A History of Ben Horowitz's Best Rap References

Peep how the VC kicks knowledge with rap.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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From the outside looking in, there's no overlap between the world's of rap and technology start-ups. Ask venture capitalist Ben Horowitz, however, and he'll tell you the two are more related than you think. For over a year, the former CEO of Opsware, who founded the successful VC firm Andreessen Horowitz with Netscape co-founder Marc Andreessen, has been using rap lyrics to break down certain business and managerial principles on his blog bhorowitz.com. His use of rap has led him to speak in front of the Congressional Black Caucus where he discussed the role African-Americans play in technology and social media. Speaking to the New York Times, Horowitz said that while traditional business literature can teach the mechanics, they can't teach passion or feeling. “The hard part is how you feel," he said. "Rap helps me connect emotionally.” To see just how good his taste in rap is, we went through Ben's blog and picked the best references. 

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Rakim, Follow The Leader

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Kanye West, Good Morning

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Nas, Hip Hop is Dead

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Bushwick Bill, Fuck a War

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Dorrough, Old School Nikes

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Lil Wayne, Swag Surfin

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Ice Cube, Go to Church

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Dr. Dre, The Watcher

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Outkast, Church

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Drake, Right Above It

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Heavy D, We Got Our Own Thang

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Ma$e, Lookin' At Me

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Jay-Z, A Week Ago

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The Game, Don't Need Your Love

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Lupe Fiasco, Beautiful Lasers

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Dr. Dre, Let Me Ride

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Public Enemy, Fight The Power

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Rick Ross, Sixteen

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Kanye West, New God Flow

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Jay-Z, Izzo (H.O.V.A.)

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