The 50 Greatest Car Songs in Rap History

Image via Complex Original

Producer: Cool & Dre
Album: N/A
Label: Zomba

When Dre of Cool And Dre stepped out from behind the boards and into the booth, he rapped about what he knew. The Miami scraper culture is huge, and Dre ended up penning this summer anthem to highlight just how much money was being put into tricking out and restoring old-school American vehicles.

Rick Ross swooped in with two stellar verses to accompany a catchy chorus and energetic production, but it was the respect paid to the Miami scraper scene that pulled listeners from everywhere into the real pulse of the city.

Producer: Chops
Album: Stop Snitchin–Stop Lyin
Label: Black Wall Street

On “My Lowrider,” Game linked up with some long-time west coast legends like E-40, WC and Ice Cube, and they all went in, connected by multiple generations of classic Cali car culture. Paul Wall also added a verse, bringing some Houston flavor to the track.

Aside from being an absolute banger, “My Lowrider” showed just how deeply woven car culture is into every generation of western hip-hop, going all the way back to its roots. For all the east coast has contributed to hip-hop, it's safe to say that no one does riding music like the left coast does.

Producer: Lil B
Album: 6 Kiss
Label: N/A

For many of us, being able to own a car that we're proud of is a goal worth working for. On “Rolls Royce,” Lil B talks about how he's realized that more important than buying a dream car is the journey that gets you there and the life you lead after you can afford it.

B kicks some knowledge about how there's more to life than possessions, while relaying the message that he once strived for the same things. Superficiality is an aspect of hip-hop that's not going away, but Lil B's “Rolls Royce” puts it all in perspective.

Producer: Poke & Tone
Album: Big Willie Style
Label: Columbia Records

Be it starring in blockbuster movies and television shows or crafting classic rap records, Will Smith does it all and has it all. Though, as he demonstrates on “Just Cruisin',” sometimes we've all got to get away. Working your ass off all week is sure to catch up with you at some point. “Just Cruisin'” is the perfect soundtrack for hitting the open road, alone in your whip, and going wherever those last few gallons of gas will take you.

Producer: Southside
Album: Twin Towers 2
Label: N/A

On “BMW,” Waka Flocka and Slim Dunk turn the Bavarian Motor Works acronym into an abbreviation for “body made wrong.” It's playful and it's hilarious, but more importantly it's a testament to the fun-loving bond that these two rappers had. “BMW” is one of the best songs these Waka and Slim made together, before Slim Dunkin's passing in December of last year.

Producer: Unknown
Album: Thug Passion
Label: N/A

It's hard to break a man's spirit when he's gotten his haircut, taken a fresh shower and has some nice wheels to drive around in. On “Tight Whips,” Boosie's feeling himself, and his energy is contagious. This is the theme music for the Friday night ride to the club, when the only thing left to do is hop out and make sure everybody sees you.

Producer: Mr. Rogers
Album: Boss Of All Bosses
Label: Boss Hogg Outlawz/E1 Music

“Top Drop” isn't your typical song about cruising in an old Cadillac, and stunting for all to see. Instead, the beat utilizes keys and a sample to curate a reflective mood. Slim Thug and Paul Wall rap thoughtful verses, and touch on how sometimes a car can be all a person has to momentarily escape their problems. Anytime you need to take that late-night drive to get your mind off everything you're going through, put this on repeat and ride out.

Producer: Drumma Boy
Album: Ferrari Boyz
Label: 1017 Brick Squad/BSM/Asylum/Warner Bros.

Not known for his class and sophistication, on “Ferrari Boyz,” Gucci raps about passing on the Rolls Royce Phantom, opting instead for the wilder and more fitting yellow, two-seater Ferrari. Waka joins in on the fun and cops the red one, and the Ferrari Boyz tandem rips through the streets of Atlanta.

The song boasts a charming aimlessness, as if the two friends simply drive around, with nowhere to go, impressing women and being cheered on by locals all day. Of course, it's not that simple, but that doesn't stop us all from wishing we could also buy colorful Ferraris and parade around the city with our friends.

