Hungry hip hop
April 7, 2017 3:02 PM Subscribe
What are some hip hop songs with references to specific (non-metaphorical) preparations of food?
I know next to nothing about hip hop, but noticed that a couple of songs I heard recently shared the same phenomenon of pausing from boasting and other usual themes to mention...food! Moreover, somewhat mundane and specific preparations of food. Is this common? What other songs can I find this on?
Examples:
D.R.A.M. - Broccoli
"I acquired taste for salmon on a bagel
With the capers on a square plate"
Kool A.D. - Lapsang Souchong
"Paper thin parsnip
Slices with the lemon and olive oil"
I know next to nothing about hip hop, but noticed that a couple of songs I heard recently shared the same phenomenon of pausing from boasting and other usual themes to mention...food! Moreover, somewhat mundane and specific preparations of food. Is this common? What other songs can I find this on?
Examples:
D.R.A.M. - Broccoli
"I acquired taste for salmon on a bagel
With the capers on a square plate"
Kool A.D. - Lapsang Souchong
"Paper thin parsnip
Slices with the lemon and olive oil"
Best answer: Yeah, this has been a thing literally since the beginning. Rapper's Delight inexplicably has a whole verse that's like "You know that thing where you're eating at a friend's house and his mom's cooking is terrible?" — complete with vivid grossout descriptions of badly made dishes.
I have no idea what that verse is doing in that song but I've always found it weirdly charming.
posted by nebulawindphone at 3:07 PM on April 7, 2017 [9 favorites]
I have no idea what that verse is doing in that song but I've always found it weirdly charming.
posted by nebulawindphone at 3:07 PM on April 7, 2017 [9 favorites]
Best answer: Action Bronson for sure:
The only one drinkin mango lassi in the bullpen
Got upstairs and fixed eleven bowls of Crispix, grabbed a Snapple out the bin
Seasonal vegetables lookin' exceptional
(You will probably have a hard time finding an AB song that doesn't reference food).
My favorite food related line of his is: "burnin cheese, saganaki"
posted by so fucking future at 3:08 PM on April 7, 2017 [2 favorites]
The only one drinkin mango lassi in the bullpen
Got upstairs and fixed eleven bowls of Crispix, grabbed a Snapple out the bin
Seasonal vegetables lookin' exceptional
(You will probably have a hard time finding an AB song that doesn't reference food).
My favorite food related line of his is: "burnin cheese, saganaki"
posted by so fucking future at 3:08 PM on April 7, 2017 [2 favorites]
Best answer: "how bout we start
With a salad, a fresh bed of lettuce with croutons
Later we can play a game of chess on the futon"
–Dead Prez, "Mind Sex"
posted by anb at 3:23 PM on April 7, 2017
With a salad, a fresh bed of lettuce with croutons
Later we can play a game of chess on the futon"
–Dead Prez, "Mind Sex"
posted by anb at 3:23 PM on April 7, 2017
Best answer: Maybe not quite what you're looking for, but have a listen to MF DOOM's Mm.. Food.
posted by wats at 3:37 PM on April 7, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by wats at 3:37 PM on April 7, 2017 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Digital Underground!
"Help yoself to a cracker, with a spread of cheddar cheese.
have a neck bone [?], you don't have to say please
eatwutchyalike, yo, smellhowyalike
everybody doowutchyalike"
posted by fingersandtoes at 3:39 PM on April 7, 2017
"Help yoself to a cracker, with a spread of cheddar cheese.
have a neck bone [?], you don't have to say please
eatwutchyalike, yo, smellhowyalike
everybody doowutchyalike"
posted by fingersandtoes at 3:39 PM on April 7, 2017
Best answer: oh and from DU's the Humpty Dance --
I'm spunky! I like my oatmeal lumpy!
I'm sick wit dis, straight gangsta mack
sometimes I get ridiculous
I'll eat up all your crackers and your licorice!"
posted by fingersandtoes at 3:42 PM on April 7, 2017
I'm spunky! I like my oatmeal lumpy!
