The greatest verses in hip hop history

[Long Dark Blues]

There's just too many awesome verses to pick the absolute best. But a few of my favorites are...

Black Thought's verse in Clones:

"I use the mic to slap you in the face and erase your taste
Disgrace your date put your title to waste
Dominant lyrical grace, from a place called wild
Illadelph Isle Pensy, that's the residency
Consistent currency, my pockets never empty
Some cats, believe they MC but we know they all fraud
Do a show in Philly s wouldn't applaud
Nobody know your record nor who you openin for
Can tell your squad's artificial while approachin the door
So you should prepare, for lyrical terror that's pure
Step up to the resevoir, of the soul proprietor style
Messiah or, the higher law down with Dice Raw
The matador, shorty connoisseur
Stompin whatever you build to the floor
Similar to that of a dinosaur
I told you I'm the rap predator
You insist to imitate, what for?
Superstar s is ten percent real, ninety percent invented
For a fuckin record deal
Comin with somethin veterans can't feel
I hit you like a steel anvil
Because you grafted off the next man's skill
But still I remain mellow, seeing the theatrics of Othello
But know the tactics of the P.L.O
These C.L.O.-N.E.S. fess
The phoniest cats is felonious (word)"



MC Ren's verse in Snoop's Set It Off always gets me hype, it's the opening verse:

"Here come The Villain again, grab your ho and get the fuck outta town
This shit make the world go round
It's that black Ren, duck when I bust
Make Jada get on these nuts, make Will love to cuss
You wanna fuck with us? Man, I wouldn't do it
Ask this here, his ass, we ran right through it
You out actin like yo' shit be tight
Get some shit, fuck it off like Tomica Wright
Get the fuck out my sight, I Ren-incarnate
Droppin West coast shit in every motherfuckin state
Motherfuckin legend, y'all s be knowin
You can leave yo' bitch and keep on goin"

 

[AGGAMEMNON66]

Not too many more iconic than Ice Cubes intro.

 

[The Audience]

Read a list of Talib Kweli's top 25 of all time the other day and got me thinking of my top 10.

1. Rakim - Let the Rhythm Hit Em Verse 2 in particular. Whole track is just an assault of words. The King.
2. Kool G Rap -Men At Work Verse 1. Close to the R in terms of just bombarding you with raps.

Rest inpo:
Insight -The Mind Shocker (Verse 2)
Big Daddy Kane - Word to the mother (land) verse 1
Immortal Technique on Diabolic - Frontline
Nas on Main Source - Live at the Bbq
RA the rugged man on JMT - Uncommon Valour
Mos def on Black Star -Whats Beef
Inspektah Deck on Wu -Triumph
Biggie on Puff Daddy - Victory (verse 1)

 

[SalvadorAllende]

There are a lot. But I always loved the Immortal Technique verse on this one (is the 1st, starts at 1:17).



Brother Ali does an excellent job in that track too.

 

[mafuman]

dave the dope fiend shooting up dope
who dont know the meaning of water or soap

 

[marioh]

First verse of Black Steel in the hour of Chaos:

I got a letter from the government
The other day
I opened and read it
It said they were suckers
They wanted me for their army or whatever
Picture me given' a damn, I said never
Here is a land that never gave a damn
About a brother like me and myself
Because they never did
I wasn't wit' it, but just that very minute
It occurred to me
The suckers had authority

 

[HUGHPHUG]

Read a list of Talib Kweli's top 25 of all time the other day and got me thinking of my top 10.

1. Rakim - Let the Rhythm Hit Em Verse 2 in particular. Whole track is just an assault of words. The King.
2. Kool G Rap -Men At Work Verse 1. Close to the R in terms of just bombarding you with raps.

Rest inpo:
Insight -The Mind Shocker (Verse 2)
Big Daddy Kane - Word to the mother (land) verse 1
Immortal Technique on Diabolic - Frontline
Nas on Main Source - Live at the Bbq
RA the rugged man on JMT - Uncommon Valour
Mos def on Black Star -Whats Beef
Inspektah Deck on Wu -Triumph
Biggie on Puff Daddy - Victory (verse 1)

