This story is a part of our new Hip-Hop: ’73 Until Infinity sequence, a celebration of the style’s fiftieth anniversary.
Rap tradition and video video games are intrinsically linked, entwining collectively for the final a number of a long time. One evokes the opposite, one options the opposite, on and on from from Biggie Smalls and his Sega Genesis to Megan Thee Stallion stomping on hoes so arduous that Mario tokens fall out.
However what are among the greatest online game references in rap? What are the very best methods rappers have cleverly thrown a nod to their favourite sport or character right into a track in such a fashion which you could’t assist however make a face of appreciation while you hear it? Certain, Travis Scott was in Fortnite, however he’s not on this listing as a result of he doesn’t have any good video game-related lyrics. Sorry, Travy.
To get on this listing I’m searching for references that really feel pure, like these video games and consoles are literally part of the rapper’s life. Most of the artists listed here are additionally avid gamers—a few of them have streamed themselves enjoying their favourite video games, whereas others level to getting sure consoles as an indication that they made it. One track on this listing even rips the Tremendous Mario Bros. theme for a beat, although you possibly can’t discover it on Spotify for that cause. There’s a wild quantity of Mortal Kombat and Avenue Fighter references in rap, too, however they’re not the one video games which have made it into your favourite rapper’s songs.
Listed below are the 20 greatest online game references in rap music.