On Thanksgiving, those who celebrate, feast on fervent meals and relax, watching football, playing spades or partaking in other familial holiday traditions. Whether roasting a turkey and blending cocktails to dine and carouse at fun Friendsgiving, a quaint family gathering where relatives travel long-distances, Thanksgiving can be the best event in a calendar year. Indulging on savory food and benevolent fellowship all to express feelings of gratitude.
At rap music’s core, every song has intendment. Whether it’s meaningful or impactful leads to a different discussion, however, artists are experts at translating broader messages and nuanced experiences with lyrical finesse. While there are not many Hip-Hop songs dedicated specifically to Thanksgiving such as birthday raps or Christmas rhymes, a recurring theme throughout rap music is gratitude. Turkey-give-aways are also a favorite charitable act of many Hip-Hop musicians who take it back to their neighborhoods at least once a year to ensure everyone eats.
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People reported multiple celebrities giving back on Turkey Day in 2018 including Nicki Minaj and T.I. who both led gifting efforts in their native cities. Last year was not the first, nor will this year be the last. Several rappers have backed or led meal giveaways in their hometowns. From Megan Thee Stallion who teamed up with Houston Food Bank to 21 Savage who helped serve 300 dinners in Stone Mountain, Georgia.
“I landed right off my flight and came straight to the @houstonfoodbank and hotties we’ve already donated over 1,000 turkeys to families in Houston and still giving them out tonight and tomorrow!!! Thank you @houstonfoodbank and all the volunteers that came out for helping me give back to the city writes Megan Thee Stallion on her Instagram.
The Hip-Hop artists of past, present, and optimistically the future oftentimes run down their appreciativeness of material possessions, career qualifiers and life achievements on wax. Thankful for self-defined blessings, local and national success, escaping poverty, personal growth, survival, love, friends and fans, Hip-Hop artists use story-telling lyrics, soulful beats, and party songs and catchy hooks to ventilate their appreciativeness.
Whether the lyrics specifically state thankfulness, or it is implied in tone and context, the following Hip-Hop songs are perfect to soundtrack any Thanksgiving holiday. Ranging in sound and talent from Beyonce and Jay-Z collaborations to newcomer YBN Cordae reminiscing, the following songs express Hip-Hop’s gracious, humble and celebratory nature.
APESHIT – The Carters
Love Yourz – J. Cole
Celebration – Kanye West
Roaches – Maxo Kream
Status Symbol 3 – Nipsey Hussle feat. Buddy
Soul Food – Goodie Mob
Been Around – YBN Cordae
Moment 4 Life – Nicki Minaj feat. Drake
“Blessings” – Chance the Rapper featuring Ty Dolla $ign, Anderson .Paak, and BJ the Chicago Kid
Juicy – Notorious B.I.G.
