Top 10 Rap Songs for August 12, 2009

It took 9 weeks, but "Casa Bey" has officially entered into my register of favorite Mos Def tracks. The way it starts off strong and hits a plateau toward the end is almost magical.

Rukus spits a mean verse about taking a deep breath, while Soulbrotha gets his soulful crooning on. If you’ve ever flirted with the idea of packing your toothbrush and going to chill under a palm tree somewhere in Ipanema, then this song is for you.

"Run This Town" is not an instant banger, but it gets better the more you hear it. Kanye goes toe to toe with Jay, while Rihanna holds down the chorus.

T.I. is currently serving a 366-day bid in jail but that hasn't stopped his songs from leaking all over the Internet. This one pairs the self-proclaimed King of the South with the real King of the South Mr. Scarface himself.

Slaughterhouse (Joell Ortiz, Crooked I, Royce da 5'9", and Joe Budden) is the first hip-hop group to garner a substantial amount of buzz, thanks to their top notch lyricism. "Cuckoo" appears on their self-titled debut, due out August 11.

Fabolous + Ryan Leslie = a winning combination. Throw in a hint of Keri Hilson and you've got yourself a sureshot. Thanks to hits like "Throw it in the Bag" and "Everything, Everyday, Everywhere," Fabolous successfully bagged his first No.1 album, as Loso's Way shifted 98,000 units in its first week.

"Us" is the title track from Brother Ali's new album. The early verdict on Us is that it offers a profound personal glimpse into a vulnerability seldom seen or heard in music, while simultaneously touching on the strengths and flaws of the human condition. Ali explores such topics as drug abuse, divorce, homophobia on the new album, due out on September 22nd.

Tracks from Raekwon's eagerly awaited Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II have been leaking on the web all year. The latest offering from the Chef's kitchen is a certified WU banger. Ghostface, who is heavily featured on the album, makes a guest appearance here.

"Holy Are You," the lead cut off Rakim's long-delayed 7th Seal, is a comeback anthem of epic proportions. It unfolds quietly, like the calm before the storm, and then lunges into a gale of synth blasts. The cinematic aural texture perfectly accentuates the return of a music icon.