Dragon Ball Z was a huge part of many millennials’ childhoods and the nostalgia caused has hardly decreased as this generation matures and acquires new tastes. It is, in part, because Dragon Ball Z references in rap songs are so much fun. These lyrics combine what many ‘90s kids grew up with (the televised anime series) with something that many from Generation Y grew into (rap and hip-hop). A hidden treasure of rap songs that pay homage to Dragon Ball Z exists under the radar and it’s really not that surprising; more than a few lyricists and wordsmiths out there once followed the adventures of Goku and his pals, just like us.
References to Super Saiyans, Kamehameha waves, senzu beans, and other remnants of the DBZ world can be found in the lyrics of today’s hottest rappers. Much like a set of dragon balls, these lyrical associations are fun to search for but they’re even more enjoyable when they careen out unexpectedly and smash into you like a Special Beam Cannon of music.
- Machine Gun Kelly ft. Waka Flocka Flame – Wild Boy
Year: 2011
Lyrics: “F*ck 5-0, I make my own rules
Suck my dragon balls b*tch, call me Goku
Power Level: 200
There is a bit of cleverness here; the possible similarities between dragon balls and human testicles aren’t often noted. Goku isn’t really known as someone who makes his own rules, though, so the comparison is a little flat.
2. Jay Rock ft. Kendrick Lamar – Hood Gone Love It
Year: 2011
Lyrics: Comin’ down in an old school, so cool
Whip like a fire ball, call it Goku
Power Level: 500
These lyrics are simple but they represent Goku’s character well. He’s the old school guy, cool, and has been known to whip off fireballs.
3. Joey Bada$$ – Christ Conscious
Year: 2014
Lyrics:
Wouldn’t want to be ya, this lyrical fajitas
Got dragon balls like my name was Vegeta
Power Level: Over 9000
Rhyming Vegeta with fajitas might seem like a reach but it’s still a bold move. Also, Vegeta would be the most likely DBZ character to brag about his male attributes so he’s an appropriate choice of comparison.
4. Futuristic – The Greatest
Year: 2015
Lyrics:
I ain’t tryna be famous
I’m just tryna make payments from what I’m making
I’m frustrated, ’bout to go Super Saiyan
Power Level: 5000
Futuristic accurately describes how one gets to Super Saiyan level (by becoming severely frustrated or angry), but he’s hardly the only rapper to think of making that connection.
5. Soulja Boy – Goku
Year: 2010
Lyrics:
B*tch I look like Goku
I’m hoppin’ out dat old school
F*cking up that Pro Tool
Super Saiyan swagger
…
B*tch I look like Gohan
Smoking up that marijuana
Power Level: 100
Like most Soulja Boy lyrics, these rhymes are barely relevant and don’t make sense. They also seem more like a collection of random words that popped into his brain. He does get bonus points, though, for thinking to rhyme “Gohan” with “marijuana.”
6. B.O.B. – Autotune
Year: 2008
Lyrics:
When I’m on the mic I’m blazing
Man who am I? Just like a Super Saiyan
Power Level: 100
Overall, this is a fairly weak rhyme. Super Saiyans are not really known for blazing on the mic so they don’t really justify the use of slant rhyme.
7. Frank Ocean – Pink Matter
Year: 2012
Lyrics:
Sensei replied what is your woman
Is she just a container for the child
That soft pink matter
Cotton candy Majin Buu
Power Level: 4000
When it comes to finding metaphors for things that are soft and pink, Majin Buu is a clever choice. This is an excellent example of DBZ-themed imagery.
8. Denzel Curry – Ultimate
Year: 2015
Lyrics:
Wait, doctor says he’s gonna stay
Let him get the senzu bean so he regenerate
I kill ’em, no Kony, these n***** ain’t homies
Claim you the homie, I turn into Broly
Power Level: Over 9000
Denzel Curry is without a doubt a serious DBZ fan. Not only does he accurately describe the regenerative aspect of a senzu bean, but he also drops a lesser-known character like Broly into the rhyme.
9. Big Sean – Paradise
Year: 2014
Lyrics:
I don’t even know what the f*ck today is
I hit the booth and I just went Super Saiyan
Power Level: 200
Using the term “Super Saiyan” as a way to describe going wild is not original nor is it an entirely accurate description of what happens when one reaches that level.
10. Sik World – Dragon Ball Z
Year: 2016
Lyrics:
I feel like Goku, any villain I’ll beat cha
I’m the strongest you’re second like Vegeta
Bars like a Cell and I’m cold like Frieza
Jeez bruh, do I gotta Gohan?
These girls flash me their Chi Chi’s
And it is so Raditz got me dropping my jaw
I could go hot but I’d rather Goku since I’m
Cooler than y’all
F*ck with me dawg
Power Level: 5000
Sik World relies heavily on puns but he makes up for it with pure volume, busting out multiple DBZ references per lyrical minute.
