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50 Incredible Rap Songs (21-30) · by R.H.S.
Bump This On Hump Day (21-30)
Well the world wide web has spoken – our installments for Monday and Tuesday have been relentlessly linked and dugged. Today we serve up yet another heaping plateful of that raw shit you can bump in your Benzy Box or Ipod. We had no expectations or agendas beyond selecting great songs but the diversity (geographic, stylistic, chronological, etc.) of the overall selection is a plus if Jeopardy! ever includes a respectable rap category or if you need to shut down the pompous jerk at the party who always commandeers the speakers with the likes of The Roots and Rob Base. From Mikah-9’s scat-hop to UGk’s flossy flows there’s something here for everybody, except of course for the legions of pale, bigoted, country-western fanboys/middle income tech geeks firing witless salvos from their cubicles in Tulsa. Enjoy.
Download All Ten Songs As A .zip File
21. Prefuse 73 f/ Mikah 9 – “Life/Death” (Warp, 2001)
Freestyle Fellowship’s Mikah 9 might be hip hop’s Yngwie Malmsteen – an inaccessible virtuoso who’s devotees don’t seem to understand why his technical proficiency has never translated into commercial appeal commercial appeal. Sadly he’s also a criminal underachiever, but once in a while he still drops something interesting and actually enjoyable.–Noz (Cocaineblunts.com)
22. MF Doom – “Red and Gold” (Fondle ‘Em, 1998) (also on Operation: Doomsday – Fondle ‘Em, 1999; Sub Verse, 2001)
Doom perfects his use of the extended cheeseball sample, here employing it not only for satire, but to successfully evoke autumn melancholy. His flat, rightly world-weary vocal tone highlights his tongue twisting rhymes. Although Doom’s alter-ego King Ghidra is billed as a feature, it is impossible to tell which parts belong to which personality. Doom’s musings on fated retribution, female breast-to-nipple ratios, and how good he is at rapping are anchored by his cosmic cycle refrain, which marks the end, and then the beginning, of “wig-twisting season.” – David (OhWord.com)
23. Mac Mall – “My Opinion” (Young Black Brotha, 1994)
Then 16 year old Mac Mall lays his mac hand down on haters who want to silence him over the bangingest of Khayree bangers. If only modern west coast rappers would bring that high pitched vocal effect, maybe they wouldn’t be (nationally) irrelevant. Ugh Mac Mall that’s that shit. – Noz (Cocaineblunts.com)
24. K-Solo – “Tales From The Crack Side” (Atlantic, 1990)
EPMD associate K-Solo’s colorful take on the interrelationship between crack cocaine and the rap game remains obscure even in our yayo-obsessed era. “Tales From The Crack Side” aptly illustrates an unimpeachable truth: cocaine and its related imagery has long functioned competently as a multivalent metaphor within rap music. K-Solo, plausibly wise to P.E.’s shrewd usage of the double entendres “bass” and “dope,”, cooks up a tale in which crack smoking influences rhyme writing which in turn influences the commission of grisly crimes. This bewildering story is only half the attraction, as K-Solo flows immaculately over the Parrish Smith banger.- R.H.S. (OhWord.com)
25. Raekwon – “Sneakers” (Loud, 1999)
The standout moment of Raekwon’s critically panned sophomore effort, “Sneakers” does away with the high-tension criminality the Wu-Gambino was best known for in favor of a warmer, more nostalgic approach. Rae unleashes the full force of his free-associative style. The flurry of name brands in the verses as well as Pete’s ambient production elevates the song beyond slanguistic mood music to an impressionistic sketch of Canal street memories. Late 90’s rap was largely criticized for its materialism, but Raekwon proves that a pair of kicks can inspire just as meaningful a song as any other ‘hood memory. – Sacha Orenstein (OhWord.com)
26. Main Source – “Just A Friendly Game Of Baseball” (Wild Pitch, 1991)
Main Source’s Breakin’ Atoms LP is not typically credited for it lyrical depth, but “Just A Friendly Game Of Baseball” is devoted to resisting socially engineered, government sponsored, legally enforced repression. The master beat digger and producer-rapper extraordinairre lays down one of the hardest, iciest, most sinister breaks ever looped and dedicates his verses to an incendiary critique of police brutality barely disguised in clever extended metaphor. Large Pro’s castigation of the boys in blue and their racist tactics is delivered with the kind of calculated logic most anti-cop songs lack and is a must-listen for all who can relate to his anger. – R.H.S. (OhWord.com)
27. Money Boss Players – “Killed In The Crap Game” (white label, 1995)
The ultimate “street” record from the BX. Minnesotta constructs a bed of sonic confusion as abrasive axe-work sits atop a warbling, static-filled distortion of background chatter, broken up by the finest adaption of “The Message” since a skinny young Kay Slay had the nerve to interrupt Kase 2’s subway platform freestyle. – Robbie Ettelson (Unkut.com)
28. UGK – “Belts To Match” (Jive, 1999; also appears on Side Hustles – Jive, 2002)
The vocals on both the sung hooks and the verses are the epitome of Southern cool, while Organized Noise’s horns, bass, and drums emanate warmth. The whole package is entirely laid back. Bun B flips intricate rhymes, including an astonishing sequence toward the end of his verse, while Pimp C does the opposite, leaving large spaces in between lines, sounding like Too Short. Guest Smitty fits in with the detached, pimpish atmosphere. – David (OhWord.com)
29. Just-Ice – “Cold Getting’ Dumb” (Fresh, 1986)
Mantronik’s monster track still smashes speakers when played at the appropriately ear-shattering levels in your ride, while The Original Gangster of Hip-Hop takes brag-rap to new heights of ridiculous brilliance. And no, the Human DMX that rolled with Just was not the same guy who now impersonates federal agents at airport parking lots.– Robbie Ettelson (Unkut.com)
30. Freeway ft Young Chris – “Line em Up” (Rocafella, 2002)
Blowing away the legion of garage bands vying for attention in 2002, Just Blaze’s “Line Em Up” beat may have out-rocked every single Stones-aping mop head from Brooklyn to London. A combination of shrieking organ wails, live drums and one of the nastiest guitar lines in recent memory, the track’s instrumental instantly cemented Blaze as Rocafella’s secret weapon. Not to be outdone by the man on the boards, Free drops off kilter high pitched threats and Chris lackadaisically waltzes in for a final few condescending bars. Under-appreciated at the time of its release, the track stands as one of the Roc’s finest and a defining moment for Philly’s illest collective of the decade. – Sacha Orenstein (OhWord.com)
Comments for "50 Incredible Rap Songs (21-30)"
“Sneakers” is a hidden gem.