Producer: The Runners
Album: Trilla
Label: Slip-n-Slide/Def Jam

Though Rick Ross is known for having quite the car collection, “Speedin” is not only about mashing the gas, doing 100-miles-per-hour in a Maybach. It's also about living the fast life. Ross raps about money flowing in and out of his accounts faster than he can wrap his head around and doing things he always dreamed of on the regular.

Rozay realizes the excess can be dangerous. However, he raps about it inconspicuously enough that if you're not paying attention, you might think it's just a great record about expensive cars and high speeds. Forget a one-liner with a double meaning. This entire song doubles as a metaphor for his life.

Producer: Drama Beats, Cameron Wallace
Album: Trunk Muzik 0-60
Label: Ghet-O-Vision/DGC/Interscope

Through the years, there's been many a song dedicated to rappers attracting hot females with even hotter whips. On “Daddy's Lambo,” Yelawolf flips the script and raps instead about fraternizing with rich Hollywood socialites whilst trying to convince them to let him drive their daddy's Lamborghini.

The song hammers home the message that the fortunate upperclass need those who struggle to make ends meet to realize their privilege. To some, it may serve as a mirror that reveals an uncomfortable image of our society, but if you're just looking for some music to cruise to, it bangs all the same.

Producer: Bill Stephney
Album: Yo! Bum Rush The Show
Label: Def Jam/Columbia

Chuck D and Public Enemy were known for whipping around Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight's. Though, as they were quick to point out on “You're Gonna Get Yours,” with a little shine comes a lot of hate. On this jam, Chuck D lashes out at the haters with some sly and probably half-hearted encouragement. With a voice made to played at loud volumes, Chuck D went in and made one of the best riding records ever.

Producer: Rockwilder
Album: Restless
Label: Loud

On “Front 2 Back,” Xzibit revisits the archetypal musings of hitting switches and riding old-schools, but this isn't your typical easy-going record about having fun. Instead, he brings the ruckus and spits that energetic LA hood flow that makes you want to go do something out of character. Xzibit matched the aggressiveness of Rockwilder's hard-hitting beat, and it turned out to be one of his greatest records ever.

Producer: DJ Quik
Album: Trauma
Label: Mad Science/Fontana Distribution

There's nothing sexier than a woman who's got her own. On “Black Mercedes,” DJ Quik becomes entranced by a sexy woman in a nice car. Nate Dogg adds his usual dose of beautifully misogynist crooning, while Quik finds a comfortable pocket to settle into and spits about possibly falling in lust with this mystery woman.

Somehow, “Black Mercedes” is ageless and criminally slept on. Though, seven years later it sounds as good as it ever has. We miss you, Nate Dogg. Rest in peace.

Producer: Beastie Boys, Dust Brothers, Mario Caldato Jr.
Album: Paul's Boutique
Label: Capitol

“High Plains Drifter” is a tale of a wild night gone awry in the Beastie Boys native Brooklyn stomping grounds. Adrock, MCA and Mike D rap about a night they drive recklessly, ruining property and committing multiple robberies, before being pulled over and booked by the police. The Beasties use their trademark tag-teaming flow for all three verses and keep the story intriguing and laughable, at the same time.

Producer: Brian Dobbs
Album: It Takes A Thief
Label: Tommy Boy Records/Warner Bros.

Judging by his not-so-fantastic run-ins with the law in recent years, it's easy to assume that Coolio would relish returning to the days of old, when all he was worried about was how far he could get on a full tank of gas. “Fantastic Voyage” was Coolio anthem for anyone looking to escape the hardships of the hood and ride out to a place where the people were easy-going and parties never ended. That place doesn't exist, but Coolio made us feel like it did, and that he knew exactly how to get there.

Producer: Mannie Fresh
Album: King
Label: Grand Hustle/Atlantic

On “Top Back,” T.I. lets the world know exactly how he likes to ride, minus packing the machine gun arsenal of a small country, of course. He talks about the stuff of memory for all hip-hop fans in their youth, listening to music at obnoxious levels and riding only with your closest homies.

T.I. was able to step it up a bit by riding kitted-out, with tinted windows and huge rims, but we all remember blaring our music until our system was hot and on the verge of giving out for good. “Top Back” represents those times when the ride is just as important as the destination.

