11 Must-Hear, Problematic Problem Songs | Playlist 🎧

1. Katy Perry, “Champagne Problems”

Smile • Capitol • 2020

“I wanna see you soon as I wipe the crust from my eyes / ‘Til the day I die, could you be the love of my life?” Maybe? In the context of Smile, “Champagne Problems” keeps the album groovy, upbeat, and sleek AF in the production department.  Although it is set in a minor key, Katy Perry’s ‘champagne problems’ are actually pretty enjoyable on the ears, particularly the strings and namely, the catchy chorus.

“‘Cause, baby all we got (All we got are)
Are champagne problems now (That's all we got)
‘Cause, baby, all we got (All we got are)
Are champagne problems now.”

2. Delli Boe, “Bisexual Problems”

“Bisexual Problems” • Delli Boe • 2018

“I want the dick, the pussy / I want everything, bitch what it is…” Well, the aforementioned lyrics from bisexual rapper Delli Boe are pretty self-explanatory, right? Right.  Honestly, the title gives us a heads-up where Boe is going with “Bisexual Problems.” Before listening, I figured that he was going to express how hard it is to be bisexual because you enjoy experiences with both men and women equally. That said, I didn’t expect Boe to be so blunt!

After the minimalist production establishes itself, so does Delli Boe, honestly.  I mean, the opening lyrics from “Bisexual Problems” are definitely ‘in your face’:

“Even though I like boys would ya still let me hit
If I eat yo pussy would ya still stuck my dick
Baby, I’ll take yo soul if I lick on yo clit
You ain’t ever met a n***a who did it like this.”

Woo! It doesn’t stop there, but you can listen and read the rest of the sexually charged lyrics for yourself.  Basically, he personally won’t turn down experiences with guys or girls and he wants to know if you’d be cool with that. Add it to the collection LGBTQ+ 🌈 songs if nothing else.   Hopefully, Delli Boe being safe during these various sexual encounters. Wrap it up!

3. Ariana Grande, “Problem”

Ft. Iggy Azalea

My Everything • Republic • 2014

Ariana Grande truly stepped up her game on the infectious “Problem” from sophomore album, My Everything.  Furthermore, the Grammy-winner brought one of the year’s hotter MCs in for the assist in Iggy Azalea.  While Iggy’s star would ultimately fade (no shade), Grande had no PROBLEM getting bigger and better with each successive single and album – NO CAP.

Focusing on “Problem,” there is no shortage of swagger, absolutely sick vocals (Ari), and potent rhymes (Iggy). Notably, Grande was dating Big Sean at the time.  He appears on the album, including providing the pivotal chant, “I got one less problem without you,” on the this undisputed, totally unproblematic urban-pop smash.

4. Arizona Zervas, “Drinking Problem”

Ft. 27CLUB

“Drinking Problem” • Arizona Zervas • 2019

Arizona Zervas is best known for his hit single, “Roxanne”, which became a top-10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. It’s an extremely catchy song to be honest. Even so, Zervas has released a number of singles throughout 2019 and 2020.  Prior to “Roxanne” in fact, Zervas had a “Drinking Problem,” which he enlisted 27CLUB to assist him with – well – rather on!

Apparently, Zona’s girl accused him of having issues with alcohol. He denies them – well – sort of:

“She said I got a drinking problem
But I don’t got no problem drinking, though
I solve my problems with the bottle
And drink until I feel my face no more.”

So, he DOES in fact have a problem with the bottle, using it to cope essentially. Similarly, on the second verse, 27CLUB is in the same boat:

“Bad habits, I smoke it like I’m a drug addict
I try to quit but seemingly I’m not good at it
Fucked up rock star in a denim jacket
Bury me with some roses inside a leather casket.”

Ultimately, both artists are on the struggle bus and even if they try to curb the problem, they just can’t seem to. Now that, my friends, is indeed a problem.