Let The Rhythm Hit Em is a massively under appreciated album

Also

Here I am, R-A-W
A terrorist, here to bring trouble to
Phony MC's, I move on and seize
I just conquer and stomp another rapper with ease
Cause I'm at my apex and others are below
Nothing but a milliliter, I'm a kilo
Second to none, making MC's run
So don't try to step to me, cause I ain't the one
I relieve rappers, just like Tylenol
And they know it, so I don't see why you all
Try to front, perpetratin a stunt
When you know that I'll smoke you up like a blunt
I'm genuine like Gucci, raw like sushi
To stage a rage is what rap did to me
To make me want to create, chaos and mayhem
Cold rock a party, until the A.M.
I'll make a muscle, grab the mic and hustle
While you stand dazed and amazed, I bust a
Little rhyme with authority, superiority
And captivate the whole crowd's majority
The rhymes I use definitely amuse
Better than Dynasty, or Hill Street Blues
I'm sure to score adored for more without a flaw
Cause I get RAW!

 

[HUGHPHUG]

I think I decided on this

All right!
Stop whatcha doin'
'Cause I'm about to ruin
The image and the style that ya used to
I look funny
But yo I'm makin' money, see
So yo world I hope you're ready for me
Now gather round
I'm the new fool in town
And my sound's laid down by the Underground
I drink up all the Hennessey ya got on ya shelf
So just let me introduce myself
My name is Humpty, pronounced with a Umpty
Yo ladies, oh how I like to hump thee
And all the rappers in the top ten--please allow me to bump thee
I'm steppin' tall, y'all
And just like Humpty Dumpty
You're gonna fall when the stereos pump me
I like to rhyme
I like my beats funky
I'm spunky. I like my oatmeal lumpy
I'm sick wit dis, straight gangsta mack
But sometimes I get ridiculous
I'll eat up all your crackers and your licorice
Hey yo fat girl, come here--are ya ticklish?
Yeah, I called ya fat
Look at me, I'm skinny
It never stopped me from gettin' busy
I'm a freak
I like the girls with the boom
I once got busy in a Burger King bathroom
I'm crazy
Allow me to amaze thee
They say I'm ugly but it just don't faze me
I'm still gettin' in the girls' pants
And I even got my own dance

 

[GIBLERTBAPTISTA]

Another favourite of mine



See Qwels way past math to drop techs on future prospects
Never got toys like Christmas in the projects
You rock sets is play this dude braggin' you aint famous
Tighter than vacuums and gets looser than s anus
Doper emcees non existent like RuPaul's clit is
Cant tell if your dick or pussy like topless infants
Couldn't spit sick 'ish kid lickin' your cold sores
And leave you scared to drop shit like school stalls with no doors
Wonder how this fucker whispers thunder sounds
Your fly like crippled Ostrich's I scare heads underground
And break it down like midget B-boys screamin' mathematics
When style switches faster than s rockin' their thongs backwards
Ask if I'll kill your career with one verse
You couldn't beat me to death if I let you jump first
He's a pussy on the low don't fuck with Philippine cuisine
Deeper than Mexican philosophy and Chevy submarines
What's he mean I think he means your whack beat
In fact I'm harder to catch than hailin' taxis with black peeps
Get in your ass so fast shit scabs when the cops come
Guilty as charged blowin' minds like Shanno(?) with shotguns
Hold nuts like padded rooms whack raps cant plead insanity
Just cause I stand over you don't mean you understand me
Man please I'm way to fucking dope to be this humble
And knock you out the frame like Christmas pictures with your drunk uncle
Like fuck Qwel and his whole team those irrelevant flows
I'm diggin' in the crates and these (?????) on telephone poles
Hope I might choke you're as whack as your white jokes
The only cat to drop lines like Samoans on tight ropes
Motherfuckers can't even respond what can he say
Cause after the battle he's more like yo I ain't wanna win anyway
And Qwel ain't shit like I ain't lose he ain't even rappin' right
Damn right I'm an asshole you pussies ain't even half as tight
To and fro fluid flow you know I'm splittin' speakers
Try pressin' promos on boomerangs them shits is cheaper

 

[Hyperglide]

