10 Rap Songs You Should Hear:
Usually there’s too much music being released that I have a hard time keeping up on everything. Also being born in the generation that we were born in, so much good hip hop is in the past and needs to be brought back to light for those who also may have missed it. Below are 10 songs that I think everybody should hear, in no certain order! Leave a comment and let me know what you think or let me know if you like any of them!
Song: Rain
Artist: Vince Staples, Mac Miller
Quote: “We was raised on that fork in the road, no food on our plate, just meals that we stole.”
This trippy 90’s style beat produced by none other than legend 9th Wonder is the perfect pair for two lyrical beasts like these guys. Instantly you get trapped in their flow and they transition flawlessly between each other. The two have so much meaning in every line that you can’t just listen once. Listen to their joint projects on DatPiff like “Winter in Prague” and “Stolen Youth LP”.
Song: Divine
Artist: Kyle Bent, Mick Jenkins
Quote: “Let ‘em spray, man it’s time to eat. I’m a Jew about my dollar, I’m a Nazi bout the beef.”
The reverb track immediately puts you in a trance where you never want the feeling to stop. Once you’re settled, Kyle Bent’s message comes through and is laced with hidden meanings and crazy rhyme schemes. Almost flawlessly does he fade out of the chorus into Mick Jenkins. The change in rapper from verse to verse becomes almost eerie as the two layer their voices over the chorus and Bent’s voice fades out as they go into Mick Jenkin’s verse. Both sound very similar and have similar message-like verses where the song is almost more than rap. A masterpiece, easy enough to say. Go listen.
Song: Gottaknow
Artist: Royce Da 5’9″
Quote: “If I should get my own guilty verdict, may the next man learn from it then flourish. You could put it on the news, you could put my face on the front of a shirt, then the latest video, then blur it.”
Another long time lyricist is the Eminem collaborator and rap super group Slaughterhouse member Royce Da 5’9”. His numerous albums and refusal to adapt to the style of “new wave” rappers has gained him incredible respect over his career. “Gottaknow” off his latest album Layers is a testament to his raw lyrics and the power of his music. The song shows Royce’s poise as one of the best in the game as he spits realness over a hard beat. Get familiar with his discography.
Song: Alive
Artist: Norman Perry
Quote: “As a man I keep it moving, taking risks, getting to it, bein’ broke don’t amuse me.”
Norman Perry was a huge emerging artist for 2016 and has to date only released singles, so we might be expecting something big from him in 2017. As a Rap/RnB artist, he can rhyme whilst also being smooth over the distorted siren-sounding beat. Easy pick – short, catchy song that you can always vibe to. Give it a listen.
Song: Careless
Artist: Freddie Gibbs
Quote: “Freddie Kane, young Corleone. Hoppin’ out the van with the bows of the strong.”
Freddie Gibbs has long since been an OG in the rap scene and the addition of his album Shadow of a Doubt in 2015 confirms it. The song Careless off of it has a slow piano beat with a hard drum track that goes nicely with Freddie’s hard sound. The man does not let up on any track and his speed and rhymes will make you rewind it. Listen to his newest album out last month and others now.
Song: Zipporah (Gravez remix)
Artist: GoldLink
Quote: “What’s a n***a in America? Why the f**k is we here? Why you tell me go back where I’m from when you dragged me here?”
If you don’t know the names of rapper GoldLink or producer Rick Rubin, you have a bit of Googling to do. On GoldLink’s album heavily produced by industry legend Rick Rubin, the two pair up perfectly for the funk that one would expect after GoldLink’s freshman album The God Complex. After releasing his sophomore album, GoldLink released a remix album from mostly electronic producers, some with big names such as CRNKN, Falcons, Mr. Carmack and of course, Gravez. Gravez’ crazy xylophone beat paired with GoldLink’s vocals is a perfect addition to his collection.
Song: All Day
Artist: Jerreau
Quote: “I beat the trap like ya best point guard, I gout up out of the hodd but I didn’t go far.”
Partnered with on the most talented producers in the industry, Mr. Carmack, the new rapper Jerreau emerged with a single and a full album in 2016. The A+ production California breezy drive vibe with a funky distorted bass line is bound to get your head to nod. Jerreau is the young gun you’ve been searching for – give all day and his album “Never How You Plan” a listen.
Song: Webbie Flow (U Like)
Artist: Isaiah Rashad
Quote: “Scribble down, I’m rapping like Kool. Inspire all my local jokers who be quitting that school.”
Zay gets in his head about what he really wants to do when he’s feeling himself and there’s no better way to do it then spitting on this chill, drunk style beat that represents perfectly Isaiah’s style. None other than Mr. Carmack making the list again with his amazing production, go listen to the entire Cilvia Demo if you haven’t already. Webbie Flow isn’t necessarily the first stand out track, but everything that’s behind it makes it too easy to vibe to.
Song: Liberation
Artist: SiR, Anderson. Paak
Quote: “I’m a extraterrestrial, born in a telescope. Dressed like an Eskimo, on point like a decimal.”
The newest Top Dawg Entertainment signee SiR has only released one studio album, but already has support from one of RnB’s hottest hits right now: Anderson. Paak. SiR’s style is similar with a smooth voice and the silky beats that you’ll want to bottle up inside your headphones. “Liberation” is no different consisting of a funky guitar groove, nice bass, and a hard to match verse by Mr. Paak. This song is upbeat, as clean as they come and a definite must listen.
Song: Bout a Dolla
Artist: The O’My’s, Chuck Inglish, Chance the Rapper, Twista, Blended Babies
Quote: “Let me flash the bang, wait and see if they buck, Let me see if they miss, if they hit me it’s luck.”
So much talent on one track. Chance’s guest verse is a nice surprise and is paired perfectly with a twangy guitar melody that gives the song a similar feel to Chance’s song “Family” which has a Blended Babies remix. Twista’s speed, Chance’s rhymes and The O’My’s on the hook is all you need to fall in love with this song.
-Written by Myles Parker (’19)
Look out for my show Double Decker on the WDCV schedule directly across from the DDen by the mailboxes for next semester!
