11 Best Rap About Depression Songs

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Written By John Red

Founder of Handsounds, avid music lover of all genres and tastes. 

You may learn more about some well-known rap about depression songs from this list. Rappers rarely talked openly about mental illness and sadness prior to the last ten years.

This all started to change in the 2010s. Rappers have been writing about their experiences with loneliness, grief, despair, addiction, anxiety, suicide, and depression more frequently during the past 10 or so years.

Rappers spoke about their personal troubles and mental health a lot more during the emo-rap era. However many well-known rappers outside of the emo-rap scene have also spoken about their experiences of being in a dark and challenging environment.

Intensely depressing songs in this list express profound feelings of sorrow and hopelessness. Other songs are more upbeat and discuss overcoming obstacles.

All of these songs are intended to reassure listeners that they are not alone if they are having mental health issues.

Some of the greatest rappers of all time, including Kanye, Kid Cudi, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, and Mac Miller, have struggled with depression. These musicians express their struggles in the songs listed below. Let’s look at some of our favorite rappers’ best rap tracks about depression.

rap about depression songs

Depression

Depression is a state of mental being, that of a low mood and not wanting to engage in activity. It affects over 280 million individuals of all ages or roughly 3.5% of the world’s population. Depression has an impact on a person’s thoughts, actions, emotions, and a general sense of well-being. Those who are depressed frequently experience diminished pleasure or joy from activities that would otherwise make them happy or joyful, as well as a loss of drive or interest in those activities.

In addition to being a symptom of some mood disorders like major depressive disorder and dysthymia, depressed mood can also be a transitory, natural response to life events like the loss of a loved one, a side effect of some medications, and a sign of some physical illnesses. Sadness, trouble concentrating and thinking clearly, as well as a substantial change in food or sleep schedule, may be present.

Individuals who are depressed may feel defeated or hopeless and may think of taking their own lives. Depression can be long-term or short-term. If you need help or think you need help, do not be afraid to reach out to your local/ national healthcare provider. Reaching out is the best thing you can do, you deserve all the support and love that you can get, and you are worth it.

11 Best Rap About Depression Songs – Here are our recommendations!

11: Outside The Cave – Otis Mensah

Otis Mensah, a British rapper, is at his best on this song. This powerful song by the poet and lyricist known for his poetry and reflective lyrics is about overcoming challenges, anxiety, and sadness and emerging from a dark place.

Both personal troubles and the responsibility of helping those who are struggling are discussed in the lyrics. The song conveys a strong message about coping with disappointment and holding onto hope.

Very poetic, the tune. The concept of admitting suffering and looking to hope is expressed in the chorus: “I’ve been guilt tripping myself, just living my hell / I’ve got some hells under my belt / the heaven I felt is fading / and you can feel the pain enslave my cadence / but my faith is built bodacious, leave my pride beside the pavement.”

10: Runaway – Kanye Feat. Pusha T

In “Runaway,” one of the most well-known tracks from Kanye’s critically praised album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010), Ye wrestles with depressing memories of his past romances.

The song has a dramatic and sad tone, as the musician considers his alleged shortcomings. Kanye concludes the song by advising any potential intimate partners to avoid him because he “can never take the intimacy”.

With the memorable phrase, “let’s have a toast for the douchebags / let’s have a toast for the assholes / let’s have a toast for the scumbags,” “Runaway” captures a sense of self-imposed solitude and self-loathing. One of Kanye’s saddest tracks, providing a real-life portrayal of the legendary rapper and his difficulties.

9: Scared Of Love – Juice WRLD

One of emo musician Juice WRLD’s most well-known songs, “Scared of Love,” explores his difficult connection with himself and his personal lovers. The song is about Juice’s battles with addiction and his desperate and depressed desire for love.

The relationship that the artist is overwhelmed by but isn’t receiving “enough” is described in the song. The phrase “all I ever do is get f***** up / all I ever wanted was a real love” perfectly captures the emotion of the song.

The song is by Juice WRLD and is off on his 2018 album Goodbye & Good Riddance. It perfectly captures the artist’s difficulties with despair, relationships, and addiction.

8: U – Kendrick Lamar

In interviews, Kendrick Lamar publicly discussed his struggles with depression. In his song “U,” Kendrick goes deeply into his self-doubt. In “U,” one of the artist’s saddest songs ever, Kendrick discusses self-doubt and suicidal ideas.

With regard to the song, Kendrick has remarked, ““That was one of the hardest songs I had to write. There are some very dark moments in there. All my insecurities and selfishness and let-downs. That shit is depressing as a motherf*****. But it helps, though. It helps.”

The song is from Kendrick’s critically praised 2015 album ‘To Pimp A Butterfly’, one of the most well-known and popular rap albums of the decade.

7: Solace – Earl Sweatshirt

Earl Sweatshirt is known and loved for his profound and insightful songs. A good example is his 2015 10-minute EP, “Solace,” which has just one song with the same name.

