These are the top 10 songs for this week as selected by the About Guide to rap/hip-hop. This list is based mainly on the popularity of the songs, aesthetic value, and their overall performance on various music charts.
1. Ghostface featuring Ne-Yo - Back Like That
Ghostface linked up with Def Jam’s newcomer Ne-Yo for the first single from his upcoming Fish Scale album. A nationwide Fish Scale Tour has been scheduled in support of the album.
2. Kanye West featuring Lupe Fiasco - Touch The Sky
"Touch The Sky" was produced by Just Blaze, the only other producer (besides Jon Brion) West invited to share the boards with him on Late Registration. The song, which introduced the hip-hop world to Chicago-an Lupe Fiasco, is the fourth single from West's sophomore album.
3. Remy Ma - Conceited
After waiting in the wings of Terror Squad mentors Big Pun (R.I.P) and Fat Joe for more than five years, Remy Ma finally stepped into the spotlight with her landmark 2006 debut There’s Something About Remy: Based on a True Story.
4. Busta Rhymes - Touch It
Busta Rhymes kicks off his Big Bang album campaign with this Scott Storch - helmed club favorite. Busta is currently facing police inquiries over a recent shooting that left his bodyguard dead at the video shoot for "Touch It." His album is still slated to drop on Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment later this year.
5. Lil' Wayne featuring Robin Thicke - Shooter
Lil’ Wayne adds a gritty edge to Robin Thicke’s timeless “Oh Shooter." Weezy’s gold-certified Tha Carter II album has now spent 10 weeks on the billboard rap albums chart.
6. Bubba Sparxxx - Ms. New Booty
A protégé of Timbaland, Bubba Sparxxx is now a member of the Purple Ribbon All Stars spearheaded by Big Boi (of OutKast). His yet-to-be-released third album is tentatively titled The Charm.
7. Trick Trick featuring Eminem - Welcome To Detroit
Trick Trick and hometown crony Eminem collaborated twice on Trick’s latest album The People Vs. (Motown). "Welcome To Detroit" is the album's leading single and has remained radio-active since late 2005.
8. Eminem featuring Nate Dogg - Shake That
Eminem stirs things up on the dancehall alongside a rejuvenated Nate Dogg. Eminem’s greatest hits compilation Curtain Call has already sold more than 500,000 copies.
9. Dem Franchise Boyz - Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It
Dem Franchise Boyz helped pioneer snap music with laid-back club songs like “White Tee” and “I Think They Like Me." Their latest album On Top of Our Game(So So Def) debuted at the top of the rap albums chart last week.
10. Nelly featuring Paul Wall - Grillz
The video for Nelly’s ode to cosmetic dentures features assorted grilles in various colors. The grilles were crafted by Houston - based celebrity jeweler Johnny Dang, who admitted to working 18-19 hour shifts in order to meet Nelly's needs for the music video. "Grillz" is featured on Nelly’s Sweatsuit compilation.
