200 Rap Quotes For When The Odds Are Against You

Rap isn’t just music; it’s poetry, power, and passion—these quotes prove it.

Rap, with its unique blend of rhythm, poetry, and storytelling, can captivate hearts, ignite minds, and provide profound insights into the human experience. Through my work in education, I’ve witnessed firsthand the impact that powerful lyrics can have on individuals seeking to pursue their passions and navigate life’s challenges.

This carefully curated collection of rap quotes showcases the genre’s wisdom, offering inspiration, social commentary, and unapologetic self-expression.

Best Rap Quotes and Lyrics About Life, Love, and Success

1. “The purpose of life is a life with a purpose. So I’d rather die for a cause, than live a life that is worthless.” – Immortal Technique

2. “My whole thing is to inspire, to better people, to better myself forever in this thing that we call rap, this thing that we call hip hop.” – Kendrick Lamar

3. “Cause whatever you love can be taken away, so live like it’s your dying day.” – Machine Gun Kelly

4. “People can try to reinvent themselves. I don’t think you can really change who you are, though, because who you are is pretty much where you came from and what you’ve done up to now.” – Eminem

5. “Living life is a choice. Making a difference in someone else’s isn’t.”– Kid Cudi

6. “Every day is new. It’s just a new day. I look at six hours at a time.” – Wiz Khalifa

7. “Living well eliminates the need for revenge.” – Kanye West

8. “Be careful what you say to someone today. Because tomorrow they might not be here, and you can’t take it back.”– Wiz Khalifa

9. “Jump regardless of the consequence, cause even on the night of the apocalypse, everybody’s an optimist.”–Tonedeff, Optimist

10. “I’d shoot for the moon but I’m too busy gazing at stars.”– Eminem, Not Afraid

11. “Without order, nothing exists. Without chaos, nothing evolves.”–Jedi Mind Tricks, Heavy Metal Kings

12. “You know it’s funny when it rains it pours
They got money for wars, but can’t feed the poor.” – 2Pac

13. “Rap is something you do Hip Hop is something you live.” – KRS-One

14. “You know the type: loud as a motorbike but wouldn’t bust a grape in a fruit fight.”― Jay-Z

15. “Don’t fall for fake people. They’re often disguised as people close to you.”― Big Lez

16. It’s only human to express the way you really feel, but that same humanity is my Achilles’ heel. A leopard can’t change his spots and never will; So I’m forever ill, now I can never chill. – Black Thought

17. When you’re a little kid, you don’t see color, and the fact that my friends were black never crossed my mind. It never became an issue until I was a teenager and started trying to rap. -Eminem

18. I’m also not going to explain something just because I said it in a rap. Take what you want from it. – Azealia Banks

19. “You gotta be able to smile through the BS.” – Tupac

20. No one can identify the uninformed until they voice their ignorance about a topic. Silence is a fool’s best friend. Sadly, he is often too foolish to realize it. – Carlos Wallace

Best Rap Quotes and Lyrics About Life

21. “Life is a wheel of fortune and it’s my turn to spin it.” – Tupac

22. “Life is too short to live the same day twice. So each new day make sure you live your life.” – Machine Gun Kelly

23. “Life without knowledge is death in disguise”
Knowledge Of Self” – Talib Kweli

24. “Reality is wrong. Dreams are for real.” – Tupac Shakur

25. “Everybody’s at war with different things…I’m at war with my own heart sometimes.” ― Tupac Shakur

26. “I’ll give you all of me until nothing is left.” – Childish Gambino

27. “If you admire someone, you should go ahead and tell them. People never get the flowers while they can still smell them.” – Kanye West

28. A man who treats his woman like a princess is proof that he has been born and raised in the arms of a queen.” – Wiz Khalifa

29. “Last night I saw you in my dreams, now I can’t wait to go to sleep.”–Kanye West, Hey Mama

30. “People will love you and support you when it’s beneficial.”– Nicki Minaj, Pills and Potions

31. Love yourself and your expression, you can’t go wrong. – KRS-One

32. “What is love? In math, it’s a problem. In history, it’s a battle. In science, it’s a reaction. But in my heart, it’s you.” –Tyga

33. “One day you’re gonna remember me and how much I love you… then you’re gonna hate yourself for letting me go.” – Drake

