I teach mathematics to inner city high schoolers. In the interest of
stimulating their interest, I would like to know how often and where
mathematics is mentioned in hip-hop lyrics. I wonder if there is a
comprehensive searchable database of lyrics, or some resource that
could provide such an answer. I know from my own experience there are
at least a few good instances of math references.

Hello Jaz

Thanks for your question. Sounds like a great idea for your classes.

I think Leo's lyrics database would help you:

http://www.leoslyrics.com/

I tried searching it with the word 'math' and it came up with seventy
or eighty songs, including:

'Do the Math' by Shades of Culture 

"Do the math and calculate the odds
And you will see that these destined to be large"

'Life as.....' by L.L.Cool J

"I can do division, baby I can do math
Multiplying fractions now ya know the half "

Of course the list also includes older stuff like Chuck Berry's
'School Day'!


Mostly lyrics databases work only by song title or artist and will
just offer you Jeru the Damaja's 'Wrath of the Math' album; but you
might find more help via this google search:

://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=lyrics+database&btnG=Google+Search

And for hip-hop lyrics sites try:

://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=hip-hop+lyrics+&btnG=Google+Search

Please ask if anything needs clarification. Good luck with your
students.

Regards - Leli

---

Clarification of Answer by leli-ga on 08 Oct 2002 11:21 PDT

Earlier today I had trouble with this lyrics database but it's working
now:

http://www.getlyrical.com/

And I should also have referred you to Google's own directory of
lyrics search engines:

http://directory.google.com/Top/Arts/Music/Lyrics/Lyrics_Search_Engines/?il=1

Hope you find plenty of math-related material.

thanks! great work