The Jeffersons: Rap References
Sherman Hemsley's show is one hip hop's favorite subjects.
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The Jeffersons: Rap References - Sherman Hemsley is headed to that deluxe apartment in the sky. The 74-year-old actor-comedian — who will forever be remembered for his iconic portrayal of George Jefferson on the classic, highly influential sitcom The Jeffersons — was found dead in his El Paso home on Tuesday. But his legacy isn't just being kept alive by reruns. From his up-by-his-bootstraps ascent to his undeniable attitude, Hemsley's George, and the show he led, are one of hip hop's go-to subjects. Click on for a list of just some of rap's shout-outs to one of the best TV shows of all time. —Alex Gale (Photo: CBS)
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Will Smith, "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It" - A rags-to-riches come-up is one of rap's favorite topics, so it's no surprise that countless MCs have quoted the hook from The Jeffersons' aspirational theme song. And few MCs have come up more than Will Smith, who spit the following on his 1998 hit single: Women used to tease me Give it to me now nice and easy Since I moved up like George and Weezie (Photo: John Ricard / BET)
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J. Cole, "Back to the Topic" - Like Big Willie, J. Cole was all about elevation in this fiery 2009 freestyle. But when it’s all said and done, I’ma be ahead of them Way that I describe it, prescribe a n---a medicine Way that I be fly, I be higher than the Jet-a-sons Moving on up, n---a higher than the Jeffersons (Photo: WENN.com)
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Common, "It's Your World, Part 1 & 2" - Com was more subtle than his peers when he referred to The Jeffersons live-your-dreams theme song on this beautiful J. Dilla-produced track: These are the children of crack and rap Blacks done lack self-esteem Yo we forgot the dream On our Jeffersons y'all, but we forgot the theme (Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images For The Recording Academy)
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St. Lunatics, "Batter Up" - Nelly and his hometown crew, the St. Lunatics, were a little more brazen, jacking a whole section of the theme song on this 2001 single, whose video featured a cameo from an in-character Sherman Hemsley: Fish don't fry in the kitchen Beans don't burn on the grill (that's right) It took a whole lot of tryin' Just to get up that hill I said but now we're up in the big leagues My dirty, it's our turn at bat And just as long as we livin', it's Lunatics, playa It ain't nuttin wrong with that, batter up (Photo: Peter Kramer/Getty Images)
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