Top 100 Rap Songs of 2008

"These dudes are making commercial songs, but they ain't doing tracks from commercials," new rapper A.C. laments at the beginning of "New Soul." A.C. then proceeds to flip Yael Naim's "New Soul," popularized by Apple's Macbook Air commercial, into a hip-hop banger. [Video]

Eminem proves that his lyrical chops are still intact on this radio freestyle announcing his comeback album, The Relapse. [Audio]

An unlikely collaboration between the West Coast's most underrated lyricist and pop megastar Akon yields a compelling tune about grass-to-grace ascension.

Black Milk's board work on "Run" is further proof that the Detroit native was 2008's hip-hop producer of the year. [Audio]

The courthouse jester of UK hip-hop unleashes his sociopathic alter-ego Jason Waste for an exercise in third-person rap. [Audio]

With its ambitious subject matter and acute delivery, Skyzoo's "Necessary Evils" should be required listening for anyone who doubts the continued relevance of cutting-edge hip-hop. [Video]

Freeway's breathtaking narrative about the rise and fall of Roc-A-Fella reminds us why he's everyone's favorite bearded rapper. [Audio]

Busta Rhymes is back in fine form, Ladies and Gentlemen. Noise-poppers squelch, funk riffs whistle, and Busta Bus goes for the gusto on this trunk-rattler from Back on My B.S. [Video]

Houston-based rapper Rukus rocks one of the crispiest flows I've heard in years. "The Boom and The Bap" finds him reflecting on his passion for hip-hop over a jazz-rap soundbed.