Houston’s Geto Boys struck a nerve in 1991 with “Mind Playing Tricks on Me,” a haunting hip-hop track that delves into paranoia and mental strain. Over a moody Isaac Hayes sample, the rappers vividly describe seeing shadows, battling insomnia, and the psychological toll of street life. The introspective content was groundbreaking, showing vulnerability in gangsta rap. The song became an unexpected hit and is now revered as one of hip-hop’s greatest storytelling tracks — a dark, poignant glimpse into the mind behind the tough exterior.