Hip-Hop Economics 101

Not Available Lead
Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

Not Available Lead

It's a well known fact that hip-hop artists like to rap about money. This sometimes homogenous topic of discussion in their work is often the topic of criticism amongst fans and foes of the genre alike. For a while, even I was on this bandwagon. But then I got to thinking, maybe there is some useful advice to be discovered in these her rapping songs. As you journey forward, you will find 20 useful finance tips, as explained by decorated scientists of hip-hop spanning nearly two whole decades. Get ready, because I'm about to go H.A.M. (Hard Ass Microeconomics) on all y'all asses. So, class, if you would, please open your textbooks to page 1.

P.S. Prepare for the obligatory solicitations for spam investment guru advice in the comments section.

Matt Rimer is a writer living in Boston. Follow him on Twitter here.

1. rappereconlead

Not Available Interstitial

2. rapperecon1

Not Available Interstitial

Papoose, "Gettin' Gwap"

"Deeds is gettin' signed, houses gettin' bought/Word on the street it's a new king of New York"

When the phrase "investment strategy" is uttered, only one name comes to mind: Papoose. Papoose, the self-proclaimed "best rapper in New York"/ your nine-year-old cousin who just saw 8 Mile for the first time and thinks he can rap as good as the pros, surprisingly offers sound financial advice.

Purchasing property is perhaps the oldest and most reliable way to steadily increase your gwap as a well as fight the "hidden tax" of inflation. Maybe someday you will earn enough money to dress like the ridiculous circus clown that is Papoose.

3. rapperecon2

Not Available Interstitial

A Tribe Called Quest, "Electric Relaxation"

"I like 'em brown, yellow, Puerto Rican or Haitian"

Phife Dawg knows the importance of diversifying your portfolio. Putting all your eggs in one basket means playing with fire. You might have fun and hit it for a big profit or you might get hurt and suffer a substantial loss. In Phife's analogy, this would be like marrying the hot girl with the fat mom after only a week of knowing her.

4. rapperecon3

Not Available Interstitial

Rick Ross, "Bag Of Money"

"I go and get it and I let her count it for me/I fuck her good and she always ride it for me"

When it comes to accountants, you get what you pay for. Treat that bitch right. Fuck him good and he'll ride it for you.

Wait, was there some sort of double entendre in this song? Woah, like, I straight up feel weird about this because I totally thought it was about accounting and now I'm starting to see a very different narrative being painted. If we're being honest, it's kind of inappropriate. For shame, Ricky, for shame.

5. rapperecon12

Not Available Interstitial

Rick Ross, "B.M.F. (Blowin' Money Fast)"

"I built it ground up, you bought it renovated"

Invest in new properties

Reality TV will tell you that investing in or even flipping a pre-existing property is the way to make your name in today's real estate market. However, investing in new properties can often be a safer alternative. Properties with previous owners come with variables like possible infestations, structural integrity and water damage. New properties, however, are almost always a predictable product and are sure to yield you a long term profit, assuming the market is right.

And with the money you earn, you can buy a huge pair of tits like Rick did! Wait, they’re real? My bad.

6. rapperecon4

Not Available Interstitial

Lil Wayne, "Rich As Fuck"

"I turn the penny to a motherfucking Janet Jackson"*

Penny stocks are a great way for beginners to discover the ins and outs of the stock market. These inexpensive stocks (by definition, under $5) can introduce a motherfucker to the game without the risk of them losing a great sum of money

*This refers to late '80s/early '90s dimepiece Janet, not post-wardrobe malfunction soggy alien Janet.

7. rapperecon5

Not Available Interstitial

Black Thought, "Art Imitates Life"

"Let’s toast to paid mortgages, lasting marriages"

Don't let banks put your balls in a vice like your girlfriend already has, I'm assuming. Pay off your mortgage early so you can have a house that you own and can do with as you please. Also, as it turns out, getting married has exactly one benefit: You get a dickton of tax breaks.

More like Black-Food-For-Thought, amirite, guys? Heh heh, right? Because, like, "food for though," ya know? That whole *cough* deal. No? Alright, so yeah, nevermind then.

8. rapperecon6

Not Available Interstitial

Frank Ocean, "Super Rich Kids"

"My silver spoon has fed me well"

Frank, despite being more of an R&B singer than a rapper, knows that it's easy to make money if you already have money. Be leery of getting financial advice from wealthy tycoon types. Strategies that work for them might not work for you, and in reality, they're probably just trying to sell you their book. Luckily, I am a poor, unsuccessful twenty-something like you, so my advice is reliable.

9. rapperecon7

Not Available Interstitial

Puff Daddy/Puffy/P. Diddy/Diddy, "It's All About The Benjamins"

"Swim in European figures/Fuck being a broke nigga"

In this classic brag jam, Puff embraces the notion of international investment. While America has long been the dominating center of business in the world, as of late it has been losing its chokehold. As the 21st century progresses, Asian countries like China, Japan and India have become centers for technological innovation, increasing their attractiveness for potential investors.

Earn enough money through international investing and maybe one day you too can ride a jet ski while wearing a tuxedo like a complete douchebag too.

10. rapperecon8

Not Available Interstitial

Jay Z, "Diamonds From Sierra Leone (Remix)"

"I'm not a businessman/I'm a business, man"

Don't be someone else's workhorse. If you're making a substantial income, assemble a team of financial advisors to manage your money and assets to optimize the potential of your own portfolio.

