With so many rap tunes raining down on us like confetti, it's often challenging to wrap our hands around the hottest songs out there. Not to worry, I've compiled a list of the ten songs that are incinerating charts and ears everywhere. The weekly Top 10 is based mainly on aesthetic value, relevance, and performance on various charts.
1. Rhymefest - Dynomite (Going Postal)
Rhymefest recently unveiled a version of Kanye West's "Gone" that failed to make the cut for Late Registration. Like "Dynomite," Rhymefest's version of "Gone" is aptly entertaining.
2. Gnarles Barkley - Crazy
Cee-Lo and Danger Mouse finished recording six tracks together before they even had a record deal for the Gnarles Barkley project. The "necromancing" duo talked about the early days of St. Elsewhere in a recent Pitchfork interview.
3. Lupe Fiasco - Kick, Push
Chicago wonder boy, Lupe Fiasco, recently sat down with us to chop it up about his upcoming Food & Liquor, and Record Industry Rule #4082 - don't sell your creative rights.
The rookie has enjoyed more airplay (and street respect) than most established artists could only dream of with "Kick, Push."4. T.I. - What You Know
After swooning charts and hearts alike for several weeks, T.I. droops to a compromising position this week. No worries though, he's still our artist of the month.
5. Kanye West ft. Twista & Keyshia Cole - Impossible (Theme Song for MI: 3)
I doubt that the word "impossible" actually exists in Kanye West's vocabulary. West is one of the best to ever combine emceeing and producing effectively. His live shows also complement his ingenious studio performances, as he proved recently in a surprise Illinois concert.
6. Obie Trice featuring Akon - Snitch
Obie's sophomore LP, Second Round's On Me, has been pushed back one month, but you can still catch the preview here until Eminem thinks it's perfect enough to hit shelves.
7. M-1 featuring K'Naan & Stori James - Til' We Get There
M-1's partner recently published a book that attempts to break down the art of emceeing. Stay tuned to this site for a review of that book. Dead Prez is also reportedly collaborating with The Outlawz (the late 2Pac's crew) on an upcoming album.
8. Soul Position - Hand-Me-Downs
Producer extraordinaire, RjD2 and swift-tongued rapper, Blueprint reunite for their second go-round, Things Go Better With RJ & Al. "Hand-Me-Downs" laments the declining state of music as it's further passed down generations.
9. Yung Joc - It's Goin' Down
Yung Joc represents Bad Boy South with his thumping street anthem, "It's Goin' Down." His album, New Joc City is slated for a June release.
10. Mobb Deep - Put 'Em In Their Place
Don't be fooled by all the G-Unit features, Hav and P manage to retain a good portion of their creative control throughout Blood Money.
