1.
In this life ain't no happy endings;
Only pure beginnings followed by years of sinning and fake repentance.
J. Cole
In this life, there are no happy conclusions; only pristine beginnings trailed by years of misbehavior and sham remorse.
2.
We hurt people that love us, love people that hurt us
Kendrick Lamar
We inflict pain on those that care for us, and care for those that bring us suffering.
3.
If I told you that a flower bloomed in a dark room, would you trust it?
Kendrick Lamar
If I declared that a blossom flourished in a dim chamber, would you accept it?
4.
The sky is falling, the wind is calling
Stand for something, or die in the morning
Kendrick Lamar
'The heavens descend, the breeze beckons
Take a stand or face extinction'.
5.
Look inside my soul and you can find gold and maybe get rich. Look inside of your soul and you can find out it never exists.
Kendrick Lamar
Explore within yourself and you can unearth invaluable treasures, though you may never uncover true riches.
6.
Life Will Put Many Red Lights In Front Of You, But Sometimes We Must Push On The Gas And Trust God
Kendrick Lamar
'Life May Present Numerous Hurdles, Yet Occasionally We Must Take A Leap Of Faith And Rely On The Almighty.'
7.
I stay higher than giraffe pussy
Gucci Mane
I soar above the clouds.
8.
They say time is money but really it's not
If we ever go broke, then time is all we got
And we can't make that back, no you can't make that back
J. Cole
They say time is precious but really it's irreplaceable.
If our fortunes ever wane, then time is all we have.
And we can't regain that, no you can't regain that.
9.
I gotta make a move, I gotta do this now,
If they don't know your dreams, they can't shoot 'em down.
J. Cole
I must act swiftly, I must do this immediately,
If they are unaware of your aspirations, they can't impede them.
10.
And I'm not sure why I'm infatuated with death,
My imagination is surely an aggravation of threats...
Maybe cause I'm a dreamer, and sleep is the cousin of death,
Really stuck in the scheme of wondering when I'mma rest.
Kendrick Lamar
11.
With so much drama in the L-B-C, It's kinda hard bein Snoop D-O-double-G
Snoop Dogg
Amidst all the commotion in Long Beach, it's quite difficult being Snoop Dogg.
12.
Love or hate me, I stay hate free
They say we learn from mistakes, well, that's why they mistake me
Lil Wayne
No matter how I'm perceived, I keep a positive attitude
They say you become wiser with experience, which is why they misunderstand me.
13.
Don't you know your imperfections is a wonderful blessing, from heaven is where you got it from
Kendrick Lamar
'Recognise that your faults are a divine gift, bestowed on you from above.'
14.
You lose money chasing women, never lose women chasing money...
Nas
You squander away your resources pursuing romantic interests, but never sacrifice a relationship for financial gain.
15.
Throw dirt on my name, and I still come out clean
Lil Wayne
Taint my reputation, and I will still emerge unscathed.
16.
When I'm not longer rapping, I want to open up an ice cream parlor and call myself Scoop Dogg.
Snoop Dogg
When I'm not longer rhyming, I intend to open an ice cream shop and call myself Ice Cream Dawg.
17.
Everybody looking at you crazy,
What you gon' do?
Lift up your head and keep moving,
Or let the paranoia haunt you?
Kendrick Lamar
Everybody glancing your way skeptically,
What will you do?
Hold your head high and keep progressing,
Or let the anxiety torment you?
18.
Some seek fame cause they need validation,
Some say hating is confused admiration.
Nas
Some pursue celebrity because they require recognition,
Others declare animosity is misdirected admiration.
19.
It's a thin line between paper and hate,
Friends and snakes, nine millis and thirty-eights,
Hell or the pearly gates...I was destined to come,
Predicted, blame God, He blew breath in my lungs.
Nas
It's a delicate balance between love and animosity,
Allies and adversaries, small arms and handguns,
Perdition or the celestial realms...I was fated to arrive,
Foretold, censure God, He imparted breath in my lungs.
20.
What you base your happiness around?
Material, women, and large paper?
That means you inferior, not major.
Nas
What you rely on to be content?
Possessions, people, and fiscal gain?
That makes you petty, not significant.
21.
Before you judge me... I plead guilty
Lil Wayne
I acknowledge my wrongdoings before you pass judgement.
22.
Everything will eventually come to an end,
So try to savor the moment, cause time flies, don't it?
The beauty of life, you gotta make it last for the better,
Cause nothin' lasts forever.
Nas
All good things must come to a close,
Therefore try to appreciate the present, for it passes quickly, doesn't it?
The magnificence of life, you should enjoy it as much as possible,
For nothing is perpetual.
23.
If the truth is told, the youth can grow
Then learn to survive until they gain control
Nobody says you have to be gangstas, hoes
Read more learn more, change the globe
Nas
If facts are revealed, the young can thrive
So they will make it through until they have mastery
Nobody requires you to be criminals, promiscuous women
Read more, become wiser, transform the world.
24.
Everybody's somebody's everything
Chance the Rapper
Every person is invaluable to someone.
25.
My mind on my money, my money on my mind.
Snoop Dogg
My thoughts focused on my finances, my currency invested in my musings.
26.
Tell 'em the truth and they call you a traitor,
Talk to 'em honestly and they call you a hater.
Immortal Technique
Inform them of the facts and they dub you a renegade,
Be open and frank with them and they label you a detractor.
27.
Your whole appearance is a lie and it could never be true.
And if you really loved yourself, then you would try and be you.
Phife Dawg
Your entire facade is a falsehood and it cannot possibly be genuine. If you truly cherished yourself, then you would attempt to be your authentic self.
28.
