Quotes & Sayings About Rap And Hip Hop

I was very introverted growing up and I had small circle of friends. Any opportunity I got to rap or articulate things through rhyme or hip hop was great for me. — LeCrae

Tell 'em the truth and they call you a traitor,
Talk to 'em honestly and they call you a hater. — Immortal Technique

By denying its musical and artistic merit, hip hop's critics get to have it both ways: they can deny the legitimate artistic standing of rap while seizing on its pervasive influence as an art form to prove what a terrible effect it has on youth. — Michael Eric Dyson

I was lucky enough to see the original cast of 'In the Heights.' This one blew my mind. The infusion of Latin, hip hop and rap with musical theatre, great storytelling and talent was a powerful combination to me during a time when I'd not been moved by much! — Josh Young

What good is a beautiful dame with a Rolls-Royce frame, and a Volkswagen brain? — J-Ro

I want to marry his smile, and if his smile is already married to someone else, then I want to marry his eyebrows and eyes. They're remarkable. Nobody's ever made better use of his or her eyes or eyebrows as a rapper than Kurtis Blow. — Shea Serrano

Real, rough and rugged, shine like a gold nugget,
Every time I pick up the microphone, I drug it. — Jeru The Damaja

We got hookers with heaters that'll stray pop and put more shells in your top than Adidas. — Kool G Rap

I just need the junkies and the liars and the thieves,
I need the pimps, prostitutes and pushers out in the streets.
That's where I'm seeking God, cause that's where He found me. — Killer Mike

This one's for you, and I truly hope you hear me,
Through all your travels, I'm wishing you a peaceful journey. — Heavy D

When hip-hop was born she had no commercial home, and was an invention of beautiful creativity. Born from a beautiful struggle, today she is mostly a 'ratchet' bitch spitting nonsense from her pimp's mansion. — T.F. Hodge

I never asked to be born, and death's no question.
The sun's still shining off the same old lessons,
Then why does life feel like an educated guess?
And my thoughts are like meals ... I'm a sucker for the seconds. — Amir Mohamed

When it came to hip-hop ... I don't know. Maybe I was insecure. You know, this is the early '90s. If you were a white guy, and you were rapping, that wasn't as accepted yet. I was scared of the quiet Northeast suburbs, so I couldn't embrace my full rapper self. — Charlie Day

I guess I was a combination of House of Pain and Bobby Brown:
I was humpin' around and jumpin' around! — The Notorious B.I.G.

Nah, I don't really have to spit nothin' too complex,
I just rep for my hood, and it sound correct. — Cappadonna

I remember when I fell from my first bike:
There were no 'Are you okays?' and rarely 'Are you alrights?'
Just dirt in my pockets, handful of gravel ...
That's when I realized that getting up is only half the battle. — Big K.R.I.T.

Y'all mythological niggas is comical,
The astronomical is comin' thru like tha flu bombin' you ...
And embalmin' in your crew, too.
With the musical, mystical, magical, you know how I do. — Keith Murray

I love Dr. King, but violence might be necessary;
Cause when you live on MLK and it gets very scary,
You might have to pull your AK, send one to the cemetery. — Killer Mike

Most rappers these days is actors,
And I can't keep watching the same movie. — Mick Jenkins

Some of the hip-hop stuff people get into is exciting, because there's a passion and there's something to explain to a more mainstream audience, so you get these passionate writers who want to express their love for rap and hip-hop, which is cool. — Cameron Crowe

All we want in this life is peace, prosperity and a little paper. — Q-Tip

He doesn't even suit ya, and he's surely not your size,
I'm surprised that you slept on a heart that's worldwide. — Slimkid3

Real slow hits from the bong ...
Make me feel like Cheech,
And I'm kickin' it with Chong. — B-Real

I cannot stand no wack MC.
So step back if you please,
And don't test me, you're history. — Del Tha Funkee Homosapien

Since hip hop emerged from the South Bronx in the 1970s, it has become an international, multi-billion-dollar phenomenon. It has grown to encompass more than just rap music. Hip hop has created a culture that incorporates ethnicity, art, politics, fashion, technology and urban life." This debunks the widely accepted argument that the genre is inherently divisive. With so many factors converging to create such an intricate, informative and multi-faceted genre, whose history and impact have bridged barriers between artist and society, it is not too complicated an endeavor to understand that its relevance repudiates its notorious reputation. — Carlos Wallace

