#TUATop5 Love Songs in Rap

Over the years rap music has gotten a bad...well, rap. The music that has been seen as the voice of the streets has been accused of being misogynistic and sexist toward women. Traditionally, rap music's hard hitting, defiant nature didn't really leave much space for anyone to express love toward the ladies.  I mean that's what R&B music was for right?

That all changed in 1987 when LL Cool J released his classic single "I Need Love". It was the first time we had ever really seen one of rap's tough guys openly express any kind of sentimental emotion. Since that song, and largely due to the success of that song, the idea of doing love songs in rap music seemed to become less taboo. By 2002, it seemed like every gangsta in rap was in love with someone. Some of rap's love songs were very formulaic; cookie cutter music that was obviously made to be a radio single for their album. So many of the songs just came off as corny and vain. Then there were those songs that captured the essence of what is means to love someone; holding on to the soul that makes R&B so heartfelt without losing the edginess that makes rap music so appealing.

Now, obviously with only five slots I can't recognize every rap love song. I couldn't even list some of my favorites. For example, Will Smith's "Chasing Forever" and Nas' "Getting Married" are great songs that genuinely express what it means to love someone, but neither of those are on this list. And forget about it, Andre 3000 verse on "Int'l Players Anthem (I Choose You)" was superbly delivered; but everyone else verse on that song was about pimping so that doesn't exactly qualify for what I'm doing here. So, I've compiled a list of the best rap love songs.

5) Jay-Z ft. Beyonce "03 Bonnie And Clyde"

"She do anything necessary for him,
And I do anything necessary for her;
so don't let the necessary occur...yup!"
- Jay-Z

In 2002, Jay-Z and Beyonce connected for what would go on to be the first of many collaborations for the royal couple. The self-proclaimed "best rapper alive" and "the hottest chick in the game" cooked up one of best hip-hop love songs ever recorded. All the starts aligned here; not only did this son feature samples from two icons, Prince and Tupac Shakur, but the track was produced by Kanye West who was still relatively unknown at the time. This song is undeniable...

4) Busta Rhymes ft. Mariah Carey and Flipmode squad "I know what you want"

"Baby, I stay embracin' ya patience;
Sheddin' ya tears with me.
I ask you my mami,
Please continue to bear with me"
- Busta Rhymes

Busta Rhymes is one of the most animated rappers of all-time. The "Dungeon Dragon" has made a bunch of hits that will blow the roof off of any club. But when "I Know What You Want " dropped in the spring of 2003, it quickly became one of Busta Rhymes' biggest hits to date. Never mind the fact that it came out during a period when every rapper and their mama was trying their hand at rap love songs, this song was easily one of the best in the bunch. Busta completely switched his style up for this one and it paid off...big time!

3) ja rule ft. lil mo and vita "Put it on me"

"Who's gonna console me? My love;
I'm outta control hold me, my love,
Cause I'm yours.
And I don't wanna do nothin to hurt my baby girl;
If this was our world, it'd be all yours."
- Ja Rule

No matter what you think about Ja Rule in 2016, the fact remain that in the early 2000s he was running radio. That level of success was largely due to songs like "Put It On Me". His gravely voice caused him and his attempt to sing the butt of many jokes; however, this song was hot when it first came out in late 2000. "Put It On Me" not only catapulted Rule's career to a mainstream success but it changed the course of rap music at the time. Every rapper had to have a "Put It On Me" sequel on their album...Busta Rhymes included. Maybe Ja overdid it? But the fact remains this is one of the biggest and best rap love songs in hip hop history. 

2) Common "The Light"

"It's important, we communicate,
and tune the fate of this union, to the right pitch.
I never call you my bitch or even my boo;
There's so much in a name and so much more in you."
- Common

In one of the most awkward periods we've ever seen one man's career, Common released one of his most heartfelt songs, "The Light". Common was later clowned for how much of a switch he made during his relationship with the queen, Erykah Badu; but "The Light" was a refreshing and very sincere song released in 2000. What we heard in this song and saw in this video was a man who was in love with his woman. And any man that has ever been in love before can tell you that it will have you doing some strange things! But from that love this amazing track was born. As happy as I am that he snapped out of it, I was equally happy that he was there so we could experience "The Light".

1) Method man ft. mary j. Blige "I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By"

"Back when I was nothin,
You made a brother feel like he was somethin;
That's why I'm with you to this day boo no frontin."
- Method Man

There is something to be said for a rapper who can make a love song and still keep it as gangsta as ever! That's what happened in 1994 when the "Iron Lung" Method Man connected with the "Queen of Hip-Hop/Soul", Mary J. Blige for one illest track about ghetto love. Up to this point, Meth was simply one of the grimy kids from Shaolin with the Wu-Tang Clan. But when Tical managed to maintain his street edge while expressing love for the lady in his life, the world had to sit up and take notice. Meth won with this one. "All I Need" still remains to be Method Man's biggest hit to date. I'm sure Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell were applauding from the heavens!

What are some of your favorite Rap love songs?