I know, this is a tall task. When you consider the fact that lots of rappers come from poverty, and the fact that poverty breeds violence, that leaves an awful lot of songs about death. The sheer number of songs that COULD make this list guarantees that a few worthy tracks will be left off. That's where you come in... let me know which songs you would have included, and how your list would differ from mine.
5. Nas feat. Quan - "Just A Moment"
This was one of the many overlooked gems on Nas' "Street's Disciple" album. The song originally belonged to Quan, but Nas liked it so much he asked for it to be on his LP.
4. Master P - "I Miss My Homies"
I know.... I know. Master P was a horrible rapper. He was so bad that some parts of this song seem comical even though the subject matter was quite serious. His awkward dancing in the middle of the desert makes me laugh almost every time I see it. Despite those few things, I've always thought this was one best ghetto anthems for the homies. The fact that Pimp C has a verse on the song makes it even more potent, considering he passed away 4 months ago.
3. D.R.S. - "Gangsta Lean"
Technically, D.R.S. was an R&B group, but this song was just about as hip hop as you can get. They even had a funeral scene with a lowrider hitting switches outside the parlor... classic!
2. P. Diddy, Faith Evans, 112 - "I'll Be Missing You"
This was probably the most commercially successful R.I.P. song in hip hop history. While it's not one of my personal favorites, everyone loved biggie and you could NOT escape hearing this track when it came out. So this the number 2 spot out of respect.
1. Bone Thugs N Harmony - "Tha Crossroadss"
When you take both the song and video into account, this is easily takes the top spot as the best R.I.P entry. A lot of people didn't know what in the hell they were saying, but everyone knew "I miss my uncle Chaaarles y'all".
Honorable Mentions
2Pac - Life Goes On
Naughty By Nature - Mourn You Til I Join You
Pete Rock & CL Smooth - T.R.O.Y
DMX - Ayo Kato
R. Kelly - I Wish
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What?!!? No Ice Cube "Dead Homies"?!!? BOOOOOO THIS LIST!
I agree whole-heartedly on your number 1 though. I'd bump DRS and Master P for Ice Cube and Pete Rock & CL Smooth though. Hell, Cube should be number 2.
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I'm a huge Cube fan, but dead homies has never been one of my favorite tracks of his...
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Yeah, but Dead Homies is the original dead homies song.
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Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoah, I just got up off the floor. How could you lump T.R.O.Y. in "Honorable Mentions"
? That is crazy talk. Master P ahead of T.R.O.Y? More crazy talk. Ok, now let me pass out in shock again.
Lataz
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I think the Pimp C angle really pushed the Master P song over the top. I have no idea if you listened to U.G.K., but I was a fan and it's just kinda eerie hearing him spit on this song when he's not here anymore.
I understand the whole shock of "BUT MASTER P SUCKED!"... yeah he did... but this was a good song.
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UHHHHHHHHHHH
:DMy Trusted MOGs
Na na na naaaaa.....
yeah I liked this song too.
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What do you buy the record label mogul with everything? Why a gold plated tank with rims!
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dank list! i think it's the "UHHHHHHHHHH!" at the beginning of "I Miss My Homies" that gets this started on a comical side. from there it just all seemed like a big joke, which is really sad, but i guess that's what Master P sounds like in mourning too?
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Mr. Frost, you are a belly buster
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Hey I'd like to see all of your Top 5 lists!
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i agree you gotta throw "I Miss My Homies" on there
diggin the list...though a couple of your honorable mentions would be in my top 5...namely "Mourn You Til I Join You" and "Life Goes On" at the numero uno slot
My Trusted MOGs
Pete Rock and CL Smooth cant even get the top of the honorable mentions though at least a little bit maybe just a little? a bump up just a tiny little bit (squeaky Stewie voice)? a hair, a nudge just a little taste more love for that one?
2Pac "Pour out a little Liquor" is a good one too I mighta thrown on there....
Wu-Tang "Tearz"... not sure if it counts
I thought I was the only one who loved that Nas & Quan joint!
a valiant list for such a brave and gargantuan task my man
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I LOVED "The Crossroads" and still do.