BEWARE I close my eyes and seize it I clench my fists and beat it I light my torch and burn it I am the beast I worship... And I know soon come my time For in mine void a pale horse burns But I fear not the time I'm taken Past the point of no return. Wage war like no tomorrow Cuz no hell there won't be one For all who deny the struggle The triumphant overcome Trips to where, few have been Out of thin air, upon high winds Rites begin when the sun descends Have felt what few will ever know Have seen the truth beneath the glow, Of the ebb and flow, where roots of all mysteries grow I am below, so far below The bottom line Transmitting live, transmissions rise From the depths out of controlled by Suspended glance of an unblinking eyes Imminent gaze cast 'pon the path that winds 'Pon the path I find, and claim as mine To ride the waves, of unrest Made to make me shine as a testament To why the ways of the blind will never get Shit but shanked by my disrespect Dismiss this life, worship death Cold blood night of serpent's breath Exhaled like spells from the endlessness In the bottomless wells of emptiness Channeled to invoke what we represent Secret order Elitist horde of Creeping fire Seizing power Riders of the lupus hour Eye on palm Time is gone Moonlight drawn Fly til dawn Sacrifice to rise beyond Deep inside the violent calm Of the coming storm In blood sworn To glorify and for life adorn With all that dies to become unborn I close my eyes and seize it I clench my fists and beat it I light my torch and burn it I am the beast I worship... I am the beast I worship In the time before time eyes 'bove which horns Curve like psychotropic scythes And smell of torn flesh bled dry By hell swarms of pestis flies Vomiting forth flames lit by An older than ancient force That slays this life with no remorse The spiral storm Of flames inside The torch I raise The force I ride Feel my vessel go up in flames Flesh torch lit by thee unnamed Direct connection to the source Vestment of unnatural force Forever burning black torch Wisdom of the old and true Possessed by the chosen few Shining to reveal the ways Of a darkness that pervades All that is and ever was Inferno of witches blood Worship is not on bended knee Nature knows not of mercy To pray is to accept defeat Power pisses on the weak Bow and beheaded by the beast Beggar on a bitches leash Scum is desperate for relief Worship is the way I ride Witching currents through the eye Of storms that force the false to die Worship the flames with which I rise Into apocalyptic skies Harsh winds flay mine flesh to bone In splintered skeleton I roam Wastelands with not to call my own But the path I walk alone The hunger burns, within my gut As my bones turn into dust And I know soon come my time For in mine void a pale horse burns But I fear not the time I'm taken Past the point of no return Wage war like no tomorrow, know well there wont we one For all who deny the struggle The triumphant overcome ... I close my eyes and seize it I clench my fists and beat it I light my torch and burn it I am the beast I worship... I am the beast I worship

 

[The Audience]

