Beyond “Grindin’”: 10 Clipse Songs That Still Hit Hard in 2025
We all know “Grindin’,” the lunch-table beat that started it all. But Clipse’s catalog is loaded with overlooked classics: cold-blooded verses, off-kilter Neptunes production, and tracks that never charted but never missed. These deep cuts showcase the group’s lasting influence and lyrical sharpness that still cuts clean in 2025.
“Ridin’ Around Shining”
- Album: Hell Hath No Fury
- Release Date: November 28, 2006
- Achievements/Award: Critically praised for minimalist luxury rap
A cold flex delivered without a grin. The track’s frigid synth lines and thunderous drums back Clipse as they count wins without ever sounding joyful. It’s the sound of earned arrogance and diamond-cut clarity. Read about Clipse’s tumultous journey through major label hell.
Explore: Clipse’s Hell Hath No Fury
“Virginia”
- Album: Lord Willin’
- Release Date: August 20, 2002
- Achievements/Award: Signature regional cut; fan-favorite for its raw truth
A dark hymn for the 757. “Virginia” is all gray skies and street wisdom, with Clipse laying out the facts of life in their home state—no sugar, no fiction. The beat’s moody tempo and creeping bass underline how little glamour there is in the grind.
“Popular Demand (Popeyes)”
- Album: Til the Casket Drops
- Release Date: December 8, 2009
- Achievements/Award: Noted for Cam’ron feature; a rare upbeat moment
Featuring Cam’ron in full swagger mode, this track is one of Clipse’s most playful. The Neptunes’ retro-funk bounce gives the duo space to let their charisma breathe. “Popular Demand” proves Clipse didn’t always have to go dark to go hard.
“What Happened to That Boy?”
- Album: Mixtape/Live Staple
- Release Date: 2002 (Birdman feat.)
- Achievements/Award: Street favorite; minimalist beat cult following
Though technically Birdman‘s track, Clipse owns this one. The eerie piano loop and sparse percussion provided a chilling backdrop for their verses: a live set staple and a masterclass in controlled menace.
“Trill”
- Album: Hell Hath No Fury
- Release Date: November 28, 2006
- Achievements/Award: Ranked on Pitchfork’s Best Songs of 2006
Glacial, hollow, and threatening, “Trill” is Clipse at their most skeletal. The Neptunes build an environment of paranoia while Pusha and Malice sound like ghosts who never left the block. It’s an atmospheric trap before that term existed.
“Hot (feat.. Clipse & Rosco P. Coldchain)”
- Album: The Neptunes Present… Clones
- Release Date: August 19, 2003
- Achievements/Award: Highlight of The Neptunes’ compilation; cult appeal
A blaring siren of a track, “Hot” is all edge and no chill. Clipse and Rosco sound like they’re rapping in combat boots—abrasive, militant, and surgical. One of the most high-intensity tracks in their catalog, it feels like a drill session wrapped in fire.
“The Funeral”
- Album: Pre-Lord Willin’ Mixtapes
- Release Date: 1999
- Achievements/Award: Early fan-favorite; showcases their raw blueprint
This isn’t just an old song—it’s a mission statement. “The Funeral” is a dark, Neptunes-produced eulogy with no hook and no mercy. You hear the beginnings of Pusha’s punchline economy and No Malice’s spiritual tension taking shape.
“Young Boy”
- Album: Hell Hath No Fury
- Release Date: November 28, 2006
- Achievements/Award: Deep storytelling praised by critics
“Young Boy” is a cautionary tale without sentiment. It sketches the arc from naïveté to incarceration with surgical storytelling and stone-faced clarity. There’s no celebration—just precision, cold beats, and lessons carved into every line.
“When the Last Time”
- Album: Lord Willin’
- Release Date: July 30, 2002
- Achievements/Award: Highest-charting Clipse single; Billboard Hot 100 peak at #19
The closest Clipse ever came to a summer anthem. Over The Neptunes’ electric groove, the duo paints nightlife in motion—smoke in the air, rims on the move, and no shortage of cold looks. Pusha and Malice coast through with calm control, flipping club energy into something slicker. It’s party rap without the party smile.