As long as I'm around the cats in the hip hop scene, they'll throw me a track and I'll write a rap over it. — Ice-T

It was Saturday night and I was feelin kinda funny,
Gold around my neck, pockets full of money. — Schoolly D

I'm actually a huge fan of hip-hop. I like hip-hop music. I love rap. I like cabaret music, as well. I just love live music and bands. — Britney Spears

Burn a Bush cause for peace he no push no button.
Killing over oil and grease, no weapons of destruction,
How can we follow a leader when this a corrupt one? — Common

He was not hip-hop's most gifted emcee. Still, Shakur may be the most influential and compelling rapper of them all, he was more than the sum of his artistic parts. — Michael Eric Dyson

You're insecure and need a blanket like Linus. — King Sun

We got to stay awake for all these lizards and snakes;
Some of them come as friends, some of them come as Jakes. — Q-Tip

Shorty, let me tell you about my only vice:
It has to do with lots of lovin', and it ain't nuttin' nice. — Q-Tip

Food for thought, eat my words with your mind:
Emcees are grapes, and grapes are crushed to wine. — MF Grimm

I come prepared with the white suit and stethoscope,
Listen to your heartbeat, delete beep beep BEEP.
Your insurance is high, but my price is cheap. — Kool Keith

You can't take the heat, get ya ass out the kitchen
Matter fact, take ya ass back in there and wash the dishes. — Ryan Montgomery

Let's test the waters ...
Love makes a splash, and you too thick to skinny-dip. — Pusha T

I rap for listeners, blunt heads, fly ladies and prisoners — Nas

I pledge allegiance to the fair and balanced truth.
Not the biased truth,
Not the liest truth,
But the highest truth. — Nas

I used to do more melodic stuff, and I used to do more actual rap - like traditional hip hop vocals. I think my method of storytelling has led me to this point, at which I want to pare down my style. I think I give the lyrics more thought, and then when I try to perform the lyrics over the track I'll try it over and over again, and eventually the lyrics will sink into the track by the way I project them. — Galcher Lustwerk

Whether or not you agreed with the group's incendiary style, one thing most people will agree on: N.W.A had a deep, trans-formative and lasting effect on hip hop ideology. — Carlos Wallace

I chop 'em into salad and my name ain't Caesar. — Black Thought

For a long period of time, the media covered rap music and hip hop the same way they cover a lot of black people, people of color, you know, the bad news happens to be news. They used to have these little stupid colloquialisms that pop up like, "You know what? No news is bad news!" They trick the masses into thinking that any news is great for you. And I just think that's a piece of crap. — Chuck D

Feed me hip-hop and I start tremblin' — Rakim

I love ... different kinds of music. I like classical music and pop music. I like alternative, and I like rap, hip-hop, and I kind of collected all these things that I love, and they infused my sensibilities, and I just wanted to sing because it felt like it needed to come out of me. — Rachel Platten

If you are what you say you are
A superstar
Then have no fear
The camera's is here
and the microphones and they wanna know
Oh oh oh oh yeah
If you are what you say you are
Then have no fear — Lupe Fiasco

It's weak to speak and blame somebody else
... When you destroy yourself. — Chuck D

The misconception is that the genre is a breeding ground for negativity; that it is the birthplace of violence and misogynistic attitudes, and the genesis of every kind of unfavorable stereotype imaginable. When, in fact, if looked at through the lens of neutrality and open-mindedness, the virtues of hip hop far outweigh the negative stigma attached to it. — Carlos Wallace

God really exists, I tell you like this:
It resides inside.
And anybody tell you different,
Just selling you religion,
Tryin' to keep your ass in line. — Killer Mike

Love yourself and your expression, you can't go wrong. — KRS-One

This guy! I plead the fifth. This guy is nuts."
- Eminem
"Dope questions, man. Very insightful, very thoughtful."
- Guru (Gang Starr)
"You like a Psychiatrist or some shit? This shit is just coming out but go ahead."
- Mary J. Blige
"Definitely a real interview! Digging deep up in there, man. Not afraid to ask questions!"
- K-Ci Hailey (Jodeci)
"The Wizard asked me for a copy of your magazine."
- Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo (Daft Punk)
"You didn't wear your glasses and you haven't carried your hearing aid. What else is wrong with you?"
- Bushwick Bill
"Peace and blessing, Brother Harris. Thank you for inspiring my words. Keep 'yo balance."
- Erykah Badu
"Can I see that pen?"
- Bobby Brown
"What else do you want to know? Talk to me."
- Aaliyah — Harris Rosen

I'm into hip-hop, rap, country, blues, gospel, old school, new school ... whatever ... pop. If it's really good, I like it. I don't have to be told what to listen to. If I like it and it's good, I'll listen to it. — Toby Keith

I'm Ready to Die without a Reasonable Doubt
Smoke Chronic and hit it Doggystyle before I go out.
Until they sign my Death Certificate, All Eyez on Me
I'm still at it, Illmatic, and that's The Documentary. — Jayceon Terrell Taylor

I'd rather be broke and have a whole lot of respect.
It's the principle of it. — O.C.

