15 Rap Songs About Money – Hustling and Getting Money
You can’t divorce rap music from the topic of money. It’s just in too much of the music, especially the songs that get the most airplay. So, if you can’t beat em, might as well join em. Here are some of our favorite rap songs about money—hopefully you’ll find one or two to add to your playlist rotation!
The Best Rap Songs About Money That You’ll Love
Let’s begin with a song by T.I, featuring Young Thug.
About The Money by T.I ft. Young Thug
Right off the bat in the hook, T.I says you shouldn’t bother his grind unless you are trying to make him money. Tip is known to be a man that is all about his money. They say “time is money” and Tip is all about both. T.I is known to be a hard worker and is always making money moves, which can get very busy, and he is in the mental state that he only wants to talk to people if it is about money.
I feel this song is relatable when you are grinding away at work and someone tries to bother you. I don’t like being bothered while I’m working because if I’m in the zone, it’s hard for me to jump right back to that. And when you are as famous as T.I, with all the people that want to bother him daily, it’s a waste of his time to talk unless you want to talk about making money.
I’m So Paid by Akon ft. Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy
Released in 2009, “I’m So Paid” revolves around how affluent and successful Akon is. This song celebrates the financial success the rappers have with money, women, jewelry, and cars. This song dropped right after the recession when people from all walks of life were still struggling to get by.
In an interview with Forbes, Akon said, “The recession is really impacting everyday people, and they want to try to get away from the troubles they’re dealing. Music is always a crutch.” He was defending himself for making music about financial success during the recession; he was saying his music is a way for people to escape the troubles that they are facing.
Even though times were tough when this song was released, all three artists on this track were happy about their success. They all had to work hard for their success and to get to the financial standpoint that they have reached. This song is their way to try and uplift themselves and everyone around them through the power of their music.
Mo Money Mo Problems by The Notorious B.I.G ft. Puff Daddy, Mase
“Mo Money Mo Problems” left an impact on the rap game and samples the 1980 Diana Ross song, “I’m Coming Out.” The melody for this song is easily recognizable to fans of ‘90s rap. Released after the death of Notorious B.I.G, “Mo’ Money, Mo Problems” depicts the problems that come with wealth. The song lyrics talk about how having money may seem like the end goal, but it can lead to other problems.
Money is not the be-all and end-all for your everyday problems. With money and popularity, you will get people who gravitate towards you to bring themselves up, while simultaneously bringing you down. Money is great to have and can eliminate your financial worries, but there are some things that money cannot fix. This song has been featured in numerous TV shows and movies and is still relevant today; showing you that when you have problems, turning to money won’t always fix them.
Money Ain’t A Thang by Jermaine Dupri ft. Jay-Z
The beat played in the background pulls this whole song together. Dupri samples “Weak at the Knees” by Steve Arrington and, “I Write the Songs” by Barry Manilow. With themes of platinum rings, gold guns, and sports cars, Jermaine Dupri and Jay-Z have a lot to talk about. This song was from a time in the rap game where the picture changed from how to get money to how you spend money.
“Money Ain’t A Thang” is a ‘90s anthem of a time when hip-hop was all about showcasing your riches and what you own. With Jay-Z, money isn’t an issue and he can easily buy anything that he wants. This is a great song to listen to while driving down the road, windows rolled down, and reminiscing about better times.
I Get Money by 50 Cent
This song is featured on 50 Cent’s third studio album, Curtis, and is considered by many to be the best track on the album. The main message that 50 Cent is trying to tell on this track is what it’s like living in a rich man’s world; with the rich man being 50 Cent. 50 Cent loves to write about his fame, success, and money, and his song, “I Get Money” is no different.
Some people interpret this song as 50 Cent bragging about his money; while I tend to look at it differently. Throughout the whole song, he frequently compares what he used to do, and what he does now. I think this is his way of showing how he has come up in the world and how his fortune has changed his life. He’s proud of his accomplishments and being able to say that he made it, and he likes to talk about it as well.
Money Trees by Kendrick Lamar ft. Jay Rock
“Money Trees” contains a sample of “Silver Soul”, performed by the indie-pop band Beach House. This song has a very beachy and laid-back vibe. Kendrick did something similar to how “Swimming Pools” tells the dark horrors of alcohol. “Money Trees” shows the darker side of money and how it’s not always a good thing to lust after. It’s how money owns your life and you can be consumed with the never-ending dream of having enough money.
In an interview with Complex, Kendrick explained how the song is, “about temptation. After the ride of going on ‘The Art of Peer Pressure,’ you listen to that, and that was the mind state of thinking everything is about a dollar.” He was in a mindset where the only thing that mattered to him was money and this song is his way of saying money is not all that matters and he realized what does matter; living life.
Duffle Bag Boy by Playaz Circle ft. Lil Wayne
A late 2000s song about money that couldn’t be complete without a feature by Lil Wayne. This song is about hustling and making street deals. Typically, a “Duffle Bag Boy” is someone who runs drugs and cash, used as an errand boy. Like any good rap song, it talks about drugs and violence, which are all present in this song.
This song is about hustling to get your money and some of the ways that Lil Wayne and Playaz Circle spend their money. The chorus featuring Lil Wayne has a great melody and the lyrics just flow with the way Wayne is using the auto-tune.
When going on a playback spree from the late 2000s, I always put this song on, bringing me back to a peaceful time of listening to this song and being at work. This would be the perfect song to listen to while you are on your grind and need some motivation.
Paper Chase by Jay-Z f/Foxy Brown
On this track, which can be found on Jay-Z’s 1998 album “Vol. 2…Hard Knock Life,” this is a song about hustling on the streets while making sure to never mix your “business” with “pleasure”–especially when that “pleasure” is your loved ones.
