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Some, if not all, of rap’s greatest names — Drake, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Kanye West and lots extra — are fathers. For years, although, fatherhood in Hip Hop has roughly been handled as an afterthought briefly talked about between verses or diminished to the purple carpet. Over time, we’ve seen fairly a number of artists lean into it as a theme. Fortunately, that’s given us a rising variety of rap songs that discover what it means to be a dad.

With that in thoughts, Rap-Up collected 10 songs that showcase fatherhood in all its complexity. Between deep cuts like Quando Rondo’s “Letter to My Daughter” and Aminé’s “Fetus” to extra well-known tracks, comparable to West’s “Violent Crimes,” right here’s an in depth take a look at a few of our favorites.

1. She’s Mine Pt. 2 by J. Cole

J. Cole is usually tight-lipped about his private life, which is why “She’s Mine Pt. 2” appears like one of many extra private songs from 4 Your Eyez Solely, arguably his most emotionally affecting album to this point. Whereas “She’s Mine Pt. 1” seemingly captured his emotions for his spouse, half two discovered him embracing fatherhood to the fullest extent. Plus, he’s in all probability one of many solely rappers who may get away with critiquing the company greed behind Christmas and Black Friday on a observe devoted to his new child daughter.

2. On Up by Large Sean

Higher Me Than You is perhaps one in every of Large Sean’s most reflective initiatives ever, with a extra mature model of him coming by way of clearly on “On Up.” Devoted to his son Noah Hasani, the Detroit rapper dishes heartfelt strains about seeing innocence in his boy’s eyes and imagining himself as a grandfather sometime. Its music video is additional particular, too — due to appearances from mommy Jhené Aiko and Large Sean’s personal mom, Myra Anderson. To not point out, the Jodeci “Get On Up” pattern that runs by way of the observe is one thing we fortunately have on repeat for days.

3. Violent Crimes by Kanye West

West’s “Violent Crimes” is basically a cautionary story about males failing to respect ladies till they develop into fathers themselves. “Father, forgive me, I am frightened of the karma / ‘Trigger now I see ladies as somethin’ to nurture / Not somethin’ to beat,” the Chicago lyricist admits within the observe’s solitary verse. For such a somber, reflective observe in his already expansive catalog, references to Nicki Minaj (“I hope she like Nicki, I make her a monster”) and that one scene from Unhealthy Boys II (“I answered the door like Will Smith and Martin”) in some way make it one in every of his most oddly self-revealing.

Does it hit the identical understanding Pardison Fontaine wrote most of it? Possibly not fully. Nevertheless, “Violent Crimes” is well among the many greatest songs from ye.

4. Letter to My Daughter by Quando Rondo

“Letter to My Daughter” is a becoming technique to shut out QPac, serving as a sort of emotional reset after every little thing that got here earlier than. Whereas a lot of the album finds Rondo working by way of layers of ache and his sophisticated relationship with medication, the ultimate observe appears like a lightweight breaking by way of the darkness. It’s a reminder that, above all, he’s a father — and one who clearly desires nothing greater than to offer his child woman the world.

5. Like Father, Like Son by The Sport

“My son’s ultrasound the closest I ever been to heaven / Lord forgive me for my sins, I do know it is final minute” is perhaps the realest The Sport has ever rapped, at the least in terms of fatherhood. On “Like Father, Like Son,” he’s overwhelmed by butterflies “like Mariah Carey” (a nod to her 1997 hit), vividly recalling the precise second he discovered he was having a boy. OG followers in all probability bear in mind Harlem Taylor — named after the long-lasting New York neighborhood — additionally making a cameo on the duvet of The Documentary (Deluxe), which homes this deeply private lower that includes Busta Rhymes.

6. March 14 by Drake

No, “March 14” isn’t the birthday of Drake’s son, Adonis Graham, however it’s undoubtedly a significant date. On the Scorpion observe — his second reference to fatherhood on the album, after “Impassive” — the Canadian hitmaker opens up about how he and Sophie Brussaux ended up separated, very similar to his personal dad and mom. “October child for irony’s sake, after all / I bought this 11 tatted for anyone, now it’s yours,” he displays on the document, which fairly paradoxically, is all about life’s full-circle moments.

7. Father Of 4 by Offset

“Father Of 4” is the title observe of Offset’s debut solo album, although funnily sufficient, that identify now not captures the total image for the Migos rapper. Large Rube poetically opens the document, which sees the youthful Atlanta native digging deep into his relationships along with his then-four children: Jordan, Kody, Kalea and Kulture Cephus. “I used to be seventeen years outdated after I had you / Tryna discover my soul after I had you,” he mentioned of his firstborn, Jordan.

Offset’s vulnerability shines by way of once more as he addresses his eldest daughter: “Kalea, you my first, first daughter / I missed the primary years of your life, I am sorry.” He additionally movingly compares Kulture to his late grandmother. In fact, the household has grown fairly a bit since, with Offset and Cardi B welcoming two extra kids collectively.

8. Fetus by Aminé

Let’s handle the elephant within the room: “Fetus” is unquestionably one technique to identify a tune. However earlier than you decide, comprehend it’s one of the crucial considerate — and slept-on — moments from Aminé’s Limbo. “It’s about, principally, my future baby and eager to deliver them right into a world that I really feel is wholesome and proper, and after I’m prepared,” he instructed Genius.

9. DadBod by Logic

All these followers begging for the return of the “outdated Logic” bought met with the YSIV rapper hilariously flipping them off on “DadBod.” As he spat, “Goddamn, already had a tough life as soon as / Am I alleged to recreate it each album for you cunts?” Sarcastically sufficient, it is perhaps one in every of Logic’s most genuinely relatable songs ever, contemplating he is simply rapping about operating to Goal for his spouse, shopping for new underwear and caring for child Little Bobby.

10. Shoot Up Your Block by DDG

If the web is able to slide for Halo, you higher imagine his dad is simply too. On “Shoot Up Your Block,” DDG lets listeners know precisely how far he’s prepared to go to guard his household, notably his son. “My son match greater than a grown man / And he bought extra followers, and all he do is present fingers, okay,” the rapper and streamer spat over Money Cobain’s manufacturing. Halo makes a cameo within the tune’s accompanying visible, so bonus factors for the father-son second.