Top 10 Rap Songs Dads Will Love

After Earth - Photocall. Epsilon / Getty Images

Dads need love, too. Hip-hop has plenty of songs about fatherhood. From Ja Rule doling out advice to his baby girl to Ed. O.G. calling for family responsibility, here are 10 great hip-hop songs about fatherhood. Happy Father's Day.

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01
of 10

Atmosphere - "Yesterday"

Slug of Atmosphere. Rick Kern/WireImage

 "Yesterday" is a standout track from Atmosphere's When Life Gives You Lemons. It finds Slug reminiscing over his late father and cherishing the precious moments he shared with his old man.

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02
of 10

Ja Rule - "Daddy's Little Baby"

ja-rule-daughter.jpg
Ja Rule and daughter Aisha "Ish" Murray. (Photo by Gregg DeGuire/WireImage)

"Daddy's Little Baby" is a rare moment of introspection from Ja Rule. Ja tells his daughter: "Degrade yourself never, 'cause I'm teaching you better/Life ain't all about cheddar, diamonds, and leather." He would know.

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03
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NY Oil - "Father Father"

NY Oil. NYOIL

Though NY Oil's "Father Father" incorporates Barack Obama's famous speech on parental responsibility, it's far more captivating than any political rhetoric on the issue.

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04
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Slick Rick - "It's A Boy"

Slick Rick - It's A Boy.

Def Jam Records

It would be convenient to assume that all of Slick Rick's lyrics are lewd tales. Buried within The Ruler's treasure chest, however, is this joyous celebration of fatherhood.

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05
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Game - "Like Father Like Son" (Feat. Busta Rhymes)

Game and son Harlem Taylor. Chelsea Lauren/WireImage

Game delivers a message to his son on this bright gem from The Documentary. His message is straightforward yet crucial: Learning from your father's mistakes will reduce the chances of making ones of your own.

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06
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Royce da 5'9" - "Life" (Feat. Amerie)

Royce da 5'9". Wendell Teodoro/Getty Images

Royce da 5'9" sets aside his combative side and gets philosophical on this solemn track which doubles as a life manual of sorts to his little man. The song's key message--perspective is reality--may have been too advanced for little Royce at some point, but he'll thank daddy for this heartfelt tribute someday.

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07
of 10

Jay Z & Kanye West - "New Day"

Jay Z, Blue Ivy & Beyonce. MTV/Getty Images

One of the great things about collaboration is that Kanye West helped Jay-Z discover how human he can be when that royal veil is peeled back. On "New Day," for example, Jay and Kanye write a letter to their future son in the vein of 2Pac's "Letter 2 My Unborn." Both ended up with daughters, so maybe it's time for a gender appropriate sequel. Either way, "New Day" is emotive and powerful.

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08
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Will Smith - "Just the Two of Us"

Will Smith and son Jaden Smith.

George Pimentel / Getty Images

Will Smith transforms Bill Withers' "Just the Two of Us" into a father-son bonding anthem. Will's version must have resonated with many dads -- it soared to No. 2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Songs chart.

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09
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Xzibit - "The Foundation"

Xzibit and son. Joe Scarnici/Getty Images

Xzibit is no stranger to songs about father-son relationships. "Carry the Weight," from At the Speed of Light, dealt with his rough childhood and his father's role in his life. On "Foundation," though, X flips the table and lays down the law for his

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10
of 10

Ed O.G. & Da Bulldogs - "Be a Father to Your Child"

Concept photo

Harun/Roy Ayers Project Beat Submission 

One of Ed O.G.'s most significant contributions to hip-hop is this poignant plea for parental responsibility. As the title indicates, "Be a Father to Your Child" reprimands deadbeat dads ("Stop sittin' like a chair and having your baby wonder where you are/ Or who you are, fool"). The song urges all fathers to realize that their presence is more important the presents. An undeniable hip-hop masterpiece.

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