INTROwire

It’s been over 10 years since HBO’s critically acclaimed series, The Wire, first aired. A gripping, raw look into the realities of urban America, it was only natural that the show became a favorite within the Hip-Hop world. There’s been plenty of overlap from both sides, between Wee-Bey popping up in various rap videos over the years, and Jim Jones’ curious 2 second, soda drinking cameo as one of Marlo’s henchmen. Check out the 15 Best Wire References in Rap lyrics— <i>XXL Staff</i>

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Young Jeezy "The Real is Back," <i>The Real is Back</i> (2011)

"You know I run this shit like Marlo, these niggas Avon / Had my auntie selling that shit like it was Avon"

ClayDavis

Royce Da 5'9 "Slaughterhouse," <i>Halfway House</i> (2008)

"In the D they used to call me Mayor Royce / Now they call me Clay Davis / Guess why? sheeeeeeeeiiiit / Cause when it come to them words you know I wear shit out"

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Cam'ron "Cycle's Sick," <i>Public Enemy #1</i> (2007)

"I wasn't born a singer, but let the storm just linger / I'm the Muslim from New York, I'm on to Stringer."

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Vado "Ride With Me" <i>Boss of all Bosses</i> (2009)

"Gotta move forward, no replay / shooter like Wee-bey / Be the first to school ya like Pre-K"

Kenard

Eminem "Drop the Bomb On Em," <i>Relapse: Refill</i> (2009)

"Oh my God, fuckin' bumbaclot, I'm hard as Kenard / The little boy who shot Omar in the Wire / Tie a whore up with barbed wire, you're nothin' but a brah, boy I'm the real deal and charbroiler on the bonfire"

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Red Café “I’m Ill,” (2010)

“Been a Konvict, ask Akon / Had blocks locked, ask Avon"

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Vado "Mo Brooklyn, Mo Harlem, Mo Southside," <i>The Soul Tape</i> (2011)

"Bags over bags, stash house look like Hoarders / Avon home, tell Marlo these my corners."

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Curren$y "Run Dat Shit," <i>Verde Terrace</i> (2011)

"Bitch we on fire / Marlo on the screen, yeah bitch we on The Wire / You talking too much bitch, go sit up there with the driver."

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Paul Cain "Niggaz," <i>More Street Dreams, Pt. 2: The Mixtape</i> (2003)

“Fuck the city, I’m extorting the state / I’m like O from The Wire, walk with a sawed-off and an eight”"

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Skillz "Don't Act Like You Don't Know," <i>The Million Dollar Backpack</i> (2006)

“And these youngins want to act like Michael on The Wire, ‘til they realize that Michael just an actor on The Wire.”

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Sean Price "Stop," <i>Jesus Price Superstar</i> (2007)

"I raise the nine, never give you bozos love / Omar from The Wire, youse a homo thug."

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Freeway "One Thing," <i>The Stimulus Package</i> (2010)

"They need to promise death to you snitches / Ain't do it, but you telling on them, lying ass nigga/ Don't want no trouble', you Bubbles from the Wire ass nigga."

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Vado "Fuck A Freestyle," <i>Boss of all Bosses 2.5</i> (2010)

“Goal is to die old and rich like Don Carlo/ Lift fours up like the doors on a Gallardo/ My man caught a scar though/ He wear just it just like Marlo”

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Lil Wayne "Nightmares of the Bottom," <i>Tha Carter IV</i> (2011)

"These bitches think they fly like Tinkerbell / But they all on my wire like Stringer Bell."

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Young Jeezy "Superstar (Remix)," (2007)

"Yes, it ain't mine, this is Lupe's single / And every time I watch The Wire, it's like I just left B-More / Call me Marlo, come be my Snoopy / Superstar, baby, why wouldn't you do me?"