5. Chance the Rapper, “No Problem”

Ft. Lil Wayne & 2 Chainz

Coloring Book • Chance the Rapper • 2016 

“You don’t want no problems, want no problems with me!” No indeed Chance the Rapper – no indeed! “No Problem” ranks among the gems from Coloring Book, the Grammy-winning mixtape by the rapper. Worth noting, of course, is the fact that Chance is an independent artist, something he references during “No Problem”: “If one more label try to stop me / It’s gon’ be some dreadhead n***as in ya lobby, huh, huh.” There it is!

Chance The Rapper is assisted by Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz on this gem. The aforementioned chorus is catchy, infectious, and utterly sweet.  All of the verses – one per rapper – definitely yield NO PROBLEM(s) whatsoever. Following Chance’s verse, even the hella dumb 2 Chainz manages to rein himself in 😂.  That’s not to say he doesn’t say some silly stuff on the second verse such as “Run shit like diarrhea (True)” – lol. Of course, we get some sexual references from Lil Wayne, such as “Pretty bitches / Tippy toes around my crib in they robes, just their robes.” No comment!

6. Nick Jonas, “Champagne Problems”

Last Year Was Complicated • Island • 2016

“How many times have we been here before? / How many pieces have to break? / So many reasons not to celebrate / But I hate to see you cry, so let’s drink before goodbye…” With Last Year Was Complicated, we get adult Nick Jonas – praise the lord! Sorry for the sacrilege, Father.  Anyways “Champagne Problems,” the second track off the album, continues showcases the edge (and a minor key) following opener “Voodoo”.

“Champagne Problems,” a song where misery is best drowned in alcohol (“I hate to see you cry, so let’s drink before goodbye”), is by no means a miserable listen.  Nick sounds looser than ever, despite the tension characterized within the record.

7. Sabrina Claudio, “Problem with You”

Truth Is • SC Entertainment • 2019

“The problem with you is / That I can’t get you off my mind / And I think about you all the time / It’s your fault that I don’t feel right.” R&B artist Sabrina Claudio blames him for the way she feels – he has that type of effect on her, period.  Amazingly, even though Claudio sings in cool, calm, and collected fashion on “Problem with You,” she’s quite potent on the Truth Is standout which appears as the album’s ninth selection.

On the first verse, she begins by addressing her own problems, inquiring first, “Was I cold?” Similarly, on the second verse, she examines her own issues while being with him. Of course, she shifts to the source of the problems – HIM! On the pre-chorus, she’s so infatuated and paranoid, she’s quite possibly getting in her own way with her love:

“Let’s talk about last night, you went to sleep
Didn’t even talk to me
You left me with questions, agonizing
You bring out the worst in me.”

On the bridge, she comes right out and blames him for putting her through this.  Do we ever determine if he’s ‘no good’ or if Sabrina is just scared, she’s going to lose him? No, but this is a relatable song for anyone who’s been in a relationship, particularly one where you question the commitment to some degree for whatever reason.

8. 6LACK, “PRBLMS”

FREE 6LACK • Interscope • 2016

Cutting straight to the chase, 6LACK definitely has problems on “PRBLMS” – NO CAP! He’s honest AF, meaning if you take offense to ample profanity, this blunt trap R&B record probably ain’t for you.  It’s a pretty straightforward narrative though as the rapper/singer has played a role in making this girl high maintenance to the nth degree.  “I wanted a bitch who was down to earth,” he sings on the first verse, continuing, “But she want the goddamn sky, uh / List of my problems / Got this one on my line that won’t stop fucking callin’ / It’s crazy I made her that way.” 

Even though 6LACK is at least partially responsible, he’s not fully committed to it 24/7. On the chorus he asserts, “I got real shit to stress about, girl, I ain’t worried ‘bout shit,” before admitting, “So, I found a new thang, I’m not as lost as you think / Got plenty of queens in my hometown, all they need is drank and that good dank.” Here’s the thing.  Having a high maintenance boy- or girlfriend isn’t optimal.  That said, 6LACK also seems like he’s in a vicious cycle of problems because he indulges in various, um, ‘side pieces’ you might say.

