Well Insomniacs, we can’t believe another week has flown by! This had to be the toughest one YET for nailing down a Top Ten list we could be proud of. (There was so much great music & waayy too many favorites fell by the wayside…You have no idea!!!) But in the end, it’s a group decision. If we were repeating your rhymes on the regular & pumpin’ your track incessantly, you made the list. Now, let’s get to it…
1) KENDRICK LAMAR stirred up intense debate with his Boi-1da produced banger, “The Blacker The Berry.” He threw black stereotypes in our faces by embracing them. He made seemingly hypocritical comments about Trayvon Martin & gang violence. He set social media on fire…and overall, gave Hip Hop music a much needed shot in the arm! When you combine powerful lyrics and production on a track the world is talking about, you enter the winner’s circle at #1.
2) BADBADNOTGOOD was already ridin’ high with the “Tone’s Rap Instrumental,” a fan favorite that had been floating around for months. But once GHOSTFACE KILLAH inhabited the character of “Supreme Pimp” Pretty Tone and added his immaculate vocals to the sterling production, it took the track to far-reaching heights few artists will ever achieve. Ghostface is such a master of his craft that he doesn’t even appear to be rapping. The Wu-Warrior comes across as a world weary, soulful and sought after blues singer, backed by the greatest band in the world. “Tone’s Rap” is short, sweet, and brilliant. It’s a sonic masterpiece that serves as a true testament to the synergy between these two extremely creative entities.
3) KOOL KEITH teamed up with ultra-creative producer, L’ ORANGE, which is exactly what’s needed when dealing with an Ultramagnetic emcee. “Sometimes I Feel” takes listeners on a head-spinning, fantastical journey through Keith’s mind…and it’s so seriously funky up there, that we want to pull a “Being John Malkovich” on the lyricist & move in!
4) DJ EFN slides into the Top Ten again! We might have to rename our list after him, because it doesn’t appear that his reign will stop anytime soon. On “Warrior,” heavy-hitters Davincci & Miami Beat Wave return to create a super-charged reggae/rap hybrid featuring David Banner, Sizzla, N.O.R.E. & Jon Connor. If the heat you’ve heard so far hasn’t persuaded you to pre-order EFN’s “Another Time” album by now, you’re either broke or something’s wrong with you…Very, VERY wrong.
5) MICK JENKINS is another returnee to our list & that’s because he consistently releases quality music. The OnGaud produced “Time,” from The FDC & 119 Production’s upcoming “Chicago Sights ‘N Sounds” compilation is further evidence that this amazing lyricist will be around for as long as he chooses. He’s a true talent who can afford to tease us with a new track every couple of weeks. Mick Jenkins ain’t goin’ nowhere. He has plenty of time.
6) If any artist deserves a place on the list it’s GOODBOY GALEXIE. Do you realize how difficult it is to take an old Premo beat & do it justice?!? Well, Galexie does exactly that…AND THEN SOME! Let’s be very clear, he OWNS the track; performing verbal twists & lunges like a lyrical gymnast. “Traps” breaks down just how deceptively simple rhyming over a DJ Premier track can be. It’s a cautionary tale to lesser emcees. Galexie makes it look easy because he’s THAT good at what he does. GOODboy’s lyrical juggernaut represents a new breed of emcee. Understated…but never overlooked!
7) KIRK KNIGHT proved that Joey Bada$$ wasn’t the only emcee bringing the heat in the Pro Era camp(Then again, you already knew that, didn’t ya?) On this self-produced cut called “Brokeland,” the lyricist provides enough energy for the entire borough of Brooklyn. There’s no word yet on what project the track will be included on, but for now we’ll keep blastin’ the single.
8) GZA & TOM MORELLO(from Rage Against The Machine)took a classic B-Boy breakbeat & updated it to make “The Mexican” a track all generations can enjoy. Don’t look for it on GZA’s upcoming album though. It’s just a loosie for the fans.
9) Virginia Beach lyricist DP joined forces with $HA HEF for some Ducko McFli produced musical madness called “Flight Risk.” The track didn’t just get our attention…It also made us fans. And, oh yeah, did you see the Hidji directed video?!?…now that’s what we call ART!
10) We want to move to Montreal. Not for the weather(That’s for sure!), but because they have creative forces like rising emcee, WASIU & production genius, KAYTANADA putting out super dope tracks like “Physical.” Our guess is that there’s something mystical in the water. Maybe if we take a sip, we’ll be endowed with the extraordinary talent these two possess.
So that’s a wrap for another week. ‘Catch ya next time…and Don’t Sleep!
– Kevin Keith
