7 Presidential Hip-Hop Songs
From imagining what a day would be like if one became president, to earning Benjamin Franklins, hip-hop has a myriad of presidential flows. Here are some of the best. On this President’s Day, press “play” on some presidential hip-hop tracks.
1.Eric B. & Rakim “Eric B Is President”
“Eric B Is President” is an early classic by Eric B. and Rakim. The 1986 track samples other presidential tracks like “Funky President” by James Brown and “Impeach the President” by The Honey Drippers. ” Iconic hip-hop producer Marley Marl engineered the track.
2. Jay Z “Dead Presidents”
This fan favorite comes from the Brooklyn rapper’s debut album, Reasonable Doubt. The self-made millionaire raps about how he wants money, and how everyone should be taking advantage of “the hustle” to get it. Hov clearly had a vision of what the future held for him.
3.Nas “I Want To Talk To You”
On “I Want To Talk To You,” Nas raps about issues in the community and how he wants to have a conversation with the mayor, the governor, and even the president. The track comes from Nas’ 1999 album I Am. The track was produced by L.E.S. and Alvin West.
4.Young Jeezy featuring Nas “My President”
The Atlanta rapper released this track as an ode to President Barack Obama. Both Jeezy and Nas boast about their excitement of finally having a black president. “My President” was the fourth official single from Jeezy’s third album The Recession. The track was notable for the two because of their former rivalry.
5.Waka Flocka “R.I.C.O. Remix”
At the end of “R.I.C.O. Remix,” Waka Flocka raps about what he’ll do as soon as he becomes president. He then begins talking and takes a shot at President Donald Trump, and at Trump’s treatment of Mexico. “I free all my n****s, soon as I’m President/ And f*** Donald Trump, man/ I’m sending you straight to Mexico to live in,” the Atlanta rapper raps.
6.Puff Daddy & The Family “It’s All About The Benjamins (Remix)”
On this hit Bad Boy track, Diddy (formerly Puff Daddy), The Lox, and Lil Kim remind everyone that it’s all about money, Benjamin Franklins ($100 bills), that is. The record was released on August 12, 1997, and derived from Puff Daddy’s album No Way Out. In 1998, the song peaked at no. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
7. Young BloodZ “Presidential”
The Atlanta duo dropped this track as the second single from their third album Ev’rybody Know Me. Produced by Lil Jon, and released in 2005, the track is about smoking good and drinking good. In the video, Young BloodZ let the world know what it would be like if they were presidents for the day. Apparently, the nation would “get crunk”.
Glennisha Morgan is a Detroit-bred multimedia journalist and writer. She writes about intersectionality, hip-hop, pop culture, queer issues, race, feminism, and her truth.
