The Phrase That Pays: "Dead Presidents" References In Rap

Read the lyrical history of the phrase "dead presidents."

Nas: "The World Is Yours" - The lyrics: “I’m out for presidents to represent me/(say what)/ I’m out for dead presidents to represent me."Though not the first artist to use this phrase, Nas may very well be the most famous and, if not him, the verse itself forever remains as one of the most quoted rap lyrics in history. Featured on his classic debut Illmatic, "The World Is Yours" is a somber ode to the problems in today’s society.(Photo: Columbia Records)

1 / 9

Nas: "The World Is Yours" - The lyrics: “I’m out for presidents to represent me/(say what)/ I’m out for dead presidents to represent me."Though not the first artist to use this phrase, Nas may very well be the most famous and, if not him, the verse itself forever remains as one of the most quoted rap lyrics in history. Featured on his classic debut Illmatic, "The World Is Yours" is a somber ode to the problems in today’s society.(Photo: Columbia Records)

Jay-Z: "Dead Presidents" - The lyrics: "I'm out for presidents to represent me."Sampling the standout verse from the aforementioned Nas song, Jay-Z crafted an intimate hustler’s anthem that would go on to appear on his debut album Reasonable Doubt. The sample would later play a pivotal role in the legendary beef between the two emcees, with each attempting to discredit one another musically.(Photo: Roc-A-Fella Records)

2 / 9

Jay-Z: "Dead Presidents" - The lyrics: "I'm out for presidents to represent me."Sampling the standout verse from the aforementioned Nas song, Jay-Z crafted an intimate hustler’s anthem that would go on to appear on his debut album Reasonable Doubt. The sample would later play a pivotal role in the legendary beef between the two emcees, with each attempting to discredit one another musically.(Photo: Roc-A-Fella Records)

"Paid in Full" - The title track from Eric B. & Rakim's debut LP, "Paid in Full" is quasi-confessional of Ra's love of MCing and his 5 Percenter beliefs over his former life as a stick-up kid. The song also changes hip hop's word for "good-bye" to "peace."  (Photo: Island Def Jam Records)

3 / 9

Eric B. & Rakim: "Paid In Full" - The lyrics: "Thinkin' how could I get some dead presidents."Right before explaining that he used to rob people, Rakim touches upon the paper chase — that his main perogative is to make money in order to be, you guessed it, paid in full.(Photo: Island Records)

Eminem: "We As Americans" - The lyrics: “I don’t rap for dead presidents, I rather see the president dead, it’s never been said but I set precedents."Released during George W. Bush’s first term, Eminem flipped the iconic phrase to express his disgust at the administration.(Photo: Scott Gries/PictureGroup)

4 / 9

Eminem: "We As Americans" - The lyrics: “I don’t rap for dead presidents, I rather see the president dead, it’s never been said but I set precedents."Released during George W. Bush’s first term, Eminem flipped the iconic phrase to express his disgust at the administration.(Photo: Scott Gries/PictureGroup)

Tyrese ft. Ludacris: "Too Easy" - The lyrics: “It’s one life to live for dead presidents."Ludacris makes it clear that he’s devoted his life to the paper chase. Simple and plain.(Photo: Charley Gallay/Getty Images For Moet USA)

5 / 9

Tyrese ft. Ludacris: "Too Easy" - The lyrics: “It’s one life to live for dead presidents."Ludacris makes it clear that he’s devoted his life to the paper chase. Simple and plain.(Photo: Charley Gallay/Getty Images For Moet USA)

Photo By Photo: Charley Gallay/Getty Images For Moet USA

ADVERTISEMENT
Fabolous: "Wolves In Sheep's Clothing" - The lyrics: “They say they out for dead presidents I never respected it — first of all Ben Franklin was never elected."A clever take on the phrase, Fabolous makes the distinguished observation that the most coveted piece of common American currency, the $100 dollar bill ("Ben Franklin"), features an individual that was never a president.(Photo: John Ricard/BET)

6 / 9

Fabolous: "Wolves In Sheep's Clothing" - The lyrics: “They say they out for dead presidents I never respected it — first of all Ben Franklin was never elected."A clever take on the phrase, Fabolous makes the distinguished observation that the most coveted piece of common American currency, the $100 dollar bill ("Ben Franklin"), features an individual that was never a president.(Photo: John Ricard/BET)

"Life's a B---h" - Nas and AZ traded rhymes brilliantly on Illmatic's third cut, and The Visualiza also cemented himself in history with arguably one of the best 16s of all time. Unfortunately, the gritty survival tale was never supplied with a visual canvas.(Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

7 / 9

AZ ft. Nas: "Mo Money, Mo Murder, Mo Homicide" - The lyrics: “’Cause it’s evident that this world is controlled by dead presidents."This verse appears after the song "Mo Money, Mo Murder" finishes and acts as an interlude between this track and the next. A clever play on words, AZ reiterates Nas’ belief that money controls everything.(Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

The D.O.C: "The S--t" - The lyrics: “It’s a must I get my hands on some dead presidents, can’t be hesitant because the game goes on."A straight forward iteration of the phrase, The D.O.C. lets listeners know that making money is his priority.(Photo: Arnold Turner/WireImage for Bragman Nyman Cafarelli/Getty Images)

8 / 9

The D.O.C: "The S--t" - The lyrics: “It’s a must I get my hands on some dead presidents, can’t be hesitant because the game goes on."A straight forward iteration of the phrase, The D.O.C. lets listeners know that making money is his priority.(Photo: Arnold Turner/WireImage for Bragman Nyman Cafarelli/Getty Images)

Big Daddy Kane\r - Considered by many one of the greatest emcees of all time, Big Daddy Kane steps to the stage to not only remind folks Long Live the Kane, but also, long live Heavy D's legacy.\r \r(Photo: Romina Amato/Getty Images)

9 / 9

Big Daddy Kane: "Terra N Ya Era" - The lyrics: “I learned the dead presidents to pass American history."Kane kicks a double entendre that may fly over the average rap fans heads — for him to advance, he had to make many, which is the real meaning of the verse.(Photo: Romina Amato/Red Bull viaGetty Images)