On Sept. 11, 2001, more than 2,750 people lost their lives and countless others were impacted, by a horrifying series of terrorist attacks in both New York and Washington D.C.

"These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat, but they have failed,” President George W. Bush said at the time. "Our country is strong. Terrorist acts can shake the foundation of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America."

9/11 has been called the "worst foreign attack on American soil." It shocked the nation and the world, and over the years it's remained a very important topic of discussion. Here's a look at how rappers have responded to 9/11 in their music -- with some pointing out Americans' resilience in the wake of tragedy, and others entertaining some conspiracy theories.

Jay Z -- “9/11 Freestyle”

Jay Z spoke about 9/11 on numerous occasions. Part of this might be because his critically acclaimed The Blueprint LP dropped on the same day of the Sept. 11 attacks. This inspired Jigga's “9/11 Freestyle.”

“Bootleggers, bombers, Bin Laden,” he said on the cut. "I'm still cracking’/ I will not lose/ I simply refuse/ I drop the same date as the Twin Towers/ I show power/ Still I show compassion for others/ sent money and flowers.”

But this wasn’t the only time Jay referred to the incident. On the title track off Blueprint 2, the MC noted that he was "the first in line donating proceeds off every ticket sold” when "the Twin Towers dropped.”

Eminem -- “Public Enemy #1”

Not all MCs based their 9/11-inspired raps around theories regarding the attacks. Eminem, for example, focused his on the tragic memory of the incident.

On “Public Enemy #1,” a cut off Shady Records' 2006 LP Eminem Presents: The Re-Up, Slim speaks about those thoughts. "I can feel the tremors tremendous,” he rapped on the track. "In remembrance of Sept. 11th.”

Jay Z -- “Thank You”

The attacks motivated Jay Z to donate, but they also appeared to inspire his metaphors. On “Thank You,” for example, Hov used the tragic event as part of a metaphor about other MCs.

"I was gonna 9/11 'em, but they didn't need the help," Jay said, regarding his competitors. "And they did a good job, them boys is talented as hell/ 'Cause not only did they brick, they put a building up as well/ They ran a plane into that building and when that building fell/ Ran to the crash site with no masks and inhaled/ Toxins deep inside their lungs, until both of them was filled.”

But Hov also took his 9/11 connection onstage.

Ab-Soul -- “Terrorist Threats”

Soulo rhymed about various topics including Babylon, Crips, Bloods, Sumerians and The White House on “Terrorist Threats.” But he also addressed the 9/11 attacks during the song’s second verse.

"I seen an image of Hitler/ in the picture/ when the Twin Towers dropped,” he rhymed on the Danny Brown and Jhene Aiko-featured song off Control System.

Jay Z -- “Run This Town”

In 2009, Jay turned his Kanye and Rihanna-assisted “Run This Town” into a New York anthem by discussing how 9/11 impacted the city.

“Terrorists attacked New York City and took down our towers," he said during a Madison Square Garden show. "They believed that it would weaken us; they were sadly mistaken. On Sept. 11, when I looked on the TV, I saw the strength and resiliency that made New Yorkers New Yorkers. I was proud to be from here. Now we stand here tonight eight years later even stronger. This is our town. We run this town, New York City. New York City, we run this town."

Talib Kweli -- “Around My Way”

Patriotism was on Kweli's mind when he wrote "Around My Way."

Specifically, the MC spoke about how 9/11 affected American pride. "It really gets me mad,” Talib rhymed on the track. “The way we saluting the flags, wrapping them around our heads/ When n——s ain’t become American ‘till after 9/11.”

Jadakiss -- “Why”

Jadakiss asked a lot of questions on “Why.” One of the New York MC's most controversial queries was a line about President George W. Bush.

“Why did Bush knock down the Towers?” 'Kiss asked on the track. The line, based on a contentious theory, would inspire other 9/11-influenced rap songs as well.

Immortal Technique -- “Bin Laden”

Jada’s “Why” line became the hook for this Immortal Technique song, which also features vocals from Mos Def and a scratch off an Eminem cut.

"Bin Laden" allowed Technique to speak about other issues as well, but it was rooted in the chorus. “All they talk about is terrorism on television,” Technique rapped, explaining how media coverage was also impacted by the events of 9/11. “They tell you to listen," he added. "But they don’t really tell you their mission.”

Terror became a theme on other rap songs as well.

Lupe Fiasco -- “Words I Never Said”

On "Words I Never Said," Lupe Fiasco joined Jadakiss and Immortal Technique in questioning the findings regarding 9/11.

"I really think the war on terror is a bunch of bullsh-t,” Fiasco rhymed. "Just a poor excuse for you to use up all your bullets/ How much money does it take to really make a full clip/ 9/11, building 7, did they really pull it?”

That isn't all, of course. Talib Kweli also expanded on his thoughts about the attacks on "The Proud." 50 Cent and Eminem both rapped about 9/11 on "Patiently Waiting." Nicki Minaj has been among the many who's spoken about the tragedy on social media. Nas joined Lady Gaga and others as part of "I Will" on the tenth anniversary of the attacks.