excerpt]
The Ralph Lauren shit I'm sportin', this is oil based
Your whore coil like a snake, scandalous like Watergate
Skipped the court date just to fornicate, warpaint face
Your mixtape's done in poor taste, I'm watchin' horses race
Coordinate with the quarter-to-eight, slipped your whore the bait
My shit is more than great, what I orchestrate
I just want my niggas to all be straight...
'Cause where I often lay it ain't coffee cake
Hit the badge to read the rest of the words:
Most Cathartic: Hopsin - Have You Seen Me?
"Issues occurred, it started back in high school when I used to get beat on / Now I hide myself with contacts, and fame's the drug I O-D on."
Hopsin recorded and dropped this new track on Thursday morning, with this disclaimer: "Just some shit I made today. I get tired of putting out organized structured music and all that label crap. I just want to rap and speak my mind... I'm tired of all the business behind it."
He bares his soul on this one, without a doubt. There's not much else to say.
"Have You Seen Me" won't be included on Hop's upcoming Knock Madness album.
[Excerpt]
A nigga feel gone, lost, ain't got no purpose
Spent a year locked in churches tryna jot these verses
But I'm stuck with these rotten curses
Every time I rap you can hear the pain burn through
'Cause I never had a real family to turn to
Hit the badge to read the rest of the words:
Most Incriminating: Doughboyz Cashout - Pure White
Feat. (Young) Jeezy & Pusha T
"Yuugh!" "Cocaine Anthem Of The Week" goes to Doughboyz Cashout, for their new record "Pure White", which features King Push and Jeezy with a Big K.R.I.T. vocal sample on the hook. The focus here is the mastery of coke trafficking - nothing more, nothing less.
Here's hoping none of the parties involved are actually still about this life...
[Excerpt: Doughboyz Cashout]
I remember when I bought my first O (pure, white cocaine)
Bagged it up with my side ho (pure, white cocaine)
Scales in the basement by the choppa (pure, white cocaine)
Sellin' powder white as my Balenciagas (pure, white cocaine)
[Excerpt: Jeezy]
You know I take it out the pack with that precision (pure, white cocaine)
And then I split it down the middle like division (pure, white cocaine)
Watch it freeze up like a freezer (pure, white cocaine)
Front him a nine, now he owe me like I'm VISA (pure, white cocaine)
[Excerpt: Pusha T]
My Rollie, my bitch Rollie, it all come from that (white cocaine)
Versace, nigga - ice hockey, nigga
It all come from that (white cocaine)
My momma 65 with a 'Rari Coupe in her name
I bought it, she signed, who the fuck do you blame?
(White cocaine)
Hit the badge to read the rest of the words:
Honorable Mention: XV - Melrose (Freestyle)
"My heart dark as my lungs, inhale a cigarette / I guess my space was met because the Internet."
Wichita, Kansas emcee XV has been MIA for a minute, but he came out the woodwork this week, laying verses on two pre-existing tracks: Scarface's "Guess Who" and Childish Gambino's verse-free "Melrose" (beating Jhene Aiko to the punch).
This "Melrose" freestyle is essentially an Internet-acknowledging nod to 'Bino and a means of reassuring his Squarian fan base. We'll be expecting more new music from the kid with the green backpack soon.
[Excerpt]
You inquire how I'll get back in the game
When I release this fire that's been trapped in my brain
Thinkin' "will I still get tired and go back to my cage?"
My team got lighter now watch me bring 'em the flame
Dyin' to find out where Hoffa been hidin' out
Eyes on the sky, mind on a Soundcloud
Hit the badge to read the rest of the words:
No Comment: Migos - Hannah Montana (Twerk Remix)
With Migos' third member Offset newly released from jail, he's been adding verses to pre-existing tracks and remixes to reestablish himself in the group. This "Twerk Remix" has brought 'Hanna Montana' back into the public consciousness, and is the first track he hopped on since getting out.
We'll leave the commentary on this one up to all of you.
Stay tuned for next week, folks, and thanks for joining the discussion.
[Hook]
Hannah Montana, Hannah Montana, Hannah Montana
Hannah Montana, Hannah Montana, Hannah Montana
I got molly, I got white - I got molly, I got white
I been trappin', trappin', trappin', trappin' all damn night
Hit the badge to read the rest of the words: