11 Incredibly Dangerous Songs | Playlist

11 Incredibly Dangerous Songs features music courtesy of 21 Savage, Ariana Grande, BRONZE AVERY, Busta Rhymes, and Lana Del Rey. 

Beware – DANGER lurks! That’s right, we have some incredibly dangerous stuff on our hands – specifically, dangerous songs. 11 Incredibly Dangerous Songs is exactly what the title says it is.  The keyword on all 11 of these songs is either danger or dangerous, with the latter appearing most frequently.  11 Incredibly Dangerous Songs features music courtesy of 21 Savage, Ariana Grande, BRONZE AVERY, Busta Rhymes, and Lana Del Rey among others.  So, without further ado, let’s get into dangerous musical territory, shall we?!

1. 21 Savage, Lil Durk & Metro Boomin, “Dangerous” 

American dream // Slaughter Gang, LLC / Epic // 2024 

“Pop up out that cut, fuck it, drop your nuts / He was smokin’ – okay, he got touched / Draw down on your man, boy, you better not clutch / Every time they shit get spinned, they blamin’ us.” WOO ‍!  “Dangerous” appears as the eighth track on American dream, the no. 1 album by Grammy-winning rapper, 21 Savage. This four-and-a-half minute banger isn’t solely attributed to 21 – Lil Durk and Metro Boomin grace the track too. Metro Boomin provides the banging production alongside BoogzDaBeast and Cashmere Brown. Notably, “dangerous” samples “To Yasmina” by Bernard Lubat and His Mad Ducks. The warm sample, coupled with a knocking beat, yields a marvelous instrumental for 21 and Durk to rap upon.  

The chorus, excerpted above, and performed by 21 Savage, marks one of the best moments of “Dangerous,” hands down. But first things first – the first verse by 21.  His flow is electrifying, with his bars cutting like a knife (“Oh, you wanna speak on CJ? / I’ma come knock your bros off, Run around like you steppin’ on shit, fuck it, we just gon’ cut his toes off”). Lil Durk follows, with a mean, unpitched rapped second verse – no melody to be found! He keeps it real, opening his verse with a bang: “I’ma speak to my brother killer (Facts) / They gettin’ killed for another nigga (Facts).” Post-Lil Durk, 21 delivers another impressive verse where he’s unapologetic as ever: “We turn bullies into ashes, knock a nigga out like Cassius.” If there was any doubt, 21 Savage, Lil Durk, and Metro Boomin are “Dangerous” . 

Appears in : 

• 21 Savage, Lil Durk & Metro Boomin, Dangerous: Bangerz N Bopz No. 25 (2024) 

2. Ariana Grande, “Dangerous Woman”  

Dangerous Woman // Republic // 2016

“All that you got / Skin to skin, oh my God / Don’t ya stop, boy.” In 2016, Grammy-winning pop artist Ariana Grande proclaimed herself to be a dangerous woman.  “Dangerous Woman” marked a change of pace from the Grande of old, set in a minor key and embracing more of an edgy, risqué sound. This top-10 Billboard Hot 100 hit (peaked at no. 8), was penned by Ross Golan, Max Martin, and Johan Carlsson.  Martin and Carlsson produced this highlight from Ari’s catalog. Besides the badass music, what or who makes Grande dangerous? YOU – rather her man if you listen to the lyrics from the chorus. “Somethin’ bout you makes me feel like a dangerous woman / Somethin’ ‘bout, somethin’ ‘bout, somethin’ ‘bout you / Makes me wanna do things that I shouldn’t …” Ooh-wee – that’s dangerous indeed!  

Appears in : 

• 11 Songs That Are Dangerous, Violent, or Otherwise (2019)   

3. BRONZE AVERY, “DANGEROUS” 

“DANGEROUS” // BRONZE AVERY // 2024 

“You called and I love to decline,” BRONZE AVERY asserts on his brief but potent single, “DANGEROUS”.  He continues singing, “All your typical lines don’t have any effect on me.” Clearly, the pop singer/songwriter/producer is #OVER IT, PERIOD! Confident, AVERY offers more of the same fierceness on this self-penned record, which is co-produced with White Noise. “You knew I left ya but you never asked me why,” he asserts in the second verse, adding, “Burning up in all your smoke / Cause I caught you in a lie.” Oh, snap! Clearly, AVERY has me beaming with pride because he can see through the BS – he won’t be taking any of that nonsense! 

Besides those confident lyrics in the verses, BRONZE AVERY maintains confidence in the centerpiece, the chorus:   

“There’s not much to discuss 

Baby, you’re too dangerous 

I, I don’t need you, don’t need us  

This cuts just enough 

Baby, you’re too dangerous 

I don’t need you or us.” 

Word.  AVERY sings those lyrics sensationally, showing of a capable instrument. Speaking of instruments, the supporting instrumental easily gets you hype on this two-and-a-quarter-minute song.  The beat is sick, the keys and synths pop, while the vibe is – wait for it – LIT ! BRONZE has plenty to say regarding eliminating this dangerous person out of his life (“You choose to lose out on all the good from me”).  Whether you’re a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, or an ally, “DANGEROUS” is a groovy, honest pop gem that’ll easily make you beam with pride.  

Appears in : 

• BRONZE AVERY, DANGEROUS: Beaming with Pride  No. 7 (2024)  

4. Madison Beer, “Dangerous” 

Silence Between Songs // Epic / Sing It Loud // 2023

“I’ll remember you this way / Keep you safe inside my memory,” Madison Beer sings on “Dangerous,” adding, “But I’ve kept you here for far too long…” The first step is admitting you have a problem, right? “Dangerous” appears as the 11th track on the pop artist’s 2023 album, Silence Between Songs. Even if Beer knows she’s clinging on to a past relationship, she’s still perturbed.  “Where did you go?” she asks in the pre-chorus, continuing, “Is it something I said? / Why am I alone in this bed?” Beer penned “Dangerous” alongside a team comprised of Leroy Clampitt, One Love, Tobias Jesso Jr. and James Francis. She produced with Clampitt, One Love, and Francis as well.  The backdrop is lush, warm, and utterly sublime. Like the first verse, the second continues to find Beer dipping into dangerous territory (“Right when I think I hate you / Something pulls me under like the tide”). Of course, the centerpiece is the chorus: “No, it can’t be this easy / To let me go / But if you say so / Guess I make love too dangerous.” All told, Madison Beer delivers a gorgeous, heartfelt, and relatable ballad.    

5. Ryan.Song, “Danger Zone” 

“Danger Zone” // Ryan Song / BRG Music Benelux // 2023

“Made you come over again / My hands wake up your senses.” Ooh-la-la, Ryan.Song (Shuang Song) ! The queer musician, based in Amsterdam, pens music in the pop, dance, and R&B realm.  In his bio on Spotify, Song asserts, “I am dedicated to embodying equality, diversity, and inclusivity n my music.” That’s a mic drop right there! Furthermore, he adds, “I have always had a strong desire to empower and uplift my community and fellow LGBTQ+ individuals through my music and personal story.” Another mic drop! On “Danger Zone”, Song makes us dance, and also, makes us want to do other things too (“Your eyes undressed me”). 

The production – Song and Johannes Lemken –  and sound of “Danger Zone” is slick and superbly executed. The backdrop sufficiently captures a sexy experience. Part of what makes “Danger Zone” sexy is that it’s dangerous without being explicit. Sure, Ryan has invited this boy over again, and said boy is eye-f*cking him, but the experience is implied as opposed to graphically depicted. “Glowing / Our fingertips are glowing in the dark, I make the / Rain drop,” Song asserts in the memorable, tuneful chorus, adding the titular lyric, “You know that you are walking the danger zone.” WOO! Throughout the rest of this surefire bop, Ryan makes it clear the danger zone, asserting by the end, “Red lights flicker / Don’t resist them.” So, in other words, the big crash, like BOOM (or maybe ) is imminent.  All told, Ryan.Song adds to the ever evolving LGBTQ ️‍ catalog with another BOP!   