11. rapperecon11

Not Available Interstitial

Jay Z, "Can I Live"

"We don't lease, we buy the whole car"

Paying up front eliminates interest fees. If you have enough expendable skrilla, you should always buy instead of renting.

Take it from the Hov, he has enough money to get his dick wrecked by one pop diva while the other waits at the kiddie table of the Met Gala with her sister.

12. rapperecon9

Not Available Interstitial

Busta Rhymes, "Dangerous"

"Makin' ya run/Me and my gun/Stackin' my ones/Floss a little, invest up in a mutual fund"

Economist Trevor Tahiem Smith, Jr. coming from left field to busta nut of financial advice all over our faces with this nugget right here. Joining a mutual fund is a great way to diversify your investment portfolio while still having the solidarity of other partners. Additionally, the operation will be helmed by a finance expert sure to steer your joint venture toward success.

Bonus Advice: Flossing is a great way to prevent gum disease. Busta is 2 for 2 with this gem.

13. rapperecon10

Not Available Interstitial

Nas, "Money Is My Bitch"

"You cheat wit government thugs, got the IRS pounding on you"

Nas knows that if you fuck with the IRS, they will fuck you right back. Don’t stretch your deductions, nahmean?

14. rapperecon13

Not Available Interstitial

50 Cent, "I Get Money"

"I took quarter water sold it in bottles for 2 bucks/Coca-Cola came and bought it for billions, what the fuck?"

50 preaches the art of buy low, sell high or die tryin'.

Although, I'm not sure he really needs any more money. I mean, he's still getting residual checks from the Shady/Aftermath Artist Development Center for being a human test subject, right?

15. rapperecon14

Not Available Interstitial

Kendrick Lamar, "Money Trees"

"Money trees is the perfect place for shade and that's just how I feel"

Having a substantial amount of money can afford an individual the luxury of being able to make high-risk, high-reward investments if they deal in a small percent of their total income. However, until you have built yourself up to that point, stick to safe, low risk ventures, ya bish.

16. rapperecon15

Not Available Interstitial

Lupe Fiasco, "Fast Money"

"Why you trying to get that ho to swallow/If you get a brain then the hoes will follow"

Perhaps the biggest rookie mistake in finance is to think any investment is a good investment. Frivolous speculation will usually end in a loss. However, if you play your hand carefully, opportunity will eventually cum, and the hoes will swallow (read: you will get paid).

17. bronson

Not Available Interstitial

Action Bronson, "Contemporary Man"

"Grow the money like a Cocha tree"

The Bronsoliño explains that, sometimes, money really does grow on trees. Investing in businesses that deal in recession-proof commodities like energy (or in Action's case, cocaine), can offer predictable dividends. Big companies with this sort of long history of predictability have stocks that are often referred to as "Blue Chips," which is also the name of Bronson’s mixtape series. Coincidence? Yeah, but just roll with it, okay?

18. rapperecon16

Not Available Interstitial

Kanye West, "Can't Tell Me Nothing"

"I had a dream I could buy my way to heaven/ When I woke, I spent that on a necklace/I told God I'd be back in a second /Man, it's so hard not to act reckless"

The moral of the story is this: You don't need to spend all of your expendable income. If you feel the need to get it off your hands, investing is always wiser than spending. The modern day Yeezy takes his old advice to heart. Recently, he bought his better half 10 Burger King Franchises as a present, thus investing in keeping Kim's enormous ass. It's science, people.

19. rapperecon17

Not Available Interstitial

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, "1st Of Tha Month"

"Wake up, wake up, wake up, it's tha 1st of the month/Get up, get up, get up, so cash your checks and get up"

Make sure to assess your finances every month. Frequently, individuals with a newly acquired sum of wealth (not to be confused with young mullah baby), will be overly confident with their financial situation and become unaware of how much money they are actually spending. For the average person, small, unseen expenditures can add up. Make sure your wallet thugs are in harmony with your budget.

20. rapperecon19

Not Available Interstitial

Tyga, "Bitch Betta Have My Money"

"Bitch better have my money/If the bitch don't, tell her bounce like a bunny/ I don't give a fuck 'bout what that bitch talking/She ain''t got the cash 'til that bitch get to walking"

Financial advisors can be great tools to use when investing. However, some are only looking out for their own interests. They will take risks with your money because there is no negative outcome for them if they are wrong, only a positive commission if they are right. If your stockbroker is not working for your interests, and not optimizing your profits, get rid of him and find a new bottom bitch.

21. rapperecon20

Not Available Interstitial

French Montana, "N.B.A. (Never Broke Again)"

"Real estate with that lake/Shootin' from half court got you by a long shot"

Properties that are located along a waterfront (a lake or ocean) will cost you considerably more money to purchase, however, they do have their perks. Even if the house on the property is in poor condition, or even non-existent, the land alone is still usually worth a considerable amount of money. Sometimes, buying coastal or lakeside property that has the potential to become inhabited with commercial or private ventures can be a wise investment. Beaches are notorious for becoming homes for expensive hotels and resorts, places Joe Budden and French Montana can find minimum wage jobs at when they're broke and out of work in five years.

Latest in Style