While many inmates have tried but probably failed, the second time’s the charm for Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, the world’s most notorious drug lord who is now at large after his July 11 prison escape. Still, it’s no new news for Hip-Hop, who has been hip to the cartel OG since his first jailbreak.
READ: Forget El Chapo — Meet El Mencho And His Bloodthirsty Cartel
As America’s no. 1 most wanted fugitive, Guzmán is the one target that the American DEA and Mexican authorities have in common. The Sinaloa Cartel chief held that same title for the no. 2 spot on the world’s most wanted in 2008, and crept to the top spot three years later.
Lauded as the G.O.A.T. of prison escapes, Sir Chapo slipped through a tunnel from his prison cell shower, sending Mexican law enforcement into a maniacal manhunt.
READ: How Mexico’s Biggest Drug Lord ‘El Chapo Guzman’ Was Captured
While authorities scurry to capture him, VIBE cues up some of Chapo’s most notable hip-hop mentions.—Diamond Hillyer
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Image Credit: Getty Images -
Gucci Mane “El Chapo” (2012)
Image Credit: Datpiff Keen to a few prison bars of his own with The State vs. Radric Davis 2009 studio project, the Brick Squad leader developed this track a year after Guzmán’s first escape. With beats provided by frequent trap music producer, Zaytoven, Gucci narrates a comparison of El Chapo to the street kings of his own time.
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Wiz Khalifa & Berner “Chapo” (2014)
Image Credit: Nah Right The song has little to do with the crime organization leader, but instead, the Taylor Gang’s prominent weed enthusiasts mention Chapo on the track on top of a fluttery instrumental that matches (no pun intended) Wiz Khalifa’s carefree, cloud-nine disposition. “More Guapo/ They love me like Chapo,” Berner raps on the hit.
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Kap G Feat. Cash Out “Like El Chapo” (2015)
This unforeseen collaboration from the “She Twerkin” rapper Cash Out and Latino rap star Kap G heralds El Chapo in the infectious Atlanta banger. Kap G spits merciless bars over the aggressive instrumentals, crafting the perfect trap favorite for the Latino rap star.
El Chapo’s escape apparently helped out a little with the single’s promo too:
This should Be Yall Song For Today 🔥#LikeElChapo Ft. @TheRealCashout pic.twitter.com/NsQcHxqFwT— KAP-G (@TheRealKapG) July 13, 2015
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Young Scooter Feat. Birdman, Gucci Mane and Rick Ross “Columbia (Remix)” (2013)
The remix version of Young Scooter’s “Columbia” hit with industry bosses Ricky Rozay and Birdman, with a luxurious visual to match. Here, Ross shout out Chapo, rapping: “I’m a boss, not a Capo/ P***y n**** time to call me El Chapo.”
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Chief Keef “Peep Hole” (2013)
In another Zaytoven production, the 19-year-old Chicago native delivers a hook and a verse to celebrate his drug-driven recognition, where he compares himself to the illustrious El Chapo: “I think I’m El Chapo/ Boy you worth a kilo.”
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Fredo Santana Feat. Kendrick Lamar “Jealous” (2013)
Image Credit: Getty Images Chief Keef’s fellow Chi-towner Fredo Santana sends a message to his haters in the Tarentino-produced narrative. Fredo uses the El Chapo moniker to let us know that he, too, has the drug game on lock. Kendrick Lamar stops by for a few bars on the track, followed up by Fredo’s verse finale. “Gotta .30 but I fill it up with hollows,” Santana raps. “Got bricks and I feel like El Chapo.”
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Tony Yayo ‘El Chapo’ Mixtape Series (2011, 2012 & yet to be released]
The G-Unit rapper dedicated an entire mixtape series to El Chapo. The three-part trap ode finds Yayo teaming up with the likes of Mobb Deep and French Montana. According to Yayo, Part 3 is coming soon.
The great Escape of Elchapo part 3. Coming soon.🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/MUjXg9P3Wv
— Tony Yayo (@TonyYayo) July 13, 2015 -
Fashawn “El Chapo Baby (Freestyle)” (2013)
The Fresno-bred MC flaunted his freestyle skills over the instrumental for Jay Z’s “Picasso Baby.” On the track, he expresses how he’s like Chapo, wrapping his rhymes with artwork of a young Joaquín Guzmán tipping off his hat.
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Yowda ‘Free El Chapo’ Mixtape (2014)
This 15-track mixtape features a trap-perfect blend of energetic tracks that blends club pop with gangsta rap. In honor of El Chapo, the Sin City native leads the project with the title track “Free El Chapo” featuring Burna Ben Franklin, a protest to free the notorious drug cartel chief.
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Casino Feat. Future And Young Scooter “El Chapo” (2015)
Right in the nick of time and on the heels of Chapo’s second escape, Freeband Gang’s Casino teamed up with Young Scooter and Future for this cut from Casino’s forthcoming Ex Drug Dealer 2 mixtape. The trio gloats about their lavish lifestyles that align perfectly with that of El Chapo’s before his incarceration days.
The “F**k Up Some Commas” MC even gave a shoutout to the trap lord’s liberation on Twitter:
God blessing all da trap n!gga$ #ElChapo— FUTURE/FREEBANDZ (@1future) July 12, 2015