I'm sick wit dis, straight gangsta mack
sometimes I get ridiculous
I'll eat up all your crackers and your licorice!"
posted by fingersandtoes at 3:42 PM on April 7, 2017
Best answer: Red Beans & Rice by Spearhead certainly qualifies.
Most people on the planet
eat beans & rice
'cuz they can't afford beef
or they think cows are nice
posted by richyoung at 3:52 PM on April 7, 2017 [1 favorite]
Most people on the planet
eat beans & rice
'cuz they can't afford beef
or they think cows are nice
posted by richyoung at 3:52 PM on April 7, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Homeboy Sandman - Fat Belly is an entire track of this, and it rules.
posted by zchyrs at 4:05 PM on April 7, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by zchyrs at 4:05 PM on April 7, 2017 [2 favorites]
GOSH DARN IT ZYCYHRS
I HAD this one, and you had to go and ruin it.
lentils are instrumental
posted by redsparkler at 4:14 PM on April 7, 2017 [1 favorite]
I HAD this one, and you had to go and ruin it.
lentils are instrumental
posted by redsparkler at 4:14 PM on April 7, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Seven Rap Songs about Eating Well
(please note that the definition of "eating well" definitely varies from song to song).
1. "Ham 'N' Eggs," A Tribe Called Quest
Asparagus tips look yummy, yummy, yummy
Candied yams inside my tummy
A collage of good eats, some snacks or nice treats
Apple sauce and some nice red beets
2. "Beef Rapp" MF Doom
(not actually as much about food as the others)
3. "Beef and Broccoli" Immortal Technique
I don't go around promoting beef and poultry, shoving it in people's faces, I don't castigate people for not eating steak sandwiches, and I would never diss someone for being a fuckin' broccoli head, or living off radishes or eating grass with tofu.
4. "Broccoli and Cheese" Devin the Dude
Girl, this dick is so clean
This dick is so clean that you can boil it in some collard greens
5. "Soul Food" Goodie Mob
Daddy put tha hot grits on my chest in tha morning
When I was sick Mary had tha hot soup boiling
Didn't know why but it felt so good
Like some waffles in that morning
6. "All You Can Eat" The Fat Boys
Give me some chicken, franks, and fries
And you can pass me a lettuce. I'm a pass it by
7. "Be Healthy" Dead Prez
Lentil soup is mental fruit
and ginger root is good for the yout'
Fresh veg-e-table with the mayatl stew
sweet yam fries with the green calalloo
posted by redsparkler at 4:29 PM on April 7, 2017 [3 favorites]
(please note that the definition of "eating well" definitely varies from song to song).
1. "Ham 'N' Eggs," A Tribe Called Quest
Asparagus tips look yummy, yummy, yummy
Candied yams inside my tummy
A collage of good eats, some snacks or nice treats
Apple sauce and some nice red beets
2. "Beef Rapp" MF Doom
(not actually as much about food as the others)
3. "Beef and Broccoli" Immortal Technique
I don't go around promoting beef and poultry, shoving it in people's faces, I don't castigate people for not eating steak sandwiches, and I would never diss someone for being a fuckin' broccoli head, or living off radishes or eating grass with tofu.
4. "Broccoli and Cheese" Devin the Dude
Girl, this dick is so clean
This dick is so clean that you can boil it in some collard greens
5. "Soul Food" Goodie Mob
Daddy put tha hot grits on my chest in tha morning
When I was sick Mary had tha hot soup boiling
Didn't know why but it felt so good
Like some waffles in that morning
6. "All You Can Eat" The Fat Boys
Give me some chicken, franks, and fries
And you can pass me a lettuce. I'm a pass it by
7. "Be Healthy" Dead Prez
Lentil soup is mental fruit
and ginger root is good for the yout'
Fresh veg-e-table with the mayatl stew
sweet yam fries with the green calalloo
posted by redsparkler at 4:29 PM on April 7, 2017 [3 favorites]
Best answer: So this may be more tongue in cheek - but a year or so ago for April Fools day, hamburger helper put out an entire mix tape about cooking and eating hamburger helper (and perfectly enough, the mixtape lasts just as long as it takes to make hamburger helper).
