15 songs about depression rap

In this blog we present to you 15 Rap songs about depression

15 Rap songs about depression

Eminem — “Beautiful” (2009)

This song by Eminen was written during his time in rehab where he was working on recovering from his addiction to sleep medication however the song was released only after a few years when he got sober. 

The song was about his drug addiction and it was one that was born out of his struggles when he felt like this was the end of the line for him.

The song presents his reflection about his life’s choices and the future he has set up for himself. He talks about his struggles with his mental health and calls for empathy from the people around him. 

Chance the Rapper “Acid Rain” (2013)

This song is about the rapper’s experiences with addiction and follows some of his drug tales and some of his darkest moments.

The song is about the sense of hopelessness he feels and also reflects the lingering trauma he carries around with him after watching his friend Rodney Kyles Jr. die. 

Meek Mill f/ Young Thug “We Ball” (2017)

This song is about the loss and grief of losing loved ones to gun violence. It is about the struggle of the writer about the hopelessness and meaninglessness of life in the face of death and loss. 

Earl Sweatshirt ft/ Nakel “DNA” (2015)

This depressing rap song is about the songwriter’s feelings and mental struggles after finding out his brother died. The song hones in on his grief and loss. 

Company Flow “Last Good Sleep” (1997)

This song desires the rapper’s experiences with domestic abuse in the face of an abusive stepfather. 

The song details how he watches his mother being beaten by his step father as a child. It was a vulnerable way of expressing himself through his music and he believes that this song has connected him to many people. 

Tupac — “So Many Tears” (1995)

This song by Tupac is one of the best songs on the human experience, exposing his innermost feelings in the face of an impending prison sentence. 

The song is vulnerable in the way he talks about his fears, his life, his struggle with paranoia, and his suicidal ideations.

Jay Z f/ Beanie Sigel and Scarface “This Can’t Be Life” (2000)

This song is about Jay Z’s still born child and the loss of his child as well as Beanie Sigel’s experience of self-medicating his inner pain as well as Scarface’s grief for his friend’s son who was possessed at the time of the song being recorded. 

Boosie Badazz “Smile to Keep From Crying” (2016)

This depressing song is about loss and the struggles one faces in the face of losing people like the rappers aunts or losing his friends to gun violence, as well as losing romantic partners and loved ones as he expresses his pain.

Lil Wayne “I Feel Like Dying” (2007)

This song by Lil Wayne is about his own vulnerable struggle with suicidal ideation. The song is a representation of his own coming to terms with his addiction and his mental health condition. 

In his songs he talks about his struggle with anxiety and his dependence on his anti-anxiety medication. It is this song that opened the door for rappers to share openly about the destructive nature of addiction and how mental illness impacts an individual. 

Future “Perkys Calling” (2016)

This song is about how his lifestyle has cost him. The rapper is straightforward, transparent in his revelations about addiction. 

He also talks about his mental struggle of dealing with negative depressing thoughts and his need for a more positive mindset and a more healthy lifestyle. 

Vince Staples “Summertime” (2015)

This song is one of the few revelanding songs that reflect who he is under his ice cold surface. The song talks about his heartbreak from sling important people in his life and the mental and emotional anguish he feels and struggles with. 

 Kendrick Lamar “u” (2015)

This song is about one of Kendrick Lamar’s darkest moments where he vents about his struggles with his insecurities and mourns the lost of his close friend. 

The song talks about the loss of his friend and the traumatic experience of losing people has impacted his life. 

He talks about how his insecurities impact his life and this song serves as a detailed memerio about that aspect of his life. 

Pete Rock & CL Smooth “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)” (1992)

This song “T.R.O.Y.” has a sad story at its core and was inspired by the death of the duo’s friend Troy Dixon, who most know as “Trouble” T. Roy of Heavy D & the Boyz. 

The song talks about the pain and struggle of loss and how the duo is dealing with the loss of  their friend. 

Lil Wayne — “I Feel Like Dying” (2007)

This song by Lil Wayne is about his own vulnerable struggle with suicidal ideation. The song is a representation of his own coming to terms with his addiction and his mental health condition. 

