5 Hit Rap Songs and Their Ghostwriters

Ghostwriting has been around for quite some time now. A ghostwriter is someone who possesses the talent of understanding how a singer or rapper connects with his or her audience and writes a song writer for hire that artist to sing keeping that connection in mind. In ghostwriting, the ghostwriter does not get credit for writing the song nor do they have their name mentioned anywhere. However, they are given some financial compensation for their work. Sounds wrong to let another artist take all the credit for your hard work but there aspects of ghostwriting that are not so bad. It gradually helps you polish your skills as a writer and become a professional. You get to expand your creativity and have fun doing it.

Ghostwriting is widely known among rappers. There have been many hip-hop ghostwriters for hire that many rappers hired and have written rap lyrics for other rappers. Although people were hardly aware of ghostwriting among artists in the early 90’s or so, it has been the talk of the town ever since Meek Mill accused Drake of getting a ghostwriter to write his lyrics back in 2015. It was also said that Meek Mill had ghostwritten Drake’s Toronto Anthem, ‘Know Yourself’, but Mill denied this and said that they have collaborated on songs.

Although ghostwriting is still seen as taboo in in hip-hop but, many of our favourite rap songs would not have existed without ghostwriters. Here is a list of five of the hit rap songs that were ghostwritten:

Getting’ Jiggy Wit’ It’ by Will Smith (Ghostwriter: Nas)

Let’s go straight back to the 90s to Be;l-Air and talk about the Fresh Prince himself. His widely famous song, ‘Getting’ Jiggy Wit’ It’ is known by almost everyone. Nas is usually credited as the ghostwriter behind the song. According to Nas, he watched Smith write the song and said that it was a fun studio session. Nas also said during his Reddit AMA, “I said a line or two or three to him. It wasn’t that serious. Will Smith wrote that song. But serioiusly, I watched him have fun making that record on his own and Will is a true MC.” Well, there is no doubt about Nas being a truly humble guy. Additonally, he was also behind Will Smith’s ‘Yes, Yes Ya’ll’, ‘Miami’ and ‘Chasing Forever.’

‘Vapors’ by Biz Markie (Ghostwriter: Big Daddy Kane)

In the ‘80s, Biz Markie and Big Daddy kane were besties. They were super supportive of each other. Biz even helped Kane become a better performer and to return the favour, Kane showered Biz with a rain of hits. Kane was behind the first five songwriting services ‘Goin’ Off’, Biz Markie’s excellent LP. The most famous one among them is ‘Vapors.’ Kane told HipHopDX that, ‘Biz only wanted something funny to say.’ and ‘It wasn’t really about having hot rhymes.’

‘Nuthin’ But a G Thang’ by Dr. Dre (Ghostwriter: The D.O.C)

Before a car accident destroyed his vocal chords, The D.O.C was one of the most talented artist of the West Coast. However, his mindblowing work on ‘Nuthin But a G Thang’ definitely proved that he still has a lot left in him. The D.O.C also added a self-congratulatory line on this bop which makes it even better.

‘Still Dre’ by Dr. Dre (Ghostwriter: Jay-Z):

Dr. Dre works with his songs like they are products. He adds input from different writers and producers which results in the most perfect combo. He added the services of Jay-Z for his comeback anthem, ‘Still D.R.E’ and it was an instant hit.

‘Jesus Walks’ by Kanye West (Ghostwriter: Rhymefest)

Some of the most extraordinary work can be noticed by Rhymefest in Kanye’s ‘Jesus Walks’. Just like most ghostwriters, Rhymefest was not ready to take credit for this masterpiece. According to him, “ ‘Jesus Walks’ is a song that’s neither my creation Kanye West’s creation. It was given to us by the Ceator and we were used as a vehicle. So, for me to say that I did this much and he did that much would be kind of selfish.” Either way, he received a Grammy for doing his part before he even released his debut album.

So, ghostwriting isn’t about the money or fame, it is basically about the passion and desire to put your message out there and does not always have to start a feud. It is about a community coming together to celebrate the art that they possess.