34. “Trust your own judgement, live with it and love it.” – Nas

35. “Jealousy is just love and hate at the same time.” – Drake

36. “If I ever took a loss, I learned a lesson/I won’t ever think I’m better than the next man.” -LeCrae

37. “You could name practically any problem in the hood and there’d be a rap song for you.” ― Jay-Z, Decoded

38. Sometimes I feel like rap music is almost the key to stopping racism. – Eminem

39. Rap for me is like making movies, telling stories, and getting the emotions of the songs through in just as deep a way. – Jay-Z

40. I would say that I’m more moved by melody, even though I love to rap. – Drake

Rap Quotes About Music and Motivation

41. I love country music, but I also love gangster rap. – Anderson East

42. I don’t even listen to rap. My apartment is too nice to listen to rap in. – Kanye West

43. I am obsessed with rap music – it’s such a big part of my life. – Randall Park

44. Although rap is about boasting, it’s also about honesty and expressing your emotions. – Keith Stanfield

45. My girlfriend is rap. Music and albums and records and my kids. – Mystikal

46. Rap music is the only vital form of music introduced since punk rock. – Kurt Cobain

47. It’s bad poetry executed by people that can’t sing. That’s my definition of Rap. – Peter Steele

48. “Me and my people break bread, sit and smoke
The conversation rich, but that depend on what you consider broke” – Talib Kweli

49. “It ain’t no fun if the homies can’t have none. ” ― Snoop Dogg

50. “Pay attention to whom your energy increases and decreases around. That’s the universe giving you a hint of who you should embrace and who you should keep away from.” – Diddy

51. “I can see you’re sad even when you smile, even when you laugh I can see it in your eyes.”–Eminem, Mockingbird

52. “Cherish these nights, cherish these people. Life is a movie, but there’ll never be a sequel.” – Nicki Minaj, All Things Go

53. I’m on the pursuit of happiness. I know everything that shines ain’t always gold. I’ll be fine once I get it, I’ll be good. – Kid Cudi

54. Forget yesterday, live for today. Tomorrow will take care of itself. – Rick Ross

55. “You’ve got enemies? Good, that means you actually stood up for something.” – Eminem

56. “How far must you go to gain respect? Um…
Well, it’s kind of simple: just remain your own.
Or you’ll be crazy sad and alone.” – Q-Tip, Check the Rhime

57. “Only God can judge me.”― Tupac Shakur, The Rose That Grew from Concrete

58. “No law’s gonna change us, we have to change us.” – Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, Same Love

59. “The sooner you realize things will never be the same, the sooner you can move on.” – Kid Cudi

60. “Never assume you know what’s going on in someone’s life unless you heard it straight from the source.” – Chris Brown

Rap Quotes and Lyrics About Respect

61. “Some seek fame cause they need validation,
Some say hating is confused admiration.” – Nas, “Stay”

62. “Reach for the stars so if you fall you land on a cloud.” – Kanye West, Homecoming

63. “Why do we try so hard to fit in, when we were born to stand out?” – Machine Gun Kelly

64. “Well, hip hop is what makes the world go round.” – Snoop Dogg

65. “Even the genius asks his questions.” – Tupac

66. “I’m a hustler, baby; I sell water to a well!”― Jay-Z

67. “I’m not a businessman, I’m a business, man!”― Jay-Z

68. “Never stop fighting no matter what anyone says. If it’s in your gut, your soul, there’s nothing, no worldly possession that should come between you and your expression.” -Kanye West

69. “I like when money makes a difference but don’t make you different.”–Drake, From Time

70. “If people take anything from my music, it should be motivation to know that anything is possible as long as you keep working at it and don’t back down.” – Eminem

71. “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone
After you who’s last, it’s Doom, he’s the worst known” – MF DOOM

72. “People are used to music that justifies street culture but something that’s not touched on is why these kids act the way they act, live the way they live.” — Kendrick Lamar

73. “We always ignore the ones who adore us, and adore the ones who ignore us.” – Drake

74. “Never apologize for what you feel. It’s like apologizing for being real.” – Lil Wayne

75. “For every dark night, there’s a brighter day.” – Tupac

76. “You have to keep your vision clear, cause only a coward lives in fear.” – Nas

77. “You can make something of your life, it just depends on your drive.” – Eminem