Appears in :  

• Ryan.Song, Danger Zone: LGBTQ Bopz No. 27 (2023) 

6. Lana Del Rey, “Hope is a Dangerous Thing for a Woman Like Me to Have – But I Have It”   

Norman Fucking Rockwell! // Interscope // 2019

“‘Cause hope is a dangerous thing for a woman like me to have / Hope is a dangers thing for a woman like me to have.”  Yep, the title of the record is just what you think it is –“Hope is a Dangerous Thing for a Woman Like Me to Have – But I Have It”. Damn, that’s one long song title!  Yes, Grammy-nominated, alternative pop standout Lana Del Rey dropped the rare song that features 16 words (!) in its title.  As ‘extra’ as the title may be, Del Rey comes through on this ballad – a highlight from Norman Fucking Rockwell! (2019) – including literary and cinematic references. The ever expressive Del Rey sounds as chilling and enigmatic as ever.  Her tone is stunning.  Among her best moments come at the end of the record when she flaunts her falsetto.   Beyond her inspired vocal performance, there’s also the stripped, yet gorgeous nature of this five-and-a-half-minute ballad.  The production keeps things hella simple, comprised of piano accompaniment.  Even working with such a lengthy duration, it’s perfect fuel for the fire of Del Rey, who manages to keep things colorful with some profane lyrics, such as “I’ve been tearing up town in my fucking nightgown / Like a goddamn-near sociopath.” Wow. Ultimately, with the threat of ‘hope’ in her hands on this song, Lana del Rey does what she does best – delivers an expressive, moody, well-rounded record.   

Appears in :    

• 11 Songs That Are Dangerous, Violent, or Otherwise (2019)   
• 11 Songs Where the Threat is Real (2019)  
• 15 Marvelous Songs About Women (2019)
• 51 Best Songs of 2019   
• Hope: 5ive Songs No. 45 (2020)
• 13 Amazing, Must HAVE Songs (2022)   
• 15 Songs Filled with Hope (2023)   
• 13 Songs Where the THING is Key (2024) 

7. Busta Rhymes, “Dangerous”  

When Disaster Strikes… // Elektra // 1997

“This is serious / We could make you delirious / You should have a healthy fear of us / ‘Cause too much of us is dangerous.” WOO! “Dangerous” is one of seven top-10 hits by rapper Busta Rhymes on the pop charts – impressive!  Appearing on his 1997 LP When Disaster Strikes…, “Dangerous” peaked at no. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. Furthermore, this Busta classic has been certified gold by the RIAA.  

Giving this rap banger its unique sound are producers Rashad Smith and Armando Colon. The beat knocks, while the synths and sound effects cook – they straight up sizzle! Of course, the star of the show is the one-and-only Busta Rhymes who delivers a compelling cadence and flow. The rhymes by Rhymes are on-point – locked-in and loaded, baby! “Dangerous, my nigga shit be accurate / Have to get, the flow be so immaculate,” he spits in the first verse, getting violent in the second: “Cuttin’ you up, the new shit ruckin’ you up / Fuckin’ you up, my black hole suckin’ you up.” He also serves up a mean threat in the third verse, asserting, “Stay hittin’ with the shit that blow a hole in your trunk.” Damn! Of course, the most memorable lyrics of “Dangerous” occur in the chorus, excerpted above, which continues as follows: 

“So dangerous, we so dangerous 

My Flipmode Squad is dangerous 

So dangerous, we so dangerous 

My who entire unit is dangerous.” 

Never change Busta Rhymes!  

Appears in : 

• Busta Rhymes, Dangerous: Bangerz N Bopz No. 24 (2024)   

8. Nicki Minaj, “Barbie Dangerous”  

Pink Friday 2 // Republic // 2023

“Barbie dangerous / Weak bitches don’t endanger us / Who you are, you ain’t in range of us / ‘Cause I won, won, won, won, angel numbers.” Oh, snap! “Barbie Dangerous” appears as the second track on Pink Friday 2, the no. 1 debuting, 2023 studio album by Nicki Minaj. “Barbie Dangerous” indeed sounds dangerous thanks to its malicious-sounding production courtesy of Hollywood Cole, YG! Beats, and Tate Kobang. Even with a minor-key fueling dark, hard-nosed vibes, Nicki keeps things brief, to the tune of two minutes and change. Even so, she delivers agile, aggressive, and unapologetic rhymes.  That flow is quick! Essentially, Minaj makes it clear that she’s that girl – “These rap bitches you like is my sons / Still gon’ run this rap shit when I’m done.” Among her many memorable lines: “Name a rapper who could channel Big Poppa and push out Papa Bear / Ho, I’m mother of the year” (verse one) and “Queen of this rap shitty, Bohemian / They worst nightmare, they still dreamin’ / Bitches jackin’, I’m still queenin’ (verse two).” Nicki Minaj = one of a kind.  

