Top 5: The five best rap songs about cars

Hip-hop is more than just a genre of music and is primarily a way of communicating. Since the release of Grandmaster Flash’s ‘The Message’ in 1982, rap music has been used to address political issues affecting African-American and society more broadly. Up until 1982, hip-hop consisted mainly of party records. Call and response, rapping about dancing, block parties and fashion. However, that changed with ‘The Message.’

Many purist hip-hop heads would argue that if your lyrics don’t address political issues of some sort or reflect the experience of the average person from your community, your rhymes aren’t of quality. However, musicians have added to an ever-growing list of credible subject matters over the years. As hip-hop has become more profitable and acts such as Jay-Z and Kanye West have proven you can make billions from the art form, wealth and money have become the lyrical centre of focus for a lot of rappers. Many still argue whether this is for better or worse. 

When musicians who were previously impoverished can suddenly afford to buy items they couldn’t before, they naturally want to flaunt it. However, many golden-age hip-hop artists, such as Lord Jamar and KRS-One, have highlighted the problems that this can create. In an interview with TY Filmz, KRS-One addressed rappers, stating, “You have been propped up by your people and made millions off your people, and what do you do with that money? You buy yourself a Maybach! You give your money to Germans.” Highlighting that African-Americans support MCs by buying their records, but when the MCs receive the money, none of it is given to the community from which they come. 

While rapping about money, wealth, and assets has flaws, some undeniably good rappers have done it in the past, and more will continue to do so. Furthermore, not all MCs are politically inclined. Being such a prevalent topic in hip-hop, we have compiled a list of the top five rap songs about cars. You can take a look at our picks below.

The five best rap songs about cars

5. ‘German Whip’ – Meridian Dan ft Big H & JME

This 2013 track is widely considered the track sparked the short-lived but intense resurgence of grime that occurred between 2014 and 2017. The single was originally released via YouTube channel SBTV, and was meant to feature on Meridian Dan’s I AM London album. However, the single began to pick up sp much traction the track got given an official re-release by the independent label PMR Records.

Needlesss to say, although the track helped grime for a short period, Meridian Dan never got around to releasing his album and has not released a project. The song is an assertion by the rapper that he only drives German cars, alluding to German luxury brands such as Mercedes, Maybach, BMW and Porsche. Produced by production duo The Heavytrackerz, the single peaked at number 13 on the UK singles chart and had four different official remixes released.

4. ‘Ferrari Boyz’ – Gucci Mane ft Waka Flocka Flame

This Atlanta collaboration saw Gucci Mane and Waka Flocka Flame rap an ode to Ferraris. This 2012 song was the title track of the two MCs’ 2011 joint album Ferrari Boyz. The album was released during the very brief stint Waka Flocka Flame had as a career rapper. First arising in 2010, the rapper (real name Juaqin Malphurs) faced many legal issues and, in 2013, got dropped by 1017 Brick Squad Records.

‘Ferrari Boyz’ the single is rife with references to cars. Boasting lines including, “I’m in the yellow thang on the expressway / That bitch so nasty it might give a bitch road rage” and “Riding in the ‘Rari same color as Bacardi.” The track is truly a tribute to the Italian car manufacturer.

3. ‘Beamer Benz or Bentley’ – Lloyd Banks

Lloyd Banks first surfaced in the early-2000s along 50 Cent as part of G-unit. However, even though Banks is primarily known as an East Coast emcee, he undoubtedly made a hit when he released his Southern trap track, ‘Beamer, Benz or Bentley.’ Released in 2010, the song was the lead single of Banks’ third album H.F.M. 2 (The Hunger for More 2).

The gold-certified release also got the official remix treatment which saw Ludacris, The-Dream, Jadakiss, and Yo Gotti all jump on the beat. The single’s title is dedicated to the car brands BMW, Mercedes and Bentley. Containing lines including, “This is heavy new Bentley / Colour vanilla and cherry” and Press a button than I’m stuntin’ my roof look like its duckin / Meter go two hundred something and my trunk do wonders bumpin.” This 2010 track is an ode to cars.

2. ‘Lowrider’ – Cypress Hill

Comprised of Sen Dog, Eric Bobo, and B-Real, Cypress Hill were one of the biggest rap crews on the West Coast during the 1990s. The California collective akin to the Beastie Boys had a sound that transcended race and age. Their sound was appealing to so many people that they were the first hip-hop group to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 

Musically many consider Cypress Hill, a group of the 1990s. However, they had their fair share of early-2000s hits, one of which was ‘Lowrider.’ The track was released as the second single for the ensemble’s 2001 album, Stoned Raiders. Named after a popular model of car many people drove in California during the 1990s. With lines like Cause, we’re Cypress Hill, come on and ride with us / Just get inside, we bouncing dipping, chop it up real tough,” ‘Lowrider’ most definitely deserves a spot in this top five. 

1. ‘Boomin System’ – LL Cool J

LL Cool J’s track ‘The Boomin System’ is undoubtedly the best and most classic hip-hop song about cars. Released in 1990 on Def Jam, the track is an iconic piece of music. Produced by the epic Marley Marl of the Juice Crew, ‘The Boomin System’ was the lead single for LL’s fourth album, Mama Said Knock You Out. Marley Marl later unveiled that he had sampled another LL Cool J song to make ‘The Boomin System’ explaining to the Red Bull Music Academy magazine, “I actually took a sample from a record we made earlier that week.”

‘The Boomin System’ refers to the upgraded speaker systems rappers put in their cars during the 1980s to add extra volume and bass. The Juice Crew producer disclosed, “When I hear that record, I remember that was when everybody had booming systems in their cars.” With lyrics such as Strictly for frontin’ when you’re ridin’ around / Twelve o’clock at night with your windows down / Headlights breakin’ ’cause your batteries drain / Armour all on your tyres and a big gold chain.” This single is indisputably the number-one car anthem.