16 Songs That Warned Us About The Surveillance State

You are not alone.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Well, here we are in the 21st Century. Pretty much exactly where George Orwell, Philip K. Dick, and lots of potheads expected us to be: With the government eavesdropping on our every conversation. Besides Orwell and Dick and potheads, though, you know who else predicted our current state pretty accurately? Rappers.

Rappers have known the deal for a long time now. Edward Snowden's historical exposure of the National Security Agency’s massive surveillance architecture only confirms widespread suspicion. Here are 16 examples that prove the old adage, "Just because you’re paranoid, doesn’t mean the government isn’t spying on you."

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2 Chainz f/ Pharrell "Feds Watching" (2013)

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Most paranoid lyric: "Red leather same color red lobster/And she brain wash ya'/Brain doctor/I'ma be fresh as hell if the Feds watchin'..."

Rick Ross "Holy Ghost" (2012)

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DJ Drama f/ Jim Jones, Rick Ross, T.I., Willie the Kid, Young Buck & Young Jeezy "Feds Takin' Pictures" (2007)

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Prodigy "Mac 10 Handle" (2007)

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Most paranoid lyric: "They got eyes in the sky/We're under surveillance/That On-Star in your car tracks everywhere you been/Gotta watch what I say/They're tappin' my cellphone/They wanna sneek a peek inside of my home..."

dead prez "Police State" (2000)

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Most paranoid lyric: "Red, black, and green instead of gang bandanas/F.B.I. spyin' on us through the radio antennas/And them hidden cameras in the streetlight watchin' society/With no respect for the peoples' right to privacy..."

Ghostface Killah "Malcolm" (2000)

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Most paranoid lyric: "I'm like Malcolm/Out the window with the joint..."

The Firm "Phone Tap" (1997)

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Most paranoid lyric: "Keep your eyes open/Stay wide, shit is mind-blowin'/Look for any sign showin' one-time is knowin'..."

The Notrious B.I.G. f/ Puff Daddy & Ma$e "Mo Money, Mo Problems" (1997)

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Most paranoid lyric: "Federal agents/Mad 'cause I'm flagrant/Tapped the cell and the phone in the basement..."

2Pac f/ Big Syke "All Eyez On Me" (1996)

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Most paranoid lyric: "The Feds is watchin'/Plottin' to get me/Will I survive, will I die?/Come on let's picture the possibility..."

LL Cool J f/ Keith Murray, Prodigy, Fat Joe and Foxy Brown "I Shot Ya" (1995)

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Most paranoid lyric: "Illuminati want my mind, soul and my body/Secret society/Tryin' to keep their eye on me..."

Mobb Deep "Temperature's Rising" (1995)

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Most paranoid lyric: "From windows/I see lights flashin' and maybe/Someone's taking pictures/You know who that be/Police lovers/And neighborhood snitches..."

Goodie Mob "Cell Therapy" (1995)

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Most paranoid lyric: "Where my W2s? 1099s?/Unmarked black helicopters swoop down and try to put missles in mines..."

Ice Cube "Ghetto Bird" (1993)

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Most paranoid lyric: "At night I see your light through my bedroom window/But I ain't got shit but the pad and pencil..."

Geto Boys "Mind Playing Tricks On Me" (1991)

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Most paranoid lyric: "I'm poppin' in my clip when the wind blows/Every twenty seconds got me peepin' out my windows/Investigating the joint for traps/Checking my telephone for taps..."

Public Enemy "Louder Than a Bomb" (1988)

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Most paranoid lyric: "I ain't lying, denying, 'cause they're checking my code/Am I bugging 'cause they're bugging my phone for information/No telling who's selling out/Power building the nation, so..."

Rockwell "Somebody's Watching Me" (1984)

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Most paranoid lyric "Are the neighbors watching?/Is the mail man watching me?/And I don't feel safe anymore/Oh what a mess/I wonder who's watching me now (Who?)/The I.R.S.?!"

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