Rappers' Lyrical Love Jones For Nia Long

These artists profess their love for the actress.

The Object of Their Affection - It is no secret that actress Nia Long is a timeless beauty, and much like the rest of the world, the hip hop community has taken notice. From Kanye West's nod to the love jones star in "Touch the Sky" to the acknowledgement of her beauty in Chingy's "Dem Jeans," rappers just can't seem to get enough of Ms. Long.(Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)By Moriba Cummings

1 / 11

The Object of Their Affection - It is no secret that actress Nia Long is a timeless beauty, and much like the rest of the world, the hip hop community has taken notice. From Kanye West's nod to the love jones star in "Touch the Sky" to the acknowledgement of her beauty in Chingy's "Dem Jeans," rappers just can't seem to get enough of Ms. Long.(Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)By Moriba Cummings

Kanye West – "Touch the Sky" (feat. Lupe Fiasco) - Though 'Ye's most recent muse is his wife Kim Kardashian, there was once a time when Nia Long was the object of his musical affection. In 2006's "Touch the Sky," the rapper referenced Long's character in The Best Man, whose significant other (Taye Diggs) was tempted to stray on her. In addition to her unforgettable cameo in the music video, alongside Tracee Ellis Ross, it's safe to say that Nia Long holds a special place in Kanye's heart.Lyric: "Couldn't keep it at home, thought I needed a Nia Long." (Photo: Taylor Hill/WireImage)

2 / 11

Kanye West – "Touch the Sky" (feat. Lupe Fiasco) - Though 'Ye's most recent muse is his wife Kim Kardashian, there was once a time when Nia Long was the object of his musical affection. In 2006's "Touch the Sky," the rapper referenced Long's character in The Best Man, whose significant other (Taye Diggs) was tempted to stray on her. In addition to her unforgettable cameo in the music video, alongside Tracee Ellis Ross, it's safe to say that Nia Long holds a special place in Kanye's heart.Lyric: "Couldn't keep it at home, thought I needed a Nia Long." (Photo: Taylor Hill/WireImage)

Ghostface Killah: May 9 - The Wu-Tang Clan rapper celebrates his 44th birthday. (Photo: Matt Kent/Redferns via Getty Images)

3 / 11

Ghostface Killah – "The Hilton" (feat. Raekwon) - Famed rapper and Wu-Tang member Ghostface Killah made it a point to shout out the beautiful actress in his 2001 track "The Hilton." While the majority of the song features the hard-edge rap that Ghostface is known for, this one line added somewhat of a soft touch to an otherwise gritty cut.Lyric: "Glittered out, stout face, tec, Rae up in the Hilton / Heard Nia Long is in the building."(Photo: Matt Kent/Redferns via Getty Images)

Juicy J - A Juicy J concert got a little too “ratchet” before the Memphis rapper even hit the stage after a police officer who was working security was attacked, hit with a bottle, and beat up. Back up wasn’t far behind as more than 10 cop cars arrived shortly after the attack, eventually cancelling the show. Juicy J was appropriately upset; he posted a video of the drama on his Instagram account asking fans what happened because he came to party. (Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

4 / 11

Juicy J – "Bandz a Make Her Dance" (Remix) [feat. 2 Chainz & Lil' Wayne] - In a more recent selection, Memphis rapper Juicy J mentioned the gorgeous actress in a remix to his massive 2012 smash "Bandz a Make Her Dance," giving a nod to her signature pixie cut.Lyric: "Short hair, like Nia Long, loose ones, she don't need a loan."(Photo: Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

Lil Wayne, @LilTunechi - Tweet: "Everybody challenging me to the ice bucket challenge!! I already did fool!!  ‪http://m.xxlmag.com/v/News/LilWayneJoinsIn …"Weezy aired video of him taking on the ALS #IceBucketChallenge as part of his Weezy Wednesdays vlog series last week, but it seems like a lot of people didn't catch that memo.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for BET)

5 / 11

Lil' Wayne – "Novacane" - Taking lyrical metaphors to another level, Cash Money rapper Lil' Wayne compared the Boyz N the Hood actress to a summer fling, in a lyric that straddles the line between insult and impressively executed compliment.Lyric: "The relationship was short and sweet, Nia Long."(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for BET)