Straight from the heart, I represent hip hop
I be three albums deep, but I don't wanna go pop
Too many candy rappers seem to be at the top
Too much candy is no good, so now I'm closing the shop.
Phife Dawg
Direct from the soul, I am the embodiment of hip hop
I have released three albums yet still remain true to my roots
Too many flashy MCs are garnering attention nowadays
An excess of superficiality is not what I'm aiming for so now I'm moving on.
29.
My mama always used to tell me: 'If you can't find somethin' to live for, you best find somethin' to die for.'
Tupac Shakur
My mama always used to tell me: 'If you can't locate a reason to live, you should find a purpose to perish for.'
30.
So when the devil wants to dance with you, you better say never,
Because the dance with the devil might last you forever.
Immortal Technique
When the evil one desires to partner with you, firmly refuse,
For dancing with wickedness could tie you to it endlessly.
31.
The military ain't there for the people's protection,
They're just there to protect an investment.
That's why people get arrested, electrocuted, molested,
Connected streets are infested with those tired of protesting.
Traumatized children grown in guerrilla garrisons,
9/11 generations pale in comparison.
And you will learn a lesson repeated through history:
That no matter what you think, occupation is not victory.
Immortal Technique
32.
Man gave us laws, and God gave us time,
It's the art of storytelling and I'm only telling mine.
ASAP Rocky
Humankind has provided us with regulations, and the Creator has granted us moments,
It's a form of narration and I'm just recounting my own.
33.
Real gs move in silence like lasagna.
Lil Wayne
'True masters move with stealth like a whisper in the night.'
34.
We could fight the fuss till we get like friends,
Or somebody bite the dust and we split like ends.
Even in our wildest moments, girl, I'm on it cause you're worth it.
Practice makes perfect, so we fightin' for a purpose.
ASAP Rocky
35.
I value my core fans I got from the hood. I think a lot of things might hit home with them, like problems with the law or how I talk about partying - all the different topics I cover when I do rap. But I also value my suburban fans who take a liking to my music and like the way I change cadences. I appreciate all of them cause both types of fans push me to record all the time, both push me to give my best when I do a show. Both push me to be the best rapper and not just do it as a hobby, but do it as a job and take it seriously and put pride in it.
Gucci Mane
36.
One finger up, and I'm out
Cause you ain't even worth two
Lil Wayne
One word and I'm done, since you're not deserving of a second.
37.
The snake, the rat, the cat, the dog...
How you gonna see 'em if you livin' in the fog?
DMX
The serpent, the rodent, the feline, the pooch...
How could you discern them if you exist in obscurity?
38.
Take a look at the police and how they treat you,
Take a look at these corporations that cheat you.
Democrats and Republicans are all see-through.
Now we votin for the lesser of two evils...
Man, don't let 'em deceive you.
This is an autocracy, not a democracy,
But to call this a democracy without mock interest
In the laws of society? That's called hypocrisy.
KRS-One
39.
I live this life at a pace that anyone can go.
Know your place, and dedicate your role
...To the faith that you'll die alone
Kendrick Lamar
I proceed through this existence with an energy that anyone can keep up with. Recognize your status, and commit yourself
...To the belief that you'll pass away unaccompanied.
40.
Never become so involved with something that it blinds you.
Never forget where you from; someone will remind you.
DMX
Never become so absorbed with something that it renders you oblivious to your roots; someone will be there to remind you.
41.
Damn right I like the life I live,
Cause I went from negative to positive.
The Notorious B.I.G.
'Verily, I relish the life I inhabit,
For I have gone from disadvantage to benefit.'
42.
I am the manifestation of study,
NOT the manifestation of money.
Therefore, I advance through thought,
NOT what's manufactured and bought.
KRS-One
I am the product of knowledge,
Not the product of wealth.
So I progress through intellect,
Not what is made and purchased.
43.
I pledge allegiance to the fair and balanced truth.
Not the biased truth,
Not the liest truth,
But the highest truth.
Nas
I swear fealty to the even-handed veracity.
Not the prejudiced truth,
Not the mendacious truth,
But the ultimate truth.
44.
If you're crying under fire, then you wasn't built for war.
If a pimp took your girl, then your girl was never yours.
MF Grimm
If you're breaking down in the heat of battle, then you are not cut out for combat. If a suitor has stolen your beloved, then your affections were never truly reciprocated.
45.
In my world, even sure bets are not certain;
'Cause you'll get the picture, then find out it's the cropped version.
Joe Budden
In my realm, even sure investments are not infallible;
For you'll get the gist, then find out it's the abridged rendition.
46.
I never cared, I was careless,
Fear bein afraid or maybe I'm afraid to be fearless.
Or fear bein' fearless but fearful,
So even in my carelessness...gotta be careful.
Joe Budden
I never minded, I was reckless,
Courage lacking or maybe I'm scared to be courageous.
Or courage being bold but apprehensive,
So even in my recklessness...gotta be prudent.
47.
The whole point of 'Acid Rap' was just to ask people a question: does the music business side of this dictate what type of project this is? If it's all original music and it's got this much emotion around it and it connects this way with this many people, is it a mixtape? What's an 'album' these days, anyways?
Chance the Rapper
48.
Am I really just a narcissist,
Cause I wake up to a bowl of lobster bisque?
Rick Ross
'Is it true I'm self-centered,
Awakening to a bowl of creamy seafood soup?'
49.
Whatever you goin' through, could always be much worse,
Don't make a mistake, mistakin' your blessings for a curse.
Joe Budden
No matter how difficult the situation, it could always be far more challenging; don't let your fortune slip through your grasp, misinterpreting it as a misfortune.
50.
Music can kind of make you one-dimensional. People see what's on the surface and what you rap about, and they make their decision on who you are from there.
Chance the Rapper