This article lists 18 Hip Hop Songs by top Rap Music Artists that explore the bonds of friendship. Each song shows trust. Each song shows loyalty. Each song shows the power of a true friend. Read on to find tracks that celebrate real ties.
18 Hip Hop Songs About Friendship That Still Hit Hard Today
1. “Friends” by Whodini (1984)
Whodini wrote a simple song. They name true friends. They warn of fake ones. The beat is warm. The chorus is clear. It asks who will stay. It asks who will leave. It laid a path. It set a theme. It still feels fresh. It feels real.
Artist and Year
Whodini was a trio from New York. The song came out in 1984. It hit the charts. It inspired many acts. It raised the bar for friendship themes. It made the world listen.
2. “Just a Friend” by Biz Markie (1989)
Biz tells a story. He meets a girl. He thinks she is his friend. He later learns she says “just a friend.” He frets over lost trust. He laughs at his own pain. The piano line is sweet. The rap is blunt. It blends humor and hurt. It feels honest. It feels raw.
Artist and Year
Marcel “Biz Markie” Hall was known for fun rap. This single dropped in 1989. It climbed high on pop charts. It became his signature song. It still plays at parties.
3. “Real Friends” by Kanye West (2016)
Kanye looks at his circle. He names those he trusts. He names those he doubts. He feels lonely. He questions who cares. He shares pain. He keeps it tight. The beat is sparse. The vocals are honest. It feels like a late-night talk. It feels like a diary.
Artist and Year
“Real Friends” came from the album *The Life of Pablo*. It arrived in 2016. It drew praise for truth. It hit fans hard. It made many think of their own bonds.
4. “Crew Love” by Drake ft. The Weeknd (2011)
Drake thanks his crew. He thanks his friends. He thanks those who stay. He thanks those who work. The Weeknd sings a soft hook. The mood is dreamy. The beat is slow. It feels like a night drive. It feels like shared success. It feels warm as a hug.
Artist and Year
This song appeared on Drake’s *Take Care* in 2011. It marked a new sound. It showed loyalty between artists. It became a fan favorite.
5. “Best Friend” by Saweetie ft. Doja Cat (2021)
Saweetie shouts out her girl. She calls her “best friend.” She praises her style. She praises her trust. Doja Cat adds a verse. They swap laughs and lines. The beat is bright. It feels like a fun day. It feels like a girls’ trip. It feels like a party.
Artist and Year
This track dropped in 2021. It became an anthem for friendship. It hit charts worldwide. It sparked a dance challenge. It united fans.
6. “My Dawg” by Lil Baby (2017)
Lil Baby speaks to his close ones. He calls them “dawgs.” He thanks them for real. He warns of fake ties. The beat is strong. The flow is steady. It feels like a salute. It feels like a code. It feels like a pact. It feels solid.
Artist and Year
This song came on Lil Baby’s 2017 mixtape *Harder Than Hard*. It rose in clubs. It made his name. It cemented his style of shout-outs.
7. “Homies & Thugs” by Scarface ft. Master P & UGK (2002)
Scarface honors his homies. He honors his past. He names those he trusts. He names those he lost. The beat is dark. The mood is solemn. The lyrics are vivid. They paint shared trials. They paint shared wins. It feels like a eulogy. It feels like a reunion.
Artist and Year
This track came from the album *The Fix*. It released in 2002. It marked a reunion of Southern rap stars. It still holds weight among fans.
8. “Crew” by GoldLink ft. Brent Faiyaz & Shy Glizzy (2017)
GoldLink praises his crew. Each verse gives a shout-out. Each guest shows respect. The beat is soft house-inspired. The vocals are smooth. It feels like a gathering. It feels like an inside joke. It feels like a pact. It feels like a night out.
Artist and Year
“Crew” broke out in 2017. It became GoldLink’s breakout hit. It won a Grammy nomination. It gave his crew global fame.
9. “Where My Homiez At?” by Foxy Brown (2001)
Foxy Brown calls for her homiez. She asks who stands by her. She boasts of loyalty. She warns of snakes. The beat is bold. The rap is fierce. It feels like a call to arms. It feels like a rally. It feels like family.