78. “If you don’t love yourself, I’ll make you see your own heart.” – Biggie Smalls

79. “Regardless of how it goes down, life goes on.” – Rick Ross

80. “The truth is you don’t know what is going to happen tomorrow. Life is a crazy ride and nothing is guaranteed.” – Eminem

Rap Quotes to Inspire and Teach

81. “Remind yourself, nobody’s built like you. You design yourself.” – Jay Z

82. “If you don’t love me somebody else will.” – Lil Wayne

83. “The business of hip hop is probably the most tangible example of the genre’s dramatic maturation.” – Carlos Wallace

84. “Don’t believe in kings, believe in the Kingdom.” – Chance the Rapper

85. “The life you live is more important than the words you speak.” – Mac Miller

86. “My making it is a combination of grinding, grinding, grinding, and being lucky enough to finally get a shot.” – Busta Rhymes

87. “It’s easy to forget who you are.” — Kendrick Lamar

88. “Stop lookin’ at what you ain’t got, and start being thankful for what you do got.” – T.I.

89. “If you can’t do what you imagine, then what is imagination to you?” – Kid Cudi

90. “I’m not saying I’m gonna change the world, but I guarantee that I will spark the brain that will change the world.” – 2Pac

91. “We ain’t picture perfect but we worth the picture still.” – J. Cole

92. “I got two choices when I do this, make moves or make excuses.” -Andy Mineo

93. “I’m doing pretty good as far as geniuses go.” – Kanye West

94. “Being happy is the goal…
but greatness is my mission.” – Childish Gambino

95. “If you are what you say you are, a superstar…
… then have no fear, the camera’s here.” – Lupe Fiasco

96. “Either you play the game or watch the game play you.” – J.Cole

97. “Keep integrity at every cost.” – Nas

98. “If God got us, then we gon’ be alright.” – Kendrick Lamar

99. “Nothing can stop me, I’m all the way up.” – Fat Joe

100. “To appreciate the sun, you gotta know what rain is.” – J. Cole

Rap Quotes to Motivate You

101. “All I do is win win win no matter what.” – DJ Khaled

102. “No matter where life takes me, find me with a smile.” – Mac Miller

103. “I’m my own competition, I’m competing with myself.” – Cardi B

104. “I get those goosebumps every time you come around. You ease my mind, you make everything feel fine.”— Travis Scott

105. “I wanna tell the world about you just so they can get jealous
And if you see her ‘fore I do tell her I wish that I met her.”— Future

106. “If it ain’t making me money, making me better or making me happy… ain’t making time for it.” – 50 Cent

107. “I don’t make songs for free, I make ’em for freedom.” – Chance The Rapper

108. “Money and power don’t change you, they just further expose your true self.” – Jay Z

109. “Doing it your own way, not having to go exactly by the book to be successful.” – Ice Cube

110. “Damn right I like the life I live because I went from negative to positive.” – Biggie Smalls

111. “No matter how hard it gets stick your chest out, keep your head up and handle it.” — Tupac, “Me Against the World”

112. “They see pictures, they say goals. I’m who they trying to be.” — Cardi B, “Bodak Yellow”

113. “It seems like blessings keep falling in my lap.” — Chance the Rapper, “Blessings”

114. “When I say or do something, I do it. I don’t give a damn what you think. I’m doing this for me.” — Eminem, “Not Afraid”

115. “You could be the king, but watch the queen conquer.” — Nicki Minaj, “Monster”

116. “Cause I think we can make it, in fact, I’m sure / And if you fall, stand tall and come back for more.” –Tupac

117. “What do you base your happiness around? Material, women, and large paper? That means you’re inferior, not major.” – Nas

118. “Listen to your own heart. Don’t worry about what other people say. At the end of the day, it’s about what you believe.”- Joey Bada$$

119. “If you live for people’s acceptance, you will die from their rejection.” – Lecrae

120. “Next time y’all need to find me, just rub these two wires for the doorbell.” – Redman

Rap Quotes and Lyrics to Motivate You

121. “I encourage everyone to pay attention to the issues that matter to you, from jobs and the economy, to education and our schools, to criminal justice reform. Whatever it is that you care about, make sure you use your voice.” – 2 Chainz

122. “Don’t let nobody tell you that you can’t do it. Love what you do until you don’t love it anymore. Nothing’s impossible.” – Fetty Wap