9. The xx, “Dangerous”  

I See You // Young Turks // 2017  

“They say we’re in danger / But I disagree / If proven wrong, shame on me / But you’ve had faith in me.” “Dangerous” kicks off I See You, the 2017 album by The xx, with a ‘controlled punch.’  While the brass hits give the opener an edge, the record never grows raucous or loses a sense of control – it’s a cool energy of sorts. Nonetheless, the groove is infectious, while the cool, calm, and collected approach of vocalists Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim is successful.   

Perhaps characterizing “Dangerous” as electrifying is an overstatement, even with its ‘electric’ instrumental (produced by Rodaidh McDonald and Jamie xx), but it sets the bar high for I See You. 

“They say 

You are dangerous, but I don’t care 

I’m going to pretend that I’m not scared 

If this only ends in tears 

Then I won’t say goodbye 

‘Cause I couldn’t care less 

If they call us reckless 

Until they are breathless 

They must be blind.”   

Appears in :  

• 11 Songs That Are Dangerous, Violent, or Otherwise (2018) 

10. Logic, “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind” 

Confessions of a Dangerous Mind // Def Jam // 2019  

“What’s your name? What’s your game? / Come now, boy, just spit your flow / Feel the pain with the gain, what you tryna say though? /… Can’t refrain from lettin’ these people know.” Logic never seems to have a shortage of things to say, not to mention a shortage of music.  In 2019, he dropped quite the unique, introspective single, “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind”, which appears on his album of the same name. Arguably the biggest selling point of “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind” is the production work. The backdrop, assembled by 6ix, is nothing short of celestial – radiant to the nth degree.  The sound crafted is introspective, matching and amplifying the vibe that Logic seeks to capture with his rhymes.  As usual, the agile rapper throws a lot of lyrics at the listener, even as mellow and introspective as the song can be at times.  Scan over the lyrics, and there’s a little bit of everything from references to his anxiety, fame, and the criticism others have towards him.  He has his fair share of points and respectable rhymes, even if it’s a lot to absorb. 

Appears in :  

• 11 Songs Where the Mind is the Focal Point (2019) 

11. Kenny Loggins, “Danger Zone”  

Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow – The Greatest Hits of Kenny Loggins // Sony Music Entertainment // 1997

Five words: “Highway to the Danger Zone.” The 80s are alive and well on “Danger Zone”, among the biggest hits by Kenny Loggins. “Danger Zone,” which appears in the 1986 box office smash, Top Gun, peaked at no. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, one of five top-10 hits by the rock/pop artist (“Footloose” gave Loggins his sole no. 1 hit).  The legendary Giorgio Moroder and Thomas Whitlock penned the record, with Moroder producing.

Regarding sound, the 80s aesthetic – the vibe –  is constructed by pummeling drums, ripe guitar riffs, and keys. “Danger Zone” is a groove-fest from the onset. While the sound is a bright spot, even brighter is the amazing Kenny Loggins.  His voice is on-point, PERIOD.  Furthermore, Loggins delivers plenty of tuneful melodies throughout.  Additionally, the lyrics are fun, whether it’s “Revvin’ up your engine / Listen to her howlin’ roar” (verse one) or “She got you jumpin’ off the deck / And shovin’ into overdrive.” Woo! Of course, no moment is more tuneful than the chorus (excerpted above), which continues with lyrics like “Gonna take it right into the Danger Zone” and “Ride into the Danger Zone.” The ‘Danger Zone’ is dangerous to the nth degree on “Danger Zone” one of the epic 80s gems.  

Appears in : 

• Kenny Loggins, Danger Zone: Throwback Vibez ️ No. 46 (2024)   

11 Incredibly Dangerous Songs (2024) [: Brent Faulkner, The Musical Hype; BRG Music Benelux, BRONZE AVERY, Def Jam, Elektra, Epic, Interscope, Republic, Ryan Song, Sing It Loud, Slaughter Gang LLC, Sony Music Entertainment, Young Turks; Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Dmitry Abramov, ntnvnc, OpenClipart-Vectors, Sabine from Pixabay]