10 Great Rap Songs About Fatherhood

Dads need love, too. Hip-hop has plenty of songs about fatherhood. From Ja Rule doling out advice to his baby girl to Ed. O.G. calling for family responsibility, here are 10 great hip-hop songs about fatherhood. Happy Father's Day.

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Atmosphere - "Yesterday"

"Yesterday" is a standout track from Atmosphere's When Life Gives You Lemons. It finds Slug reminiscing over his late father and cherishing the precious moments he shared with his old man.

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Ja Rule - "Daddy's Little Baby"

Ja Rule and daughter Aisha "Ish" Murray. (Photo by Gregg DeGuire/WireImage)

"Daddy's Little Baby" is a rare moment of introspection from Ja Rule. Ja tells his daughter: "Degrade yourself never, 'cause I'm teaching you better/Life ain't all about cheddar, diamonds, and leather." He would know.

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NY Oil - "Father Father"

Though NY Oil's "Father Father" incorporates Barack Obama's famous speech on parental responsibility, it's far more captivating than any political rhetoric on the issue.

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Slick Rick - "It's A Boy"

It would be convenient to assume that all of Slick Rick's lyrics are lewd tales. Buried within The Ruler's treasure chest, however, is this joyous celebration of fatherhood.

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Game - "Like Father Like Son" (Feat. Busta Rhymes)

Game and son Harlem Taylor. Chelsea Lauren/WireImage

Game delivers a message to his son on this bright gem from The Documentary. His message is straightforward yet crucial: Learning from your father's mistakes will reduce the chances of making ones of your own.

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Royce da 5'9" - "Life" (Feat. Amerie)

Royce da 5'9". Wendell Teodoro/Getty Images

Royce da 5'9" sets aside his combative side and gets philosophical on this solemn track which doubles as a life manual of sorts to his little man. The song's key message--perspective is reality--may have been too advanced for little Royce at some point, but he'll thank daddy for this heartfelt tribute someday.

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Jay Z & Kanye West - "New Day"

Jay Z, Blue Ivy & Beyonce. MTV/Getty Images

One of the great things about collaboration is that Kanye West helped Jay-Z discover how human he can be when that royal veil is peeled back. On "New Day," for example, Jay and Kanye write a letter to their future son in the vein of 2Pac's "Letter 2 My Unborn." Both ended up with daughters, so maybe it's time for a gender appropriate sequel. Either way, "New Day" is emotive and powerful.

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Will Smith - "Just the Two of Us"

Will Smith and son Jaden Smith.
George Pimentel / Getty Images

Will Smith transforms Bill Withers' "Just the Two of Us" into a father-son bonding anthem. Will's version must have resonated with many dads -- it soared to No. 2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Songs chart.

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Xzibit - "The Foundation"

Xzibit and son. Joe Scarnici/Getty Images

Xzibit is no stranger to songs about father-son relationships. "Carry the Weight," from At the Speed of Light, dealt with his rough childhood and his father's role in his life. On "Foundation," though, X flips the table and lays down the law for his

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Ed O.G. & Da Bulldogs - "Be a Father to Your Child"

Concept photo — Harun/Roy Ayers Project Beat Submission

One of Ed O.G.'s most significant contributions to hip-hop is this poignant plea for parental responsibility. As the title indicates, "Be a Father to Your Child" reprimands deadbeat dads ("Stop sittin' like a chair and having your baby wonder where you are/ Or who you are, fool"). The song urges all fathers to realize that their presence is more important the presents. An undeniable hip-hop masterpiece.

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Top 10 Rap Songs Dads Will Love