Producer: Mannie Fresh
Album: I Got That Work
Label: Cash Money/Universal

Sometimes you've just got to shine a little bit. On “#1 Stunna,” the Big Tymers waxed poetic about that stuntastic feeling that accompanies riding through your hood in whips most commonly seen in James Bond flicks. Everyone wants to come back to their old stomping grounds and prove to the people they grew up with that they've made something of themselves and were better than their peers all along. This is the anthem for our inner egomaniacal and fantastically disrespectful selves.

Producer: Bluez Brothas, Ase One
Album: SlaughtaHouse
Label: Delicious Vinyl

On “Jeep Ass Niguh,” Masta Ace takes us back to a simpler time, when street confrontations weren't always life-threatening. He raps about his Jeep boasting the loudest base on the block and how it intimidated anyone from engaging in a battle of the booming systems. This is the kind of record that's made to be played at high volumes, with your windows down and a scowl on your face, showing just how much you'd hate to be anyone else.

Producer: Eric "Vietnam" Sadler
Album: A Future Without A Past...
Label: Elektra

Today, rappers continually one-up each other by having the newest and most expensive rides, but you better believe it wasn't always this way. In 1991, Leaders Of The New School rapped candidly about longing for their first rides on “Sobb Story.” For a young guy, sick of constantly walking city streets and eager to impress the ladies, saving up and copping your first set of wheels is a momentous occasion. Busta's built quite the car collection since 1991, but before he bought his first Murcielago, he captured those Lamborghini dreams perfectly for this LOTNS banger.

Producer: Prime
Album: H.F.M. 2 (The Hunger For More 2)
Label: G-Unit/EMI

You know what's better than having one insanely expensive whip? Having to decide between three insanely expensive whips and picking which one you'd like to drive. Make no mistake about it, Lloyd Banks has rich guy dilemmas. “Beamer Benz Or Bentley” isn't just another flashy song about whips, it's an extraordinary tale of contemplative decision-making.

We've all got problems, some bigger than others, some absurdly more expensive than others, and certainly some worth rapping a few bars about. “Beamer Benz Or Bentley” is about the kind of problems we'd all like to have.

Producer: Cardiak
Album: Self Made Vol. 1
Label: Maybach Music Group/Warner Bros.

Wale's move to Maybach Music Group was nothing short of a rebirth. Before the move, his career had stalled, and linking up with Rick Ross was what propelled him to the peak of his career thus far. On “600 Benz,” Wale raps about saving some major loot and copping some new wheels.

What makes the song so powerful is that, after hitting a low-point in his career, Wale being able to cop the 600 Benz felt like a triumphant return to the winner's circle. More than being a hot tribute to a nice car, “600 Benz” is a testament to sticking out the grind.

Producer: J-Swift
Album: Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde
Label: Delicious Vinyl

“Officer” is a tale all-too-familiar to young drivers, especially in Los Angeles. When you're driving with a suspended license, the heightened awareness and constant dodging of cop cars feels like a super-frightening game of real-life Pacman. There's a million songs in which a rapper references whipping his gaudiest wheels, but The Pharcyde kept it real about how big of a burden a car can become when you're young, broke, and irresponsible.

Producer: Rick Rubin
Album: The Black Album
Label: Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam

Today, Jay-Z's more likely to be caught with a baby bag than a brick in his trunk, and you'd be hard-pressed to find him driving his own car. However, on “99 Problems” Jay revisits his less-glamorous hustling days and writes vividly about escaping the law with a little knowledge of his rights and some divine intervention.

Obviously, Jay was able to escape doing hard time, but had the canines shown up like they were supposed to, Jay-Z would probably own far less businesses and a lot more cigarettes. Like a great businessman, he flipped a bad experience into one of hip-hop's greatest tales of riding dirty.

Producer: DJ Muggs
Album: Stoned Raiders
Label: Columbia Records

“Lowrider” not only perfectly nails the imagery of the Los Angeles lowrider scene, but it's also one of the most intriguing depictions of the southern California lifestyle that hip-hop has ever produced. Mellow Man Ace kills the hook, while B-Real and Sen Dog paint the classic LA picture of riding clean, sipping brews and hitting house party after house party. In 2001, “Lowrider” made us all wish we were from Los Angeles.

