30 Clean Rap Songs Your Kids Can Sing Along To

Have you heard “Let It Go” so many times that the song has now infiltrated your dreams, threatened your sanity, and etched itself into the folds of your brain? You’re not alone! The good news is there are clean rap songs out there that children love. Yes! Rap and hip hop are two of the best types of music to share with kids because the lyrics are catchy, the beats are infectious, and the sampling is something that little ones go bananas over. As with any genre of music, not all of the songs are appropriate for little ears. So, what are the best kid-friendly clean rap songs that baby M.C.’s love?

You could simply go for a kids’ compilation album like Now That’s What I Call Music! or Kidz Bops but let’s face it, they’re pretty soulless. So, we wanted to discover the best clean rap songs to add to your own original playlist. We looked to Spotify as they have curated some current clean hip hop and rap favorites as well as older favorites that will spark joy. Now, some of these songs allude to adult themes, but remember, you likely got down to the soundtrack from Grease as a kid and those songs were all about high schoolers trying to hook up! So, keep some perspective and be there to answer any questions your kid might have.

Let Your Kids Sing Along to These Clean Rap Songs!

“Hey Ya!” – Outkast

“Hey Ya!” was released in 2003 by Atlanta-based rap duo Outkast. It’s one of the catchiest clean rap songs ever recorded. If your kids don’t fall in love with this song and shaking it “like a Polaroid picture,” their wires could be crossed!

“U Can’t Touch This” – MC Hammer

One of the greatest songs for kids to dance to is delivered by MC Hammer with his mega-hit from 1992, “U Can’t Touch This.” Kids love taunting each other with the catchy lyrics and dancing to the fast-paced beat of this gem.

“Bust a Move” – Young MC

Young MC’s “Bust a Move” was released in 1989 and at the time, it felt like an instant classic. This total ear worm will be so fun for your kids to try and keep up with. Young MC raps with speed so they will likely miss the majority of somewhat questionable lyrics in this sing. One that might concern you happens very early in the song with the lyrics, “Girls are scantily clad and showin’ body /
A chick walks by you wish you could sex her.” Just letting you know that’s there but if you listen to the song you can hardly hear the word “sex.”

“Hotline Bling” – Drake

A little slower than other clean rap songs on this list, “Hotline Bling” proves endlessly catchy with a beat that kids will love to bounce to. Drake blessed the world with this song in 2016 and if your kids are too young to remember it, let them enjoy it today!

“Ladies First” – Queen Latifah & Monie Love

Queen Latifah and Monie Love‘s Black female empowerment anthem, “Ladies First” is an undeniably catchy song that we think kids, especially little girls, will love. The music behind the rhymes is full of energy and those lyrics are just so good!

“Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It” – Will Smith

Will Smith‘s 1997 album Big Willy Style is a treasure chest full of great songs that are totally danceable and full of fun lyrics. “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It” is something that your kids are going to love to say. “Jiggy” feels like a word that was created just for kids! Let them enjoy Will’s talent with this blast of a song.

“Ice Ice Baby” – Vanilla Ice

It’s no secret that Vanilla Ice has had a rough go of it lately, but let us remember a simpler time! It’s been 31 years since “Ice Ice Baby” was released which means it has been making people tap their toes for three decades. In fact, we imagine you danced around to this song as a young person! Now, it’s your kids’ turn!

“Jump” – Kris Kross

“Two lil’ kids with a flow you ain’t ever heard / And nuthin’ fake and you can understand every word / As you listen to my cool, smooth melody / The Daddy makes you J-U-M-P,” are some of the divine lyrics from “Jump” a song by Kris Kross which was a rap duo consisting of a 12 and 13-year-old when they landed on the scene. Not, bad for a couple of kids! We’re sure your kids will appreciate their musical perspective.

“I Wish” – Skee Lo

One of the best clean rap songs that you likely forgot was safe for kids because it is just so good is “I Wish” by Skee Lo. We’re pretty sure kids will enjoy singing, “I wish I was little bit taller / I wish I was a baller / I wish I had a girl who looked good / I would call her / I wish I had a rabbit in a hat with a bat / And a six-four Impala.”

“Can I Kick It?” – A Tribe Called Quest

“Can I Kick It?” is such an endearing clean rap song that kids will love to listen to in the car or in the background as they work on other activities. While it’s a danceable song, we think most kids will be able to appreciate it for its lyrics and the call and response nature of many parts of the track.

“Now or Never” – Kendrick Lamar & Mary J. Blige

“Now or Never” by Kendrick Lamar and Mary J. Blige contains all of the best elements of Rap, R&B, Disco, and Soul. Your kids will love the chorus and Lamar’s crisp rhymes.

“RAPSTAR” – Polo G

While it’s not the most upbeat song on this clean rap songs list, “RAPSTAR” is a solid song for kids who are interested in lyricism. Conversely, this smooth song is great to have in the background while the kids are working on other activities or to train to.

“Playground” – Another Bad Creation

Do you want to introduce your kids to New Jack Swing? Atlanta’s Another Bad Creation was a fairly popular Hip Hop group in the early 90s. We’re certain your kids will love these kids’ song about bringing their rhymes to the “Playground.” It’s one of the clean rap songs on this list that’s made for kids and mostly by kids.