Songs That Got "Hip Hop Quoteable" in the Source
A-Z

Andre 3000-Elevators,Aquemini,International Players Anthem,Royal Flush
AZ-Rather Unique,I Don't Give A F---,Fanmail
B-Real-Real Estate
Beanie Sigel-Whatcha Life Like, I Don't Do Much
Benzino-Die Another Day
Big Boi-Reset,
Big L-Da Graveyard,'98 Freestyle
Big Punisher-Superlyrical,Dream Shatterer,Drop It Heavy,Bring 'em Back
Bishop Lamont-My Opinion
Black Thought-Y'all Know Who!
Boots Riley-Fat Cats,Bigga Fish
Busta Rhymes-Been Through The Storm
Canibus-Beasts From The East
Cee-Lo-Git Up, Git Out,Decisions, Decisions
Chino XL-No Complex
Chuck D-No
Common-Retrospect For Life,The 6th Sense
Consequence-Job Song
Das Efx-Hard Like A Criminal
dead prez-Hip Hop
Diamond D-Check One, Two
E40-Happy To Be Here
E-Vocalist-Non-Stoppin' The Groove
Eminem-Forgot About Dre,The Way I Am,Renagade
Foxy Brown-730
Fredro Starr-What If
Game-Letter To The King, The Future
Ghostface k*llah-Impossible,Cream 2001, Tony/Montana
Guru-Flip The Script
Gza-Protect Ya Neck,Breaker, Breaker
Ice Cube-It Was A Good Day,Ghetto Vet,Child Support
Inspectah Deck-Triumph,Grand Prix (listed incorrectly under Rec Room)
J. Cole-Villematic
Jadakiss-Blackout,Why
Jay-Z-Cashmere Thoughts,Money Ain't A Thang,Mind Right remix,The
Takeover, Izzo,Alone In This World remix,Moment Of Clarity,Go Crazy, I Know, Minority Report,Watch What You Say To Me, Lost remix,D.O.A., Venus Vs. Mars, Thank You
Joe Budden-Family Reunion
Kam-Kamnesia
Kanye West-Through The Wire,All Falls Down,Diamonds, Everything I Am
Keith Murray-The Most Beautifullest Thing In This World
Killah Priest-Blessed Are Those
Kool G. Rap-The Realest
Kool Keith-You Live With Your Mom
Krumb Snatcha-Make 'Em Pay
Kurupt-For All My N----s and My B-----s,Trylogy
Lady Of Rage-Puffin' Blunts and Drinkin' Tanqueray,Sho Shot
Lauryn Hill-How Many Mics
Lil' Kim-This Is Who I Am
Lil' Wayne-Hey Ladies,Dr. Carter
LL Cool J-4,3,2,1,Back Where I Belong
Ludacris-Southern Fried Intro,
Lupe Fiasco-Real Recognize Real,B.M.F.,SLR
Method Man-The What,Shadowboxin',NYC Everything
Mr. G-Zus-Classic Limited Edition
Mr. Lif-Brothaz
Mr. Voodoo-Lyrical Tactics
Mos Def-Mathematics,The r*pe Over
Mysonne-Letter From Prison
Nas-Life's A B---h,It Ain't Hard To Tell,Verbal Intercourse,I Gave You
Power,Nas Is Like,Stillmatic freestyle,What Goes Around,One Mic,Black Zombie,Carry On Tradition, Outro
Notorious B.I.G.-Kick In The Door
O.C.-Born To Live
Omniscience-Amazin'
Pharoahe Monch-Stray Bullet, Haile Selassie Karate
Phife Dawg-Buggin' Out
Phonte-The Yo-Yo,All For You
PMD-Rampage
Posdnous-Stakes Is High
Prodigy-Nighttime Vultures,Quiet Storm
Prince Po-Hate
Q-Tip-Get A Hold
R.A. The Rugged Man-Uncommon Valor:A Vietnam Story
Raekwon-C.R.E.A.M.
Rakim-Microphone Fiend,Hoodlum
Ras Kass-Remain Anonymous, Comwiddit,H20 Proof
Red Hot Luva-Bust Tha Maneuva
Redman-Headbanger,How's That,How High,Do What You Feel,Hostility, A-Yo
Rza-The Grain
Sadat X-Pass The Gat
Sean Price-Mess You Made
Skillz-The Wrap Up
Snoop Dogg-Deep Cover
Sticky Fingaz-Money Talks
Styles P-Come Thru, Listen, I'm Black
Talib Kweli-The Proud
T.I.-Prayin' For Help
2Pac-Letter To My Unborn
Tyler The Creator-Trouble On My Mind

 

[The Audience]

A freestyle, but lyrically savage off funk flex mix cd 3:

Canibus on the Ice Cream beat:

For all you niqqaz sayin that my shit is sick, just imagine
The ninety percent of my brain that I ain't even used yet
Take a deep breath, quick, suck in as much air
As my lungs will permit -- then I start to kick that shit
I been gettin busy before the planets started to turn
Before the bees, the birds, and Adam and Eve occured
Prior to all creation, in other words
When the female egg will merge with the man's sperm
I stand firm, my words burn through your exterior
Then eat away at your interior, I'm superior
While you only pretend to be, I can double my density
From three-sixty degrees to seven-twenty instantly
Six, multiplied by five by four by three by two
Then one, go head and calculate the sum
The time has cometh, I was summoned to punish
Motherfuckers with mouths to run it? With rubbish
When I come through, niqqaz stand stiller than statues
Cause if I have to, I'll battle your whole rap crew
Then I'll attack you with words that's absurd
And rip your fuckin skin off just to get on your nerves

 

[weaselkenievil]

Some VERY good choices sherbros. You all know your shit and have good taste. I’m gonna throw 2 in the ring, Melle Mel’s verse on this, I’m not gonna tell you which one he is, you should all know Melle Mel


and Mr Lif’s verse on this, verse 2


oh and sod it a bonus 3rd, verse 1 and 2


I’ll have to stop there but honourable mention to Rakim.

Really good choices from you all though, even learnt a few here.

 

[weaselkenievil]

I’ve been working my way through every track posted and while there were a few that I either didn’t quite dig the voice or the delivery but nobody picked anything shit. A rock solid list that sherdog, we got some heads in here!

 

[The Audience]

and Mr Lif’s verse on this, verse 2

.

"It was a real ill situation...penetration,
Of wack rappers in the nation.."

haha i love this track. Good album too. Lif has a good verse on Edan's other album Beauty & the Beat. That album is amazing -one of the best of the decade imo. Wish Edan would have produced more, he is incredibly talented.

