Robbin Hood Anthems Part Deux

run that

My esteemed colleague Jerry Barrow dropped a post called Ski Mask Way: Top 10 Robbin’ ‘Hood Anthems that noted his top 10 crime raps. Since rappers detailing robberies, whether real or imagined, are a Hip-Hop staple, I figured I’d list some of my favs that didn’t make the cut.

DJ Clue f/ OutKast, Killer Mike & Slim Calhoun
“Funkanella,” a track from a DJ Clue album from his days on Roc-a-Fella, featuring a then new jack MC once named Killer Mike who urged you to “Rob-a-fella.”

50 Cent “Ski Mask Way”
Fitty’s “How to Rob” may be the obvious pick, or even the recent “Crime Wave.” But “Ski Mask Way,” from The Massacre, maintains an eerie menace that makes it a jux kid’s anthem. No disrespect to Bad News, VA.

Nas “Thief’s Theme”
“Understandable smooth sh*t that murderers move with.” Nuff said. If Nas made more joints like this, the God’s Son’s status as an all time great wouldn’t be so shaky. Dope video too.

Raekwon “Incarcerated Scarfaces”
Not necessarily a rhyme about crime, but come on, yo! Peep this line: “For real it’s just slang rap democracy, here’s the policy, slide off the ring, plus the wallabees.” One of the greatest Hip-Hop beats, ever. Thank the RZA.

Busta Rhymes f/ Ghostface, Raekwon & Roc Marciano “The Heist”
A thoroughly slept on and criminally underrated album cut from Busta Rhymes’ Genesis album. Ghostface and Raekwon, along with the good Roc Marciano, aid Busta in the verbal crime spree, all over an illy Large Professor track.