We decided to write an article about the five essential hip hop tracks that explore the concept of money from different angles, with some amazing lyrics thrown in for good measure.
Ready? Let’s dive in.
All For Tha Cash by Gang Starr
When you put on Gang Starr's All for Tha Cash, you’ll realize that isn't just a song about money; it’s a commentary on how the system is stacked against those at the “bottom” of society.
Gang Starr tells the story of the harsh conditions that fuel the chase for wealth. He speaks of "concrete jungles" and "economic woes," the two main features of a life on the streets.
Hip-hop may often be associated with arrogance, but this track leaves that out. Instead, the verses show a humble knowledge of the sacrifices made in the name of financial security.
Yet it isn’t all doom and gloom. The lyrics show a quiet determination, a refusal to give in to the hardships that life throws their way. It’s a song that recognizes the brighter future that may be within reach if the stars align.
It Was a Good Day by Ice Cube
Ice Cube’s classic 90s track is a feel-good hit that’s talking about having fun, with a little money-making on the side.
One of the verses mentions a trip to a place where making money is anything but guaranteed, though – the local casino. While there, the rapper plays the popular game craps, a game that doesn’t get talked about as much thanks to the rise of online slots and other internet games.
The lyrics: What’s the haps on the craps? Shake ’em up, shake ’em up, shake ’em up, shake ’em” sum up the excitement he feels at the table, and he gets lucky by winning several hands.
The song touches on other themes, but it’s his light-hearted take on winning a little money that raises a smile.
Money Trees by Kendrick Lamar (ft. Jay Rock)Kendrick knows how important money is to the history of hip-hop, from his own mean streets of Compton to the housing projects of Watts.
Money Trees is a recognition of that, a chronicle of the long shadow, or shade, that wealth casts over people living in these places. Kendrick, along with Jay Rock, does a great job of spelling out the hunger for money that dominated their lives growing up.
Lyrics talking about cooking crack and eating government cheese paint this picture in its grim reality, while at the same time offering a ray of hope to today’s kids that are in the position he was in.
A typical Kendrick masterclass in cutting lyricism and dramatic storytelling, this track is a must-listen.
Get Money by Junior M.A.F.I.A (ft. Notorious B.I.G)
In this song, the focus shifts to the battle of the sexes.
Biggie, angry at a woman who betrayed his trust for material gain, blasts those people who prioritize money over love. Lil' Kim, meanwhile, hits back with a fierce declaration of independence, celebrating her own financial power and rejecting the "games and lies" of men who chase her for her money.
This "money over men" mentality lives on in current generations of female rappers, including today’s superstars like Nicki Minaj and Megan Thee Stallion, and this 90s track is a perfect prelude delivered via Kim’s cutting lyrics.
C.R.E.A.M by Wu-Tang ClanWhat does C.R.E.A.M stand for? Answer: "Cash Rules Everything Around Me," a fitting explanation of the influence of money in our lives.
Raekwon and Inspectah Deck’s raw verses channel the harsh realities of the drug game, as well as the violence and incarceration that accompany the pursuit of wealth.
Like many hip-hop tracks about money, these rhymes are a warning to young hustlers, delivered by veterans who have seen the true cost of chasing the almighty dollar.
Brutal, powerful, and to-the-point, this Wu-Tang track is up there with their very best.