 

[weaselkenievil]

"It was a real ill situation...penetration,
Of wack rappers in the nation.."

haha i love this track. Good album too. Lif has a good verse on Edan's other album Beauty & the Beat. That album is amazing -one of the best of the decade imo. Wish Edan would have produced more, he is incredibly talented.

right with you dude, that verse is my favourite to rap when drunk and annoying

Agree about Edan too, my number one artist I want to see live but haven’t. You hard the stuff he’s done with Your Old Droog? Really like that too, if you haven’t checked that out yet might be up your street. For example this...mc over a live beat, anyone should be able to do this but few do

 

[The Audience]

right with you dude, that verse is my favourite to rap when drunk and annoying

Agree about Edan too, my number one artist I want to see live but haven’t. You hard the stuff he’s done with Your Old Droog? Really like that too, if you haven’t checked that out yet might be up your street. For example this...mc over a live beat, anyone should be able to do this but few do

Lol

No i havent checked any stuff of his lately..but i was aware of him doing bits n pieces from searching yt during my occasional 'what the fuck is edan doing' moments and i got the impression hes been doing more live stuff than recording, but i wish he would make another album, hes too good to just be doing stuff in a kitchen lol. I will check it out this witch stuff sometime though.

 

[MisterT]

I'm interested in what your choices would be. I'm gonna start with Bun B's verse in Murder:



He's the second rapper if you don't know. Probably in my top 3 hip hop albums too. Ridin Dirty is a classic

I came into this thread just to post that verse. Bun B and Pimp C had some bangers over the years.

 

[FinalFight]

[Chester P]

I hold mine like Vishnu, it's offcial, bring death like pandora unlock
This boxed horror, last calls then sayanora.. let the truth hit you
Pierce through your armor, engage bad karma take this to the gods with you
My slipstreams hells portal burning all mortals
Bring fire from the lower portion, treat mans like morsels move forceful
Bring sleep to your wrapped willows see life through a cracked window
Spin webs like a black widow hug mics then snap rib bones
I'm the herecles most kept straight sitcom, raps oracle leave dead minds switched on
Plant seeds in your forcefield play zeus, soul controller of your last move
Wukong of this ordeal talk myth but its all real plus deep like neptune
Turn the stage in to Ragnarök, play lowkey leading the giants in to battle gods
I'm the catalyst move like a wild serpent word perfect, dialect it
Speak urgent use method you can check it very detailed heavyweight foot stepping
Communication like mercury rap warlock very deadly mercenary rap style

You ain't ready I capsize amateurs baptize microphones backhand fassyholes
You ain't ready I capsize amateurs baptize microphones backhand fassyholes

Second Entry jellyfish kiss deadly poison ivy verse clings tight to medley
Captains log relate to your extra senses snatch food like harpy's hell sentence
No repentence, army's of fire sent in
Your reality's start melting, fool pray to the thunderbird
Dragged down to the underworlds, burn fast in the guts of hell
Grasp life like Nambi move prangly, turn aggy on your rap bambi's
Walt Disneys your too candy, here's the candyman meet Stanley, say goodbye to your family
I reflect hell in the sky's mirror.. the witchdoctor
Your whole styles type error shake my stick delete your petty infants
Style without symptoms fall within the system
Stay within your league blood im a champion, dark soldier thug hearted
Outlasting, outcasted, rap bastard, the grim reapers right hand.. meet your destiny

You ain't ready I capsize amateurs baptize microphones backhand fassyholes
You ain't ready I capsize amateurs baptize microphones backhand fassyholes

My reputations like Carles, bring danger impaler move like lord vader
Crusader, soothsayer, fort trader, rank major, drop the nuclear
I'm your true fear pioneer, overseer pledge to the dark side
Game done by half time my sweat drowns half pints
Taste my legacy catch man like leprosy
The necromancer reminding you all of deaths integrity
Gut heads like hydra shooting down skylarks stamping on sidewinders
Low lifers, new born to the old timers losing focus
My words are like plauging locusts, move towns like a gold rush
Get caught up in my cold crush deaths clutch fully loaded in the holster
Dark culture, sharp minds we all do what were supposed ta

 

[Whitey Beefcake]

JAY-Z - The Story of O.J.

"Financial freedom my only hope
Fuck livin' rich and dyin' broke."