abdo

One of the things that’s kept me going as an entrepreneur and as someone who strives to create great things is music. Specifically, hip hop. While I love all genres of music (with the exception of country), I feel that hip hop might be the only type that instills the go-getter mentality –– the idea that if you work hard and believe in yourself, anything is possible.

But not all hip-hop songs are inspiring. Many of today’s hits are more concerned with bragging about meaningless material possessions. Still, a few songs, mostly older ones, never fail to reinvigorate me and motivate me to work harder.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Eminem – 8 Mile Road

But yo I gotta get out there, the only way I know
And I’ma be back for you, the second that I blow
On everything I own, I’ll make it on my own
Off to work I go, back to this 8 Mile Road

I’m a man, I’ma make a new plan
Time for me to just stand up, and travel new land
Time for me to just take matters into my own hands
Once I’m over these tracks, man I’ma never look back
And I’m gone, I know right where I’m goin
Sorry momma I’m grown, I must travel alone
Ain’t gon’ follow the footsteps I’m making my own
Only way that I know how to escape from this 8 Mile Road

Jay Z – You Don’t Know

I came into this motherf*cker a hundred grand strong
Nine to be exact, from grinding G-packs
Put this sh*t in motion ain’t no rewinding me back
Could make 40 off a brick but one rhyme could beat that
And if somebody woulda told them that Hov would sell clothing
Not in this lifetime, wasn’t in my right mind
That’s another difference that’s between me and them
Heh, I smartened up, opened the market up

I sell ice in the winter, I sell fire in hell
I am a hustler baby, I’ll sell water to a well
I was born to get cake, move on and switch states
Cop the Coupe with the roof gone and switch plates
Was born to dictate, never follow orders
Dickface, get your sh*t straight, f*cka this is Big Jay

Rick Ross – Everyday I’m Hustlin’

Everyday I’m hustlin’
Everyday I’m hustlin’
Everyday I’m hustlin’
Everyday I’m hustlin’
Everyday I’m hustlin’

Dr. Dre – Still D.R.E.

Still, I stay close to the heat
And even when I was close to defeat, I rose to my feet
My life is like a soundtrack, I wrote to the beat
Treat my rap like Cali weed, I smoke till I sleep
Wake up in the A.M., compose a beat
I bring the fire till you’re soaking in your seat
It’s not a fluke, it’s been tried, I’m the troop
It’s “Turn Out the Lights” from the World Class Wreckin’ Cru

Eminem – Lose Yourself

This whole song is awesome, but here are my favorite parts:

Look, if you had one shot, or one opportunity
To seize everything you ever wanted in one moment
Would you capture it or just let it slip?

You better lose yourself in the music, the moment
You own it, you better never let it go
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime yo

No more games, I’ma change what you call rage
Tear this motherfucking roof off like 2 dogs caged
I was playing in the beginning, the mood all changed
I’ve been chewed up and spit out and booed off stage
But I kept rhyming and stepped right into the next cypher
Best believe somebody’s paying the pied piper
All the pain inside amplified by the fact
That I can’t get by with my 9 to 5
And I can’t provide the right type of life for my family
Cause man, these goddamn food stamps don’t buy diapers
And it’s no movie, there’s no Mekhi Phifer, this is my life
And these times are so hard, and it’s getting even harder
Trying to feed and water my seed, plus
Teeter totter caught up between being a father and a prima donna
Baby mama drama’s screaming on and
Too much for me to wanna
Stay in one spot, another day of monotony
Has gotten me to the point, I’m like a snail
I’ve got to formulate a plot or I end up in jail or shot
Success is my only motherf*cking option, failure’s not
Mom, I love you, but this trailer’s got to go
I cannot grow old in Salem’s lot
So here I go it’s my shot.
Feet fail me not, this may be the only opportunity that I got

You can do anything you set your mind to, man

I know there are a ton more songs out there, and I’m sure I missed some of your favorites. Point is, do what you love and work hard at it.