Lust

We’ll kick things off in juicy fashion with lust, described as “an inordinate craving for the pleasures of the body,” according to deadlysins.com.  According to Dante, those who lust will find themselves damned to the second circle of hell.  That said, in Purgatorio, lust is represented in the ninth stage of Purgatory. For lust, DJ Khaled – well Rihanna and Bryson Tiller,Tank, and ZAYN are the deadly sinners.

1. DJ Khaled,“Wild Thoughts”

Ft. Rihanna & Bryson Tiller

Grateful • Epic • 2017

DJ Khaled constructs a surefire hit with “Wild Thoughts” (Grateful), enlisting the help of Rihanna and Bryson Tiller. The first thing that stands out about “Wild Thoughts” are the Latin vibes.  A certain, late-90s classic is sampled – “Maria, Maria”,courtesy of Santana. Instantly it gives “Wild Thoughts” a major lift. Rihanna is on autopilot from the jump, sexed up, enticing her man with her naughtiness. She confirms her “wild thoughts” on the repetitive, but irresistibly delicious chorus.  She continues throwing mad innuendo on the second verse. Bryson Tiller, who sings the third verse, kicks the explicitness up a notch.  The recipe is a great one: awesome production, superstar cast, and of course, sex.

2. Tank, “When We”

Savage • Atlantic • 2017

“When We” features lush, sensual production work.  The standout backdrop includes slick hip-hop driven drums, part of a contemporary script.  Tank delivers a superb performance, characterized by smooth vocals. Like the production, Tank’s vocals exemplify sex. His tone is amazing.  Notably, he matches the swagger – specifically the lust– of younger contemporaries here.  Shallow like most of Savage– he’s incredibly inspired as he sings the lustful, key phrase, “When we fuck.”

3. ZAYN, “PILLOWTALK”

Mind of Mine • RCA • 2016

“Climb on board / We’ll go slow and high tempo.” Clearly, ZAYN is horny! According to Louis Wise of The Sunday Times, former One Direction member said the following regarding his solo number one hit, “PILLOWTALK.”

“I think I’m pretty black and white what it’s about,” he says with a little grin. “Everybody has sex, and it’s something people wanna hear about. It’s part of everybody’s life, a very BIG part of life! And you don’t wanna sweep it under the carpet. It has to be talked about.”

Recapping an earlier statement, life post-boy band requires adjustments. Those adjustments encompass sex.  On“PILLOWTALK,” Zayn sings about having sex.  In essence, the lust is real.

“So, we'll piss off the neighbors
In the place that feels the tears
The place to lose your fears
Yeah, reckless behavior
A place that is so pure, so dirty and raw
In the bed all day, bed all day, bed all day
Fucking and fighting on
It's our paradise and it's our war zone
It's our paradise and it's our war zone.”

Gluttony

Ah the gluttons!  Gluttony isdescribed as “an inordinate desire to consume more than that which one requires,” according to deadlysins.com. According to Dante, those guilty of gluttony will find themselves damned to the third circle of hell. Additionally, in Purgatorio, gluttony is represented in the eighth stage of Purgatory. For gluttony, Common, Future, and Buckcherry represent the deadly sin.

4. Common, “7 Deadly Sins”

Writers: Adrian Younge, Common & Ernest Wilson

Nobody’s Smiling • Def Jam • 2014

In 2014, Common released an excellent studio album, Nobody’s Smiling.  Unfortunately, the project didn’t exactly ‘fly off the shelves.’  That means that likely fewer people experienced the lengthier, more expensive deluxe edition of the album.  Likely, folks missed out on “7 Deady Sins,” which covers the whole shebang.  For our purposes, we’ll focus on one of the more difficult to accurately pinpoint musically – gluttony.  Common nails it, expounding on the characterizations of gluttony like a champ.

“Now the myth about the fifth: it only happens when we eat
It’s gluttony, this is how it happens on the street
It’s a dude that’s getting paid in full, cars and jewels
So his plate is full, but the way this nigga move
He is never full and he gon’ want your food
Don’t overdo it, that's an underrated rule.”