Watch the Stove
posted by Suffocating Kitty at 4:38 PM on April 7, 2017 [2 favorites]
Watch the Stove
posted by Suffocating Kitty at 4:38 PM on April 7, 2017 [2 favorites]
Best answer: One of the first hip hop records ever, Rapper's Delight, has the entire final verse about going to your friend's house to eat and the (awful) foods they serve.
posted by General Malaise at 4:45 PM on April 7, 2017
posted by General Malaise at 4:45 PM on April 7, 2017
(Oops, sorry, somehow missed that it was already mentioned. Carry on.)
posted by General Malaise at 4:46 PM on April 7, 2017
posted by General Malaise at 4:46 PM on April 7, 2017
Best answer: Sweeter than a cherry pie with Reddi-Whip topping. (Beastie Boys, "So Whatcha Want?")
Forget Oreos, eat Cool J cookies. (LL Cool Jay, "I'm Bad")
posted by 4ster at 4:46 PM on April 7, 2017
Forget Oreos, eat Cool J cookies. (LL Cool Jay, "I'm Bad")
posted by 4ster at 4:46 PM on April 7, 2017
Best answer: Christmas Time in Hollis by Run D.M.C.
It's Christmas time in Hollis Queens
Mom's cooking chicken and collard greens
Rice and stuffing, macaroni and cheese
posted by Rob Rockets at 4:57 PM on April 7, 2017 [2 favorites]
It's Christmas time in Hollis Queens
Mom's cooking chicken and collard greens
Rice and stuffing, macaroni and cheese
posted by Rob Rockets at 4:57 PM on April 7, 2017 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Grits by RZA
One pound box of sugar, and a stick of margarine
A hot pot of Grits got my family from starvin'
Loose with the welfare cheese, thick wit' the gravy
Used to suck it, straight out the bottle as a baby
Steamy hot meal serve less than five minutes
Big silver pot, boilin' water, salt in it
House full of brothers and sisters, the pop's missin'
Pillsbury box on the stove in the kitchen
posted by shmurley at 6:15 PM on April 7, 2017
One pound box of sugar, and a stick of margarine
A hot pot of Grits got my family from starvin'
Loose with the welfare cheese, thick wit' the gravy
Used to suck it, straight out the bottle as a baby
Steamy hot meal serve less than five minutes
Big silver pot, boilin' water, salt in it
House full of brothers and sisters, the pop's missin'
Pillsbury box on the stove in the kitchen
posted by shmurley at 6:15 PM on April 7, 2017
Best answer: Q-Tip wants chicken and orange juice on his rider, among other things:
Rap Promoter
posted by PaulaSchultz at 7:53 PM on April 7, 2017 [1 favorite]
Rap Promoter
posted by PaulaSchultz at 7:53 PM on April 7, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: It's a parody of Black and Yellow, but Pan Con Queso will take you on a low-rent culinary tour of Dominican neighborhoods
PaulaSchultz "and my occasional potato from Oreida"
posted by gusandrews at 8:03 PM on April 7, 2017
PaulaSchultz "and my occasional potato from Oreida"
posted by gusandrews at 8:03 PM on April 7, 2017
Best answer: Watch the Stove is incredibly slept on.
posted by so fucking future at 8:35 PM on April 7, 2017
posted by so fucking future at 8:35 PM on April 7, 2017
Best answer: 10 Chicken Wings and a Bottle of Dom by 69 Boyz
(almost certainly a callout to Miami Subs, where you used to be able to buy a $99 bottle of Dom)
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 8:43 PM on April 7, 2017
(almost certainly a callout to Miami Subs, where you used to be able to buy a $99 bottle of Dom)
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 8:43 PM on April 7, 2017
Best answer: You bring the beef and I bring the brew
Oh shit anotha barbecue
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 8:46 PM on April 7, 2017
Oh shit anotha barbecue
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 8:46 PM on April 7, 2017
Best answer: There's actually a ton of different food in the song, but imo the single funniest eating reference in hip hop is from "You Be Illin" by Run DMC:
(For) dinner, you ate it, there is none left
It was salty, with butter and it was def
You proceeded to eat it cos you was in the mood
But homes you did not read it was a can of dog food!