Producer: Salih Williams
Album: The People's Champ
Label: Swishahouse/Asylum/Atlantic Records

The Houston car culture really started to come to prominence in hip-hop with the emergence of Paul Wall and Slim Thug in the early 2000's. “Sittin Sideways” brought hip-hop fans from everywhere into Paul Wall's culture of swangin' cars and candy paint. The slang was different, the sound was new, but the message was tried and true. Paul Wall was paying homage, but he made us realize that the music that has so heavily influenced many of today's young rappers doesn't exist without the car culture.

Producer: Mannie Fresh
Album: I Got That Work
Label: Cash Money/Universal

The Big Tymers were known for whipping the most expensive rides imaginable. Birdman once even bragged about owning 50 cars. Instead of stunting on the hood this time, the Big Tymers made an anthem for everybody to join in on. You might not have had a Bentley or a Hummer, and you may not have been able to afford televisions in your headrests, but if you owned a car of any kind, this track had you itchin' to get out and get your roll on.

Producer: Hi-Tek
Album: The Massacre
Label: Shady/Aftermath/Interscope

On “Get In My Car,” 50 Cent illustrated just how easy it is to bag a hot girl when you've got some nice wheels. Fresh off the success of Get Rich Or Die Tryin, 50 was experiencing all the newfound perks of superstardom, including the switch from hooptie to Benz. You don't have to sell 10 million records to finally step your game up with the females, though. As 50 notes, there's no pick-up lines needed when you've got a decent ride.

Producer: J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
Album: Teflon Don
Label: Maybach Music Group/Slip-n-Slide/Def Jam

Rick Ross might be hip-hop's most recognized Maybach enthusiast, but his assortment of luxury whips is likely rivaled only by the assortment of snacks he keeps on deck. On “Aston Martin Music,” Drake and Chrisette Michelle provide the tone of the record—perfectly matching the J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League backdrop—while Rozay spits about riding with the top down, accompanied only by a down chick and a lust for life. An undeniable banger, “Aston Martin Music” solidified the fact that there's no one better at making aspirational riding music than Rick Ross.

Producer: Marley Marl, LL Cool J
Album: Mama Said Knock You Out
Label: Def Jam/Columbia/CBS Records

On “Illegal Search,” LL exposes all the emotions and stray thoughts that a person experiences when they've been racially profiled and/or pulled over unjustly by law enforcement. When this song was released, immediately following the Reagan era, race relations were extremely tense in America, and minorities found it difficult to get their voices heard. The song is special because it's relatable, and LL used his stardom to emphasize the frustration of millions of people to an audience that might not have otherwise listened.

Producer: Kanye West
Album: Late Registration
Label: Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam

On “Drive Slow,” Kanye West weaves a tale of a young kid getting his license, eager to impress the females, into a metaphor for a person's common tendency to rush the best years of their life. He reminisces on the things that we're all eager to do when we first experience the independence of getting our licenses like taking trips to the mall and picking up girls for a weekend movie night.

Kanye ultimately relays the message that it's important to live in the moment. Whether in life or en route, drive slow, homie.

Producer: Bruce Rhodes
Album: Sittin' Fat Down South
Label: Short Stop Records/Universal

Lil Troy's 1998 hit had us all aspiring to live the flashy lifestyle. Troy and his Screwed Up Click fam made driving up the highway in an old school impala, puffing some good weed with some money in your pocket sound like it was all anyone could ever want. It was evident that they yearned for that lifestyle. Perhaps, Fat Pat and Big Hawk dying before they ever got to fully experience it make the song that much more powerful.

Producer: Anthony Ray
Album: Seminar
Label: Nastymix, Def American Recordings

On “My Hooptie,” Sir Mix-A-Lot chronicles just how tough it can be when you're rolling with a dragging tailpipe and a broken tape-deck. With his Benz in the shop, Mix-A-Lot learns the hard way that driving a hooptie is the best vagina repellant available.

It's a story not unlike the reality of millions of high-school and college guys out there, who are currently whipping their beater around town ultra-cautiously, hoping their engine doesn't overheat. It's a shame-evoking method of transportation, but on the bright side, at least Sir Mix-A-Lot made an incredible song about it.

