Food Raps: An Introduction
By Nick Adkisson on March 30, 2023
This week on NR92, we are partnering with NAITSA Food Centre who help students succeed. So today let’s take a look at some raps about food, some classics and some new. We will begin with the third solo single by Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon from his debut studio album Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, “Ice Cream.” The Wu Tang Clan is one of the most significant changes of sound to ever happen in Hip Hop, and the Clan is so big that everyone can have their own favorite members; I’m more of a Ghost Face and Method Man kinda guy myself, but Raekwon has my respect for sure.
This track, Ice Cream, lays the food-centric raps and one-liners on thick: “Crabby like seafood” or “French Vanilla, Butter Pecan, Chocolate Deluxe.” Listening to this track, many questions come to mind, such as, what would an ice cream truck run by the Wu Tang Clan be like? Would they have a custom flavour for every MC in the group? It becomes overwhelming.
Next, we are gonna move on to some newcomers when it comes to the food-rap landscape, Rapper Producer Earl Sweatshirt with “EL TORO COMBO MEAL.”
EL TORO COMBO MEAL by Chicago artist and Odd Future alumni Earl Sweatshirt from his 2019 album Feet of Clay. Although not many of the verses draw too much inspiration from food, I’d like to draw attention to the line “Rest in peace to my Ras G, Raw Fruit in the box, seeds.” This verse references Los Angeles hip hop producer Ras G who died on July 29th, 2019, and Raw Fruit is the name of Ras G’s beat tape series. Although Ras G never received mainstream success, he is remembered for his influence as a producer.
Now I would like to introduce the master of food raps MF DOOM, known for his intricate and unique style of rapping and his commitment to mystery and villainy. In 2004 the MF DOOM dedicated an entire concept album to raps about food with Mm…Food. Highlights from the album are “Kon Karne”, “Beef Rapps”, “Guinness’s”, and “Rap Snitch Knishes”.
Feel free to keep up with what I’m up to on Instagram @NickMadeRadio. Thanks for joining me on this culinary adventure. I hope that these artists have given you some food for thought.