9. A$AP Rocky, “F**kin’ Problems”

Ft. Drake, 2 Chainz & Kendrick Lamar

Long.Live.A$AP • RCA • 2013

“I love bad bitches, that’s my fuckin’ problem / And yeah I like to fuck, I’ve got a fuckin’ problem…” “F**kin’ Problems” was DEFINITELY a big deal in 2013, period.  It gave rapper A$AP Rocky a surefire hit from his debut album, Long.Live.A$AP.  Aiding the explicit hit wasn’t only the visible f-bomb featured in the title, but also assists from a star-studded cast. 2 Chainz takes the majority of the catchy, shameful, explicit chorus.  As for Rocky, he delivers the first verse: “All these MF’s wanna dress like me / Put the chrome to your dome, make you ‘sweat’ like Keith.”

Drake brags on the second verse, “Ain’t heard my new album? Who you sleepin’ on? You should print the lyrics out and have a fuckin’ read along…” Kendrick Lamar kills it on the final verse: “She eying me like a n***a don’t exist / Girl, I know you want this di-.”  No ‘fuckin’ problems’ with this mega hit!

10. Kevin Abstract, “American Problem”

ARIZONA BABY • RCA • 2019

“I drink, I smoke, I drink, I smoke, I drink until I sleep.” Now that’s definitely could be a problem, though perhaps not specifically an “American Problem” (see what I did there?). Anyways, this playlist’s opener, “American Problem.” actually appears near the end of ARIZONA BABY, the 2019 album by Kevin Abstract of BROCKHAMPTON fame (Iridescence is a must-hear album btw).  ARIZONA BABY follows Abstract’s 2016 debut album, American Boyfriend: A Suburban Love Story. So, what exactly does make Abstract an ‘American problem?’ Well…

“American Problem” finds Abstract reflecting on his past, as well as his current reality.  Part of that includes being gay, something that has been a prevalent theme in his previous work, not to mention the work of BROCKHAMPTON. On the second verse, he states, “And all my girlfriends, they tell me / ‘Well, you would’ve been better if you picked someone who was just like you’.” He also goes on to say:

“I thought a brother was cut...
I was a flaming faggot, that’s when the principal called me
Not to my face, but I felt when I was stuck in his office
I’m just a, I’m just another American problem...”

Quite a unique listen, the production work is distinct, while Abstract’s vocals are pitch-shifted at times, and there’s singing and rapping. “American Problem” previously appeared on 15 Must-Hear, All-American Songs and A Compendium Comprised of 100 Notable LGBTQ+ Songs.

11. Jay-Z, “99 Problems”

The Black Album • Roc Nation • 2003

“If you’re having girl problems, I feel bad for you, son / I got 99 problems, but a bitch ain’t one.” Woo! There is an assortment of problematic songs that won’t be covered on this particular list.  That said, Jay-Z earns the final spot with “99 Problems.” The classic appears on the rapper’s fantastic 2003 album, The Black Album, which I’d rank at/near the top of his discography. The aforementioned hook – lifted from an Ice-T single – has become a staple of pop culture, period! I can almost guarantee, most will associate it with Jay as opposed to Ice-T, whether that’s fair or not.

“99 Problems” features some stellar rapping from Hov with plenty of ‘real talk.’ He’s confident and definitely sticks up both middle fingers to the haters.  Perhaps my favorite example: “I’m like, ‘Fuck critics, you can kiss my whole asshole!’” He doesn’t stop there, as he tells a story of being stopped by ‘Jake’ (white police officer) on the second verse, which has a number of different layers to unpack in all honesty. The third verse is colorful as well, with ample wordplay and even some lines that make you scratch your head.  What I can safely say is that there’s no problems whatsoever with “99 Problems.” Produced by Rick Rubin with a rap-rock backdrop and some great samples, “99 Problems” is iconic.