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24 Rap Songs That Address Mental Health & Depression

Hip-hop artists like Lil Wayne have delved deeper into discussing the reality of mental health and how it affects their personal and professional lives. Photo Credit: Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)

Here's a roundup of 24 memorable rap songs near depression, featuring tracks from Lil Wayne, Kendrick Lamar, and more than.

Topics centered effectually mental health and depression dominate our public discourse. The national conversation surrounding mental wellness — online and offline — has aided in the stigma of suffering from depression being removed, slowly simply surely.

Though gild has recently adult the language and perspective to aggrandize our understanding — through data and first-hand accounts — the electric current conversation surrounding mental health and depression isn't quite new; it's been subtly channeled through music through fourth dimension. And historically, rap music has e'er served every bit a medium for artists to share their struggles.

The belatedly Prodigy once said , "hip-hop is our therapy." But the conversation around mental health is constantly evolving across that notion — beyond the catharsis of making and consuming music. Hip-hop artists have delved deeper into discussing the reality of mental wellness and how it affects their personal and professional lives, from being vocal about getting therapy to coping through self-intendance. All these states of transparency in their music help to promote a fuller understanding of mental health.

So, in honor of Mental Awareness Week, here's a roundup of 24 memorable rap songs about depression, featuring tracks from Lil Wayne, Kendrick Lamar, and more than.

The Geto Boys — "Mind Playing Tricks on Me" (1991)

In their classic "Mind is Playing Tricks on Me," from their debut anthology We Can't Be Stopped , The Geto Boys capture the reality of Post Traumatic Syndrome within urban communities. Scarface, Willie D, and Bushwick Bill vividly describe the various mental states of paranoia, schizophrenia, and depression. "My Listen Playing Tricks On" Me" was a reflection of Scarface's own inner turmoil, at the fourth dimension struggling as a manic-depressive. The truth backside the vocal gives information technology an authenticity that is still felt nigh 30 years after.

The Notorious B.I.G — "Suicidal Thoughts" (1994)

Death was a mutual theme in The Notorious B.I.G.'southward music and never is it more apparent than on "Suicidal Thoughts." Produced by the legendary Lord Finesse, "Suicidal Thoughts" was arguably one of the most exceptional rap songs on the belatedly rapper'southward debut anthology Fix to Die.

"Suicidal Thoughts" is a suicide note that finds Big conflicted most the hand that life had dealt him, and he calls Puff Daddy to explain the decision that he has already come to terms with.

The song ends in tragedy with a single gunshot, followed past the phone beingness left off the claw.

Organized Konfusion – "Stress" (1994)

Organized Konfusion's anthem about stress helped to change the narrative virtually the intersection of mental wellness and hip-hop. "Stress," which was produced by Buckwild, accurately depicted the lived experiences of young Black America during the '90s. While the duo would never gain widespread popularity, their contribution to the conversation about mental health is a noteworthy one.

Tupac — "So Many Tears" (1995)

Tupac was i of the nigh compelling personalities that hip-hop has always produced. His influence still reverberates inside the culture. On his seminal third album, Me Against The World , he deals with all of the emotion of the human feel, exposing his innermost feelings like never earlier confronting the backdrop of an impending prison house sentence. "And so Many Tears" embodies the vulnerability of Tupac as he feared for his life, expressed suicidal thoughts, and struggled with paranoia.

A Tribe Called Quest, Religion Evans & Outcome — "Stressed Out" (1996)

The iconic group A Tribe Called Quest were trailblazers. Q-Tip, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and the belatedly Phife Dawg created the blueprint that so many have drawn from. On their 4th LP, Beats, Rhymes, and Life, the crew spoke virtually maneuvering through anxiety on "Stressed Out," which features Faith Evans and Result. The rail showcased all of the mental gymnastics that Black people have to get through only to just be. Released as a single in 1996, "Stressed Out' spoke to the realities of feet, taking prescribed medicine, and edifice strong support systems long before it became mainstream.

DMX — "Slippin'" (1998)

Over the form of his career, DMX has had his fair share of battles — struggling with drug addiction, alcoholism, paranoia, and manic depression.

"Slippin," from Flesh of My Flesh, Claret of My Claret , is an exorcism of sorts. The vocal finds X reminiscing most all the traumatic events of his life and how they shaped him. In the opening refrain, X, with piercing insight says, "This life shit, this life shit is like is like bugged the fuck out, son, for real. Meet, to live is to endure. Simply to survive…Well, that's to notice pregnant in the suffering."

Jean Grae — "Go on Livin'" (2003)

Jean Grae is your favorite rapper'due south, favorite rapper. Her lyrical exploits have gained her legendary status as an underground MC. On "Keep Livin,'" from her 2003 release The Bootleg of the Bootleg EP, she steps up to the plate and delivers some insight on how mental issues accept impacted her family and how she deals with the stress. With lyrical precision, Ms. Grae explains that one of the ways she copes with depression is to "Keep Livin."