5. Future, “Feed Me Dope”

Writer: Nayvadius Wilburn

Super Slimey • Epic • 2017

If we are to believe what Common says about gluttony, that it’s doesn’t “only happen when we eat,” it seems “Feed Me Dope” fits the deadly sin in a number of respects. “Feed Me Dope” hails from Super Slimey, the joint mixtape from Future and Young Thug, but only Future appears on this particular track.  During the course of this track, he has a desire for the dope himself, but more important is his role as ‘the plug.’ His clients pay well because the dope is good.

“I need, Chinese molly, Hong Kong

I need, good drank, big strong
Durk ‘dem call me big papi, I get big cocky
Uh-oh, big molly, got my wrist rocky
Uh-oh, bring the money on a big dolly…
Uh-oh, good dope make my wrist talk…
My mama shed a few tears but I wasn’t sad boy
Tryna explain to her for years she had a cash boy
I took a pill and a half today, that ain’t my last boy
The one with the beans on it, I’m taking off like Elroy.”

6. Buckcherry, “Gluttony”

Writers: Josh Todd & Keith Nelson « Producers: Keith Nelson & Marti Frederiksen

Confessions • Century Media • 2013

“You say I drink too much, you say I fuck too much / So what the hell am I supposed to do? I wanna die and kill my dirty mind.” Utterly sinful! The third and final gluttony song just might be the most gluttonous of all.  Josh Todd and Buckcherry have never been subtle. It takes some balls to release and EP where every song features some form of the f-word.  But anyways, on Confessions, the band tackles the seven deadly sins.  “Gluttony” is among those sinful songs, and Todd and company don’t hold back, putting their gluttonous ways in the forefront.

“I want it, I want it, I want it, I want it
I need it, I need it, I need it, I need it
I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it
Gluttony in me has started.”

Greed

Ah the greedy folk!  Greed isdescribed as “the desire for material wealth or gain, ignoring the realm of the spiritual,” according to deadlysins.com.  Sometimes, greed is referred to as avarice. According to Dante, those who greedy will find themselves damned to the fourth circle of hell.  Greed also has a place in Purgatorio as avarice, the seventh stage of Purgatory.  Jon Bellion, Kanye West, and Ariana Grande represent the greedy mofos.

7. Jon Bellion, “Fashion”

Writers: Jon Bellion & Stephan Moccio « Producer: Stephan Moccio

The Human Condition • Capitol • 2016

“I hit ‘em with the boots in July / Bitch, I don’t need snow / I gotta go bigger, I gotta go bigger / Five thousand on a coat ‘cause it’s fly.” “Fashion” is a socially-conscious number from The Human Condition, the 2016 debut album by Jon Bellion.

The aim of the song is materialism – greed– which Bellion satirizes brilliantly.

“Baby, that we all want, we all need, fashion
Have I lost control?
A voice says I might need my soul
But that’s when I remember
That we all want, we all need, fashion.”

8. Kanye West, “Gold Digger”

Ft. Jamie Foxx

Late Registration • Roc-A-Fella • 2005

“She take my money when I’m in need / Yeah, she’s a triflin’ friend indeed / Oh, she’s a gold digger / Way over town that digs on me.” Oh, the nostalgia! “Gold Digger” is one of the biggest, most notable Kanye Westsongs.  His 2005 album Late Registration had numerous hits, but none shined brighter than this Jamie Foxx-assisted gem.  There’s nothing deadly from West or Foxx’s perspectives, but within the song narrative, their respective girlfriends are in the relationship for the money.  Therefore, the deadly sin of greedis exhibited.

9. Ariana Grande, “Greedy”

Writers: Alexander Kronlund, KnocDown, Max Martin & Savan Kotecha « Producers: Ilya & Max Martin

Dangerous Woman • Republic • 2016

“Greedy, ooh / You know that I’m greedy for love.” On her third album, Dangerous Woman, Ariana Grande become pronouncedly naughtier.  The 2016 album represented that coming of age project, finding her transition into more adult territory. With maturity and adulthood also comes sinfulness, which in her case is both greed and lust on “Greedy.” Actually, more lust than anything else.

“I ain’t talking money, I’m just physically obsessed
And I’m greedy
‘Cause I’m so greedy
‘Cause I’m so greedy, ooh
You know that I’m greedy for love.”