In his songs he talks about his struggle with anxiety and his dependence on his anti-anxiety medication. It is this song that opened the door for rappers to share openly about the destructive nature of addiction and how mental illness impacts an individual. 

How can one manage depression?

A few things that we can do on an individual’s level to manage and maintain our mental health include:

If you find yourself struggling with depression and loneliness, we urge you to seek support from a professional immediately. 

Here are a few resources form the NHS that you can make use of if you are suicidal, depressed, or engageing in self harm. 

• Call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans, or email: jo@samaritans.org for a reply within 24 hours
• Text “SHOUT” to 85258 to contact the Shout Crisis Text Line, or text “YM” if you’re under 19
• If you’re under 19, you can also call 0800 1111 to talk to Childline. The number will not appear on your phone bill.
• Self Injury Support webchat (for women and girls) is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 7pm to 9.30pm
• CALM webchat (for men) is open from 5pm to midnight every day

You can also reach out to your local medical service providers or a mental health service provider. 

If you are hesitant about reaching out for help, speak to a trusted friend or adult about what you are going through.

Do not hesitate to make use of resources provided to seek out professional support.

Seek out therapeutic care

Engaging with a therapist, being diligent with your medication, and making the changes you need to make to get better will determine your prognosis.

If the cost of therapy is becoming a burden consider talking to your therapist for a sliding scale option or the possibility of a pro bono case, and if that is not possible ask your therapist to refer you to someone who can take on your case at a much lower rate or for free. 

Your therapist will help you understand what is happening to you, might prescribe you medication if needed, and can help you tap into your own strengths that can help you adapt to challenges, changes, and overcome them.

Join a support group

Another thing you can do for yourself is to join a support group of people struggling with depression so that you can experience emotional support first hand within these communities and over time learn how to manage your challenges by learning from each other. 

It is possible that people with depression can also struggle with a sense of worthlessness, a feeling that you have nothing of value to offer. By joining a group that is open, empathetic, and growing towards healing, you and your experiences can be an excellent sense of support to someone else who is also in their early part of their journey. 

Seek out positive relationships

Like seeking out support in groups, seek out positive relationships in your life that do not judge and rather support you as you get better.

These can be friends, family and even past coworkers who offer support and a shoulder to learn on when you need it. 

These positive relationships can enable you to heal as well as help you as you move forward in life. 

Focus on resting and recovering

The most important thing that you can do for yourself is to rest and focus on recovering, do not rush yourself to get better so that you can go back to school or go back to work. 

Instead, take time to eat well, rest well, exercise, give time to yourself to think and engage in things you used to like doing before you started working- be it reading comics, or playing video games, or walking your pet.

Take effort to engage in things that you love doing, explore new activities if you feel like it and explore the world around you. 

Conclusion

In this blog we present to you 15 Rap songs about depression

FAQ related to Rap songs about depression

Who raps about depression?

There are plenty of artists that have rapped about depression and addiction. Some of them include Eminem, Kanye West, The Notorious B.I.G, Tupac etc. 

There has been plenty of rappers who have included themes of loneliness, depression, and addiction, as well as loss of loved ones to addiction or gunlance. 

Is rap music good for depression?

Rap music has been a pioneer in recovering stigma related to mental health struggles and addiction. There is a large portion of rap music that that has depression, suicide and mental health struggles which has played a huge part in removing stigma.

Are rappers depressed?

There are many rappers who have struggled with depression and who openly talked about their struggles with depression as well as addiction. However it has to be mentioned that it does not mean that rappers are more depressed than the general public.

References

Grove.R. 24 Rap Songs That Address Mental Health & Depression. Okay Player. Retrieved on 26th March 2022. https://www.okayplayer.com/music/rap-songs-that-address-mental-health-depression.html

The 35 Most Depressing Rap Songs. Complex. Retrieved on 26th March 2022. https://www.complex.com/music/the-most-depressing-rap-songs/