123. “I didn’t have nothin’ going for me… school, home… until I found something I loved, which was music, and that changed everything.” -Eminem

124. “Learn life, before life learn you.” – Jadakiss

125. “I am honestly trying to inspire you to do something. I ain’t saying, ‘I’m changin’ lives,’ I’m saying, ‘Make a decision and do something,’ and see where you are four years later!” – Killer Mike

126. “Rap has been a path between cultures in the best tradition of popular music.” – Jay-Z

127. “Stop the negativity and control our creativity.” – KRS-One

128. “So the next time you feel like the world’s about to end, I hope you studied, because he’s testing your faith again.” – Kendrick Lamar

129. “When you shine bright, some won’t enjoy the shadow you cast.” –
Talib Kweli

130. “If talk is cheap, then my silence is diamonds.” – Lupe Fiasco

131. “Keep on pushing the boundaries and reaching for higher heights.” –
Sean Combs

132. “It’s so easy for a kid to join a gang, to do drugs… we should make it that easy to be involved in football and academics.” – Snoop Dogg

133. “Live your life, live it right. Be different, do different things.” – Kendrick Lamar

134. “Educate yourself, make your world view bigger, visualize wealth, and put yourself in the picture.” – KRS-One

135. “I’ve gone seventy-nine hours without sleep, creating. When that flow is going, it’s almost like a high. You don’t want it to stop. You don’t want to go to sleep for fear of missing something.” – Dr. Dre

136. “Sunny days wouldn’t be so special, if it wasn’t for rain. Joy wouldn’t feel so good, if it wasn’t for pain.” – 50 Cent

137. “If it’s flipping hamburgers at McDonald’s, be the best hamburger flipper in the world. Whatever it is you do you have to master your craft.” -Snoop Dogg

138. “I’d rather be proud of what I am, rather than desperately try to be something I’m really not; just to fit in.” – Immortal Technique

139. “Life will put many red lights in front of you, but sometimes we must push on the gas and trust God.” – Kendrick Lamar

140. “Skip the religion and politics, head straight to the compassion. Everything else is a distraction.” – Talib Kweli

Rap Quotes and Lyrics That Will Brighten Your Day

141. “Never let a couple of good memories make you move backwards. Look ahead and move on.” – Chris Brown

142. How can mirrors be real if our eyes aren’t real?” – Jaden Smith

143. “I’ve gotten my personal life all the way intact and made sure that it’s straight. Without that, you have no foundation. Your building is going to crumble.” – Dr. Dre

144. “To me, rap music is bigger than who’s the coolest rapper, the biggest rapper. It’s everything about your personality.” – Diplo

145. “Get rich or die trying.” – 50 Cent

146. “Music is the universal language.” – Swizz Beatz

147. “My lyrics aren’t offensive. Some people find everything offensive.” – Tyler the Creator

148. “I’ve been hated by many, wanted by plenty, disliked by some, but confronted by none.” –
Drake

149. “Fear not of men because men must die. Mind over matter and soul before flesh.” –
Mos Def

150. “When the devil wants to dance with you, you better say never, because the dance with the devil might last you forever.” – Immortal Technique

151. “We came into a broken world. And we’re the cleanup crew.” – Kanye West

152. “I am a hard person to love but when I love, I love really hard.” – Tupac Shakur

153. “In the future, hip-hop is going to be called American folklore.” – KRS-One

154. “Surround yourself with love, not friends.” – Lil Wayne

155. “I feel like I’m too busy writing history to read it.” – Kanye West

156. “Ice melts into rain, love turns into pain. Here I go again, falling in love again.” – Wale

157. “Sometimes you just gotta let s*** go and say ‘to hell with it’ and move on.” – Eminem

158. “I could let these dream killers kill my self-esteem, or use my arrogance as a steam to power my dreams.” – Kanye West

159. “My life, my choices, my mistakes, my lessons, not your business.” – Kid Cudi

160. “Sometimes it’s hard to pick right from wrong. The best thing we can do is go with our heart, and hope it all goes well.” – Mac Miller

Rap Quotes for Hip Hop Fans

161. “They say love is the key. Somebody changed the lock.” – Lil Wayne

162. “I would have so many friends if I held back the truth and just gave out compliments.” – Drake