I scored 1.1 on my SAT,
And still push a whip with a right and left AC. — Redman

They tell me 'find God' like I don't know where He at.
And if He lost, then why we followin' Him?
Just acknowledge the fact that a Father exists,
And a Devil's alive ... I'm just caught in the mix. — Fashawn

True originator, innovator and creator,
Thinkin' independent but I'm sayin' something major. — One Be Lo

The motivation to me is to make money and not be dependent upon the shallow pool called the entertainment world or the rap world or the hip-hop world. — Killer Mike

I think 'Country Girl' is one song that can veer into country or hip-hop or rap. You can listen to it and enjoy the humor and the fun in it. — Luke Bryan

That old ball and chain had me chained up for weeks,
So of course I'm off the chain as soon as I hit the streets. — Consequence

The world is full of bullshitters,
Liars, and triers and quitters,
Coulda-beens, wannabe's, thought-I-was, isn't-I-is's ...
And everybody in your business. — Aceyalone

The motto goes: Sex, Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll.
I prefer: Love, Hugs and Hip-Hop Soul. — Daniel Dumile

Wake up: all of that 'crack in the street' talk?
It's made up, like 'Jack and the Beanstalk.' — Sean Price

To me, it isn't tight sweaters. That's not what rap is. That's not hip-hop at all. Every phase went through changing up their dress styles and all that, but since Run DMC came out, it's been baggy jeans. — DMX

Hip-hop was a big part of my life growing up, especially West Coast gangster rap. The reason I was able to listen to it so freely was that my mom couldn't hear any of it, so we would be driving along just blaring Too $hort's horrible misogynistic stuff, and my mom would just turn to us and say, "This is great. I can feel the bass. It sounds so nice." And we're like, "Yeah, mom. We can feel the bass, too." — Moshe Kasher

I call wild niggas together like Cyrus,
And knock off more birds than the West Nile Virus. — Bumpy Knuckles

This country of ours was built on violence;
If your ass got in the way, you was killed in silence.
And these been the ways since back in the days:
Just ask the Indians or the African slaves. — Masta Ace

I believe hip hop's characteristic beliefs as a whole are misunderstood, underappreciated and highly underestimated. — Carlos Wallace

Jazz isn't as profitable for labels like Hip hop or Rap. Jazz needs subsidies to continue, just like European classical works of Bach and Beethoven are subsidized. — Jimmy Heath

This treadmill lifestyle ain't workin for me ...
It's from ya crib to ya lab to ya job to make a profit,
And at the day's end you still got nothing accomplished. — Phonte

I told her, "I got the chips if you got the dip."
She said when I dip, that I better be equipped
and keep my hand on her hips ... — Ludacris

Braniac dumb-dumbs, bust the scientifical,
Approach to the course and the force is centrifugal.
Can you find your way through the lyrics that be catchin' 'em?
Throw another rhyme across the room, they be fetchin' 'em. — Masta Ace

I've been out there 3 days and I got shot at 3 times,
Felt like every bullet hit me when they flew out each 9.
I'll be happy when I wake up and I have a free mind. — Lil Herb

We live in a society created by an empire
That's based on terror ... welcome to the One World Era,
A complete interruption to your lil' paltry-ass life,
That you thought you was livin, and what you been given. — Coolio

For what it's worth, I've been a hip-hopper from birth.
Try to disrespect, and get your ass played up like a Smurf. — Extra P

...While many who have debated the image of female sexuality have put "explicit" and "self-objectifying" on one side and "respectable" and "covered-up" on the other, I find this a flawed means of categorization. [...] There is a creative possibility for liberatory explicitness because it may expand the confines of what women are allowed to say and do. We just need to refer to the history of blues music - one full of raunchy, irreverent, and transgressive women artists - for examples. Yet the overwhelming prevalence of the Madonna/whore dichotomy in American culture means that any woman who uses explicit language or images in her creative expression is in danger of being symbolically cast into the role of whore regardless of what liberatory intentions she may have. — Imani Perry

