Best Hip-Hop Songs of the Week - September 9, 2009

At least half of the songs on Blueprint 3 have leaked on the web, including "Venus vs. Mars" and the Drake-assisted "Off That." Blueprint 3 is scheduled to hit stores on 9/11, accompanied by a benefit concert in the Big Apple to honor 9/11 victims. Jay-Z plans to donate 100% of the proceeds from the show to the New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund.

Fabolous + Ryan Leslie = a winning combination. Throw in a hint of Keri Hilson and you've got yourself a sureshot.

"Forever" is 2009's "Swagga Like Us," a hip-hop collaboration of monstrous proportion. For the sake of argument, Eminem wrecked this track with lines like: "There they go, back in stadiums as Shady spits his flow. Nuts they go, Macadamia they go so ballistic whoa" and "When I slap the bass out your mouth with a taste so great that it shakes the place."

Many aspiring sound architects would love nothing more than an opportunity to work with a premier lyricist like Nas. For now, that rare honor belongs to 18-year old Chicago native Charles “C-Sick” Dumazer on his mainstream debut "Film."

"Ready for War" appears on Beanie Sigel's new album, The Broad Street Bully, out September 1, 2009.

Ali explores drug abuse, breakups, homophobia, among other social issues on his new album, Us, due out September 22nd.

Raekwon serves up a certified WU banger, alongside Ghostface Killah. In a recent interview with Angela Yee, Ghost revealed that he's heavily featured on Rae's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2.

"Holy Are You" is the lead single from Rakim's 7th Seal LP. The long-anticipated album is now due out on October 20th, 2009.

"Casa Bey" is epic Mos Def. The way it starts off strong and hits a plateau toward the end is almost magical.