Rep Ya City: 6 Hidden Gems That “Put On”

Rep Ya City: 6 Hidden Gems That “Put On

Mos Def “Brooklyn”

From his arguably classic 1999 debut album, Black On Both Sides, “Brooklyn” is a flat out banger. It burns more like a Funk Flex freestyle than a city anthem, with beat switches to match. It’s not that the song is not well known, it’s just that it doesn’t get brought up in the “rep your city” conversation so… Here you go, Yasiin. Cheers.

Major Figgas, Beanie Sigel “P.H.I.L.L.Y”

Track 4 on the Cosmic Kev hosted Philly cult classic, Best Of Beanie Sigel, is a song bearing the name of its creator’s birthplace. The hook is a decorative remake of Boogie Down Productions “Jimmy“, with the bridge and all. Spade-O, Dutch and the rest of Major Figgas hold it down while Gillie Da Kid and Sigel finish the deal, splitting a 16-bar slot.

Drake “City Is Mine”

Comeback Season went under the radar; Way under the radar. Drake’s 2nd effort at a full length project saw little traction in relation to what he would go on to do professionally. “City Is Mine” however, made it past the threshold and is many peoples first time hearing the “6 God”. Shout out the T Dot.

Common “Southside”

This Kanye West featured gem is almost the most hardcore version of the city anthem. The best way to describe “Southside” is it sounds like Wiz Khalifa‘s “Black & Yellow” cut’s big brother.

The Game “Astronaut Pussy/Welcome To California”,

The Game, Skeme, Too Short & Schoolby Q kick off what most likely is the longest song of this list. “Welcome To California” is from The Game’s OKE project. Originally a mixtape: Now available on DSP’s. The Voice of Stacy Barthe can be found here. Interestingly enough, she is also the first voice heard California’s own Nipsey Hussle‘s debut album via the title track “Victory Lap”. [We are fully aware the Cali is a state]

Young Jeezy “Vacation”

Easily the most popular song here, “Vacation” is a classic record amongst Jeezy’s core. However, it’s not look at as an ode to the city of Atlanta. Kind of ludicrous when you think about the fact that the chorus is basically Jeezy shouting out every major part of the ATL. Seems like Jizzle would rather be in in the A than anywhere in the world.