20 love songs you need on your rap playlist

When people think of artists with lyrics known for being "dirty mackin'," LL Cool typically comes to mind. LL teamed up with R&B group Boyz II Men on his 1995 hit single “Hey Lover.” Lyrically, LL has a crush on a potential partner, but she’s already in a relationship, and LL believes her current partner is no competition for him. 

Nelly teamed up with Kelly Rowland on their hit single “Dilemma.” With a smooth sample of Patti LaBelle’s song “Love, Need and Want You,” Nelly details meeting a woman that catches his eye. Although the woman is currently in a relationship, the interest and infatuation between the two seem mutual. As Kelly sings on the hook, “No matter what I do / All I think about is you / Even when I’m with my boo / Boy, you know I’m crazy over you.” 

Mary J. Blige’s discography has long highlighted love and relationships. So it was only fitting that Method Man teamed up with Blige on their hit duet “I’ll Be There / You’re All I Need To Get By.” On the track, Method is telling his partner how much he appreciates her: “Shorty, I’m there for you anytime you need me / For real, girl, it’s me and your world, believe me.” 

Common’s 2000 single “The Light” is a love letter to his significant other. With a smooth sample of Bobby Caldwell’s hit song “Open Your Eyes,” the song finds Common reflecting on the love he has for his partner and his desire to spend forever with her. As he raps in the first verse, “Wrote this letter and finally decided to send it / Signed, sealed, delivered, for us to grow together / Love has no limit, let’s spend it slow together.” 

Wale has collaborated with a number of R&B singers throughout his career. In 2015, he teamed up with Usher on his hit song “The Matrimony.” On the track, Wale raps about how his past relationships make it difficult for his current partner to believe he’s fully committed to their relationship, but he really wants his significant other to know that he’s in it for the long haul. Usher croons on the hook, “If there’s a question of my heart, you’ve got it / It don’t belong to anyone but you.”

Nas teamed up with Amy Winehouse and producer Salaam Remi on his hit song “Cherry Wine.” While Winehouse takes over the hook, Nas uses the song to describe the qualities he looks for in a partner. As he says in the first verse, “For real, the world so ill yo, I want a girl so real / Who not after material wealth but get dough still / Or maybe an educator, a lady with etiquette / Who can be from out the hood or even work for the president.” 

When Fabolous teamed with Ne-Yo on his 2007 single “Make Me Better,” he wanted listeners to know that having the right partner by his side is all he could ask for. He knows that he’s solid by himself, but his partner makes him an even better person. As Ne-Yo sings, “First things first, I does what I do / But everything I am she’s my improve / I’m already bossin', I’m already fly / But if I’m a star, she is the sky.” 

Jay-Z describes what could be love at first sight for him in his 2003 single “Excuse Me Miss.” Produced by The Neptunes, Jay raps about having everything he wants in this life; all he needs is a partner by his side. 

OutKast’s André 3000 thinks he found the love of his life in his 2004 single “Prototype.” In the ballad, André knows that if his partner isn’t the one he’s supposed to spend his life with, she sets the standard of what his soulmate should be like. It’s evident from the beginning as he sings, “I hope that you’re the one / If not, you are the prototype.” 

In the early 2000s, fans could never go wrong with a Ja Rule and Ashanti collaboration. On their hit single “Always On Time,” they detail the importance of being present and showing up for their partners. Sometimes a partner may not always answer their calls, but they’re always there when needed. 

Lil Wayne’s 2011 track “How to Love” reiterates that everyone needs love despite how many times they’ve failed at it in the past. Sometimes a failed love can eat a person’s self-esteem, but Wayne wants people to know that they’re worthy of something so beautiful.

LL Cool J longs for a romantic relationship on his 1987 single “I Need Love.” He has a good understanding of the type of partner he wants, but he seems to have trouble finding that special someone. As he says in the second verse, “This love search is really making me bug / And if you know who you are, why don’t you make yourself seen? / Take the chance with my love, and you’ll find out what I mean.”

A Tribe Called Quest’s second single “Bonita Applebum” is about a guy professing the love he has for a potential partner. The narrator doesn’t shy away from his physical attraction to her, and he’s hoping that the feelings are mutual. 

On “You Got Me,” The Roots emphasize how relationships need trust and communication in order for them to work. The band highlights how navigating a relationship can be difficult, especially with the crazy schedules of a celebrity. However, they want to reiterate that they’re in the relationship for the long haul. 

50 Cent wants to know if his partner will stick with him through thick and thin on his hit single “21 Questions.” Throughout the song, 50 asks questions to see if his partner is truly down for him. Not only does he ask questions to get to know his partner, but he also wants to see where their mentality and morals lie. 

Nicki Minaj professes her love and infatuation for a partner on her 2010 single “Your Love.”  With the added pop sounds in the production, and Minaj mixing in more of her singing abilities, the song shows more of Minaj’s softer and giddy side. As she says on the hook, “Shorty, I’ma only tell you this once, you the illest / And for your love, I’m a die-hard like Bruce Willis.” 

On Tyler, the Creator’s “See You Again,” he describes his ideal lover, but he only sees them in his dreams. He iterates that if he wakes up, he probably won’t see his lover again, so for that matter, he'd rather keep dreaming. As he says in the song, “20/20, 20/20 vision / Cupid hit me, Cupid hit me with precision / I wonder if you look both ways when you cross my mind.” 

Kendrick Lamar and Zacari team up on “LOVE.” to help reassure the commitment and love a partner has in a relationship. Lamar wants to make sure that his partner sticks it out with him through all the ups and downs because he would feel incomplete without his partner. 

Jay-Z and Beyoncé gave fans the ultimate “ride-or-die” relationship anthem with “‘03 Bonnie & Clyde.” On the track, Jay describes having his partner by his side for support on any ideas or antics because his partner truly believes in him. As he says in the first verse, “‘Cause mami’s a rider and I’m a roller / Put us together, how they gon’ stop us? / Whatever she lacks, I’m right over her shoulder / When I’m off track, mami is keeping me focused.”  

On Drake’s breakout single “Best I Ever Had,” the rapper made sure the song was dedicated to a special someone in his life. People usually always remember the best partner they’ve been with, but it’s important to appreciate them before it’s too late. Drake is enamored with his partner and knows that he doesn’t want to lose a good thing. As he says on the hook, “Baby, you my everything, you all I ever wanted / We could do it real big, bigger than you ever done it.”