Since its origin in 1970s New York City, hip-hop music has taken its inspirational messages of blessings, gratitude and abundance to a global audience. From street tales of rising out of hardship and onto a better life to passing on wisdom down the generations, rappers have crafted lyrics that tell the story of not just individual success, but of hip-hop itself; how a music genre created a movement that, in turn, inspired popular culture as we know it.
Across hip-hop, different tales of gratitude have emerged. From the romantic, R&B-leaning side of rap, where themes of love, yearning and heartache rule to the thundering sound of trap, where stories of getting out the mud and into the spotlight reign supreme, hip-hop’s storytelling has diversified, showing different ways to grow and live.
Dive into this collection of new rap tracks — featuring Drake, Wale, Lil Baby, Tyler, The Creator, Chance The Rapper, Nas, Little Simz, Dave and more — and get inspired by these stories of gratitude and ambition.
LISTEN TO THE HIP-HOP SONGS OF GRATITUDE PLAYLIST NOW ON SOUNDCLOUD
Wale, “Where To Start”
On this track from his 2025 album, ‘everything is a lot.,’ rapper Wale gets vulnerable with a lover, hoping for great things.
Drake, “What Did I Miss?”
On the lead single of his forthcoming ninth studio album, ‘Iceman,’ OVO boss Drake flexes over a triumphant beat.
Tyler, The Creator, “Sucka Free”
The rap polymath’s latest album, 2025’s ‘DON’T TAP THE GLASS,’ is nominated for Album of the Year at this year’s Grammys.
Chance The Rapper, Jazmine Sullivan, “Speed of Love”
Chance The Rapper explores romance with R&B powerhouse Jazmine Sullivan on this track from his 2025 album, ‘STAR LINE.’ Check out Chance The Rapper’s episode of SoundCloud’s The Booth, where he delivers an exclusive performance of the album track “Ride.”
Quavo, Lil Baby, “Legends”
Quavo (formerly of Migos) links up with Lil Baby for this turn-up track, which dropped in 2025 via Motown Records.
Gunna, “just say dat”
Known for his raw glows, Georgia rapper Gunna dropped this track on his 2025 album, ‘The Last Wun.’
Roddy Ricch, “Underdog”
Compton, California-raised rapper Roddy Ricch released this 2025 track as part of the official “F1” movie soundtrack.
Lil Tjay, “Letter To My Block”
On his latest track, Bronx native Lil Tjay riffs on the lessons that the streets of NYC taught him.
Logic, “A Message From My Younger Self”
Known for his sincere lyrics, rapper/producer Logic dropped this uplifting track on his 2025 EP, ‘Aquarius III.’
Cordae, “Nothing’s Promised”
North Carolina rapper Cordae dropped this track, about carving your own path in life, on his 2024 album ‘The Crossroads.’
Little Simz, “Free”
One of the great modern UK rap talents, Little Simz dropped her latest album, ‘Lotus,’ in 2025.
anaiis, “Deus Deus”
On her 2025 album ‘Devotion and The Black Divine,’ French-Senegalese vocalist anaiis draws on her experiences of motherhood, acceptance and renewal.
JID, “Glory”
On his 2025 album ‘God Does Love Ugly,’ Atlanta rapper JID blends choral harmonies into his hip-hop beats to uplifting effect. Learn more about JID’s journey on SoundCloud via our ORIGINS series here.
GloRilla, “RAIN DOWN ON ME”
Memphis rapper GloRilla taps into her Southern roots on this soaring track, which features gospel singer and rapper Kirk Franklin, as well as the Maverick City Music choir, gospel singer Kierra Sheard and singer-songwriter Chandler Moore.
Lecrae, “Still Here”
Leaning into the spiritual side of hip-hop, Atlanta’s Lecrae brings a gospel edge to his inspirational music.
Dave, “Raindance”
UK rapper Dave dropped this collaboration with Tems on his 2025 album, ‘The Boy Who Played The Harp.’
McKinley Dixon, “Could’ve Been Different” feat. Blu, Shamir
Bringing a jazzy energy to his hip-hop sound, McKinley Dixon works with Blu and Shamir on this track from his 2025 album, ‘Magic, Alive!’
A$AP Twelvvy, “Ain’t Gon Cry”
On this introspective 2025 track, NYC rapper A$AP Twelvvy, of the A$AP rap collective, is in his soulful bag.
Mobb Deep, Nas, Jorja Smith, “Down For You”
The classic sound of New York City rap gets a British R&B edge on this 2025 collaboration between Mobb Deep, Nas and Jorja Smith.
Pink Siifu, “LAST ONE ALIVE’!”
Alabama-born rapper Pink Siifu’s 2025 album, ‘BLACK’!ANTIQUE,’ blends elements of neo soul and alternative rap.
Tayla Parx, “Era” feat. Tkay Maidza
Texas’ very own Tayla Parx collaborates with Aussie rap vocalist Tkay Maidza on this 2025 about planting seeds of generational growth.
Je’Vel, YawnyBlew, “Kings”
Taken from his 2025 album ‘Yawny & Friends (Vol. 1),’ YawneyBlew links up with Je’Vel for this track about self-empowerment.
BashfortheWorld, “MVP”
The Mexico-born, Dallas-based rapper opens his 2025 album, ‘Migo In America,’ with this stirring track.
Culture Jam, “Moving Different” feat. Big Sean, Hit-Boy and Juju Ozborne
“Pray you get all of your goals / Me? I'm already goals,” riffs Culture Jam on their track from his 2025 album, ‘Legend In My Hood.’
Bee-B, “THANK U”
Blending smooth hip-hop and romantic R&B, California-raised vocalist Bee-B is thankful on this 2025 track.
Hunxho, “Learning”
“I had to learn to be a man before I became one,” booms melodic rapper Hunxho on this track. His latest project is 2025’s ‘For Her 2.’
Devstacks, “LMK U MADE IT HOME OKAY”
Rapper/producer Devstacks shows his yearning side on this track from his 2025 album, ‘4SouljasOnly.’
RNB.FOEMOB, “Once In A While”
Still in his teens, Houston-based vocalist RNB.FOEMOB dropped his latest album, ‘Square Bidnez,’ in 2025.
Tee Grizzley, “Blow for Blow” feat. J Cole
Detroit native Tee Grizzley collaborates with J. Cole on this track from his 2024 album, ‘Post Traumatic.’
anderson .paak, “Bubblin”
“Look at me baby, don’t I look like a million,” rhymes anderson .paak on this classic track.
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