Videos by According2HipHop
New York City is the birthplace of hip-hop. So naturally the Empire State has birthed some of the coldest emcees that were itching to talk about their upbringing. Here are four rap songs that defined life in the five boroughs.
Lloyd Banks Southside Story
Lloyd Banks is known as the punch line king. The former G-Unit member put on a storytelling masterclass in his debut album Hunger For More. One of the songs on the album, appropriately named Southside Story pays homage to Banks’ hometown of Southside Jamaica, Queens. Banks recounts stories from his childhood as seen from his perspective. From drive-by shootings to Turf Wars and everything in between, Southside Story perfectly encapsulates what the upbringing of a New York City youth was like in the 1990s. Although Southside Story is not mentioned a lot when it comes to Banks’ discography, it is an underrated gem for sure.
Biggie Smalls – Juicy
As one of the best storytellers in hip-hop history, Biggie left very little to the imagination. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Juicy is among the most notable tracks in his career, because it details not only the good part of his life where he became a successful rap star, it also shows the hardships that he faced as a lower-class child growing up in the underserved community of Bed-Stuy Brooklyn in the 70s and 80s. But Juicy also details how someone can take a tragedy and turn it into something beautiful. And Biggie explains how the tragedies that he faced growing up, made the victories he enjoyed as a young adult that much sweeter.
Jay-Z Featuring Alicia Keys – Empire State of Mind
Jay-Z is New York’s native son. So naturally, he has countless songs that pay homage to the city that raised him. But if there was one song that sticks out, it is his 2009 track Empire State of Mind. Hov taps fellow New York City artist, Alicia Keys, as the duo raps about the “concrete jungle” that raised them. Unless many songs about New York City, Jay-Z doesn’t just rap about the bad parts of New York City. He raps about the good parts too, and tells of the things that make him prideful about his hometown. Along with the things that were pivotal in his upbringing.
Cam’ron (Feat. Juelz Santana & Jay-Z)- Welcome to New York City
Cam’ron’s Come Home With Me is the most celebrated album in his discography. The song Welcome to New York City could not have come at a better time. The track was released just months after the September 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center which claimed thousands of lives. The track which features Jay-Z and Juelz Santana in a sense united the city. When Juelz raps It’s the home of 9-11, the place of the lost Towers We still banging, we never lost power, tell ’em,” It’s not just a rap lyric. It’s a call to action. The song would go on to be used by several New York City area sports teams such as the New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, and New York Yankees.
