11 Best DDG Songs
DDG began his career by teaming up with Dex on a composition called “Lettuce.” He used the attention it gathered to release a single. It brought him to the foreground of the rap world, but it wasn’t his last piece by a long way. Here are some of the best DDG songs ever.
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“Moonwalking in Calabasas” by DDG ft. Blueface

Song Year: 2020
“Moonwalking in Calabasas” remains one of the most popular songs by DDG. Since its release in 2020, the song has been remixed by Blueface and YG.
The song explores DDG’s struggle to make a living performing skits and his eventual success on Youtube. Buried in this celebration of his accomplishment is a dig at a rival YouTuber, SoLLUMINATI.
“Givenchy” by DDG
Song Year: 2018
“Givenchy” was one of the first songs by DDG to take the internet by force. When the song debuted, it garnered over 12 million streams.
The song’s impact was so much that several record companies expressed interest in the young artist and transformed him from an internet sensation into a professional musician overnight.
“Hood Melody” by DDG and OG Parker ft. YoungBoy Never Broke Again
Song Year: 2021
Once you sort through the casually explicit language of “Hood Melody,” you arrive at a song about the problems facing young people of color.
This song by DDG tackles everything from inter-city drug problems to gun acquisition. It paints a grim picture of the life that awaits these young people. What this song illustrates too is how difficult leaving that life behind can be.
And as the chilling end of the song makes clear, it doesn’t need to be dark for things to go wrong. Trouble can and does come calling during the daylight, and that makes DDG’s successful escape from this past that much more remarkable.
“Hold Up” by DDG ft. Queen Naija
Song Year: 2019
“Hold Up” is another early success by DDG. The song is about the dissolution of a love affair. The former love interest has left the speaker and now attempts sporadic communication that he wants nothing to do with.
That’s the surface reading of the song. If you dig deeper, it’s a piece about people's complexities and the importance of communication. No one in this song hurts one another intentionally. But there’s a recurrent theme of acting without thinking, and as anyone who’s done that can tell you, the consequences are hefty and unavoidable.
The title forms part of a refrain that urges people to take a minute to think through their actions. Otherwise, you risk hurting yourself and the person you’re reaching out to.
“Impatient” by DDG and OG Parker
Song Year: 2021
“Impatient” is a tribute to anyone who struggles with delayed gratification. In this song, DDG recognizes how difficult and time-consuming anything worthwhile can be.
It also recognizes that it’s tempting to give up and stay home when things become challenging. It’s safe, familiar, and comfortable. But it won’t help you move on to a brighter, better future. So take risks, “Impatience” urges listeners. And allow yourself those moments of impatience and impetuosity. But never give up on your dreams.
“Rule No. 1” by DDG and OG Parker ft. Lil Yachty
Song Year: 2021
Part of what made “Rule No. 1” a significant song is that DDG released it with Lil Yachty. Historically, the two rappers had an ongoing rivalry and often took swipes at each other through their music. However, they patched up their differences to collaborate on “Rule No. 1.”
That doesn’t mean there isn’t any competitiveness on display. The titular rule of this song is that everyone who can leave does leave their hood once they can afford it. The result is a lot of braggadocios about where the speaker is now and what they’ve achieved since leaving. But it’s all good fun.
That said, the song isn’t for the faint of heart. The language is explicit and makes its point using words that not all listeners will be comfortable with.
“This Summer” by DDG
Song Year: 2023
“This Summer” is one of the more referential songs by DDG. Its middle section cheekily name-drops several prominent rappers and will appeal to rap aficionados.
Beyond the referential lyrics, it’s a song that explores what it means to produce art. The speaker repeatedly complains that music is now a numbers game. All anyone wants to know is chart numbers and how long a song is successful. Whether it’s got rhythm, bop, or a jazz feel doesn’t matter.
Mixed in with this is a sense of incredulity that the speaker has achieved the success they have. It’s a thinly veiled commentary on DDG’s unexpected YouTube success with his music.
“Red Light” by DC The Don ft. DDG and YBN Almighty Jay
Song Year:2020
“Red Light” is an energetic song about living fast and dangerously. Its lyrics wed music to the kind of disaster-inducing violence that results from acting without thinking.
Throughout the song, the titular red light shifts its meaning. It signals danger, evokes sex, and is repeatedly disregarded by the speaker.
Interestingly, the green light similarly gets disregarded in a middle section that reflects on how even inaction can be a choice.
“9 Lives” by DDG ft. Polo G and NLE Choppa
Song Year: 2022
Cats having nine lives is a popular idea with various theories on its origin. Regardless of how it came to be, DDG used it as a powerful idiom for his track. He uses it to explore the rewards of perseverance. The song details the struggle of a young person struggling to escape a disadvantaged upbringing.
Circumstances toughen them up, but they still face hardship, violence, and poverty. The combination of familial love and resilience gets them through, but they spend some of those nine lives to get to a better place. That’s okay, though, as they conclude it was worth the struggle.
“Stay in My Circle” by DDG
Song Year: 2022
“Stay in My Circle” recognizes that one of the most important things in our lives is our connection to other people.
Sometimes, they misfire, and the bridge explores the risks of letting people into that circle. They have the potential to hurt and betray us. But without anyone you trust, success rings hollow.
“Elon Musk”
Song Year: 2022
DDG released “Elon Musk” shortly after the businessman took over Twitter. Confronted by mass unpopularity, the song isn’t a tribute. Instead, it’s a reflection on the dangers of money.
In this rapper’s version of a fable, “Elon Musk” meditates on what happens when you have enough money that you don’t have to worry about anyone else. The risks aren’t worth it, DDG concludes.
It’s too easy to forget the little people, the planet, and the important things in life. We need money to survive, but we need more than that, too, and forgetting that is dangerous.
Top DDG Songs, Final Thoughts
DDG might be a recent name in the rap world, but he has quickly matured into a seasoned rapper with many great songs.
He doesn’t shy away from grappling with various topics, from immersing himself in deep, introspective songs to sharing his thoughts on the music industry and his rise to fame.
Whether you’re already familiar with DDG’s work or just starting to explore his music, we hope this list has given you a few ideas on what to add to your playlist.