ADVERTISEMENT
10285965

6 / 11

Papoose – "Control" - Notoriously outspoken rapper Papoose threw shots at "Poetic Justice" emcee Kendrick Lamar in his freestlye response to Lamar's verse on Big Sean's controversial 2013 track "Control," tossing the actress' name into the mix. Papoose referenced the time Long curved Lamar during the 2013 BET Awards red carpet.Lyric: "You tried to hug her, she pushed off like 'keep your arm' / I've seen that footage when you got curved by Nia Long." (Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

Nas – "Oochie Wally" (Remix) [feat. Bravehearts] - Turning the heat up a bit, Nas referenced the NAACP award-winning actress in his catchy 2000 single "Oochie Wally." Do the words "cherry" and "thong" ring a bell? Lyric: "Like Nia Long in a cherry thong with the lights on."(Photo: Molly Riley/Getty Images)

7 / 11

Nas – "Oochie Wally" (Remix) [feat. Bravehearts] - Turning the heat up a bit, Nas referenced the NAACP award-winning actress in his catchy 2000 single "Oochie Wally." Do the words "cherry" and "thong" ring a bell? Lyric: "Like Nia Long in a cherry thong with the lights on."(Photo: Molly Riley/Getty Images)

Chingy – "Dem Jeans" (feat. Jermaine Dupri) - St. Louis rapper Chingy laid his southern twang on the 2006 track "Dem Jeans," with a little help from rapper and super-producer Jermaine Dupri. While describing his infatuation with his leading lady's body in the song, the emcee compares her smooth complexion to that of a certain actress.Lyric: "Caramel skin tone / Damn, you look like Nia Long."(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

8 / 11

Chingy – "Dem Jeans" (feat. Jermaine Dupri) - St. Louis rapper Chingy laid his southern twang on the 2006 track "Dem Jeans," with a little help from rapper and super-producer Jermaine Dupri. While describing his infatuation with his leading lady's body in the song, the emcee compares her smooth complexion to that of a certain actress.Lyric: "Caramel skin tone / Damn, you look like Nia Long."(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Webbie (@OfficialWebbie) - TWEET: "RIP TO MY LIL BROTHER PHAT! LIFE SO F--KED UP! TRILL4LIFE"  Webbie acknowledges the passing of 19-year-old Trill Entertainment rapper Lil Phat, who was shot and killed in Atlanta on Thursday night. (Photo: John Ricard/BET)

9 / 11

Webbie – "Like That" - Louisiana rapper Webbie is known for his bawdily blunt lyrics — remember the famous line "Bounce ya a** like that?" — so his uncharacteristically respectful integration of classy actress Nia Long's name into his song was a pleasant surprise.Lyric: "I need something like Nia Long / Make you wanna bring her home." (Photo: John Ricard / BET)

Photo By John Ricard/BET

Meek Mill – "I'm Leanin'" (feat. Birdman, Diddy & Travis Scott) - When not beefing with other rappers, Philly native Meek Mill is busy complimenting beautiful women in his music. Released late 2013, "I'm Leanin'" saw Mill collaborate with hip hop mogul Diddy, Cash Money frontman Birdman, and Texas rapper Travis Scott, comparing an attractive lady to Ms. Long, of course. Lyric: "Puffin' on strong, getting gold, bad b****** / Lookin' lke Nia Long, I mean it." (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for BET)

10 / 11

Meek Mill – "I'm Leanin'" (feat. Birdman, Diddy & Travis Scott) - When not beefing with other rappers, Philly native Meek Mill is busy complimenting beautiful women in his music. Released late 2013, "I'm Leanin'" saw Mill collaborate with hip hop mogul Diddy, Cash Money frontman Birdman, and Texas rapper Travis Scott, comparing an attractive lady to Ms. Long, of course. Lyric: "Puffin' on strong, getting gold, bad b****** / Lookin' lke Nia Long, I mean it." (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for BET)

Jay Z - With his Magna Carta Holy Grail LP, Jay Z once again stated his case as to why he's the best MC. Part of that is the fact that his lyrics remain sharper than most and well deserving of a nod in the Lyricist of the Year category.(Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Coachella)

11 / 11

Jay Z – "Girls, Girls, Girls (Remix)" [feat. Kanye West] - Hip hop juggernaut Jay Z could not possibly make an ode to beautiful women without mentioning his childhood celebrity crush, Nia Long. But, don't worry Bey, Jay spread the platonic love around, shouting out other classic beauties including the late Aaliyah, and the Bronx's very own Jennifer Lopez.  Lyric: "You a light-skinned Nia, a dark-skinned Aaliyah / A Black Jennifer Lopez, a ghetto señorita."(Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Coachella)