If fact, on this song, Jay is really walking the listener down the life of a hustler. This is a song where Jigga talks about all of the “finer things” that can come with selling drugs, like Rolex’s and necklaces, to name a few. But he also talks about how being a hustler influences the young kids coming up. Jay isn’t boasting about pushing kids into “the life,” but he does talk about being truthful with them and “molding them teens.”
This song is certainly about money, but it’s also about an entire culture engulfed in drugs, weapons, criminals, and a massive street level enterprise.
It’s All About The Benjamins by Puff Daddy ft. Lil’ Kim, The Lox, The Notorious B.I.G
Benjamins are something that Puff Daddy has collected a lot of during his rap career. The main beat in the song features a sample from “I Did it For Love” by Love Unlimited. A cool thing about this song was it was one of the biggest rap songs during that period to feature whispered vocals. The “all about the Benjamin’s” line is quiet, almost slightly whispered like a secret.
This song centers around the importance of money and the pleasures of spending money. From the pleasures of three-course meals to five carats of his jewelry. I particularly like to listen to this song when I am splurging and spending money, mainly on Amazon. This song makes you feel like you are living it up large and not feeling guilty for spending your hard-earned money.
Money In The Way by 2 Chainz
One of the most remarkable things about this song and its success is that 2 Chainz did it all by himself. He didn’t need to feature anyone else; he simply delivered on a tight flow, funny lyrics, and multipart punchlines. The song may seem like 2 Chainz is boasting about his money and what he can buy, but it holds a deeper message to not let it corrupt you and your values.
The reason this song is so good is that it’s not chasing to impress you. The lyrics immediately open up with his stylish lyrics and a great intro beat. The meaning for both the song and the music video was a message from 2 Chainz about black excellence and “each one teach one.” This song reminds me that money is something you need but sometimes it can be in the way of who you are as a person or what values you hold.
Cash Money by Tyga
Tyga’s music is usually the perfect music to play in a club setting. Most of Tyga’s songs contain references to money and, “Cash Money” is no different. This song is different in the way that he does talk about money; in this song, he talks about how money is the fuel to the lavish life he lives.
When you have seemingly unlimited funds, you can buy whatever you wanted and would have a line of people that wanted to get to know you. In the lyrics, Tyga talks about what he has, and also who he has swimming in his pool. When this song first came out, it was all the clubs would play. With the infectious beat, this song is perfect for playing at a party or in a club.
Money by Cardi B
Cardi B uses her single, “Money” to flex hard. In her song, Cardi B focuses on money and material objects. She compares all of her belongings and activities, then says, “but nothing in this world that I like more than checks (money).” This is the perfect song to play when you are in a money-making mindset. This is also a great song to use as motivation when you need just a little help to push you.
There are two ways that you can break this song down. One take is that no matter what she has, she is still chasing money. Never being content with what you have, constantly chasing the next bigger job. Another take on this song is that Cardi B just really loves money more than anything she owns.
Get Money by Lil Baby
Lil Baby quickly rose to fame and grabbed the attention of rap fans; listening to this song, it’s not shocking how he managed to do that. His album My Turn, allowed the world to see him for the talented artist that he is and also featured “Get Money,” one of the best tracks on the album. The way that the 808s are utilized provides bouncy beats and a fast tempo from the second you hit play until the song is over.
The lyrics and beat always put me in a positive mood when I listen to it. This song makes you feel really good when you get money. This is the perfect song to listen to after cashing your paycheck and driving immediately to spend some of it. This song is also a great motivator to play when you need motivation at work, it has saved me a couple of times when I needed a little nudge of encouragement.
$ave Dat Money by Lil Dicky ft. Fetty Wap, Rich Homie Quan
The song title is pretty self-explanatory with this one, and cuts against the grain for normal rap songs about money. With almost every other rap song about money, the lyrics are about spending money. The opposite is at play here with this catchy song by Lil Dicky. Lil Dicky wanted to do something different with this song, and talk about saving his money instead of spending it. This song was made popular from its music video where Lil Dicky shot it for free by going door to door in Beverly Hills, asking to borrow mansions and cars for 15 minutes.
Not only does this song have a great message of being thrifty, but it also has a great beat and good lyrics. I know that when I get paid, I pay for my necessities first, but then I start thinking about what I could buy next. If I need to save up, I play this song to bring me back into reality. I can hear Lil Dicky say, “Ayy, we gon’ save that money” in my head every time I think of adding more things to my Amazon cart.
Got Money by Lil Wayne ft. T-Pain
“Got Money” is from the album, Tha Carter III and centers around celebrating prosperity and riches. This song is made for living it up in the club and showing your money off. This is a classic auto-tune song featuring two-star rappers that frequently used auto-tune to create some of the most memorable songs. This song is perfect for the club and a great song to play right after getting paid.
At first, Lil Wayne almost didn’t get this song; “Got Money” was originally intended to be a T-Pain and Pitbull song. According to an interview with MTV, the producer, Play said, “Pain changed the hook up some. It was the same topic- it was about the money.” This song was such a big hit that members from Korn and Slipknot covered the song. This is a great song to listen to when you are finally starting to get your finances in order.
Conclusion
Since the beginning of rap, money has been a common topic that is consistently mentioned in lyrics. The reason for mentioning money can vary; from earning money, to spending money, and even saving money. It’s a common theme not just for rappers, but for everyday people.
A lot of songs about money are upbeat, and these songs about greenbacks are great to listen to while driving around, needing motivation at your job, working out at the gym, or when cashing your Friday paycheck.
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