You be illin
posted by potrzebie at 8:53 PM on April 7, 2017 [3 favorites]
(For) dinner, you ate it, there is none left
It was salty, with butter and it was def
You proceeded to eat it cos you was in the mood
But homes you did not read it was a can of dog food!
You be illin
posted by potrzebie at 8:53 PM on April 7, 2017 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Various junk food references in Pharcyde's Ya Mama, incorporated into the practice of doing the dozens, which may satisfy your curiosity about boasting, in particular.
posted by gusandrews at 9:14 PM on April 7, 2017
posted by gusandrews at 9:14 PM on April 7, 2017
Best answer: Vegan Thanksgiving by Grey in response to the You Name It challenge--there's the original freestyle and a full-length video.
posted by epj at 9:49 PM on April 7, 2017
posted by epj at 9:49 PM on April 7, 2017
Best answer: Biggie famously declares an ideal meal to be a T bone steak, cheese, eggs, and Welch's grape in Big Poppa.
posted by nicolas léonard sadi carnot at 11:12 PM on April 7, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by nicolas léonard sadi carnot at 11:12 PM on April 7, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: The pinnacle, Ill Culinary Behaviour by DJ Format and Abdominal, from DJ Yoda's How to Cut and Paste Mixtape Vol.2.
posted by ellieBOA at 12:53 AM on April 8, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by ellieBOA at 12:53 AM on April 8, 2017 [3 favorites]
Best answer: "Yeah, livin' the raw deal
Three course meals: spaghetti, fettuccine, and veal"
Puff Daddy - It's All About the Benjamins (Remix)
posted by amxr at 1:30 AM on April 8, 2017
Three course meals: spaghetti, fettuccine, and veal"
Puff Daddy - It's All About the Benjamins (Remix)
posted by amxr at 1:30 AM on April 8, 2017
Best answer: NSFVegans, but Ugly Duckling - Meatshake.
posted by A Robot Ninja at 4:27 AM on April 8, 2017
posted by A Robot Ninja at 4:27 AM on April 8, 2017
Best answer: "Yeah, you got some silverware
But really are you eating though?
Are you eating though? Nigga, are you eating though?
Breakfast, lunch and dinner's for beginners
You ain't even know—"
Childish Gambino - Sweatpants
posted by A Robot Ninja at 4:52 AM on April 8, 2017
But really are you eating though?
Are you eating though? Nigga, are you eating though?
Breakfast, lunch and dinner's for beginners
You ain't even know—"
Childish Gambino - Sweatpants
posted by A Robot Ninja at 4:52 AM on April 8, 2017
Best answer: "And Mama cooked a breakfast with no hog." Iced Cube - It Was A Good Day.
posted by anya32 at 6:03 AM on April 8, 2017
posted by anya32 at 6:03 AM on April 8, 2017
Best answer: Jumping off ellieBOA above, Abdominal MC (the rapper on Ill Culinary Behaviour) has an entire track dedicated to chicken wings. Recipe included.
posted by Wrinkled Stumpskin at 6:50 AM on April 8, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Wrinkled Stumpskin at 6:50 AM on April 8, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Not my cup of tea (hey-yo!) and Aussie hip hop is polarising anyway but Scallops by The Herd pretty much ticks this box.
posted by h00py at 4:23 AM on April 9, 2017
posted by h00py at 4:23 AM on April 9, 2017
Response by poster: Thank you for all of the responses!
I don't know if it is appropriate to mark every answer as "best", but...I'm doing it anyway! (Even you, General Malaise, get points for including a link.)
posted by isnotchicago at 7:51 AM on May 11, 2017
I don't know if it is appropriate to mark every answer as "best", but...I'm doing it anyway! (Even you, General Malaise, get points for including a link.)
posted by isnotchicago at 7:51 AM on May 11, 2017
« Older Minecraft PE worlds on a Kindle are corrupted and... | 5AM-4PM at JFK Airport.. What to do? Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Juliet Banana at 3:06 PM on April 7, 2017