But even the Clipse could not escape the psychological toil that comes with the drug game. Grae explains that one of the ways she copes with depression is to “Keep Livin.” Clipse & Bilal – "Nightmares" (2006)įew could match the wit and dexterity of the Clipse when it came to spitting about cocaine and other controlled substances. On “Keep Livin,'” from her 2003 release The Bootleg of the Bootleg EP, she steps up to the plate and delivers some insight on how mental issues have impacted her family and how she deals with the stress. Her lyrical exploits have gained her legendary status as an underground female MC. Jean Grae is your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper. But to survive…Well, that's to find meaning in the suffering.” Jean Grae - "Keep Livin'" (2003) In the opening refrain, X, with piercing insight says, “This life shit, this life shit is like is like bugged the fuck out, son, for real. The song finds X reminiscing about all the traumatic events of his life and how they shaped him. “Slippin,” from Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood, is an exorcism of sorts. Over the course of his career, DMX, who died in 2021, had his fair share of battles - struggling with drug addiction, alcoholism, paranoia, and manic depression. “So Many Tears'' embodies the vulnerability of Tupac as he feared for his life, expressed suicidal thoughts, and struggled with paranoia. On his seminal third album, Me Against The World, he deals with all of the emotion of the human experience, exposing his innermost feelings like never before against the backdrop of an impending prison sentence. His influence still reverberates within the culture. Tupac was one of the most compelling personalities that hip-hop has ever produced. While the duo would never gain widespread popularity, their contribution to the conversation about mental health is a noteworthy one. “Stress,” which was produced by Buckwild, accurately depicted the lived experiences of young Black America during the '90s. Organized Konfusion’s anthem about stress helped to change the narrative about the intersection of mental health and hip-hop. The song ends in tragedy with a single gunshot, followed by the phone being left off the hook. He calls Puff Daddy to explain the decision that he has already come to terms with. “Suicidal Thoughts” is a suicide note that finds Big conflicted about the hand that life had dealt him. The Notorious B.I.G - "Suicidal Thoughts" (1994)ĭeath was a common theme in The Notorious B.I.G.'s music and never is it more apparent than on “Suicidal Thoughts.” Produced by the legendary Lord Finesse, “Suicidal Thoughts” was arguably one of the most exceptional rap songs on the late rapper’s debut album Ready to Die. The truth behind the song gives it an authenticity that is still felt 30 years later. “My Mind Playing Tricks On” Me” was a reflection of Scarface’s own inner turmoil, at the time struggling as a manic-depressive. Scarface, Willie D, and Bushwick Bill vividly describe the various mental states of paranoia, schizophrenia, and depression. In their classic “Mind is Playing Tricks on Me,” from their debut album We Can’t Be Stopped, The Geto Boys capture the reality of Post Traumatic Syndrome within urban communities. The Geto Boys - "Mind Playing Tricks on Me" (1991) So, in honor of Mental Awareness Month, here's a roundup of 34 memorable rap songs about depression, featuring tracks from Lil Wayne, Kendrick Lamar, and more. All these states of transparency in their music help to promote a fuller understanding of mental health. Hip-hop artists have delved deeper into discussing the reality of mental wellness and how it affects their personal and professional lives, from being vocal about getting therapy to coping through self-care. The late Prodigy once said, “hip-hop is our therapy.” But the conversation around mental health is constantly evolving beyond that notion - beyond the catharsis of making and consuming music.
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