Artist and Year
This song dropped in 2001 on her album *Broken Silence*. It became a street anthem. It showed strength and trust among women.
10. “I’ll Be There for You/You’re All I Need to Get By” by Method Man & Mary J. Blige (1995)
Method Man and Mary J. Blige blend rap and soul. They vow support. They vow loyalty. They vow forever. The beat is mellow. The hook is gospel-tinged. It feels like a vow. It feels like a promise. It feels like a duet between friends.
Artist and Year
This single appeared on Method Man’s *Tical* in 1995. It won a Grammy. It reached number one on R&B charts. It became a classic.
11. “Friends” by Too $hort (2009)
Too $hort names true friends. He names fair-weather ones. He says keep your circle small. The beat is funky. The rap is blunt. It feels like advice. It feels like a warning. It feels like a chat with an old friend.
Artist and Year
Released in 2009 on *Blow the Whistle*. The song echoed his early style. It brought listeners back to West Coast rap roots.
12. “Buddy” by De La Soul (1989)
De La Soul invite friends to the dance. They call out names. They ask for unity. The beat is bright. The rap is playful. It feels like a party invite. It feels like a group hug. It feels like shared joy.
Artist and Year
“Buddy” was on their debut *3 Feet High and Rising*. It dropped in 1989. It helped define alternative hip hop. It remains a feel-good track.
13. “Where Is the Love?” by Black Eyed Peas (2003)
Black Eyed Peas call for unity. They ask for love. They ask for peace. They ask for empathy. The beat mixes rap and pop. The chorus is sung. It feels like a town hall. It feels like a plea. It feels like a call for friendship on a global scale.
Artist and Year
This hit arrived in 2003 on *Elephunk*. It topped charts worldwide. It won awards. It still resonates in troubled times.
14. “Family and Loyalty” by Kendrick Lamar ft. Jay Rock (2015)
Kendrick Lamar and Jay Rock speak on trust. They speak on family. They speak on loyalty. The beat is tight. The flow is intense. It feels like a code of honor. It feels like a pact between brothers. It feels like street wisdom.
Artist and Year
This track is from *Untitled Unmastered*. It released in 2015. It showcased Kendrick’s crew ties. It impressed critics.
15. “Ride or Die” by The Lox ft. DMX & Lil Wayne (2000)
The Lox pledge loyalty. DMX adds raw emotion. Lil Wayne joins the vow. The beat is hard. The rap is fierce. It feels like a warrior call. It feels like a blood oath. It feels like a bond that will not break.
Artist and Year
Appeared on *We Are the Streets* in 2000. The song captured early 2000s New York rap. It remains a cult favorite.
16. “Friends Make the Worst Enemies” by Kool G Rap & DJ Polo (1989)
Kool G Rap warns of betrayal. He warns of fake loyalty. He spins a dark tale. The beat is gritty. The rap is vivid. It feels like a cautionary story. It feels like street lore. It feels like a lesson learned too late.
Artist and Year
This single came out in 1989. It showed Kool G Rap’s storytelling skill. It influenced many hardcore acts.
17. “Best Friends” by Futuristic (2018)
Futuristic celebrates his best friend. He uses humor. He shares memories. The beat is quick. The rap is playful. It feels like a video diary. It feels like a boyhood tale. It feels like a shout-out to a long bond.
Artist and Year
Released in 2018 on *Films & Music*. It gained viral video support. It won praise for its honest tone.
18. “A Friend” by A$AP Ferg (2017)
A$AP Ferg thanks a friend. He recalls hard times. He recalls long nights. He recalls shared dreams. The beat is bouncy. The flow is sincere. It feels like a thank-you note. It feels like a tribute. It feels like a toast.
Artist and Year
This track arrived on *Still Striving* in 2017. It earned nods for its warm message. It grew into a fan favorite.
SEE ALSO: The Cold Crush Brothers’ 12 Hip Hop Tracks Recommended
Conclusion
These 18 songs show the many sides of friendship in rap. They show joy and pain. They show loyalty and doubt. They come from many eras. They come from many voices. They prove that friendship inspires art. They prove that true friends are worth a song.
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