The song features a number of downtempo beats and phases, and Earl’s lyrical skill is completely on point as he expressively gets across his sentiments. The song depicts evocative residential landscapes while addressing themes of isolation, melancholy, and regret.

6: SAD! – XXXTentacion

The song “SAD!” is XXXTentacion’s biggest success. ‘SAD!’ is a prime example of the iconic emo rapper’s extremely honest music, who tragically passed away too soon.

Following the rapper’s passing on June 18, 2018, the lead song from his album? (2018), ‘SAD!’, peaked at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 list. It is one of the most streamed songs in the world with two billion Spotify streams.

The song’s lyrics deal with themes of loneliness, depression, and suicide, which are recurring topics in XXXTentacion’s music. The song also discusses co-dependency and X’s difficulties in romantic relationships.

One of the most well-known rap tracks about depression of all time is without a doubt “SAD!” It connects with the musician’s younger fan base.

5: Rock Bottom – Eminem

 Based on Eminem’s personal experiences of poverty and depression, “Rock Bottom” is a raw and emotional song. The song examines how economic hardship and desperation may lead to crime and bloodshed.

In an interview, Eminem stated how the lyrics connect to his personal experiences of losing his job and being unable to provide for his kid. The song is from his 1999 album The Slim Shady LP.

Eminem said of the song, “That was the worst time ever, dog. It was, like, five days before Christmas, which is Hailie’s birthday. I had, like, $40 to get her something. I wrote ‘Rock Bottom’ right after that.”

A mood of helplessness, melancholy, and desperation brought on by poverty is well described in the song.

4: Good News – Mac Miller

In a song that explores sentiments of fatigue, disappointment, and dislocation, Mac Miller’s song “Good News” showcases the musician at his best. Even though the instrumentals have a cheery mood and the lyrics have an upbeat tone, Mac’s weariness is evident.

This rap song is based on despair, loneliness, and the struggle it can be to remain afloat, which is both heartbreaking and lovely.

3: Suicidal Thoughts – The Notorious B.I.G.

The powerful and unsettling song “Suicidal Thoughts” by Biggie shows the great rapper delving deeply into self-criticism, shame, and misery. The tune may be found on his album ‘Ready to Die’ from 1994.

Biggie acknowledges his mistakes in the song’s lyrics, feeling as though he is unworthy of love or forgiveness, especially from his mother. He eventually announces his desire to commit suicide. The lyrics are unsettling and incredibly depressing.

Biggie calls Puff Daddy in the middle of the night, and Puff Daddy responds. The lyrics are set up as a phone call between the two. Puff listens and attempts to change Biggie’s perspective while offering some solace. On March 9, 1997, Biggie was tragically murdered. He is regarded by many as one of the best rappers of all time.

2: 1-800-273-8255 – Logic Feat. Alessia Cara And Khalid

The US National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s toll-free number is the one that appears in the title of Logic’s popular song. The phone number in the song’s title still connects to the hotline even though it has been changed to 988.

The straightforward and potent song debuted at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and received Grammy nominations for Song of the Year and Best Music Video in 2018.

The song’s publication resulted in a significant rise in calls to the helpline, and research indicated that the song might have saved some lives. The song’s blunt and clear lyrics directly address the issues of sadness and suicide. It is undoubtedly one of the most impactful rap tracks ever written on depression and suicide.

1: Soundtrack 2 My Life – Kid Cudi

Kid Cudi is a well-known musician who is recognized for addressing subjects like sadness, loneliness, and self-doubt openly and vulnerably. One of his defining songs, “Soundtrack 2 My Life,” specifically addresses despair.

In what seems to be a cathartic way, Cudi exposes himself to the listener and expresses a lot of unpleasant emotions in the song. The track can be found on Cudi’s renowned album Man on the Moon: The End of Day (2009). One of the greatest rap tracks ever written about depression.

11 Best Rap Songs About Depression – Final thoughts

In conclusion, rap tracks on depression offer a potent means for musicians to express their battles with mental health issues and offer solace and understanding to listeners who might be experiencing the same difficulties. These songs give musicians a stage on which to tell their stories and give people who might be suffering silently a voice that is sorely needed.

These songs address the stigma around mental health and reassure listeners that it’s acceptable to not be okay through their words and melody. They provide listeners with a sense of hope, encouraging them to ask for assistance and support when necessary.

Also, these songs provide a method to initiate dialogues about this frequently taboo subject and emphasize the value of raising awareness of mental health issues. These musicians are supporting the greater movement to remove obstacles to mental health care and advance general well-being by using their music to raise awareness of mental health issues.

Closing remarks:

Rap about depression songs, as a whole, provide a crucial means of artistic expression and a desperately needed source of solace and inspiration for those dealing with mental health problems.

Useful Depression Help Lines

Samaritans (UK) – 116 123

Samaritans (USA) – 1-877-870-4673

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (USA) – 1-800-273-8255

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