Clipse & Bilal – "Nightmares" (2006)

Few could match the wit and dexterity of the Clipse when it came to spitting near cocaine and other controlled substances. Just even the Clipse could not escape the psychological toil that comes with the drug game. On "Nightmares," which features singer Bilal, the duo gets existent well-nigh the PTSD of drug dealing. The paranoia, anxiety, stress, hallucinations —and yeah even nightmares —are par for the course.

Lil Wayne — "I Feel Like Dying" (2007)

With the refrain of"I feel like dying"—  a sample of Karma'due south " Once " — on a loop, Lil Wayne tackles the topic of suicidal ideation with vulnerability. While at the tiptop of his powers, Lil Wayne came to grips with his ain mental health journey and admitted his drug addiction. Although drug use has always been a part of hip-hop civilisation, Wayne — who was the near popular rapper in the world at the time — describing his dependency on the anti-anxiety pill Xanax was a game-changer. Wayne opened the door for rappers to share openly about the destructive nature of addiction and how mental illness impacts the states in numerous ways.

Eminem — "Beautiful" (2009)

"Beautiful" is a single from Eminem's sixth studio album Relapse. He first began to compose the song during a stint in rehab in 2005 to deal with his addiction to sleep medication. The song would not be finished until he got sober some years later, and he added a third poesy. On this melancholy rail, Eminem talks about his drug habit with pathos. "Beautiful" was the only song he kept that he wrote while in rehab. He explained:

One of the only reasons that I put that rail on there is that I experience like it's the best song out of that batch that I did when I wasn't sober. At the fourth dimension I felt like, "This is information technology for me." I wrote the offset verse and a half in rehab, and when I came out, I finished information technology. It was the just song that marks that period without bringing me back to that place.

Chance the Rapper & Nico Segal — "Long Fourth dimension Ii" (2012)

Run a risk the Rapper wears his faith on his sleeve and is unapologetic about it. Simply even people of organized religion are non exempt from the highs and lows that come with the emotional rollercoaster of life. "Long Time II," featuring Nico Segal, is a passionate plea about navigating through the night abyss of loss and heartbreak. Over a haunting pianoforte, Chance bares his soul, property nothing back equally he seeks freedom from his inner turmoil.

Pharoahe Monch & Denaun Porter – "Losing My Listen" (2014)

Pharoahe Monch'due south reputation equally a legendary lyricist is etched in rock. Ever since his days as a member of Organized Konfusion, Monch has probed deep into his own metallic issues through his music.

On his conceptual album Post Traumatic Stress Disorder , Monch'southward creates every runway around some form of PTSD. During the recording process, Monch was struggling with depression and trying to maintain his sobriety. PSTD was non metaphorical but a mirror into his experiences.

"Losing My Mind," is Monch's attempt to add to the collective conversation of the demand for therapy in the African American community. Maneuvering through the darkness of depression, he skillfully depicts the internal struggle when 1 is suffering from faltering mental illness.

Joe Budden & Emanny – "Merely Human" (2015)

Before he became a media star, Joe Budden was a formidable and highly respected MC in hip-hop. Always an open up volume, he diameter his soul on "Only Human."  From his Some Honey Lost EP, "Only Man" was recorded the day afterward he was released from jail, details his struggle with his mental land. It also chronicles his thoughts regarding suicide and depression.

Earl Sweatshirt — "Grief" (2015)

Grief has no expiration date.  Death is very much a part of life, a lesson that anybody has to learn, and there is no escaping this reality. The best nosotros tin can do is simply manage grief from mean solar day to day, moment to moment. From his anthology I Don't Similar Shit, I Don't Get Outside , Earl Sweatshirt takes on the topic of grief head-on. On "Grief," Sweatshirt deals with the malaise of human mortality. The rapper also addressed themes of paranoia and isolation. He interweaves the loss of his grandmother, distrust of anything and everybody, and all the feet that comes along with it.

Kendrick Lamar — "​u" (2015)

Kendrick Lamar is one of the almost heralded MCs in hip-hop. His lyrical ingenuity allows him to address a plethora of subjects with nuance and vivid insight. Featured on his highly acclaimed LP To Pimp A Butterly, "u" explores his previous encounters with low, suicidal thoughts, and survivor'southward guilt. According to Lamar, it was a difficult endeavor to compose to the song. In an interview, Lamar said , "That was one of the hardest songs I had to write. In that location's some very dark moments in at that place. All my insecurities and selfishness and letdowns. That shit is depressing as a motherfucker. But it helps, though. It helps."

Vic Mensa — "There's Alot Going On" (2016)

Vic Mensa has been an open volume about his struggles with mental health. His other-worldly talent as an MC is only matched by the internal forces that he constantly wrestles with. For Mensa, his creative expression helps him to gainsay psychological trauma and to proceed his sanity. On "There's A Lot Going On," Mensa looks into his own soul and battles with his inner demons, making a bold creative statement. Throughout the rail, Mensa paints a portrait of his personal experiences of mental health combined with his drug apply and consumption of alcohol to ease with the hurting.

