This week's Top 10 includes new tracks by Slaughterhouse, Mos Def, and Mickey Factz.
10. L.E.G.A.C.Y. - "TKO" (Feat. Phonte, Chaundon, Sean Price)
This new banger by L.E.G.A.C.Y. doesn't conform to the standard of most posse cuts, which usually consist of people rhyming aimlessly. Instead it finds like minds Sean Price and Phonte pummeling the the beat into submission.
9. Slim Thug - "Welcome to Houston" (Feat. Texas All-Stars)
Houston desperately needs a hip-hop miracle and the likes of Chamillionaire and Slim Thug have slung the Bayou city on their shoulders and carried it to success in the past. Here they attempt to duplicate that effort. "Welcome to Houston" is taken from Slims latest LP, Boss of All Bosses.
8. Busta Rhymes - "Decision"
Produced by Mr. Porter, "Decision" is one of the most superb hip-hop and r&b collaborations you'll hear all year.
7. Jay-Z - "Death of Auto-Tune"
No I.D. transforms a psychedelic jazz gem into a knockout rap anthem, while Jay takes aim at bad trends in modern day hip-hop. The next single from Blueprint 3 supposedly features new hip-hop sensation Drake.
6. Mickey Factz - "Rocker"
Mickey Factz still has been known to show some flashes of brilliance, but if he keeps making songs like "Rocker" his future will be so bright we'll need glasses to see it. "Rocker" appears on the official soundtrack for Fight Night 4.
5. Slaughterhouse - "D.O.A. Freestyle"
Freestyles rarely make it onto our Top 10, but Slaughterhouse's impromptu sendup of Jay-Z's "D.O.A." is a no-brainer. Joell Ortiz attacks the beat with energy. Budden drops a barrage of subliminal disses to Method Man; and Royce proves why he's the best MC in Slaughterhouse. If you haven't heard the 12-minute freestyle, stop reading this and listen to Slaughterhouse's "D.O.A." freestyle right now.4. Raekwon - "New Wu" (Feat. Ghostface and Method Man)
"New Wu," which is taken from Rae's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2, is reminiscent of Wu-Tang's old sound, replete with heavy drums and a dusty soul sample.
3. Wu-Tang (Ft. Kool G Rap, M.O.P.) - "III Figures"
"III Figures" is a superb bit of 90s-inspired street-hop, layered with mellow piano loops and superior drum blasts. It appears on Wu's new album, Chamber Music, due June 30th.
2. Alchemist - "Smile"
Alchemist brings the poignant production, Twista brings a fiery delivery, while Maxwell rounds out the edges with his soulful crooning. The song urges optimism in the face of adversity. You can't help but love it.
1. Mos Def - "Auditorium"
It's no secret that Mos Def is rhyme his behind off on "Auditorium", but it's even more delightful to see that Slick Rick, one of rap's greatest storytellers, hasn't lost a step. "Auditorium" appears on Mos' new album, The Ecstatic.
