Rate Hip-Hop’s Post-Prison Comeback Singles [Poll]

 •  News  •  by XXL Staff  •  28 Comments


There’s no glorifying prison. A bid is a bid. But, as twisted as it may sound, lock up has had its share of benefits in hip-hop. In addition to boosting street credibility, jail sentences also create anticipation for comebacks. In the last decade, MCs like T.I., Gucci Mane and Lil Wayne have all come out of jail larger than life. Prodigy of Mobb Deep is looking to follow in their footsteps. After serving three years on gun possession, the Queens lyricist was released in early March. P’s already landed his talents to Jim Jones’ “Take a Bow” and Hot 97′s Funkmaster Flex leaked Mobb’s “Love Y’all More” two weeks ago. Earlier this week, P teamed up with partner-in-rhyme Havoc and longtime collaborator Nas to release “Dog Shit,” his first official single since being released from prison. Judging by the internets’ reaction, the track is poised to join the annals of impactful comeback songs that have come out in the last 10 years. XXL looks back at hip-hop’s post-prison releases over the last ten years. Who’s had the best comeback track? —Amber McKynzie

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  • Paterson NJ

    Styles is da best hand down nigga been in da game for years and he shit on tracks lyrically .. he dont take shit from no one and da lox would shit on any squad

  • TicNitty706

    Feel It In The Air was my pick. That song is perfection.

    Never heard that Mystikal trk but I like it!

  • jesterdxxl

    Styles always goes hard nobody can fuck with P I’m not really into Akon but these to are quality.

  • jesterdxxl

    Fuck Tony we all know Yayo is wack before & after jail.

  • jesterdxxl

    I like Project but this song is shit Pat fell off after jail.

  • yung clepto

    if beans don’t win this hands down us real ones is truly the last of the dinosaurs.

  • jesterdxxl

    We all miss Pimp he made a great comeback after his stint.

  • jesterdxxl

    I like Cass he’s an ill emcee but he stepped off after leaving Swizz & My Drink n My 2 Step is shit.

  • jesterdxxl

    Kim is still the Queen she may not look it but sounds it.

  • jesterdxxl

    Gucci is terrible period.

  • jesterdxxl

    Foxy fell of the wagon Brown has gone fucking crazy.

  • jesterdxxl

    We all know Shyne should take some of Cube’s advice & check himself before he wrecks himself.

  • jesterdxxl

    I don’t think T.I. should be on this list until he atleast spends 3 to 4 years outta the pen.

  • jesterdxxl

    I don’t think Black is gonna be able to kee his ass outta trouble before christmas Rob got mad skills but Diddy done fucked him up.

  • jesterdxxl

    Welcome back Mystikal I know he’s gonna make a solid come back why put up the clean version XXL don’t play us like this.

  • 317realnigga

    T.I. went hard when he came out n wayne….. beans feel it in da air was nice 2!!!!!

  • guccimayne

    binary star – I know why the Caged Bird Sings

  • black jesus

    no dmx? you could have made made the 18 page list straight off of dmx songs

  • FeeltheRealness

    Royce da 5’9″ – Shake This

    It describes perfectly what he was going through after being released from prison. And the song is just super dope with Preemo’s beat.

    Beanie Sigels song is clearly the winner of the poll thou.

  • mobb

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  • Dismathis

    The fact that this list doesn’t include “California Luv” by Pac or anything DMX has put out means that it wont even get a vote from me.

  • MF

    Ummmm…

    Picture Me Rollin???? Pac even gives a shoutout to Clinton Correctional Facility.

  • Dre

    what bout 2pac? his first track when he got out was Ambitionz As A Rider. Better than all dem songs listed

  • DJ

    Feel It In The Air came out when he was still in jail, so it’s not a post-prison comeback single, esp. considering that it was recorded b4 he served time. Shit was released while he was in prison too…writers need to do their research or not write about a topic they didn’t experience or care to look up. I remember exactly when the album came out and the single, and he was still in prison.

    Styles P. Can You Believe It didn’t come out until 2006, not 2003. This writer is garbage with his research/knowledge for real and clearly isn’t a true fan.

  • DJ

    Also, you should’ve put Pac’s California Love on here…would’ve won hands down.

  • xxHyPn0t1c718xx

    LoL @ the groupie niggas who voted for gay ass lil wayne & 6 foot 7 foot

  • wtf?

    Biggest FAIL ever XXL! No Tupac California Love? WTF?

  • jay

    WELCOME HOME…STAY TUNED FOR @ITSMEBARAK