All I want is peace and love on this planet.
Ain't that how God planned it? — Chuck D

MC's they retreat cause they know I can beat 'em,
And eat 'em in a battle and the ref won't cheat 'em.
I'm the best takin' out all rookies,
So forget Oreos ... eat Cool J cookies. — LL Cool J

You've got to realize that the world's a test,
You can only do your best and let Him do the rest.
You've got your life, and got your health,
So quit procrastinating and push it yourself. — Cee Lo Green

I don't dislike rappers or hip-hop or people who like it. I went to the Def Jam tour in Manchester in the '80s when rap was inspirational. Public Enemy were awesome. But it's all about status and bling now, and it doesn't say anything to me. — Noel Gallagher

There is genuine Hip Hop; a message that connects, rocks a crowd, and motivates a people and then there is what is left ... instead of Hip Hop we have Hip replacement. — Johnnie Dent Jr.

I would have so many friends if I help back the truth and just gave out compliments. — Drake

Putting styles on lock, and making beats by the bundle,
Scooping more props than Bryant Gumbel ... and staying humble. — Pete Rock

Damn it's a shame you're the mighty queen of vials,
With a wide-eyed look and a rotten-toothed smile.
Used to walk with a swagger, now you simply stagger
From one spot on, to the next spot on, to the next spot on, to the next ... — Sadat X

I listen to a lot of different music. I love hip-hop. I'm a big underground rap fan. I listen to the likes of J. Cole. Lately, I've also been getting into techno house music. And I've been on an Eighties retro kick, and I've even been experimenting with some rock. — Denzel Whitaker

Because hip-hop has no requirements, you deal with people that have the least intelligence on the planet. Some of the people that compare themselves to me, compare themselves to me because they rap and I rap. They can't even read the contracts that they sign to be a rapper, to do the deal. — Curtis Jackson

I write pop songs. But I think it is sprinkled with a lot of counter-culture references. It ranged from rap to hip hop to trip hop, house, drum and bass, and experimental and improv and jazz. — Nelly Furtado

Hip-hop is when you have crowd participation; when you chant at the audience and they chant back at you; when you wave your hands in the air like you just don't care; or some breakdancing. Everything today is just low-beat, real bass-y, bass-y, good rap records. — Flavor Flav

God damn! Drug dealers dealin' to the kiddies,
Livin' in the city ain't no pity on the itty-bitty.
We try to cry, but still they all die,
I try to speak to the youth, and the truth is: they all high. — Tupac Shakur

Do you ever think about when you outta here?
Record deal and video, outta here!?
Mercedes Benz and Range Rover, outta here!? — KRS-One

Never been to Sesame Street but I flip a Big Bird.
And I know "stealers" and they not from Pittsburgh ... — Cam'ron

The principles of true hip-hop have been forsaken,
It's all contractual and about money makin'. — Black Thought

Back in the day, if someone said that hip hop and rap was a fad, that was a joke to me because they just didn't know what they were talking about. In reality, there were so many people who didn't know what they were talking about it. — Jam Master Jay

The Chinamen built the railroad, the Indians saved the Pilgrim,
And in return, the Pilgrim killed 'em.
They call it it Thanksgiving, I call your holiday 'hell-day.' — Nas

If you want to speak about different ethnicities and diversity, rap and hip-hop are all over the planet. Every country, from Turkey to Australia, now has tons of hip-hop artists. The music and artistry have moved way faster than the corporatization of the music. You do need organization and opportunity for these artists to express themselves, and I don't think it has to come from a corporate co-signing. — Chuck D

I smoked with a lot of college students ...
Most of em wasn't graduatin, and they knew it. — Redman

We all seem to stumble, planning our own demise,
Getting the big picture, and making it wallet-sized. — Kendrick Lamar

And I'm telling you now the frustration
The future's facing from the anger in the nation. — C.L. Smooth

All right, stop whatcha doin, cause I'm about to ruin
The image and the style that you're used to. — Shock G

I feel like your city - with hip hop in particular, because we're always beating our chest and shouting where we're from - your city is just as influential as your parents. Even the grimy, hardcore gangster rap from New York - KRS-One and Wu Tang, the stuff acknowledges it. — Talib Kweli