"...I got a story to tell" - the Notorious B.I.G.

Ain't nothing like an interesting, gripping storyteller in hip-hop. Now when I say story, I don't mean simply someone describing some shit that happened-- I mean someone who has a mastery of plot, climax, characters, suspense and/or humor (the type of shit my fifth graders struggle with). Anyone can merely describe an event but it takes a true wordsmith to construct a compelling narrative.

I remember at this Ghostface show homey came out and sat down in an old wooden chair, talked out the lyrics to a song with no music behind it and had cats going beserk! A good story is a good story.

Although it is just a verse, and not a full song, Ghost's verse on Impossible is one of, if not the most compelling narratives on wax.

Call an ambulance, Jamie been shot, word to Kimmy
Don't go Son, nigga you my motherfuckin heart
Stay still Son, don't move, just think about Keeba
She'll be three in January, your young God needs you
The ambulance is taking too long
Everybody get the fuck back, excuse me bitch, gimme your jack
One, seven one eight, nine one one, low battery, damn
Blood comin out his mouth, he bleedin badly
Nahhh Jamie, don't start that shit
Keep your head up, if you escape hell we gettin fucked up
When we was eight, we went to Bat Day to see the Yanks
In Sixty-Nine, his father and mines, they robbed banks
He pointed to the charm on his neck
With his last bit of energy left, told me rock it with respect
I opened it, seen the God holdin his kids
Photogenic, tears just burst out my wig
Plus he dropped one, oh shit, here come his Old Earth
With no shoes on, screamin holdin her breasts with a gown on
She fell and then lightly touched his jaw, kissed him
Rubbed his hair, turned around the ambulance was there
Plus the blue coats, Officer Lough, took it as a joke
Weeks ago he strip-searched the God and gave him back his coke
Bitches yellin, Beenie Man swung on Helen
In the back of a cop car, dirty Tasha tellin
But suddenly a chill came through it was weird
Felt like my man, was cast out my heaven now we share
Laid on the stretcher, blood on his Wally's like ketchup
Deep like the full assassination with a sketch of it
It can't be, from Yoo-hoo's to Lee's
Second grade humped the teachers, about to leave
Finally this closed chapter, comes to an end
He was announced, pronounced dead, y'all, at twelve ten

Here are a few other songs with with strong and interesting narratives.

I got a story to tell - The Notorious B.I.G.
Blaze a 50 - Nas
3 Sides to a Story - Joe Budden
Nikkas Bleed - The Notorious B.I.G.
Childrens Story - Slick Rick
Da Art of Story Tellin pt. 2- Outkast ft. Slick Rick
Real Nikkas Do Real Things - The Notorious B.IG.
Shakey Dog - Ghostface Killah
Fetus (Belly-Button Window Unreleased) - Nas
Beauty Jackson - Ghostface Killah