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list Aug 24 2019 Written by

Top 10 Hip Hop Songs Which Use Personification

Personification means: Giving human-like characteristics to nonhuman objects.

10. Ghostface Killah ft Raekwon, Slick Rick & RZA - The Sun

Here, Ghostface Killah and company reference ‘the sun’ and explore feel-good issues. Topped off with a smooth beat and positive lyrics.

Lyrics: http://genius.com/Ghostface-killah-the-sun-lyrics

9. Atmosphere - Became

Slug (of Atmosphere), personifies life and this song is not about a woman or a dog but about someone who went on a negative path.

Lyrics: http://genius.com/Atmosphere-became-lyrics

8. MF DOOM - My Favourite Ladies

DOOM cleverly analogies different types of women to different types of drugs. With his unique flow, DOOM makes this an interesting listen.

Lyrics: http://genius.com/Mf-doom-my-favorite-ladies-lyrics

7. Nas - I Gave you Power

Nas, poetical as usual, personifies an illegal gun that travels through his neighborhood causing violence.

Lyrics: http://genius.com/Nas-i-gave-you-power-lyrics

6. Mobb Deep fto Q-Tip - Drink Away the Pain (Situations)

Prodigy and Havoc personify negative addictions. They talk about different alcoholic brands as women. Q-Tip takes a different approach with his lyrics cleverly using designer brands to talk about a situation where different people come together and take part in illegal activity.

Lyrics: http://genius.com/Mobb-deep-drink-away-the-pain-situations-lyrics

5. Elzhi - Talking in my sleep

This song is off ‘The Preface’ album and here in a unique concept track, Elzhi talks about having a dream and personifies many things in his dream. With clever wordplay, this had to be included in this list.

Lyrics: http://genius.com/Elzhi-talking-in-my-sleep-lyrics

4. Eminem - 25 to life

Eminem rehashes a more common concept in Hip Hop (no pun intended), where he personifies Hip Hop as a woman. Over a DJ Khali beat, this passionate track discusses Eminem’s relationship to Hip Hop however, at first glance, it sounds like it’s an emotional letter to an abusive ex-lover.

Lyrics: http://genius.com/Eminem-25-to-life-lyrics

3. Nas - Project Roach

Nas takes on the persona of a bug/cockroach/beetle and takes you on a walk through the ghetto. Nas always has an amazing ability to make you picture his surroundings so vividly. He doesn’t disappoint here.

Lyrics: http://genius.com/Nas-project-roach-lyrics

2. Organized Konfusion - Stray Bullet

Organized Konfusion (Pharoahe Monch and Prince Po) take on the persona of a bullet and describe the journey of the bullet. It has great storytelling with a lot of energy behind it.

Lyrics: http://genius.com/Organized-konfusion-stray-bullet-lyrics

1. Common - I Used To Love H.E.R.

Off the classic ‘Resurrection’ album by Common. He bravely talks about Hip Hop but portrays her as a woman and her life. This is the track that caused Ice-Cube to feud with him as he took offense as he thought Common was dissing gangster rap. Common takes you through a journey of how Hip Hop/the woman changed throughout her years.

Lyrics: http://genius.com/Common-i-used-to-love-her-lyrics

Honorable Mentions

  • Cunninlynguists – Beautiful Girl
  • Zion I – Birds Eye View
  • Kanye West – Homecoming
  • Lupe Fiasco – Daydreamin’
  • Outkast – Da Art of Storytellin’ Part 2 (First verse)
  • Blu – Amnesia
  • K Koke – My B*tch
  • Masta Ace ft. Jean Grae – Hold U
  • The Roots Ft. Common – Act Too… The Love of my Life
  • MF GRIMM – My House
  • MF DOOM – Kookies
  • Wale FT. Curren$y & J. Cole – Rather Be
  • Sticky Fingaz feat. Raekwon – Money Talks
  • Jay Z – Girls Best Friend
  • J. Cole – Lights Please
  • Pharoahe Monch – When The Gun Draw
  • Nas – Money Is My B….
  • NaS ft. Busta Rhymes – Fried Chicken
  • Cam’ron- D’Rugs
  • 2Pac – Me And My Girlfriend
  • Jeru The Damaja – Can’t Stop The Prophet
  • Krs-One – I Can’t Wake Up
  • Styles-P – Nobody Believes Me
  • 50 Cent – Baltimore Love Thing
  • Lupe Fiasco – Gotta Eat
  • Spice 1 – 187 Proof
  • Papoose – Sharades

Written by

Just a 'real Hip Hop head' but not like most real Hip Hop heads. One day I hope 'real Hip Hop' floods the mainstream one day, not just one or two songs that break through here or there! Grew up dysfunctionally and h…

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