Sloth 

Ah the lazy people!  Sloth isdescribed as “the avoidance of physical or spiritual work,” according to deadlysins.com.  If you read into sloth as “the avoidance of spiritual work,” it seems it could potentially land you further down the depths of the fiery pit.  For example, the sixth circle of hell deals with heresy, while the worst circle of the all, circle nine, features spiritually slothful, treacherous individuals including Cain and Judas Iscariot.  That’s some damning stuff right there. Sloth has a specific place in Purgatorio, as the sixth stage of Purgatory.  Representing the slothful are Franz Ferdinand, Bruno Mars, and Ne-Yo.

10. Franz Ferdinand, “Lazy Boy”

Writers: Alex Kapranos, Bob Hardy, Julian Corrie & Paul Thomson« Producers: Mike Horner, Pierre Juarez & Zdar

Always Ascending • Domino • 2018

“Lazy Boy” appears on Always Ascending, the long-awaiting fifth studio album by alternative rock darlings, Franz Ferdinand.  Despite the sloth exhibited by band throughout the course of the record, in the context of the album, the groove keeps going strong. Chocked-full of repetition, lyrically, there’s not much here. Hmm, more laziness presumably?

Nonetheless, “Lazy Boy” is infectious, and Alex Kapranos remains ‘a force to be reckoned with’ vocally.

“Am I gonna get up?
Am I gonna get up, get up?
Never!
Never!
Never!
Never!
I’m a lazy boy, I’m a lazy boy.”

11. Bruno Mars, “The Lazy Song”

Writers: Ari Levine, Bruno Mars, K’NAAN & Philip Lawrence « Producers: The Smeezingtons

Doo-Wops & Hooligans • Atlantic • 2010

“I’m gonna kick my feet up, then stare at the fan / Turn the TV on, throw my hand in my pants / Nobody’s gonna tell me I can’t.” Perhaps the most slothful sloth song comes at the hands of Bruno Mars. “The Lazy Song” just might be the most obvious song to include on this seven deadly sins playlist.  Basically, “The Lazy Song”perfectly fits sloth because the pop star is being lazy AF.

“Today, I don’t feel like doing anything
I just wanna lay in my bed
Don’t feel like picking up my phone
So, leave a message at the tone
Cause today, I swear, I’m not doing anything.”

12. Ne-Yo, “Lazy Love”

Writers: Shaffer Smith & Shea Taylor « Producer: Shea Taylor

R.E.D. • Motown • 2012

“You got that I don’t wanna, that ‘I don’t wanna go nowhere,’ that lazy love (hey) / You got that I don’t wanna, that ‘I don’t wanna do nothing,’ you got that lazy love (hey).” Much like Ariana Grande (“Greedy), Ne-Yo dabbles in multiple deadly sins on “Lazy Love.” First and foremost, he struggles horribly with time management because he’s lazy. That would be the epitome of sloth.  There’s that.  But why is Ne-Yo so lazy? It’s because of the hot sex that he’s having.  That qualifies as lust.

“Ooh, my lobby call was 11:30
I'm officially the opposite of early (early, early)
I gotta go downstairs (downstairs)
Everybody waitin’ down there, for me
But I roll over and see yo’ curly (hair)
Yo’ sexy body oh so nice and curvy (Yea)
Reminiscing on last night
Wake up and let me get it one mo’ time, before…”

Anger

Here’s one for the pissed off people!  Anger is“manifested in the individual who spurns love and opts instead for fury,” according to deadlysins.com.  Sometimes,anger is referred to as wrath. According to Dante, those who are angry will find themselves damned to the fifth circle of hell. Also, anger appears in Purgatorio as wrath, the fifth stage of Purgatory.  Eminem, Beyoncé, and Big Sean represent the angry folk.

13. Eminem, “Like Home”

Ft. Alicia Keys

Writers: A. Jackson, Alicia Augello-Cook, H. Hafermann, J. Smith, L. Resto, Marshall Mathers & P. Rosenberg « Producer: Just Blaze

Revival • Shady / Aftermath • 2017

“Like Home” wouldn’t be the first time that Eminem has been angry about something, exhibiting the deadly sin of wrath.  Alicia Keys joins him on the highlight from his critically-panned 2017 album, Revival.  Clearly, “Like Home” is an anti-Trump statement. It should be noted, this isn’t the first time the rapper has criticized a president (“Mosh” from Encore).  While his criticism towards the president is understandable, his wrath is still sinful.

