Once upon a time, Fetty Wap’s “Trap Queen” was proudly hailed as rap’s most romantic record. With Valentine’s Day around the corner this year, we’re got new standards to meet: Kendrick Lamar’s “LOVE.” featuring Zacari, Russ’ “Wife You Up,” or anything by Daniel Caesar. While some of us are stuck plotting the ultimate dream date for our significant other, the rest of us look forward to a commitment-free Single Awareness Day.
This leaves us to wonder what our favorite artists will be doing for their baes on the big day. This isn’t Love & Hip Hop, but real life love in hip-hop. Beyond the beats, rhymes, and freestyles, hip-hop culture is grounded on love and relationships. Though the lyrics, rap serves as the perfect outlet for artists to express their emotions, as well as place to store their deepest darkest secrets.
When news broke that Jay Z had cheated on Beyonce, the majority of us gave up on ever finding our soulmate. Most of us were left questioning the existence of true love altogether. Thankfully, Hov and Bey were able to set aside their differences, for the sake of their three children. With the release of “03 Bonnie and Clyde,” Hov and Queen Bey positioned themselves to be hip-hop’s greatest power couple. With the releases of 4:44 and Lemonade, they were able to prove to the world that love conquers all—after all, “nobody wins when the family feuds.”
And then there’s Cardi B and Offset, who seem to make headlines every other day with a simple 10-second Snapchat. They’re engaged, Cardi’s single, they’re engaged again… you get the idea. At the end of the day, Cardi’s love (or lust) for her man is always reciprocated. While we wait patiently for the wedding date, and in honor of Valentine’s Day, we’ve compiled our list of the best hip-hop’s couples.