We all need motivation from time to time. Hard times don’t come with a warning and when they do, it can be difficult to get back up. Whether you aren’t feeling motivated enough to work, go to the gym, clean your room, or basically do anything, music can be of great help. It has a definite impact on one’s mental health and the right kind of music can do wonders. “Motivational” music is subjective as it is based on what people find motivating. For me, motivational hip hop songs with great stories can be of tremendous help.
Over the years, there have been multiple motivational hip-hop songs by artists that dominate the industry. These songs have aggressive beats and inspiring lyrics that will definitely make you want to get out of bed and conquer the world. We have made a list of motivational hip songs for you so you know where to turn to on those low days! Let’s do this!
1 – All I Do Is Win by DJ Khaled Feat. Ludacris, Rick Ross, Snoop Dogg & T-Pain
The hard-hitting beat is ideal to listen to first thing in the morning. If you are feeling a bit demotivated to work, this one is surely going to get you going. With lyrics like “All I do is win, win, win, no matter what / Got money on my mind I can never get enough” it is impossible to not want to own the day!
2 – Boss by The Carters
Leave it up to The Carters to give you a harsh reality check. Beyoncé and Jay Z take it upon themselves to remind us that they have been hustling for a long time and are now reaping the benefits. If you are looking for a bit of a push, turn to The Carters to give a glimpse of the kingdom they have built by working hard. This one is bound to inspire you.
3 – You’re Da Man by Nas
If you’re looking for some old-school vibes to get motivated on, this is perfect. This is one of the most motivational hip hop songs ever made. The beat makes you want to sway and lyrics like “It was clear why the struggle was so painful/ Metamorphosis, this is what I changed to” will make you push through the hardest times.
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4 – Can’t Tell Me Nothing by Kanye
This is one of those motivational hip hop songs that are great for when you’re feeling demotivated and lose focus. The line “wait till I get my money right” is going to make you want to get back on track and focus so you can build a better future!
5 – Superstar by Lupe Fiasco (Feat. Matthew Santos)
Another great motivational hip hop song to start the day with. This song has an upbeat rhythm which isn’t too heavy to listen to first thing in the morning. The lyrics will pump you up as well, getting you ready for a new day!
6 – Lose Yourself by Eminem
In terms of motivational hip hop songs, this one is iconic. No matter what you say about it, it can never truly capture how empowering this song is. Through this song, Eminem tells us to never miss out on any opportunities. Carpe Diem, little ones!
7 – Broke in a Minute by Tory Lanez
One thing that helps while you work towards your goals is to visualize what your life would be after those goals are met! Broke in a Minute is one of those perfect motivational hip-hop songs that will help you do just that. In this song, Tory Lanez flexes what he has but never forgets where he came from. This one is bound to push you toward the life you want to live.
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8 – Guess What by Russ Feat Rick Ross
Another song that has some hard flexing is Guess What. This song has old-school vibes and is great to start the day with. In the world of motivational hip hop songs, this one is truly inspiring. Lyrics like “I want roses while I’m living not just roses when I die” will make you want to do something great with your life that is worth celebrating.
9 – Run This Town by Jay Z Feat Rihanna and Kanye West
If you are working towards being great and doing great, there will be downfalls. In moments when you feel dejected and questioned, this is the song to play. Running this town serves as the perfect reminder that you have to keep doing what you do. Rihanna’s lyrics “So I keep doing my own thing / Walking tall against the rain / Victory’s within a mile” can give you inspiration in those moments of doubt.
10 – I Did It by Raja Kumari
Sung by Indian-American rapper Raja Kumari, this is a song for the underdogs who are destined to make it big. “I did it” is one of those motivational hip hop songs that will remind you to believe in yourself. Raja Kumari tells her haters what you should tell yours – I’m one in a billion, we are not the same / you might feel the pressure, but I am Diamond made.