163. “The older I get, the less I care about what’s cool. I realize I’m old and weird.” – Aesop Rock

164. “When people treat you like nothing, you begin to feel like nothing.” – Drake

165. “Never mind what hater’s say, ignore ’em till they fade away.” – T.I

166. “I want to have a cultural impact. I want to be an inspiration, to show people what can be done.” – Sean Combs

167. “Fight for your rights, stand up, and be heard. You’re just as good as any man, believe that, word.” – Salt N Pepa

168. “The plan was to drink until the pain’s over. But what’s worse, the pain or the hangover?” – Kanye West

169. “Every saint got a past; every sinner got a future. Every loser gotta win, and every winner gotta lose someday.” – J Cole, Deja Vu

170. “As a wise lady once said, love the skin you’re in cause beauty has no rules. If they’re tryna sell an impossible dream to a fool, then you ain’t the fool to buy one.” – Skepta

171. “When you see them be successful, however small, you say to yourself, wow. And everything becomes possible. Never denigrate, to say we will not succeed.” – Young Thug

172. “My life’s all I got and Heaven is all in my brain, and when I feel I’m in Hell my ideas are what get me through pain.” – Hopsin

173. “Sorry it had to end this way but uh, it is what it is.” – Snoop Dogg

174. “The worst feeling is feeling unwanted by the person you want the most.” – Drake

175. “Something about the pain makes me want more… done a lot of drugs, never felt like this before.” – Mac Miller

176. “Look inside my eyes and tell me you see a warrior.” –Kendrick

177. “The only luxury is time. The time you get to spend with your family.” –Kayne West

178. “I look at where I’m at today and realize that most of my success is owed to the mentors that was in my life.” — Kendrick Lamar

179. “I really appreciate family. I can’t imagine life without them.” –Ice Cube

180. “Luck is just bein’ prepared all the time, so when the door opens, you’re ready.” –Nipsey Hussle

Best Rap Quotes for the Hard Times in Life

181. “I live for the nights I can’t remember with the people I can’t forget.” –Drake

182. “I’m just a little bit sicker then the average individual I think.” ― Eminem

183. “You see my tears, in the rain underneath it all, we all are the same.” –Machine Gun Kelly

184. “You gotta dream like you never got obstacles.” –J.Cole

185. “I just can’t sit back and wallow. In my own sorrow, but I know one fact: I’ll be one tough act to follow.” –Eminem

186. “I came with nothing/ But I fought for something/ And I leave with everything.” -KB

187. “I don’t wanna be a part of hip-hop no more.” -Game

188. “This song might not hit radio, but we radiate/ That beam won’t run out of steam till we stand face to face.” -116

189. “I got the adrenaline, rhyme like I’m a veteran/ Fine, I’ve been ahead of the game, no way I’m settlin'” – NF

190. “The day Obama got elected, the gangsta became less relevant.” – Jay-Z

191. “If I go out tonight, I’m going out on top/ I give it all, this life ain’t all I got.” -Trip Lee

192. “I put you in my kufi category. Off with your kufi.” – Jim Jones

193. “If I don’t win, the award show loses credibility.” – Kanye West

194. “I hate this album.” – Lupe Fiasco

195. “Wu-Tang is for the children.” – Ol’ Dirty Bastard

196. “Once you really know yourself, can’t nobody tell you nothing about you.” – Megan Thee Stallion

197. “I feel that when you care about your music, taking risks is something you should do to keep things exciting.” – Drake

198. “I just want to be like a good example to somebody in the future.”– Megan Thee Stallion

199. “I’m just here for good times, man. I want people to have the best time ever. Especially if they’re around me.” – Travis Scott

200. “Sometimes I’ll be driving and a lyric will come into my head, and I will have to pull over and record it on my phone.” – Lil’ Kim

Which Rap quotes were your favorite?

As we explore the artistry through these insightful rap quotes, it becomes clear that the genre offers far more than mere entertainment. Rap’s ability to give voice to individuals’ and communities’ struggles, triumphs, and aspirations has solidified its place as a cultural force. I’ve come to appreciate the invaluable role that rap lyrics can play in inspiring positive change, fostering resilience, and encouraging personal growth.

Remember, the journey to success is rarely easy, but with the right mindset, a willingness to learn, and the courage to embrace your authentic self, you can achieve greatness and inspire others along the way.