Everyone loves Miami. Our food, our people, our beaches.
But we here at Crossfade would argue that it's our music that puts us above the competition. We've never tried to steal anyone else's sound. We keep it 100 with grooves and style of our own.
We are leaders in the business, and especially in hip-hop. No wonder all these other rappers come to town and decide to never leave. But you know, we don't really need those guys to give us a good name. We've got plenty of homegrown anthems to rock the party all the night into the next afternoon. Here are just some of our all-time faves.
See also: Miami's 50 Best Bands of All Time
DJ Uncle Al's "Mix It Up," AKA The Uncle Al Song
You can't have a list of Miami anthems without giving a shout out to Uncle Al. Though he passed away in 2001, his legacy is carried on by all those who follow in his footsteps, be they DJs, producers, or Miami rappers. He helped spur the whole Miami takeover of the '90s with his infectious, high-speed dance tracks and neck-breaking mixes. His flavor is Miami through and through, and we're doing our part to make sure no one ever forgets the legend.
See also: Miami's Top Ten Hip-Hop DJs of All Time
2 Live Crew's "Pop That Pussy"
Pshh, white people, amirite? These record execs had no idea what hit them. Back when the rest of the country was like, "What about the children?," Miami was like, "Oye, we're having a backyard BBQ this weekend. Bring your kids over, and we'll listen to 2 Live Crew." The whole world was tuned in to our booty bass, and while Tipper Gore and her homies wanted to shut us down, we knew there was nothing harmful about having a little fun. We turned out OK, right? What? Like to disagree? We can't hear you over all the awesome on this song.
See also: Miami Booty Bass: Ten Best Acts of All Time
LMS' "No Jeggings"
Lil Wayne wants to act like he's so Miami, but we can't forget about the time he got on the mic and dragged our champion Miami Heat ballers' names through the dirt. After that incident, a lot of rappers climbed in the booth to diss Weezy, but no one did a meaner, cleaner job than Miami's LMS. He's lifting his city on his shoulders while tearing Wayne down in every way possible. This has to be the most hilarious diss song ever recorded, and while it does more to take shots at Wayne than actually shoutout Miami, this is a real lesson in why you don't fuck with the 305. We will make you look like an idiot, and we won't even be trying that hard.
Denzel Curry's "Threatz" Featuring Yung Simmie & Robb Bank$
Coming in hard for the new school of Miami rappers is Denzel Curry on this hardcore banger. This song got big play all over the country, and every time we've seen the OFWGKTA crew play South Florida, they open the show with this gem. Curry, Raider Klan, Robb Bank$, and the like are all working overtime to wipe the names of non-Miami rappers off our welcome sign, and if they keep making boss moves, it won't be long until the whole city is like, "YMCM-who?"
See also: Miami's Top Ten Rappers on the Come-Up
Rick Ross' "Hustlin'"
This was the Bawse's perfect introduction to the mainstream music world, and it set the tone for his entire career. Six albums later, this is still our favorite Rick Ross jam, and it remains one of the realest Miami records recorded. Whether or not Ross is selling bricks of that "yayo," Miami is, and we don't play games about it. This may not be booty bass, but the low-end is dark and brooding, which means we got mad love for the tune and keep it banging out the speakers.
Trick Daddy's "Take It to Da House" Featuring Trina, Sun, Money Mark, J.V., and the Slip-n-Slide Allstars
Trick Daddy is the self-proclaimed Mayor of the 305, and his Slip-n-Slide Records crew was holding it down for his city and representing on the charts all through the early 2000s. This anthem was a huge smash and it got plenty of play in 2001. That catchy beat and unforgettable chorus is still burrowed in our brain, making its way out to play whenever there's a sunny summer day adventure. Miami, this is the way we take it to the house. Dem horns are forever.
See also: Top Ten Female Rappers Ever: From Trina to Missy Elliott and Lauryn Hill
Will Smith's "Miami"
Miami has been that ultimate party destination since the '80s, but Will Smith made sure nobody forgot about South Beach's sex appeal in 1997 with this timeless classic. We remember growing up, heading to Dolphin games with this shit blaring though the speakers. Every gringo in town can welcome tourists with that "bienvenido a Miami," and people still let this hook play in the background of their vacation fantasies. The Latin dance breakdown in the video is caliente, with lots of love for Gloria Estefan in true 305 fashion. It's a little cheesy, but so are we, and we love this classic hit.
DJ Laz' "Miami El Negro" Featuring Danny D
DJ Laz is Miami bass royalty, and this anthem was the soundtrack to any real Miamian's childhood -- if you're our age, of course. We had the whole world vibin' to our booty-shakin' sounds in the '90s, and this Latin hook backed by a relentless drum machine encapsulates the cultural diversity of our city by Biscayne Bay. All the ladies are fire, and they all know how to dance. It's just not Miami without jams like "Mami El Negro."
See also: DJ Laz's Top Ten Booty Jams of All Time
DJ Khaled's "Born N Raised" Featuring Trick Daddy, Rick Ross, Pitbull
Without a doubt, this is an all-out Miami anthem and it doesn't get nearly enough play. DJ Khaled put nothing but Miami native rappers on the track. This song came out back in 2006, and all the famous faces went on to become some of the biggest names in international music, let alone the rap game. You've got bars in Spanish, and lines about Chef Creole, Little Haiti, big cars, big chains, and enough bass to rattle the gold off your teeth. This is how Miami plays, with bags of money and big booties.
Pitbull's "Welcome to Miami"
As much as we love the rest of the tracks on this list, no one can touch the epic shout-out that is Pitbull's "Welcome to Miami." He's giving love to Dan Marino, the Miami Heat, 2LiveCrew, Picollo, Kendall, South Miami Heights, the 44th Street Barber Shop, Bird Road, Uncle Al, plus about a hundred more while throwin' that 305 hand sign like it's going to unlock the keys to the Universe. It pretty much did, since Mr. 305 has upgraded to Mr. Worldwide, and even though he's kind of a pop star now (we miss the M.I.A.M.I. days), no one in Miami would ever turn their back on their tio Pitbull. Without a doubt, he's one of our own, and he's putting the whole city on his back in this song. Mad respect, bruh bruh. You da best.
Crossfade's Top Blogs
-Five Signs You Might Be a Shitty Rapper
Follow Kat Bein on Twitter @KatSaysKill.
Follow Crossfade on Facebook and Twitter @Crossfade_SFL.
