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The 19 Best Cleveland References in Hip-Hop

By Scene Staff

It's not just Cleveland's own rappers who have cause to reference our fair city, rappers from all over the world have given us a shout-out. Here are our top picks for the best hip-hop songs to feature Cleveland in their lyrics.

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"Cleveland is the City," by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony

Starting off this list, of course, it has to be Bone Thugs-N-Harmony representing the city that "rocks." Hailing from Cleveland, there's only one Ohio city in Bone Thugs' hearts. They express their love for the 216 on this track, "In the Columbus but they loved me not/When I went to Cleveland they said where you been/When I'm unconditional with my loving."

Album art from Thug World Order

"Cleveland," by Machine Gun Kelly ft. Dubo

There's no other rapper that is more proud to be from Cleveland than Machine Gun Kelly, and he lets you know it on Lace Up cut, "Cleveland." Kelly "puts on" for his city in this hyped up anthem to CLE.

Screenshot of "Cleveland" music video

"The Offs," 2015 Cavs Playoff Anthem by Iman Shumpert

Iman Shumpert is a full time shooting guard and part-time rapper. When he's not on the court, this NBA star is laying down rhymes. If only to help his fellow Cavs teammates get pumped up before games, as heard on this ridiculous 2015 Playoff Anthem.

Photo via imanshumpert/Instagram

"God Only Really Knows (G.O.R.K.)," by FreshProduce

Local hip-hop duo, FreshProduce, are known for their left field-leaning funk beats. On "God Only Really Knows," they up Cleveland's beat game offering one of the most unique hip-hop songs the city has to offer.

Photo via wearefreshproduce/Instagram

"Cleveland is the Reason," by Kid Cudi

After Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Kid Cudi is arguably the biggest rapper from Cleveland. While he may be criticized by Machine Gun Kelly for leaving the city to become successful, he did made a track called "Cleveland is the Reason." It appeared on his first official mixtape, which garnered attention from Kanye West. Here, Cudi claims Cleveland is the reason he's cool.

Photo via kidcudi/Instagram

"Cleveland Ohio," by PARTYNEXTDOOR

The origins of this one-minute track from the Canadian rapper are unclear. Perhaps it's about a fling he had with a girl in Cleveland singing, "She the one that I check, and the girl that I hit/Every time that I hit the O-Town."

Photo via partynextdoor/Instagram

"LeBron Flamez," by Ripp Flamez

In the opening of the very well shot "LeBron Flamez" video, you hear a sportscaster announcing, "LeBron James who delivers on his promise to come home, and bring a championship to his beloved hometown," while the city of Cleveland comes together downtown to celebrate. Ripp gives a shoutout to LeBron on this ode to the Cavs player, with the hook looking through his eyes, "There's no way they gon' do this without me/I been down, fuck 2 plays, I been out 3/I'm gon' go to the hole, they gon' foul me."

Photo via rippflamez/Instagram

"608AM in Cleveland," by Well$

Well$ may be a rising rapper from North Carolina, but one night in Cleveland he was hit with inspiration to record here. "608am in Cleveland" shows the spontaneity of crafting a track. "Getting geeked up with some friends/It's 3am/And I don't sleep," he announces at the beginning of the song letting you know when he started to record. 6:08 a.m. could be when they finished their song in Cleveland.

Photo via wellwellwells/Twitter

"Starlight," by Childish Gambino

On this Gambino track, DC Pierson references the 30 Rock episode (Donald Glover aka Childish Gambino used to write for the show), "Cleveland," where Liz Lemon's boyfriend (Floyd) leaves her to move back to the city. "On some Liz Lemon movin' back to Cleveland."

Because the Internet album art

"So Right (Cleveland Remix)," by Milford Jerome

Milford Jerome must be a big J.R. Smith fan because the original "So Right" came out in 2013 when Smith was playing for the Knicks. Jerome updated the tune in 2015 when Smith came over to the Cavs, giving us the Cleveland remix of "So Right." Explaining where Smith went on the chorus, "No need to miss me I'm not gone/I'm just ballin with LeBron."

Sreenshot from the "So Right Remix (The Spearhead)" music video