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. T.I. - What You Know
When T.I. dropped Urban Legend, more than a million ringtones were downloaded from the album. Following that success, Sprint has partnered with T.I. to unveil ringtones, wallpapers, etc to consumers prior to the release of T.I.'s King album. Three unreleased tracks plus instrumentals for "What You Know" and "Ride Wit Me" will be made available, along with full music videos for video-enabled phones. The song holds onto the #1 spot for the third week in a row.
2. Chamillionaire featuting Krayzie Bone - Ridin'
Houston-based rapper, Chamillionaire, is featured on the cover of this month's The Source magazine, along with nine other major league players in Houston hip-hop. Cham shares the magazine cover with Scarface, Lil' Flip, Z-Ro, UGK(Pimp C and Bun B), Michael "5000" Watts, J Prince, Slim Thug, and Mike Jones. Notably absent is Chamillionaire's nemesis, Paul Wall.
3. Juvenile - Get Ya Hustle On
In the video for "Get Ya Hustle On," three young men could be seen donning paper masks of George Bush, Dick Cheney, and Ray Nagin. The three men continue walking as the camera pans what appears to be a badly-damaged New Orleans neighborhood. As expected, Juvenile hurls bulky insults at the political leaders, while offering some advice on recovery. "Get Ya Hustle On" is the second single from Juvenile's chart-topping Reality Check.
4. Lil' Wayne - Hustler's Musik
Lil' Wayne aka Birdman jr. recently divulged to Allhiphop.com that his delivery is inspired by Jay-Z. "Hustler's Musik" is a charming collision of style and substance. The Carter II is still going strong on the Billboard Albums Chart, having moved more than 500,000 units in 15 weeks.
5. Ghostface featuring Ne-Yo - Back Like That
Unlike 2005, Def Jam started off on the right foot this year. Ne-Yo's debut album, In My Own Words, is still in the top 5, and Ghostface's Fishscale is a potential contender for album of the year. Who knows, this could be the year of Def Jam all over again.
6. Kanye West featuring Lupe Fiasco - Touch The Sky
In the last couple of years, Kanye West has played Chicago's ultimate match-maker, bringing different hometown artists together in various occasions. Having collaborated with Twista, Rhymefest, Common, and now Lupe Fiasco, West shows that there's always strength in unity.
7. Rhymefest - Dynomite (Going Postal)
Even though Rhymefest is best recognized as the co-author of Kanye West's Grammy-winning "Jesus Walks," the seasoned Chicago emcee has now developed a cult-like following of his own. When J Records offered free downloads of "Dynomite" recently, nearly 200,000 people responded positively.
8. Scarface featuring Ice Cube & Z-Ro - Definition of Real
Scarface's second album this year is the aptly-titled assemblage of past and recent collaborations, My Homies Part 2. With potent tracks like this, there's little wonder why the compilation sits at #3 on Billboard's Rap Albums chart.
9. Purple Ribbon All Stars featuring Lil' Wayne and Killer Mike - Kryptonite Part 2
Following the huge success of "Kryptonite," Lil' Wayne and Killer Mike were drafted for the sequel. Recorded over the original "Kryptonite" beat, this is a well-conceived buzz-creator.
Try "Kryptonite" as a ringtone.
10. Juelz Santana - "Oh Yes"
"Oh Yes" may appear to be a sonic resemblance of Cam'ron's "Oh Boy," but Juelz Santana is a master at his own art. Hardly a lyricist, the Harlem rapper hinges on his swagger and zany flow to create a revving banger like "Oh Yes."
