The Soft, Positive Side of Hip-Hop

Mos Def and Talib Kweli – “Brown Skin Lady”

Arguably, two of hip-hop’s best lyricists introduced this positive and celebratory song on their classic album.  This outstanding song bespeaks of Mos and Kweli’s fondness and appreciation for the complete woman and ethnic beauty and intelligence.

Memorable lyrics from the song:

Fresher than Tony Rebel’s vestibules at African street festivals

My incredible women is, plentiful

Over the years I met a few, none of them compare to you

Preparin you to make food bearable, somethin terrible, let’s see:

you fruitful, beautiful, smart, lovable, huggable

Doable like art, suitable to be part of my life (© Talib Kweli

LL Cool J – “I Need Love”

One of the most well known hip-hop ballads to ever hit the musical landscape.   “Uncle L” put forth this masterpiece over 20 years ago, and it still remains as arguably one of the best hip-hop ballads of all time.

Memorable lyrics from the song:

See what I mean I’ve changed I’m no longer

a play boy on the run I need something that’s stronger

Friendship, trust honor respect admiration

this whole experience has been such a revelation

It’s taught me love and how to be a real man

to always be considerate and do all I can

Protect you you’re my lady and you mean so much

my body tingles all over from the slightest touch (© LL Cool J)

Eric B. and Rakim – “Mahogany”

This legendary duo is best known for their classic hits such as “Paid in Full,” “Don’t Sweat the Technique,” and “I Ain’t No Joke.”  But, avid listeners of hip-hop know that Ra ripped some of his best lyrics on the famous lyrical ballad, “Mahogany.”

Memorable lyrics from the song:

She asked how come I don’t smile

I said, “Everything’s fine, but I’m in a New York state of mind!”

As we reached the kingdom, she said bring some

Champagne, she’ll entertain then sing some

Sentimental, songs real gentle,

It hit the spot and you know where it went to

As we embraced I felt her heart pumpin’

I knew she was in the mood for somethin’

So I laid on my back and relaxed

It wasn’t the Perignon that made her collapse

Over me (©Rakim)

The Roots ft. Jill Scott – “Complexity”

The legendary crew is widely known for delivering excellent lyrical ballads to the global hip-hop community over the years, including “Silent Treatment,” “You Got Me,” and “Break You Off.”  But, one of the hidden gems of The Roots collection is their masterpiece, “Complexity,” that features the jazzy and soulful voice of Jill Scott and describes the complex trials that couples go through.

Memorable lyrics from the song:

Eyes racing back and forth listening to Chaka Khan

Trying to figure the cause why you always acting off

like I’m slacking off

Maybe our signal’s getting crossed

For the case Love, you feel like you making a waste of

Your precious time you need to get a taste of

Some space to breathe, a moment as friends

We should’ve felt ourselves slipping into it again

Cuz it’s like off and on, on and off

Passion, lost and found, found and lost

Clashing, asking for nothing but understanding

Your hearts made of glass, use care when handling

Girl, all in all I never leave you stranded

Cuz my respect you commanded, you figure it out (© Black Thought, The Roots)

Common – “The Light”

The hip-hop legend and actor has blessed listeners with classics such as “I Used to Love Her,” “Resurrection,” and “U, Black Maybe.”  But, one of Common’s best hip-hop songs is “The Light,” which he celebrates the inner and outer beauty of a woman.

Memorable lyrics from the song:

I never knew a luh, luh-luh, a love like this

Gotta be somethin for me to write this

Queen, I ain’t seen you in a minute

Wrote this letter, and finally decide to send it

Signed sealed delivered for us to grow together

Love has no limit, let’s spend it slow forever (© Common)

A Tribe Called Quest – “Electric Relaxation”

Arguably, the best hip-hop group of all time put forth this smooth, laid-back groove for lovers, and the sound and lyrics are still as refreshing as the early 1990s when it first hit the streets.

Memorable lyrics from the song:

Honey, check it out, you got me mesmerized

With your black hair and fat a** thighs

Street poetry is my everyday

But yo, I gotta stop when you trot my way (© Q-Tip, A Tribe Called Quest)

Pete Rock and CL Smooth – “Searching”

The legendary duo from Mount Vernon introduced some of hip-hop most memorable ballads such as “Lots of Lovin,” “Take You There,” “I Got A Love,” and “It’s A Love Thing.”  But, perhaps, their most hypnotic and sensual ballad is “Searching,” which utilizes a beautiful sampling of Roy Ayers’ classic song with the same title.

Memorable lyrics from the song:

You’re everything that I dream about, talk about

Walk around and brag about, cause I don’t give a d*** about

What they say, what he say, or she say

I’m addicted like drugs to your loving, but hey

You got me strung like I’m young and it’s crazy

You’re making me nervous, I don’t deserve this, I’m Swayze

I wish I could be but you really got a hold on me (© CL Smooth)

Method Man ft. Mary J. Blige– “You’re All I Need”

Who can forget this masterpiece from the tandem of Mary J. and the Wu’s Method ?  “You’re all I need; I’ll be there for you.”  Enough said.

Memorable lyrics from the song:

Back when I was nuttin’

You made a brother feel like he was something

That’s why I’m with you to this day boo no frontin

Even when the skies were gray

You would rub me on my back and say “Baby it’ll be okay” (© Method Man)

Common ft. Mary J. Blige – “Come Close”

With a sound similar to A Tribe Called Quest’s “Bonita Applebaum,” Common and Mary J. Blige not only put forth one of the most positive songs in hip-hop history but also one of the most beautiful videos.

Memorable lyrics from the song:

You help me to discover me

I just want you to put trust in me

I kind of laugh when you cuss at me

The aftermath is you touching me

It’s destiny to we connected girl

You and i we can affect the world

I’m tired of the fast lane

I want you to have my last name (© Common)

Snoop Dogg ft. Pharrell – “Perfect”

With “Uncle” Charlie Wilson singing on the track, Snoop delivers this laid-back hip-hop love song produced by Pharrell Williams.

Memorable lyrics from the song:

Lovable, and yeah you’re pursuable

Everything is beautiful, even down to your cuticles

It ain’t about me, it’s all about you

You make me do what you want me to

Yeah, it’s just like that

Here go my number baby girl why don’t you get right back

You’re a, perfect dime, I’m workin mine

Just the thought of me and you I mean it’s blowin my mind (© Snoop Dogg)