Hip-Hop Illustrated

Illustrations by Dana Paresa

When we talk about great rappers, their ability to “paint pictures” using vivid imagery is a common topic of conversation. The problem is, we never actually get to see those pictures. That’s what this feature is all about. We worked with the talented Dana Paresa to bring the hip-hop imagery from some classic rap lines to life. See the results below.

I’ve been in this game for years, it made me a animal / There’s rules to this shit, I wrote me a manual

The Notorious B.I.G., “Ten Crack Commandments”

My name is Hov, H to the O-V / I used to move snowflakes by the O-Z

Jay Z, “Public Service Announcement”

We eat pieces of shit like you for breakfast / Huh? Y’all eat pieces of shit? What’s the basis?

Kanye West, “Jesus Walks”

Real G’s move in silence like lasagna

Lil Wayne, “6 Foot 7 Foot”

Slip like Freudian / Your first and last step to playing yourself like accordion

MF DOOM, “Accordian”

Rock you in your face / Stab your brain with your nose bone

Mobb Deep, “Shook Ones Pt. II”

I seen her on the ave, spotted her more than once / Ass so fat that you could see it from the front

Mos Def, “Ms. Fat Booty”

All my exes live in Texas like I’m George Strait

Drake, “HYFR”

Will someone please explain to my brain / That I just severed a main vein / With a chainsaw and I’m in pain?

Eminem, “Role Model”

I like them Georgia peaches but you look more like a lemon / These sour apple bitter bitches I’m not fucking with ’em

Gucci Mane, “Lemonade”