What is this bragging music called and where can I find more?
May 9, 2016 2:10 PM   Subscribe

Is there a name for the type of song, often found in hip-hop, where the singer brags about how great they are as the main theme of the song? Example: "I'm the Best" by Nicki Minaj. Do you all have song recommendations for this type of song? Any genre of music is fine. Songs by women or gender nonconforming people preferred; no misogyny please. Thank you!
posted by dysh to Media & Arts (41 answers total) 23 users marked this as a favorite
 
Braggadocio. Missy Elliott's Supa Dupa Fly is an example by a woman, but historically it's a heavily male, misogynist, even homophobic style. Good luck.
posted by praemunire at 2:17 PM on May 9, 2016 [3 favorites]


Kreayshawn, Gucci Gucci

Lady Sovereign's Love Me Or Hate Me is close, but is less of a brag and more of a "this is who I am, fuck you if you have a problem with it" kind of thing.
posted by Sara C. at 2:19 PM on May 9, 2016 [3 favorites]


I AM THE BEST
posted by phunniemee at 2:19 PM on May 9, 2016 [3 favorites]


Bitch I'm Madonna immediately springs to mind (as long as the word "bitch" as used in this context isn't misogynistic, in your view).
posted by sparklemotion at 2:19 PM on May 9, 2016




Oh, and Janelle Monae exemplifies this just by the very fact of her existence, but I'll put Q.U.E.E.N out there as a particularly on point example.

They be like, "Ooh, let them eat cake."
But we eat wings and throw them bones on the ground

posted by sparklemotion at 2:25 PM on May 9, 2016 [2 favorites]


Lady Gaga Born This Way?
posted by celtalitha at 2:31 PM on May 9, 2016


Le1f - "Wut"
posted by DirtyOldTown at 2:32 PM on May 9, 2016


This describes most mainstream hip-hop these days, minus your stipulation for no misogyny. Even rap songs by women seem to have misogyny in them to me.

Anyway, first song that springs to mind is "All I Do Is Win", it's by a bunch of dudes but can the chorus be anymore blatant?

A recent song that pops to mind for me is by a white male rapper - "Random." The second verse in particular is about how he worked hard and is the best for it, i.e. his success is not random.
posted by AppleTurnover at 2:33 PM on May 9, 2016


I think Santigold falls into this category sometimes. Her song that springs to mind is 'GO!' with Karen O. I think there are more I can't remember at the moment.
posted by GastrocNemesis at 2:36 PM on May 9, 2016




Love Me or Hate Me - Lady Sovereign
No Duh - K. Flay
I'm the One - Reema Major
Conceited - Remy Ma
posted by sockermom at 2:40 PM on May 9, 2016


M.I.A. - Bucky Done Gun
M.I.A. - Bring The Noize

Both of these are super awesome takes on the theme, love how original they are.
posted by yueliang at 2:44 PM on May 9, 2016 [1 favorite]


Oh, I almost forgot the funny (although unfortunately containing a fat joke) "Run-DMC" by the Electric No-No Band, which I can't find linked anywhere. It's a parody: a battle rap/braggadocio as if performed by a weedy post-folk band, over the gentle stylings of a synth organ.
posted by praemunire at 2:52 PM on May 9, 2016 [1 favorite]


I would argue that this does not describe most mainstream hip hop these days. There are lots of topics covered in rap/hip hop. The style is called Braggadocio, as praemunire notes above; it comes from the battle rap freestyle tradition.

One of my favorite freestyles that is an example of reverse braggadocio is Airplanes by Royce da 5'9", in which he claims he is not the greatest, but he tries.
posted by sockermom at 2:56 PM on May 9, 2016 [2 favorites]


I love M.I.A., here's another song:
Double Bubble Trouble

And who can forget Beyonce's Flawless. "Bow down bitches" indeed, and added some new definitions to her badassery. Also you might as well listen to Missy Elliott's discography, but I LOOOOOVE Gossip Folks.
posted by yueliang at 3:01 PM on May 9, 2016 [2 favorites]


Not hip hop, but I'm partial to Primadonna Girl by Marina and the Diamonds.
posted by telegraph at 3:02 PM on May 9, 2016 [2 favorites]


"It's hard to be humble" -- Mac Davis
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 3:05 PM on May 9, 2016 [2 favorites]


Also, epilepsy and flashing images warning for the Double Bubble Trouble video.
posted by yueliang at 3:11 PM on May 9, 2016


U Should Know Better - Robyn ft. Snoop Dogg
posted by kitty teeth at 3:21 PM on May 9, 2016 [1 favorite]


R. Kelly, The World's Greatest.
posted by reksb at 3:32 PM on May 9, 2016


Black Trump
posted by layceepee at 3:33 PM on May 9, 2016


If for some reason you'd be interested in a song that is the antithesis of braggadocio, there's Courtney Barnett's "Pedestrian at Best."
posted by ejs at 3:38 PM on May 9, 2016 [1 favorite]


You often find this in guest verses , ie, when a rapper does a verse on someone else's song, especially a young up-and-coming rapper on a more famous person's song, because it's their intro to the world. ie, Lupe Fiasco on Touch the Sky or Snoop Dogg on Nuthin But a G Thang (definitely has misogyny).
posted by lunasol at 5:10 PM on May 9, 2016


I'm To Sexy by Right Said Fred
posted by just asking at 5:12 PM on May 9, 2016


Reggae-ish London hip-hop from 2002: Miss Dynamite: Dy-na-mi-tee

Same but less reggae: Eve ft. Gwen Stefani: Let me blow ya mind
posted by Pallas Athena at 5:22 PM on May 9, 2016 [1 favorite]




Robin Black - Some Of You Boys is a glam rock take on this.
posted by chainsofreedom at 6:15 PM on May 9, 2016


I thought it went back to Jamacian dancehall "toasting", with DJs throwing some braggadocio in with their raps.
posted by JoeZydeco at 6:48 PM on May 9, 2016 [2 favorites]


Fiona Apple - Extraordinary Machine...it's less "I'm the best" and more "You can't stop me" but I think it fits with the overall vibe.
posted by Doleful Creature at 7:05 PM on May 9, 2016 [2 favorites]


You might want to check out the answers in this related askmefi thread.
posted by in a dark glassly at 7:18 PM on May 9, 2016


One Girl Revolution - Superchick
posted by SisterHavana at 1:20 AM on May 10, 2016


Trimbal - Confidence Boost (Harmonimix) - not quite bragging but it's great so I felt obliged to link it.

I thought it went back to Jamacian dancehall "toasting", with DJs throwing some braggadocio in with their raps.
posted by JoeZydeco at 18:48 on May 9 [1 favorite +] [!]

This.

Which reminds me you obviously have to put this classic on and dance around your kitchen like an idiot: M Beat feat. General Levy - Incredible
posted by Erberus at 2:10 AM on May 10, 2016


Mary J. Blige!
I'm the One
Just Fine
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 2:16 AM on May 10, 2016 [2 favorites]


Two songs written by Stephin Merrit, one performed by him and one performed by Claudia Gonson:
We Are The King Of The Boudoir
I Am A Vampire
posted by yankeefog at 4:32 AM on May 10, 2016


Milkshake by Kelis. One of my all-time faves!
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 7:08 AM on May 10, 2016 [2 favorites]






You can't leave out Hiphopapotamus vs. Rhymenocerous!
posted by mattholomew at 3:00 PM on May 10, 2016 [1 favorite]






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