The 20 hip-hop songs from movie soundtracks

Will Smith might have started his career as a rapper, but in the ‘90s, he became one of the most in-demand blockbuster movie stars. In 1998, he starred alongside Tommy Lee in the action film Men in Black, so it was only right that he contributed with a theme song for the film. The song, which shares the same name as the film, was produced by Trackmasters and sampled Patrice Rushen’s song “Forget Me Nots.” With additional vocals by Coko from the R&B group SWV, she sings about Smith and Lee’s characters fighting against extraterrestrial creatures, “Here come the men in black, the galaxy defenders."

Terrence Howard played the role of DJay, a pimp and aspiring rapper, in the 2005 film Hustle & Flow. In one scene, he works with his producers to create his hit song “Hard Out Here for a Pimp.” The song was performed by rap group Three 6 Mafia on the film's soundtrack. Not only was the song a primary theme for the film, but “Hard Out Here for a PImp” also won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

The late Paul Walker starred in the Fast & Furious franchise before his tragic death in 2013. As a tribute to him in Furious 7, Wiz Khalifa teamed up with Charlie Puth on the track “See You Again.” On the track, Khalifa details from the perspective of a person who loses a loved one and is feeling the grief stage of simply wanting to talk and see their fallen loved one again. 

In 2018, Chadwick Boseman starred alongside Lupita Nyong’o, Michael B. Jordan, and Angela Bassett in the superhero film Black Panther. Film director Ryan Coogler called on Kendrick Lamar to curate the soundtrack. Lamar teamed up with his fellow TDE labelmate SZA on the lead single “All The Stars.” The song was an essential part of the film as it played during the end credits, it earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song. 

Public Enemy’s hit single “Fight the Power” was a major theme in the Spike Lee-directed film Do the Right Thing, as the song is constantly blasted by the character Radio Raheem. The track highlights how the Black community seeks to revolutionize against systemic issues and injustices, it’s no wonder the song continues to be a theme for civil rights acts to this day. 

Suge Knight and Dr. Dre were called to executive produce the Above the Rim soundtrack. Warren G teamed up with Nate Dogg on the album’s first single, “Regulate,” which also appeared on the rapper’s debut album. Produced by Warren, “Regulate” went on to peak at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

In 2002, Eminem starred alongside Mekhi Phifer in the semi-autobiographical drama film 8 Mile. It only made sense that the Detroit rapper would also contribute music to the soundtrack. The lead single, “Lose Yourself,” finds Eminem detailing some of the movie's plot, his character flaws, and his attempts to earn respect as an MC. The song became a No. 1 hit across several charts, including the Hot 100. 

OutKast members Big Boi and Andre 3000 have always been the type of artists who show pride in their home state of Georgia. They did just that on their 2006 single “Morris Brown,” which was a single for their musical film Idlewild. Named after Morris Brown College located in Atlanta, OutKast also made sure the song featured the college’s band, the Marching Wolverines. 

Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan were the stars of the 1998 film Rush Hour. The soundtrack’s second single came from Jay-Z with “Can I Get A…,” and it was a mainstream introduction for Ja Rule and Amil at the time. Produced by Irv Gotti and Lil Rob, “Can I Get A…” became a top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. 

In 1995, Michelle Phifer played a former Marine-turned-teacher in the drama film Dangerous Minds. She also made a cameo in the music video for the soundtrack’s lead single, “Gangsta’s Paradise,” performed by Coolio. With an interpolation of Stevie Wonder’s “Pastime Paradise,” Coolio detailed the ins and outs of people who live in inner cities and dedicate their lives to the streets. 

In 2001, Keanu Reaves starred alongside Diane Lane in the drama film Hardball, which told the story of Reaves’ character taking on a job as a kids' baseball coach to pay off debt to some bookies. Jermaine Dupri took the role of recruiting some young music stars for the soundtrack’s single “Hardball” with Bow Wow, Lil Wayne, Lil Zane, and Sammie. Naturally, the song has several baseball references, such as Bow Wow’s verse, “When I step to the plate, the outfield gets back / 'Cause they know I’m over the wall type of dog / So many back-to-back hits they call me Sammy Sosa / Bubble gum posters and all the cards.” 

In 1992, Tupac starred alongside Omar Epps, Khalil Kain, and Jermaine Hopkins in the crime drama film Juice, which highlights the daily lives of inner-city youth. The soundtrack features one of the most recognizable hip-hop tracks with Eric B. & Rakim’s “Juice (Know the Ledge).” 

Not too long after The Lady of Rage contributed to early albums from Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, she released her first single, “Afro Puffs,” which was featured on the Above the Rim soundtrack. On the track, Lady of Rage details just how much of a threat she is with her lyrical ability. It’s evident in the second verse, as she says, “So, put your money on the breadwinner / I kick lyrics so dope that the brothers call ‘em head spinners / I got the tongue that is outdone anyone / From the risin’ to the settin’ of the sun.”

During the ‘90s, Will Smith continued his career trek as a blockbuster star who still contributed to the hip-hop space. As a theme song for his 1999 film Wild Wild West, he teamed up with Dru Hill and Kool Moe Dee on the soundtrack’s lead single, which shared the same name as the film. Smith uses the song to detail his film’s character.

In 2005, 50 Cent shared the silver screen with Terrence Howard and Joy Bryant in the autobiographical film about his life, Get Rich or Die Tryin.’ Since the film follows the story of a man leaving street life to become a rapper, it was only right for 50 Cent to contribute to the soundtrack. With his single “Hustler’s Ambition,” he highlighted his perspective of going through life and hustling so he could afford a better one. 

Since Kendrick Lamar was helmed to curate the Black Panther soundtrack, he made sure his fellow TDE labelmates were featured on it as well. That’s why he teamed up with Jay Rock, Future, and James Black on the second single, “King’s Dead.” In Lamar’s verse, he takes on the perspective of the film character Erik Killmonger, who looks to overthrow King T’Challa. 

In 2003, DMX starred alongside Jet Li in the action film Cradle 2 the Grave. The rapper contributed a couple of songs to the soundtrack including the lead single “X Gon’ Give It to Ya.” On the track, DMX declares that people shouldn’t try to mess with him or they’ll soon regret it. 

The 2016 film Suıcide Squad had quite the ensemble cast, including actors like Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Jared Leto, Viola Davis, and many more. Naturally, the soundtrack was just as stacked with several artists across several genres. The album’s second single, “Sucker for Pain,” was a collaboration between Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa, Imagine Dragons, Logic, Ty Dolla $ign, and X Ambassadors. The track finds the artists highlighting their battles with their squad, sometimes causing them pain but still holding each other down through any destruction.

The Neptunes were one of the few production teams that contributed to the soundtrack of Bad Boys II. They teamed up with Jay-Z on the infectious second single “La-La-La.” On the track, Jay raps about several things, including his lyrical abilities, smoking, drinking, and, of course, his wealth. 

After Dr. Dre left the group N.W.A., he released his first solo record, “Deep Cover,” which was the lead soundtrack single for the film of the same name. While the film’s plot centers around an undercover police officer looking to take down a gang, Dre and Snoop use the song to take jabs at crooked cops.