“Supersonic” – J.J. Fad

“Supersonic” was certified Gold following its release in 1988. You might not recognize the song at the very start but give it a minute and you will instantly be transported back in time. We remember this song playing at the skating rink non-stop! It’s one of the few clean rap songs with an all-female rap crew on this list, so cherish this blast of a track.

“Parents Just Don’t Understand” – DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince

Did “Parents Just Don’t Understand” speak to you on the deepest of levels as a child? Let this song be an outlet for your kids too! We find our friend appearing for a second time among these clean rap songs. Enjoy!

“Butterfly Effect” – Travis Scott

A great song to play in the background while your kids play or do other tasks, “Butterfly Effect” by Travis Scott proves a suitable song for kids. The song is slightly eery and moody which will be fun for kids to experience.

RELATED: Music Games for Kids Who Love to Get Funky

“Fallen” – Jaden Smith

Will Smith’s son Jaden also has a the gift of song and we find it on display in the chill track “Fallen” by him. The lyrics are extremely visual and kids will enjoy the playful metaphors the singer/rapper employs throughout the song. The Smith’s are excellent for the clean rap songs genre!

“Push It” – Salt-N-Pepa

Salt-N-Pepa‘s “Push It” is surprisingly more kid-friendly than you remember! The only instance of profanity is in the form of the word “p*ssed.” There’s much worse out there. This fun dance song is just too tempting for kids not to dance to.

“Cantaloop” – Us3

“Groovy groovy jazzy funky” are lyrics in “Cantaloop” by Us3 which is so groovy, jazzy, and funky! Kids will love the samples in this song and how different it sounds from the other clean rap songs for kids on this list.

“It Takes Two” – Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock

“It takes two to make a thing go right / It takes two to make it outta sight!” just one of the most solid clean rap songs informs us. “It Takes Two” by Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock is an absolute riot of a song that is perfect for dancing, exercising, or for your kids to really just cut loose!

“It’s Tricky” – RUN DMC

The earlier in life you can introduce your children to RUN DMC the better, in our humble opinion. Kids are going to love “It’s Tricky.” The beat hits so hard in this song and it has the magical ability to put kids in a great mood and ready to dance. For this to be on a list of clean rap songs, it certainly sounds as tough as nails.

Keep Scrolling for More Clean Rap Songs Your Kids Will Bust a Move to!

“Good Vibrations” –  Loleatta Holloway & Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch

Now, don’t come for the rap come for the chorus to this energetic toe-tapper. “Good Vibrations” was released in 1991 which means it turns 30 this year! Does that make you feel older than dirt? At any rate, the song still very much holds up especially for kids who will love to move their bodies to these good vibrations. It’s one of the clean rap songs you probably enjoyed as a young one.

“Whoomp! (There It Is)” – Tag Team

“Whoomp!” by Tag Team has been featured in a number of children’s movies like Elf & Rio so you don’t have to take our word for the fact that it’s one of the most beloved clean rap songs for children. The repetitive nature of the song allows kids to pick it up quickly and really go to town with their “Whoomp’s” and “shaka laka shaka laka shaka laka shaka’s”!

“Kick Push” – Lupe Fiasco

Lupe Fiasco‘s “Kick Push” presents an excellent narrative for children to follow about a lovesick skateboarder who realizes his crush is a better skater than he is! Chill, easy to listen to, and charming, this song will become on of your kids favorite clean rap songs.

“Come Close” – Common & Mary J. Blige

“Come Close” is another one of the clean rap songs that feels very chill and easy listen to as your kids work on other projects or to listen to in the car. Common is wonderful as per usual and we find our second song on the list featuring Mary J. which is what all parents deserve, really!

“Who Let the Dogs Out” – Baha Men

Whether or not you want to destine yourself to listen to “Who Let the Dogs Out” is your own decision and we’re not judging if you do decide to skip this very overplayed song from 2000. But, if you return to this one, you’ll quickly realize why kids are obsessed with it.

“Good Feeling” – Flo Rida

Are your kids having a really good day? Let them rap their joy along with Flo Rida to 2011’s “Good Feeling.” There’s one particular lyric we love for little ones to sing: “The mountain top, walk on water / I got power, feel so royal.” Kids will have fun with this one, no doubt!

“Magic” – B.O.B. & Rivers Cuomo

Actually, we only recommend “Magic” to kids as it’s almost too much to handle for most adults. It’s a very catchy song with super speedy raps which will definitely appeal to amazed little ears.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 10 Songs Where Musicians Featured Their Kids on the Track

“American Boy” Estelle & Kanye West

A rap song with Disco sensibilities, Estelle‘s “American Boy” is such a boy for kids to dance to. Upbeat and high-energy this is one of the very best clean rap songs for kids today. In fact, the song won a Grammy in 2009.

There you go! What did you think of these clean rap songs for kids? We hope you’ve found a few you want to introduce to your children. These songs are fun to dance to and sing along with very few, if any, questionable lyrics. Show them the magical world of rap and they’ll fall in love with this terrific genre of music for a lifetime.