Being the compulsive list-maker I am, I had to jump on the opportunity to compile a list of tunes proper for Father’s Day, but this proved to be a daunting task. Let’s face it, guys. In the arena of Hip-Hop tribute songs, moms have the edge over dads by a huge margin. But that doesn’t mean dads go entirely unnoticed. Common’s dad makes a guest appearance on several of his records. Nas frequently collaborates with his jazz musician father, Olu Dara. Additionally, these four artists, each with a completely different approach, have crafted songs based on the importance of the fathers and father figures in their lives.

Asher Roth, “His Dream”

In my quest to find Hip-Hop songs that directly addressed appreciation for fathers, I come across this Asher Roth track off of 2009’s Asleep in the Bread Aisle. Roth’s ode to his dad expresses his admiration at all of his father’s sacrifices for him and his family. Miguel sings the hook, and Asher Roth closes it out well with the idea that “His dream is my dream, my dream is his dream.” A respectable approach to a rare topic.

Panacea, “Pops Said”

“Pops said straight face no frown/See the world upside when you’re feeling down.” That line says it all. Raw Poetic, one half of the DC-based Panacea, conveys his respect and admiration for his pops on this 2007 Glow-in-the Dark/Rawkus Records track.

Pete Rock & CL Smooth, “They Reminisce Over You”

Not everyone grew up in a nuclear family structure. In the classic “T.R.O.Y.,” CL Smooth recalls all of those that shaped his life in the absence of his biological father and celebrates the father figures that have influenced him positively.

Atmosphere, “Yesterday”

“Yesterday” is my favorite track off of When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold, and based on the lyrics alone, it’s a song that means a lot of things to a lot of different people. However, listen to the end and you’ll find that the song was actually penned as a dedication to Slug’s dad. Although this was released nearly 5 years ago, lines like, “You crept out the front door slow, and I was so self-absorbed I didn’t even know,” always pull at my heartstrings. This is one of Slug’s most honest and introspective works.

Happy Father’s Day to all who celebrate it and if not, let these songs serve as a steady reminder to appreciate those in your life who supported you back when you were a younger you.