Kid Cudi – "Wounds" (2016)

In 2013, Kid Cudi suffered from an emotional breakup after catastrophe a relationship. In 2016, he announced on social media that he checked himself into a rehab considering of his struggles with prescription medications, anxiety, depression, and suicidal urges. Cudi's music is often colored with those metal wellness battles.

On "Wounds," from his Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin' album, Cudi moves through the various mental states and the effects that they cause. "Wounds" is an accurate portrayal of an artist that'southward fighting for their mental life.

Solange & Lil Wayne – "Mad" (2016)

On her magnum opus, A Seat at the Table , Solange addresses a multiplicity of topics with provocative clarity. "Mad," featuring Lil Wayne, is an exploration into Black emotional vulnerability. She questions the very notion that African Americans have to justify their anger in the face of American oppression.

Lil Wayne, in ane of his most transparent verses, addresses many of things that makes him mad, but he also talks nigh his suicide endeavor at a immature age. Weezy has mentioned the shooting earlier but this is the get-go time that he reveals it was an actual suicide attempt.

Lil Uzi Vert — "XO Bout Llif3" (2017)

Lil Uzi Vert could be considered the personification of modern Emo rap. He represents the wing of hip-hop where MCs are non afraid to express their emotions. Following his intermission-up with Brittany Byrd, Uzi institute himself in a bad space. He explained:

I was speaking authentic on "XO Bout Llif3." Anyone tin relate: I was in a dark infinite, so I went with information technology." The rapper revealed his abuse of Xanax, suicidal ideation, and tremendous heartache. "

The song'due south famous chorus — "push me to the edge, all my friends are dead" — conveyed the mental torment that Uzi was enduring.

Logic, Alessia Cara & Khalid  – 1-800-273-8255 (2017)

On "1-800-273-8255," Logic tackles the upshot of suicide head-on. The song's proper name is the phone number for the American National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL). Logic addresses homophobia and bullying on the rail, two mutual occurrences that often atomic number 82 to suicide.

Logic has chosen "ane-800-273-8255" the "virtually of import song" of his career. It'southward also his most successful, going six times platinum in the United States.

JAY-Z & Gloria Carter — "Grin" (2017)

For years JAY-Z has been consistently stoic in his persona. He has shared his past personal experiences through his music occasionally, just he mostly kept his listening audience at somewhat of a altitude. But after a very public near-terminate to his matrimony to Beyoncé, Hov learned the fine art of baring i's soul through artistic expression, as he does throughout 4:44 .

JAY-Z exposes himself in ways that we've rarely experienced in his career. On "Smile," he reveals that his female parent, Gloria Carter, is gay, and he cried tears of joy when she met her partner. Too, he talks near how beneficial therapy has been equally he attempted to rebuild his matrimony that was on the brink of collapse.

Mac Miller — "Self Care" (2018)

With  COVID-nineteen ravaging our state in 2020, self-care is more just a prissy catchphrase. Self-intendance is essential for our mental, spiritual, and emotional wellness. The late Mac Miller was definitely ahead of the game with his rails "Self-Care." The song was written after his pause-up with Ariana Grande. At the time, his life was spiraling out of control. On "Cocky-Care," Mac Miller is on a journey filled with hurting, addiction, mental illness, and heartbreak that tragically would ultimately be the forces that caused his life to finish prematurely.

Juice Wrld — "Lucid Dreams"  (2018)

Juice WRLD'due south decease in 2019 left the culture with many questions about how to address mental illness and drug usage. Juice WRLD's nigh iconic record is "Lucid Dreams." It'south a vocal he described as a "therapy session" that he wrote while going through struggles in his relationship. Sampling Sting'southward "Shape of My Heart," "Lucid Dream" is an emo-rap ballad that captures the mental anguish when relationships stop.

Big Sean & Nipsey Hussle — "Deep Reverence" (2020)

On Detroit two , Big Sean speaks openly near the importance of his mental health. Throughout the album, Sean talks about anxiety, meditation, and how therapy has immune him to be in a much better place. Accompanied by the late, great Nipsey Hussle on "Deep Reverence," Sean cleanses himself of all of the mental barriers that take held him dorsum and makes the commitment to continually piece of work through his issues.

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Rashad Grove is a writer from NJ whose work has appeared on BET, Billboard, MTV News, Okayplayer, Loftier Snobiety, Medium, Revolt Telly, The Source Magazine, and others. You can follow him at @thegroveness for all of his greatness.

Lastly, for a great discussion of black mental health, inventiveness and healing check out the Okayplayer interview with Vic Mensa.

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Source: https://www.okayplayer.com/music/rap-songs-that-address-mental-health-depression.html

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