Hip-Hop artists and rappers make a surprising number of references to anime in some of their songs. While most people might think that there isn't room for the two to be combined, there are a wide range of artists that would prove them wrong. Megastars like Megan Thee Stallion and Frank Ocean are avid fans of anime, including great references many might miss in some of their biggest hits.
Even rappers with cult followings like Isaiah Rashad and Denzel Curry include a ton of great references to their personal favorite series in some of their singles. A lot of anime references involve the biggest shows around, including Dragon Ball Z, Naruto, Pokémon, and more. No matter what kind of anime a song is referring to, it always makes for a great blend between two genres of entertainment that have more in common than they have differences. Disclaimer: some of these references are explicit.
10 Isaiah Rashad - Wat's Wrong
References Dragon Ball Z
Isaiah Rashad is a chill hip-hop artist with great songs, a smooth flow, and some of the freshest lyrics in the genre. He's signed to Top Dawg Entertainment, a California-based label that also houses Schoolboy Q, SZA, and formerly, the great Kendick Lamar. Isaiah Rashad has released a ton of great songs, and his 2016 single 'Wat's Wrong' has a rare reference to not just Dragon Ball, but one of Dragon Ball's most underappreciated forms.
Rashad raps "And we alright, the Kaio Kens, the big ol' rims", referring to Goku's Kaio Ken transformation. Kaio Ken is a powerful form Goku used well before becoming Super Saiyan and even a bit after in Dragon Ball Super in which he can double, triple, or even 10x his own power level. It puts a massive strain on his body, but it makes 'Wat's Wrong' even smoother. Isaiah Rashad says that with this power-up, he's nearly unstoppable.
9 Megan Thee Stallion - Running Up Freestyle
References Dragon Ball Z, Pokémon, and Street Fighter
To call Megan Thee Stallion an anime fan would be a massive understatement. If she's not rapping about anime, she's recreating some of the best characters in the genre through stunning cosplays only a true anime fan could bring to life. She also dedicated her third album to anime as well, letting everyone know just how much the 'H-Town Hottie' loves her Japanese cartoons. She references anime in a good amount of her songs, and her 'Running Up Freestyle' mentions three big series all at once.
In 'Running Up Freestyle' Hot Girl Meg raps "Got the moves like I'm Ryu, Yellow Diamonds, Pikachu, When I switch my hair to Blonde, I'm finna turn up like I'm Goku". While Street Fighter didn't get its start as an anime series, it deserves a mention. She also references two titans of the anime genre in Dragon Ball Z and Pokémon. She mentioned three great series in just four tight bars, showing how much Megan really does watch anime.
8 Kanye West ft. Lupe Fiasco - Touch The Sky
References Lupin III
Lupe Fiasco and Kanye West are both two well-known anime lovers. Kanye West dedicated his 'Stronger' music video to Akira, and Lupe Fiasco has even tweeted at Donald Glover (Childish Gambino) that he watches more anime than him. In 'Touch The Sky', a single off of Kanye West's album Late Registration, Lupe Fiasco shouts out a cult classic in Lupin III. Not even many well seasoned anime fans have watched this cult classic, but Lupe Fiasco sure has.
Lupe Fiasco raps, "Yes, yes, yes, guess who's on third? Lupe steal like Lupin III". Lupin III is one of the most well-known thieves in anime. Lupe Fiasco makes this reference to signal to the listeners that he's stealing the song from Kanye, dominating his verse like the experienced artist he is. It's a great reference that brings anime and hip-hop together succinctly, letting everyone know that Lupe Fiasco knows his stuff in two clean bars.
7 Higher Brothers - One Punch Man
References One Punch Man, Dragon Ball Z, Pokémon, and More
'One Punch Man' by Higher Brothers is a love letter to not just the titular One Punch Man, but anime as a whole. Higher Brothers got both Denzel Curry and Ski Mask the Slump God to feature on this single, two passionate fans of anime as well. All three artists bring the heat on this track, referencing One Punch Man, Dragon Ball Z, Pokemon, and even more. Higher Brothers waste no time with their reference to the popular web comic turned manga turned anime, shouting out "Onepunch man" in the beginning of the third verse.
Denzel Curry isn't one to be left out. He also references some of his favorite series in the song, "Call me Goku, I play the numbers like sudoku" and "Open your back up, you lookin' like Bulbasaur". Ski Mask the Slump God also makes a reference to Mega Man, a character not often seen in rap or hip-hop songs.
6 Lil Uzi Vert - New Patek
References Naruto
Lil Uzi Vert is a staple of modern rap. His rise to fame is nearly unprecedented, with breakout hits like "XO Tour Llif3", "Money Longer", and "You Was Right". Lil Uzi has never shied away from his love of anime, even making a song titled "Super Saiyan" that directly references the legendary form from Dragon Ball Z. In 'New Patek', a song title referring to one of the most expensive watches on the planet, Lil Uzi calls back to Naruto characters Naruto and Pain in an exciting line.
