It’s no secret that embellishment and exaggeration play a key role in plenty of artistic mediums.
From Hollywood films that are “based on a true story” to autobiographical accounts, people almost need to stretch the truth a little bit to impart some extra flair. Understandably, this is also true when it comes to music, as some verses are just dying to be fact-checked.
Let’s take a look at some instances of rap lyrics that contain less-than-accurate or questionable proclamations.
21 Savage - "Mr. Right Now"
Starting, we have a subject that caused quite the stir online back in 2020: Drake‘s verse in “Mr. Right Now” by 21 Savage.
“Yeah, said she wanna f**k to some SZA, wait / ‘Cause I used to date SZA back in ’08,” Drake raps on the track.
This verse was controversial because, due to SZA being born in late 1989, people began saying that she could’ve possibly been underage at the start of their dating.
However, SZA later clarified the situation via Twitter, noting that they dated in 2009 when she was a legal adult.
Trippie Redd — "Love Scars"
Toward the end of “Love Scars,” Trippie Redd boldly announces a new drink mixture that leaves some scratching their heads.
“I just sit back in my Balenciaga sipping that lemonade / Mixing it with Hennessey,” he announces.
Despite this line, the rapper clarified that he wasn’t a fan of the drink mixture during a 2017 sit-down with Genius.
“I drink Hennesey straight. I mean, I tried it with lemonade once. It wasn’t even that good, but it was a good bar,” he admitted.
Cardi B - "WAP"
In her hit song “WAP,” Cardi B proudly proclaims that performing household duties isn’t her vibe.
“I don’t cook, I don’t clean / But let me tell you, I got this ring,” Cardi says.
About three months after the song’s debut, Offset aired his superstar for “lying” in her verse by uploading a video of her cleaning.
It’s OK, Cardi — we’ve all gotta handle household duties sometimes.
Jack Harlow - "What's Poppin? (Remix)"
Does Jack Harlow have a kid? Well, if one goes off of his verse in “What’s Poppin? (Remix),” it seems he very well might.
“Took her to Taco Bell, bought her a churro / Took her home, gave her a cinnamon swirl / I left it in, now I got a one-year-old,” he announces in the opening verse.
As he has no publicly known children, it’s safe to presume that he wasn’t for real in the song.
But also, we have to ask: Taco Bell? Really, Jack?
Megan thee Stallion - "Crazy"
“Crazy” by Megan thee Stallion contains a misleading lyric that avid animal fans, particularly those fond of arachnids, would catch in a heartbeat.
“I got moves like a tarantula / Get up in my web; Imma snatch you up.”
While her first line evokes accurate images of tarantulas rearing up on their hind legs, we have to point out that tarantulas do not use webs to capture their prey.
Instead, they are ambush predators who actively hunt for prey, unlike other spiders who employ the sit-and-wait tactic from their webs. However, tarantulas do still have the ability to spin silk.
Migos - "Ounces"
Another animal-based lyric that’s misleading comes from “Ounces” by Migos.
“The streets is a jungle, got to watch for the koalas,” Quavo raps in the chorus.
While koala bears live in eucalyptus trees in the “land Down Under,” they aren’t precisely jungle-dwelling animals
Furthermore, given their status as docile herbivores who sleep for 20 hours a day, using koalas as a metaphor for dangerous opps doesn’t hit the mark.
Coi Leray — "No More Parties"
Next is Coi Leray‘s breakout hit, “No More Parties,” — a track that memorably caused some friction between her and her father, Benzino.
“My daddy let me down, but I promise you, I won’t let up / I wanna say f**k that man, but that s**t won’t make me bеtter,” she declares.
In response, Benzino blasted her on Instagram. “That line in her song is [cap], he wrote. “Coi was raised in mansions and had everything she ever asked for.”
While the pair appear to be on decent terms now, we can’t forget how Benzino shut down his daughter’s faux struggle story with an essential “AHT AHT!”
Nicki Minaj - "Your Love"
“Your Love” by Nicki Minaj also earned a spot on this list due to some linguistic and historical inaccuracies.
“I was a geisha; he was a samurai / Somehow I understood him when he spoke Thai,” Nicki Minaj says.
As geisha and samurai were classes of Japanese entertainers and warriors, they would presumably speak Japanese — a language very different from Thai. They’re in separate language families.
Nicki may need to pick up a book on Japanese history or linguistics, though this song is still a nostalgic serve.
Kodak Black - "Patty Cake"
Another odd lyric comes from “Patty Cake” by Kodak Black, as the South Florida rapper took a metaphor just a little too far.
“I’m the s**t, baby girl, so I got stains in my drawers,” he proclaims.
We understand what Kodak was trying to do with this verse, but… it just didn’t land like it was supposed to.
Weird flex, but go off.
Blueface's XXL cypher
Similarly, Blueface conjured up a less-than-pleasing image during his 2019 XXL cipher alongside Rico Nasty and Cordae.
“I need a Kim Possible to play with my Rufus,” Blueface confidently raps.
While some may appreciate the cartoon reference, Rufus — a naked mole-rat — may not be the best metaphor for one’s penis.
You do you, Blueface.
What other rap lyrics do you think fall within the realm of “odd, misleading, or untrue”? Comment down below to let us know.