11 – Remember The Name by Fort Minor
There is no way one can meet their goals without putting in the work. Remember the name is a perfect song to remind you of that. Whether you want that perfect job, have gym goals to meet, or just want to make the most of your day, this is one of the best motivational hip hop songs to listen to as soon as the day starts.
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12 – Started From The Bottom by Drake
This track has been one of the best motivational hip hop songs for a long time. Talking about where he came from, Drake tells us how much he hustled to reach where he is now. There is a very inspiring lesson in this song that can help anyone power through and work towards their goals.
13 – Drake, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Eminem – Forever
Drake teamed up with Kanye West for the track, “Forever” featuring Lil Wayne and Eminem. Eminem played his verse of the song at the American Music Awards of 2009. It is usually referred to as the greatest posse cut in rap history. Drake performed the song with Lil Wayne, Eminem, and Travis Barker at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards.
14 – 50 Cent – I Get Money
The song peaked at #20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified Gold by the RIAA. “I Get Money” contains elements from Audio Two’s “Top Billin'”. The track marked the third single from 50 Cent’s third album, Curtis. This song was #14 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Best Songs of 2007.
He sings, “I, I get money, money I got (I, I get it) / I, I get money, money I got (I, I get it) / I, I get money, money I got (Yeah) / Money, money I got, money, money I got (I run New York!)”
15 – T.I. feat. Rihanna – Live Your Life
American rapper T.I. released “Live Your Life” featuring Barbadian singer Rihanna, from T.I.’s sixth studio album, Paper Trail (2008). The song’s lyrics speak of T.I.’s rise to fame and optimism about the future. It also gives dedication to the American troops fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. In the United States, the song topped the Billboard Hot 100, marking T.I.’s third number-one single, and Rihanna’s fifth.
Vocals come up, “Ey, this is special what’s happenin’ to all my / All my soldiers over there in Iraq / Everybody right here / What you need to do is be thankful for the life you got”
16 – Fat Joe, Remy Ma – All The Way Up ft. French Montana, Infared
American rappers Fat Joe and Remy Ma teamed up with French Montana and Infared for the track, “All the Way Up” produced by Edsclusive and Cool & Dre. The track marked the first single from their collaborative album Plata O Plomo. At the 59th Grammy Awards, it was nominated for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song.
The vocals come up, “Nothing can stop me, I’m all the way up / All the way up / I’m all the way up / I’m all the way up…”
17 – Drake & Trey Songz – Successful
- Released: 2009
- Album: Ready
- Artist: Drake
- Featured artists: Lil Wayne, Trey Songz
- Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap
- Songwriters: Aubrey Graham, Tremaine Neverson, Noah “40” Shebib, Dwayne Carter
- Producer: Noah “40” Shebib
18 – Chipmunk feat. Chris Brown – Champion
The track is one of the most famous motivational hip hop songs ever, “Champion” is a song by British rapper Chipmunk from Chipmunk’s second studio album Transition (2011). The song was written by Chipmunk and Chris Brown, and it was produced by Samuels. The song peaked at number 2 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Chipmunk’s second-highest-charting single.
He Sings, “Some people have to learn / Some people wait there turn / Some people have to fight / Some people give it up.”
19 – T.I. – Whatever You Like
American rapper T.I. released the lead single, “Whatever You Like” (second overall) from his sixth studio album, Paper Trail (2008). It was written by T.I. and David Siegel, alongside the song’s producer Jim Jonsin. The song peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, giving T.I. his second US number one. One of the most popular motivational hip hop songs ever.
He sings, “Hey, Jim / You know the old sugar daddies / They be trickin’, they tell them girls / I said you can have whatever you like (you like)”
20 – Jay-Z “Who Gon’ Stop Me” Ft. Kanye West
It charted in the United States, South Korea and Canada. The song is the ninth song on the official track list for the album. The track, “Who Gon Stop Me” is a track released by American hip hop artist, Kanye West and Jay-Z, from their first collaborative album Watch the Throne (2011).
Kanye sings, “I can’t stop / I can’t stop / This is something like the Holocaust / Millions of our people lost.”
