Words by: Michelle Swami
15. Sol – Tomorrow (feat. Shayhan)
14. Big Sean – Beware (feat. Jhene Aiko, Lil Wayne)
13. Schoolboy Q – Collard Greens (feat. Kendrick Lamar)
12. Childish Gambino – 3005
11. Tech N9ne – Fragile (feat. Kendrick Lamar, MAYDAY, Kendall Morgan)
10. Ja Rule – Fresh Out Da Pen
I know what you’re thinking, is this a 2013 list or a 2003 list? Well, look who’s back and fresh out of jail? The king of Murder Inc., Ja Rule. In this track, he mainly talks about being out of jail and of course threatening the feds that arrested him. Apparently in jail, they keep up with pop culture because the last verse in this track references Miley twerking and Ja Rule claiming he doesn’t pop Molly. This is not necessarily a comeback but he is in the studio stirring up some new songs with Ashanti. This is a lot more fierce than what Ja is known for, so we’ll see what 2014 has for him.
9. Black Milk – Sunday’s Best/Monday’s Worst
After a few years, Black Milk returns to form with this double single from his album released late this year, ‘No Poison No Paradise’. The soul samples make this song, as it tells a story about a boy’s religious upbringing to his hard knock life style towards the end of his life before Milk tells us “it’s too late”.
8. KA – Knighthood
Not much is known about New York’s KA, a mysterious MC from Brooklyn. His third album ‘The Night’s Gambit’ was released this year and every song tells a story, mostly about life in New York and Poverty. In this particular song, the production is minimal and subtle while the organs and his lyrics take you on a journey.
7. Earl Sweatshirt – Hive (feat. Vince Staples & Casey Veggies)
Earl Sweatshirt is finally freed and releasing music. This year he released ‘Doris’ and this slow tempo’ed number. Slow, brooding drums in the background, Earl crams as much as he can to every beat, describing how critics see him and how they should view him (as a menace, apparently) along with Odd Future co-horts Vince Staples and Casey Veggies. He had his fare share of controversy with this song, as he mentions the Holocaust (yikes) which could explain why his many endorsement deals were dropped in 2013. Despite that , Hive was definitely a highlight from his debut album.
6. Eminem – Love Game (feat. Kendrick Lamar)
There’s something about this song that I love. I think it’s because it’s fun and reminds me of Eminem’s poppier songs. Not as gritty or dark as the rest of the songs on MMLP2, this song samples 60’s Brit-pop darlings Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders’ ‘Game Of Love’ while telling a story about cheating spouses. After all, what Eminem song isn’t about that these days? Blow job noises and eating it on the rag included. One of two Eminem/Kendrick collabs on the album, though this one takes the cake for me due to it’s poppy sound, misogynistic nature included. Because what’s an Em song without that, right?
5. Run the Jewels – Banana Clipper (feat. Big Boi)
El-P and Killer Mike have teamed up in 2013 with a project called Run the Jewels, which released an excellent monstrous album of the same name. Banana Clipper is definitely a stand out from that album and while that album didn’t have any features, from Banana Clipper they got some help from Outkast’s Big Boi who delivers a verse with as much intensity as the other two had earlier in the track.
4. Joey Bada$$ – My Yout (remix feat. Maverick Sabre)
This track a little different than his Pro-Era work, Joey channels his inner Caribbean with a little help from Maverick Sabre on this remix.
3. Chance the Rapper – Juice
Most rappers these days don’t need a release to make it big. Case and point, Chance the Rapper. Most critics tend to agree, as this dude appeared on most year end music lists. Who can blame them, he’s the most exciting thing to happen to hip-hop in awhile. His laid back approach and his clever lyrics certainly helped his case.
2. Pusha T – Numbers On the Boards
This line is like a fight. Every line is like a punch after punch. Mostly about how much money you don’t have compared to Mr. T. Plus that subtle Jay-Z sample, that makes this song. Yeezy co-produced this track, in case you care.
1. Kanye West – Bound 2
You wouldn’t think this “longtime fan” would leave out Yeezy on my list of favourite songs of the year? This song was always my favourite on the album, it was just so ridiculous, I didn’t think it would make it as a single. Of course as you all know it did with an equally ridiculous video. The motorcycle simulated sex was parodied by the likes of SNL and of course James Franco and Seth Rogen.