Hip Hop Twitter lives for outrage. While usually warranted, it’s often laughably tame if we stop to consider some of the disturbing over-the-top moments on wax that took place before Twitter’s 2006 launch.
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HipHopDX has compiled a list of 10 tracks that — had they been released today (assuming the same fan base/reach of each artist at the time) would warrant trending topics and endless thought pieces. They dodged a bullet.
Eminem – “Kim” (2000)
For obvious reasons, this domestic abuse nightmare didn’t have the cultural impact of a song like “Stan.” However, that does little to lessen the impact the song left on fans who all uttered a collective “WTF” the first time the standout from the GOAT rapper’s sophomore came on. Judging by the strong reaction Kamikaze caused, it’s safe to assume that Eminem stabbing his wife while screaming “bleed bitch bleed” would have caused Twitter pandemonium.
Kool G Rap – “Great Train Robbery” (1992)
There’s storytelling, and then there’s the gritty ability to paint a verbal picture that Kool G Rap has. “Great Train Robbery” was one of G Rap’s most ambitiously intense storylines. From viciously sexually assaulting a woman at gunpoint on a train to shooting police, it’s easy to imagine social media bugging out — especially considering today’s climate. That’s not to say that this song would only be possible in the 90s because things were less “PC.” Warner Brothers refused to distribute the LP (Live and Let Die) because of its lyrical content and cover art. Shocker.
Akinyele – “I Luh Her” (1993)
Before Akinyele dropped “Put It In Your Mouth,” (which would be an excellent addition to this list), he released his debut album Vagina Diner via Interscope, scoring some light buzz. This song, in particular, didn’t entirely raise as many eyebrows as it should have, but — more or less — he describes the desperate lengths he’s contemplating to avoid becoming a father. This includes straight up punching his hand through his girl’s navel. Yikes. We can only imagine the shock GIFs and emojis this song would have elicited.
RZA f. ODB – “Black Widow Part 2” (2001)
We all love ODB. We all love RZA. This song, however, is ridiculous. From the inconsistency of walking down the street to suddenly being in a car to replying “bitch shut the fuck up” to a woman screaming “Dirt Dog I don’t wanna die” during what doesn’t feel like fully consensual sex, the entire record is beyond unnecessary. It’s “Dog Shit” without any humor. Twitter would have lost it.
The Notorious B.I.G. – “Suicidal Thoughts” (1994)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GygEAcFFMVs
In a world where we are taking mental health more seriously than ever, this song comes off as revolutionary for its time. It’s easy to assume there would have been a ton of timeline dialog around the fact that there is help out there. It is probably the rawest Hip Hop example of checking on your strong friends. Puffy appears to be hearing all this for the first time (along with the listener) before Biggie ultimately takes his own life.
Bushwick Bill – “Ever So Clear” (1992)
Keeping on the theme of mental health conversations, “Ever So Clear” stands as one of the wildest Hip Hop stories ever. Geto Boy member Bushwick Bill breaks down the catalysts for his depression, which eventually leads to a disturbing encounter with a girlfriend where he threatens to drop a baby and finally gets his eye shot out. It’s the clarity/peace he finds after surviving the brutal brush with death that many Twitter users stuck in their heads would likely find inspiring.
Cam’ron – “Confessions” (1998)
This song has so many things in it that would light up Twitter timelines like a Christmas tree. An incestuous relationship with his aunt, throwing a baby at a wall, having sex with a poodle, maybe having AIDS?!? Framed as a literal church confession (making it all the more WTF), it’s odd that this song is rarely brought up. Likely, it’s because Cam buried this with so much content in the ensuing years.
The Beatnuts – “Props Ova Here (Remix)” (1994)
If the Rick Ross rape reference lost him a sneaker deal, we can only imagine the feedback that Beatnuts would have received in today times with Psycho Les’ verse on this low-key remix of their first single, “Props Ova Here.” Claiming to have stranded women on videotape trying to escape an abandoned house after you “bust nuts in their guts” could easily be triggering in the #MeToo era.
LL Cool J – “How I’m Comin'” (1993)
As one of the first prominent rappers ever, LL Cool J became a superstar by walking the fine line between this tough/street persona and perfect boyfriend material. That’s what made this particular song off of his highly criticized 14 Shots To The Dome album so jarring. Hearing LL say “Rockabye baby on the rooftop, open up your mouth and taste my Glock” and “Take off your clothes and taste my steel” is … let’s agree that he’s lucky Twitter wasn’t around.
