Why do rappers love the movie Inception so much?

by Aaron Zorgel

March 8, 2012

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Since the movie's release in 2010, rappers have been dropping Inception references into their lyrics, videos, beats, and artwork as if it's the new Scarface, or something. What is it about this brainy high-concept psychological thriller that resonated with rappers on such an inspirational level? Here's a list of Inception references I could find in modern hip-hop.

I can’t be the first one to notice this. Since the movie’s release in 2010, rappers have been dropping Inception references into their lyrics, videos, beats, and artwork as if it’s the new Scarface, or something. What is it about this brainy high-concept psychological thriller that resonated with rappers on such an inspirational level? Sure, to some extent rappers will reference whatever trend is popular at the moment, be it Blockbuster or not. But for some reason, I keep hearing corny Inception/dream puns in lyrics all the time.

Lil Wayne’s “6 Foot 7 Foot” video is an inception spoof. Joe Budden released a song that used the Inception soundtrack as an instrumental. T.I. even released TWO mixtapes with Inception-themed artwork titled Inception and Inception 2.

Just for the sake of an argument, I thought I’d comb through a few lyrics sheets and scour Youtube for some evidence of this. Here’s a list of Inception references I could find in modern hip-hop.

Lyrics

B.O.B. – Strange Clouds

“Yeah, so these niggas can’t sleep on me, there’s no Inception in this bitch.”

J. Lo – On The Floor feat. Pitbull 

“I’m like Inception, I play with your brain. So I don’t sleep or snooze.”

The Black Eyed Peas – Just Can’t Get Enough

“Perfection, mama you gleamin’. Inception, you got a brother dreamin’, dreamin’.”

XV – The Kick

“Countin’ my blessings, watching Inception. But I’m living one of those scenes where everyone knows it ain’t real except him.”

N.E.R.D. – Hypnotize U

“You’re a dream, inception, you’re my queen.”

Common – Blue Sky

“Day light beams, night life schemes. This is my Inception, I’m writing my dreams.”

Videos

Lil Wayne – 6 Foot 7 Foot feat. Cory Gunz

Instrumentals

Joe Budden – Inception

Cover Art

T.I. – Inception Mixtapes 1 & 2

Tags: Music, Featured, News, Joe Budden, Lil Wayne, N.E.R.D, The Black Eyed Peas

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