“Someone get this Aryan a sheet
Time to bury him, so tell him to prepare to get impeached
Everybody on your feet
This is where terrorism and heroism meet, square off the street
This chump barely even sleeps
All he does is watch Fox News like a parrot and repeats
While he looks like a canary with a beak…
Take it back to the Shady national convention
Wish I woulda spit on it before I went to shake his hand
At the event…”

14. Beyoncé, “Don’t Hurt Yourself”

Ft. Jack White

Lemonade • Sony • 2016

“Who the fuck do you think I is? / You ain’t married to no average bitch boy / You can watch my fat ass twist boy / As I bounce to the next dick boy.” What more can you say but “oh shit!” To quote The Dixie Chicks ala “Not Ready to Make Nice”, Beyoncé was “mad as hell” on “Don’t Hurt Yourself.” The Grammy-nominated record (for Rock performance mind you), appeared on her Grammy-winning urban contemporary tour de force, Lemonade.  What fueled the committal of this deadly sin by Yoncé?  Cheating. There is nothing worse than a woman scorned, especially a black woman scorned.  Dang it Jay, didn’t you know she was the Queen? At least he apologized, via “4:44”.

“Hey baby, who the fuck do you think I is?
I smell that fragrance on your Louis knit boy
Just give my fat ass a big kiss boy
Tonight, I’m fucking up all your shit boy.”

15. Big Sean, “I Don’t F*ck with You”

Ft. E-40

Writers: D.J. Rogers, Dacoury Natche, Dijon McFarlane, Dwane Weir II, Earl T. Stevens, Kanye West, Mikely “Mike Free” Adam, Sean Anderson & Willie Hansbro « Producers: Kanye West & Mustard

Dark Sky Paradise • Def Jam • 2015

“I don’t give a fuck about you, or anything that you do.” “I Don’t Fuck with You.”  Phew! On his utterly pissed off, blunt F-U to an ex, Big Sean doesn’t give a ‘flip’ about her in the least. The wrath is real. That said, by the end of the song, he acknowledges how he has gotten over her, moved on, but ‘still doesn’t give a’ about his ex.

“I don’t fuck with you
You little stupid ass bitch, I ain’t fuckin’ with you…”

Envy

Jealousy – what an awful thing!  Envy is described as “the desire for others’ traits, status, abilities, or situation,” according to deadlysins.com. Like sloth, envy could potentially land you in the treacherous ninth circle of hell.  After all, Cain was envious of Abel and killed him, right? He ended up in good ole no. 9. But, maybe if you’re not too envious, you’ll just end up in the  fourth stage of Purgatory.   Dustin Lynch, Lil Skies, and Nick Jonas represent the envious peeps.

16. Dustin Lynch, “I’d Be Jealous Too”

Current Mood • Broken Bow • 2017

Dustin Lynch kicks his 2017 album Current Mood smoothly with “I’d Be Jealous Too.” Not your daddy’s country music, “I’d Be Jealous Too” could be mistaken for an urban-pop song. As it progresses, more countrified cues come into play, namely heavy guitars.  Throughout the verses, Lynch sings with great agility – the melody is quite rhythmic. But enough about what makes the song go, what about the blatant dead sin – ENVY?

Dustin Lynch sings from the perspective of jealous guys who want his girl:

“I’d be jealous too, if she was with you
I’d be out of my mind, watching her move
If I was just a guy with across the room view
I’d be jealous too, if she was with you, with you.”

Hmm, we’ve got some lust mixed in with the envy.

17. Lil Skies, “Signs of Jealousy”

Producer: Menoh Beats

Life of a Dark Rose • All We Got Ent. • 2018

“…I think I landed on Mars / They be hating cause we living large.” “Signs of Jealousy” was among the promo singles for Life of a Dark Rose, the highly-anticipated debut from rapper Lil Skies.  A respectable, overall enjoyable record, unfortunately, it’s chocked full of the deadly sin of jealousy.  While Lil Skies isn’t personally jealous, he is guilty of other sins – gluttony, lust, wrath, and most of all, pride.