Producer: Organized Noize
Album: New Jersey Drive, Vol. 1
Label: Tommy Boy Records

On “Benz Or Beamer,” Big Boi and Dre choose to spit alternating 10-bar verses and use only a sample for the hook. Like their rhyme patterns, the structure is unorthodox, but everything falls into place over the Organized Noise production.

They rap about the expensive cars that they love so much, but also stay true to what they've always done. “Benz Or Beamer” is essentially about not letting your success define you. In that respect, we love the song for the same reason we love the group.

Producer: Polow da Don, Butta
Album: Rich Boy
Label: Zone 4/Interscope

On “Throw Some D's,” Rich Boy raps about finally being able to afford an old school Cadillac from drug money. He does what any right-minded person would do and switches out the stock rims for some 20-plus-inch Dayton spokes.

He flosses freely, but is quick to let us know that trying him for his wheels would be bad for your health. Polow Da Don beat set the backdrop to this summer anthem, and it was because of this record that Rich Boy's career took off.

Producer: LL Cool J, QD III
Album: 14 Shots to the Dome
Label: Def Jam/Columbia/SME Records

A man's best friend might be his dog, but that's only after he's gotten his own place. Before then, a man's best friend is undoubtedly the back seat of his ride. On “Back Seat,” LL smoothly rapped about the dilemma of having people to do and nowhere to go, and how his Jeep became a convenient problem solver.

For a young guy, the back seat of your car has likely served as the backdrop to some of your best memories. LL's here to remind us that it's all been done before. Plenty of times.

Producer: Play-N-Skillz
Album: The Sound Of Revenge
Label: Chamillitary/Universal

The narrative in the average rap song about riding dirty depicts the rapper knowingly in the wrong and glorifying their disregard for the law. On “Ridin',” Chamillionaire flips the script and focuses on the issue of racial profiling. He still depicts himself as illusive, but to the dismay of prejudiced Houston patrol men, it's because he's riding clean. Sure, obeying the law may not be edgy or cool, but one thing that never goes out of style is freedom.

Producer: The Legendary Traxster
Album: Picture This
Label: Rap-A-Lot/Virgin Records

“Po Pimp” is a timeless record born out of Do Or Die's Chicago-bred affinity for Cadillac's and probably a few pulls of some incredible ganja. The Legendary Traxster sets the mood with a laid-back beat, and Johnny P really makes the song by crafting a melodic and catchy hook. Twista drops in to steal the show on the song's final verse, and 16 years later, “Po Pimp” is still one of the better riding songs ever made.

Producer: DJ Jazzy Jeff, Hula & K. Fingers
Album: Homebase
Label: Jive

“You Saw My Blinker” is the most complete car storytelling done by a rapper. The Fresh Prince tells the tale of driving his brand new car with his girlfriend in the passenger side, when all of a sudden, he's hit by a 90-year-old lady. When he shows up to court, the lady shows up in a wheelchair and neckbrace, effectively killing Will's case.

Aside from the fact that Will Smith says, “Bitch,” the story is funny and the flow is well-executed. Apparently, even when he takes a loss, Will Smith stays winning.

Producer: N.O. Joe, Pimp C
Album: Ridin' Dirty
Label: Jive

It's no secret that a nice car can do wonders for a guy's attempt-to-conversion rate with the ladies. Back in 1996 UGK was kicking everything you need to know about how to handle the perks of owning a brand new ride. Bun and Pimp made sure we all realized that it's not you that she's into, it's your car.

As stressed on “Fuck My Car,” one should beware of the ladies' motives and never let them get too close. However, if you're not using your ride to help seal the deal, your game needs some serious work. This record might as well be called the whip-appeal-management handbook: Port Arthur edition.

Producer: Ase One
Album: Sittin' On Chrome
Label: Delicious Vinyl

Masta Ace's 1995 banger “Sittin' On Chrome” is a song suited for summertime stunting. Ase One does a masterful job of sampling and chopping the chorus, to which Masta Ace adds some melodic ad-libs. Then, Ace goes in, rapping about showing off his new ride, which is eventually stolen by someone posing as a valet driver. Ace took a loss, but keep this song on loop, and you'll be winning all summer.

