I actually managed to think of two different Father’s Day posts. The first, which I threw up @ Examiner, collects tracks that rappers make with their kids. But a few of those are kinda lame. Here’s some good music centered around parenthood in some way, though one of them isn’t about a father exactly. But yknow, Ghostface can get away with that:
Lil Wayne “How Can Something“
The mixtape Weezy details love, divorce, and the loss of his daughter in the aftermath of that divorce. I can’t imagine anyone, even staunch Lil Wayne haters (who still exist), not feeling this track and not acknowledging that Wayne is a huge talent.
“My babygirl thought I was fuckin every little freak
But darling, I was raised by a woman, that ain’t the real me
Still she managed to spill out a little me
Watched them doctors wipe the blood from her little feet.”
Just as important as the lyrics are Wayne’s pained, stressed, perpetually on the verge of breaking down delivery (the same delivery from “Duffle Bag Boy” and “My Life“) that sells it.
Atmosphere “Little Man“
Slug is a self-absorbed asshole but yknow, that makes really great music. Here, he talks to his son, then to his father, then to himself but really, they’re all just jumping off points to mope about how much he hates himself. It might be grating except that he tempers that with just enough self-conscious humor about his self-absorption. And it’s just a great track, very affecting in how he learns to better himself from his son’s innocence and his dad’s faults.
Little Brother “All For You“
Say what you will about how Big Pooh can rhyme too, but on this track, you can see how clearly Phonte is miles ahead of Pooh. Phonte talks about how he tried to be a better father than his crap dad but failed. What’s great is that there’s less of a sense of self-pitying than there is of relating to his own dad and coming to understand him more and ultimately, learning to forgive him a little bit. Also, points for slipping in “From the roots to the branch to the leaves/ They say apples don’t fall far from the trees” perfectly. That’s great writing.
Jay-Z “Meet The Parents“
One of the best Jay-Z tracks and the reason why Blueprint 2 blows Blueprint 1 out of the water. More great writing in a classical way. Great foreshadowing, structure, build-up, climactic ending full of biting irony that works on both literal and figurative levels. N****s be a father, you’re killing your son!
Ghostface “Whip You With A Strap“
Ghostface expounds the virtues of smacking your kids when they fuck around and do some dumb shit, a shot at uber-liberal, “let’s talk it out,” lovefest parenting that’s become popular now. Parents, don’t be afraid to bust out that $0.99 belt you got from Piggly-Wiggly.
RIP. my pops (don’t worry, no Atmosphere crying over here. It’s been a minute, I’m good)