“Why you hating on me?
It is so easy to see
Showing signs of jealousy.”

18. Nick Jonas, “Jealous”

Writers: Nick Jonas, Nolan Lambroza & Simon Wilcox « Producer: Nolan Lambroza

Nick Jonas X2 • Island • 2015

“It’s not your fault that they hover / I mean no disrespect / It’s my right to be hellish / I still get jealous.” Did Nick Jonas damn himself to hell with his hit, “Jealous?” Perhaps! Jonas is overprotective of his bae on the record, mostly because he fears some other guy will steal her for himself.

Ultimately, he’s jealous and simply put, she’s a dime.

“Cause you’re too sexy, beautiful
And everybody wants a taste
That’s why I still get jealous.”

Pride 

Pride ends the seven deadly sins.  Pride is “excessive belief in one’s own abilities, that interferes with the individual’s recognition of the Grace of God,” according to deadlysins.com. Pride is recognized by Dante in Purgatorio, specifically the third stage of Purgatory.  G-Eazy, Kendrick Lamar, and Nicki Minaj represent those folks filled with pride.

19. G-Eazy, “No Limit”

Ft. A$AP Rocky & Cardi B

Writers: Allen Ritter, Belcalis Almanzar, Earl Patrick Taylor, Gerald Gillum, Jay Anthony Fort, Jordan Thorpe, Klenord Raphael, Matthew Samuels & Rakim Mayers « Producers: Allen Ritter & Boi 1da

The Beautiful & Damned • RCA • 2017

G-Eazy seems to be everywhere these days. He’s remained busy in 2017, highlighted by the release of his third studio album, The Beautiful & Damned. “No Limit” serves as the promo single for the set.  G-Eazy isassisted by Cardi B and A$AP Rocky. Rocky sets the fuckboy tone of “No Limit,” which totally suits G-Eazy. G-Eazy follows up with a cocky post-chorus, as well as a verse that encompasses sex, money, and his uncompromising confidence. He returns for the third verse, referencing Costco rubbers, Damn Daniel, and Saint-Laurent. Cardi B drops the second verse, matching the unapologetic nature of G-Eazy.

20. Kendrick Lamar, “GOD.”

Writers: Anthony Tiffith, Brock Korsan, D. Natche, D. Tanenbaum, Daveon Jackson, Kendrick Lamar, M. Spears, Ricci Riera, Ron LaTour & Teddy Walton « Producers: Anthony Tiffith, Beckon Cardo, DJ Dahi, Ricci Riera & Sounwave

DAMN.• Interscope • 2017

“GOD.,” the penultimate record from the Kendrick Lamar masterwork, DAMN., doesn’t praise “the great I am.” Here, Kendrick Lamar addresses the overconfident notion of god status. God status is clearly different from being God-fearing, let alone properly Christ-like.  It’s all about PRIDE.

The chorus is the ultimate flex-fest, with celestial, triumphant production work to match:

“This what God feel like, huh, yeah
Laughin’ to the bank like, ‘A-ha!’, huh, yeah
Flex on swole like, ‘A-ha!’, huh, yeah
You feel some type of way, then a-ha!
Huh, yeah (a-ha-ha, a-ha-ha).”

21. Nicki Minaj, “Feeling Myself”

Ft. Beyoncé

Writers: Beyoncé, Chauncey Hollis, Odis Flores, Onika Maraj, Shakur Thomas & SZA « Producers: Beyoncé & Hit-Boy

The Pinkprint • Cash Money • 2014

“I’m feelin’ myself, I’m feelin’ myself, I’m feelin my…” Back in 2010, nn her debut album, Pink Friday, Nicki Minaj asserted, “I’m the Best.” She’s similarly proud on “Feeling Myself” which appears on her third studio album, The Pinkprint. For good measure, she adds more “Ego” with Beyoncé. 

Self-explanatory, right? Pride is such a deadly sin.

“I-I do balls, Dal Mavericks
My Maybach, black matted
Bitch, never left but I’m back at it
And I’m feelin’ myself, jack rabbit
Feelin’ myself, back off
‘Cause I’m feelin myself, jack off
He be thinking about me when he wacks off…”