Your Favorite White Boy

Just before you rush out to pick up some last minute wilted flowers at the local corner store for your girl/wife/mistress/mom, here’s a quick rundown on the history of the rap love song.  Now, I know hip-hop isn’t primarily known for its affectionate side, there have been many a rapper who jumped into the booth to express their inner feelings – or try to get laid. Here are 12 songs that best chronicle the “evolution” of rap love, such as it is.  Let’s bask in the afterglow, shall we?

“I Need Love” (LL Cool J)

Ah, the original tough guy love song. Uncle L and his red fuzzy Kangol lets down his guard to let everyone know that after the fame, stardom, fans and money the only thing missing is you. Well, her. Not you. The Ladies don’t Love LL for nothing.

“Bonita Applebum” (A Tribe Called Quest)

This is the beginning of the conscious movement in rap and the Questers were conscious of your girl’s measurements (36-24-37 for those paying attention at home). The De La Soul classic “Eye Know” comes in a close second, but it loses points for corniness. Q-Tip’s shy but grown pining for his chick wins this one.

“Me & My Bitch” (Notorious B.I.G.)

Things got a little grimier around 1994, with the classic ode to that all-important “down ass chick”.  She’s the one that cooks, cleans, takes a Greyhound trip with those things taped to her thighs – you know, the usual.  After this joint came out, boos across the country were down to hide your burner in her purse.  Ah, love.

“I’ll Be There For You/All I Need” (Method Man Ft Mary J. Blige)

The first that would become a long line of collaborations with R&B luminaries, M-E-T-H-O-D Man and your girl Mary hooked up to expound on the value of a girl who’s there when the chips are down.  The video with MJB and Tical up on the roof is the perfect hip-hop love visual.  They even won a Grammy – it was THAT good.  Grammys are important, right?

“Between Me And You” (Ja Rule ft. Christina Milian)

Ja Rule in a hot tub. Moving on….

“Ms. Jackson” (Outkast)

With Stankonia, Andre 3K and Big Boi strip down the thug love and talk about what happens when things go all wrong. Ever have to talk to your ex-girl’s moms?  Then you understand their pain.  Its a kick in the head and the ‘nads.

“Brown Skin Lady” (Black Star)

Intellectual love at its finest. She’s fine, she’s re-fine. And, oh yes,  that way that that she walks. Now it is a little weird to think of Mos or Talib getting all jonesed up for some bird. I always figured they were just celibate monks with really dope clothes.

“Song Cry” (Jay-Z)

“I can’t see a tear rollin down my eye/So I gotta make the song cry”. Until Jay met B, this is about as weepy as Hova got. You mean the life of a millionaire is actually empty? Yeah, I’ll still rather be alone with the money.

“21 Questions” (50 Cent)

50 gives his boo an interrogation to see if she’s up to the task of holding him down. That’s romantic. Of course, he does have less compassion than the average human.

“The Way I Are” (Timbaland)

Timbo tears away all the money and fame (uh, yeah) and ponders what it would be like if it was just him and his chick. How long so you think that would last? Sure, he’d enjoy eating every meal at Sonic, but I think missing the Bentley would drive him nuts the first time he had to take the bus to the studio. “Ridin’ on the train with no dough – sucks” (c) Phife

“Put It On Ya” (Plies ft Chris J)

Why be sappy when you can be a goon? The REAList give us a glimpse into how a thug treats the ladies. Legs on your shoulders? Plies, you smooth cat, you.  So it has come to this.

“Love Lockdown” (Kanye West)

We go full circle with Mr. West bearing his soul in neutral tones and African drums. 2008 will be the year of rappers showing their sensitive side, and who better than Kanye “I’m not gay” West to represent for the ladies?  At least they can have matching Louis V bags.

Tags: 50 Cent, A Tribe Called Quest, Black Star, Ja Rule, Jay-Z, Kanye West, LL Cool J, Love, Love Songs, Method Man, Notorious BIG, Outkast, Plies, Timbaland