Lil Uzi Vert raps "Throw up gang signs, Naruto, Put metal in my nose like Pain". These are two quick bars that hit hard, referring to the hand signals ninja in Naruto use to channel their jutsu, comparing them to signs gang members throw up to signal their affiliation. He also compares his own facial jewelry and piercings to that of Pain, who also has plenty of metal in his face.
5 Ski Mask the Slump God - Catch Me Outside
References Naruto
Ski Mask the Slump God has a unique flow within the hip-hop/rap world. He raps quicker than most, and somehow, sounds even clearer than the people rapping slower than him. His song "Catch Me Outside" is a reference to the popular "Cash me ousside, howbow dah" meme from Danielle Bregoli on the Dr. Phil show, and he has even more references within the song. Ski Mask is another prominent anime fan, and his love for the genre can be heard right away in "Catch Me Outside".
Ski Mask the Slump God raps "Naruto nine-tailed fox coat fur, I feel like a Gucci Mane ad-lib burr!". Ski Mask references Naruto's nine-tailed fox form in the form of a fur coat he has wrapped around him. He also mentions famed Atlanta-based rapper Gucci Mane's most well-known ad-lib 'burr', which makes it sound like Ski Mask is cold, signaling his reason for wearing a fur coat in the first place.
4 Childish Gambino - My Shine
References Dragon Ball Z
Childish Gambino, real name Donald Glover, is one of the most talented rappers in the past decade and some change. Not only is he a professional rapper, but he's also an actor, writer, and even expanded his own musical abilities beyond the hip-hop genre as a whole. Before he made albums like "Atavista" and "Bando Stone and the New World", he was rapping about anime. One of his first references to anime was in his 2011 song 'My Shine' where he references the Super Saiyan form from Dragon Ball Z.
Childish Gambino raps "Honestly I'm rapping 'bout everything I go through, Everything I'm sayin' I'm super sayin' like Goku". It's a clever bar that only someone like Gambino could come up with. He raps that he only tells the truth, and he's 'super' telling the truth like a Super Saiyan.
3 Megan Thee Stallion - Girls in the Hood
References Naruto
Megan Thee Stallion is one of the largest performing artists of the modern day. She's sold out several tours, had plenty of chart-topping hits, and is more than willing to include some of her favorite anime series in her songs. 'Girls in the Hood' is the second single off her debut album Good News, and it's easily one of her best songs in general. It takes the beat from 'Boyz-n-the-Hood' by legendary Southern California rapper Eazy-E and adds a spin to it.
Disclaimer: Megan's lyrics are explicit. Megan Thee Stallion raps "P***y like a wild fox, lookin' for a Sasuke", referencing Naruto's nine-tailed fox form and his best friend/rival Sasuke in a tight bar. Sasuke is one of the best kuudere characters in anime, showing very few emotions. This has made him a heartthrob to many, including Megan herself.
2 Denzel Curry - Dark Tournament
References Death Note, Soul Eater, Bleach, and More
'Dark Tournament' by Denzel Curry is an early track released by the now famed artist. It came out back in 2012, and even then Denzel was rapping about his favorite anime series. This track references several different great series in just a few quick bars, further showing how knowledgeable Denzel is about anime.
In 'Dark Tournament', Denzel Curry raps "Killer, killer, killer, hit list like Death Note, autographed by Justin Bieber, the future like HR Giger, Left hollow like Ichigo, Grim Reapers and Soul Eaters". Denzel quickly refers to Death Note, Soul Eater, and Bleach, back-to-back quickly and efficiently. His line about 'hollows' is especially clever as it's a double entendre, referring to both the characters from Bleach and hollow-point bullets at the same time. Denzel Curry is well-known for his love of anime and songs like this allow fans to see exactly what series the 'Dark Tournament' artist enjoys.
1 Frank Ocean ft. André 3000 - Pink Matter
References Dragon Ball Z
Frank Ocean is one of the most elusive artists of the last two decades. Every time he releases a song, or even a full-length album, fans across the globe are only left wanting more. In 'Pink Matter' on his hit album Channel Orange, Frank muses on the female anatomy, talking about how it's both beautiful and dangerous to him. It's a popular record both on its own and within the album, showing off Frank Ocean's abilities as a top-tier artist.
Frank Ocean sings on Pink Matter "That soft pink matter, Cotton candy, Majin Buu, oh, oh, ohh, Close my eyes and fall into you, you, you". Frank Ocean refers to Majin Buu from Dragon Ball Z in this beautiful lyric, referencing his evil side when referring to the dangers he falls into with women. He juxtaposes Majin Buu with sweet Cotton Candy, both pink in color, but with two wildly different experiences for Frank.