Producer: Doug E. Fresh, Vance Wright
Album: Behind Bars
Label: Def Jam/PolyGram Records

People have some of their most contemplative moments in their car. It's part of what makes a car yours. On “Sittin' In My Car,” Slick Rick raps about all the thoughts running through his mind as he sits in his ride awaiting his girlfriend, whom he presumes to be cheating on him. He's also caught some feelings for another woman, and in his ride, he attempts to sort it all out.

Rick's dilemma might be one you've never experienced, but we've all had some life-defining moments in our vehicles. “Sittin' In My Car” is an ode to all the growing up we do behind the wheel.

Producer: DJ Paul, Juicy J
Album: Da Unbreakables
Label: Columbia Records

“Ridin Spinners” represents a time when it was considered cool to have obscenely large rims that never stopped spinning. Looking back at this era evokes feeling similar to looking back at decade-old pictures of yourself and realizing that jacket you thought was so cool was actually a horrible and unforgivable eyesore. It was glorious, and it was ridiculous, but it was completely hip-hop.

You probably wouldn't have seen a Wall Street executive riding spinners back then or ever. And yes, rappers often bejewelled them, as expected, but Three 6 Mafia captured the time in all its splendor.

Producer: A Tribe Called Quest, Jungle Brothers
Album: People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm
Label: Jive

On “I Left My Wallet In El Segundo,” Q-Tip rhymes about taking a California-bound road trip with the rest of A Tribe Called Quest, while his mother's away on a cruise. They end up in El Segundo, where things go awry. After trying to holler at the waitress, Tip unwittingly leaves his wallet at the restaurant, which he doesn't realize until the gang has already traveled back to Brooklyn.

The song is an exhibition of Q-TIp's storytelling abilities, but also one of the only hip-hop tales about road-tripping. Fable or not, the song is one of the best in the ATCQ discography and a top 50 car song of all time.

Producer: Johnny J
Album: All Eyez On Me
Label: Death Row/Interscope

On “Picture Me Rollin',” Pac speaks on his dreams of flossing a Benz that isn't stolen, the car being the ultimate pay-off of all the hard work he was putting in at the time. For many of us, that's what makes our dream car so special, the fact that we have to endure so much to achieve it.

He talks about leading a dangerous life and having to do risky things everyday, leaving him nervous and stressed out. The constant weight of not knowing what dangers the day held seemed to be getting to Pac, and “Picture Me Rollin” was his way of putting his dreams on wax.

Producer: Salih Williams
Album: Who Is Mike Jones?
Label: Swishahouse/Asylum/Jive/Warner Bros.

“Still Tippin'” was one of the biggest hits to come out of the Houston takeover in the early 2000's. The entire Houston rap scene rested on the late-night escapades of Houstoners in their whips, bumping loud music and picking up females. Mike Jones, Paul Wall and Slim Thug illustrated what those nights were all about. Their influence eventually spread throughout the country and has shaped a lot of how today's hip-hop fans have a good time.

Producer: Marley Marl, LL Cool J
Album: Mama Said Knock You Out
Label: Def Jam/Columbia/CBS Records

“The Boomin System” is one of the most honest accounts of stunting in rap history. LL touches on everything from blaring your sound systems in nice cars to rocking gold chains, and in the process, points out that it's all purely done for attention.

LL illustrates what we've known all along: Guys want nice cars, because women want guys who can afford nice cars. In his prime, LL knew just what to say and how to say it. The beat bangs, the flow is masterful, and there's never been a more poignant explanation as to why four wheels and a nice subwoofer have such huge effect on a guy's ego.

Producer: Devin The Dude
Album: Just Tryin' Ta Live
Label: Rap-A-Lot

Let's face it, not everyone can drive Maybachs and Lambos. Some of us will forever be knee-deep in that hooptie life, but it doesn't have to be all bad. On “Lacville 79,” Devin The Dude pays homage to those of us who constantly drive below the speed limit and struggle to raise those once-automatic windows.

Devin raps about frequent visits to different mechanics and all the woes that come with relying on an old beater to get from point A to point B. If there's a silver lining, it's that at least Devin doesn't have to worry about someone stealing his ride. That's a headache safely in his possession.