N.W.A- “One Less Bitch” (1991)
We saved this one for last because it’s incredible that this song was allowed to be released. N.W.A was a game-changing group that pushed limits, and they deserve all the accolades they acquired. However, this song wasn’t witty, intelligent, or something Dr. Dre would want to hang his hat on in hindsight. He should be thankful that the Twitter generation didn’t have to hear him preface a gang rape and murder of a prostitute with “So I had to kill her … listen up to how I did it.”
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Dmx x is coming for you had some grimey lyrics. This should be on the list.
There’s nothing Twitter isn’t outraged by, which is why I don’t pay any attention to what anyone has to say on that platform. That’s the problem with having a constant tantrum over every trivial thing, no-one gives a shit when there is a genuine grievance. Hip-Hop has being destroyed by social media and passing fads. The spirit of resistance is gone, talent is frowned upon and mediocrity is celebrated. Rap needs it’s balls re-attached.
No lies told. Not just hip-hop, but R&B as well.
Real talk. Everything has to be hot and in the now. And excuse me when I say this, but websites like this don’t help. Everyone is scared of being in the last with quality journalism. An album, say Lupe’s last effort, drops, and it just gets a brief visit. But God forbid that should happen to acts like Migos, Future, etc. No. we must have essays on them. Wack hip hop didn’t kill hip hop. Social media and hip hop websites killed hip hop. And the machine that hip hop was birthed from as a resistance to its order. Now THATS irony
That Beatnuts song was always dope. Haven’t heard them in years
that black widow beat was the dopest on the whole album
When I saw that song on the list I thought Yes!!! That joint was crazy. ODB delivered hard. AND that beat is one of RZA’s sharpest.
It’s not white and commercial enough they would shit their pants now lol..if y’all would let us rap about the shot we like you wouldn’t of have this drug emotional rap killing y’all off….y’all still wondering how we did so many drugs from the 70s and up and still survived we would never tell y’all sorry not sorry keep lil xan and lil pumping
The problem nowadays is everybody got a way to publicly voice their opinions through social media. And to be honest, not everyone should be voicing what in many cases amounts to their stupidity and overzealous short-sighted thoughts. Everybody is going to have something to say about EVERY DAMN THING UNDER THE SUN, no matter how small it is. It’s like a person who cant seem to reserve any self restraint in recklessly running their mouth instead of simply holding their opinions until when its appropriate and thought through.
Hey Shlomo! Hello to Tel Aviv!
So many classics
Killer Gz by the Dayton Family
Domestic Violence – RZA
Am i the only one who finds eminem’s kim is calming?
LOL Twitter loses its mind over anything these days, you could throw Death Row, Aftermath, hell any West Coast artist’s discography up here (West Coast rappers are reason why rap has a derogatory rep towards women, FACT).
We have to remember that Twitter does not represent the people. The 1% of the most sensitive cry babies and paid shills spam Twitter. If Twitter resembled how people really thought and felt, Bernie would be President and we’d be living in conditions comparable to Venezuela. Anyway enough of all that, back to this coffee and the grind.
I see a lot more MAGA maggots than Bernie Bros on Twitter. What you smoking on, ya old bitch you?
Eh not so much Bernie bros anymore, but if you don’t think Twitter is a cesspool of far left thought and that conservative voices aren’t shadowbanned and censored accordingly, you’re beyond deluded.
It’s just your hate/love for the left that gives you that perspective. You focus on it so much that all you see is the left. In reality, Twitter is full of morons period. Left or right, it doesn’t make a difference.
People always have had an opinion. Now they can share it with the world. Spoiler alert: people suck. Just read the comments section on this site for further proof.
Two songs just as bad as “One Less Bitch” are two joints by Ice Cube. One “Black Korea” a searing death threat to Korean-American business owners “so pay respect to the Black fist/ or get your store burnt down to a crisp”. The other is the racially charged “Cave Bitch”, “Ease back white bitch/ I don’t play that”
Those songs are not bad at all. In fact they ar great!
Horny Lil Devil is my FAVORITE!!!
What about Geto Boy’s “Point of No Return”. That was raw and uncut