— Dante Severe Feb 14, 10:09 AM
“My Opinion” is great. I haven’t heard that one in a long time. That shit made my day!
— yanson623 Feb 14, 11:33 AM
lol @ going after all the digg commenters in your intro
— Rafi Feb 14, 12:54 PM
Excellent work once again. Only one gripe: I think you guys should list which album(s) these songs come from. Some of us (hobo) would like to own them, not just download ‘em. Other than that, keep up the great fuckin’ work.
— Hobo Feb 14, 01:53 PM
Wow, that Digg page is on some truly ignorant shit. It’s like a XXL talkback page but with huge nerds instead of angry e-thugs.
I gotta cop the Mac Mall album with that song on it. “Helium rap” is the future. Money Boss Players track deserves more rotation in my box as well.
— Sach Feb 14, 02:06 PM
Bahahaha at the Digg page. I’ve missed the “rap is the ignorant stuff, hip-hop is underground” arguments for a while and am glad to see them again. Also, it has people recommending Ugly Duckling. That might just be my new favorite page on the internet.
But on a serious note, I really like most of the tracks on display here, and am now kinda disappointed that I slept on Mac Mall as long as I have.
— Train Feb 14, 03:07 PM
nice drops again.
that money boss players track is ILL.
co-sign on the freeway track. jblaze at his best
— Vik Feb 14, 04:13 PM
That Mac Mall track is just one in a long list of bangers from that kid. Thats up there, wit “Serving Game” Nice job fellas
— Daruffian Feb 14, 05:19 PM
For the younger crews, Redman used the “Cold Gettin Dumb” beat on his Muddy Waters CD. I wore out my old JI tape rewinding that song.
— CommishCH Feb 14, 05:37 PM
good pick with “Sneakers.”
that and “The Table” are a couple of the best rae songs out there but they get overlooked cuz they’re on such a trash album.
— drew Feb 14, 08:35 PM
I ain’t mad at the Money Boss. That track w/ the gun claps & the other bout Bronx Comrades both Bang. That track by the U.N. DOA ain’t bad either
— Swag Diesel Feb 14, 09:10 PM
“”But on a serious note, I really like most of the tracks on display here, and am now kinda disappointed that I slept on Mac Mall as long as I have”
What disappoints me even more is how long people have slept on Khayree!
He pretty much birthed the careers of Mac Dre & Mac Mall. He’s done tracks with 2Pac, Mac Dre, Ray Luv, Mac Mall, Young Lay, Snoop Dogg, JT the Bigga Figga, and many many more. His beats are the shit!
— G.M.P. Feb 14, 11:16 PM
My expectations of the “new songs” were a hope for a newer flow. It’s kind of like what “Time Is Money” should have been but instead its like Time Is Money Pt. 2 “More Old Shit” I guess Styles has better stuff to do with his time than record new stuff then anyone can get away with repeated rip a flow effect.
Does anyone know how the Kid got a solo? Again a reapeated lame flow.
Does anyone like The Aphilliates. Harlems as far North as they should go.
Peace everyone—new to the style.
— Dez Feb 14, 11:44 PM
I’ve frequented a lot of hip hop websites. I’ve also left a lot of hip hop websites shaking my head in disgust at the droves of close-minded people. I stumbled onto Oh Word by accident while looking for that “Sneakers” track. What I found was a lot of stuff that I’ve never heard. Needless to say, I downloaded it all (and will be copping a few albums that these tracks are on). Fuck those other sites. Oh Word’s got a new regular.
— Raz Feb 15, 01:29 AM
what is so unique about these tracks?
— whatever24 Feb 15, 02:34 AM
Co-sign the Freeway joint. That song was unreal when it dropped. I’ll never forget going to see the Roc that summer in concert and losing my shit when Freeway came out.
— Joey Feb 15, 03:08 AM
Whatever24: why don’t you just tell us what you think is so run of the mill about them?
I can’t stress enough that this list is not superlative, not ranked, and not attempting to be definitive. It is only meant to be instructive and generous.
— R.H.S. Feb 15, 03:09 AM
AAAAAAARRRRRRGH! ‘Sneakers’ was my joint off that album that had so little joints to speak of (but the new RAE shit is gonna be fiyah).
Just-Ice, Main Source and Mikah-9. Yeaaaaaaah nigga!
My badd, I’m enjoying myself over here.
— Billy Sunday Feb 15, 03:20 AM
“Rap is culturally corrosive and retarded.”
— concerned hater Feb 16, 12:38 AM
Rap is awsome !!! i love the song Just a little bit by 50 cent!!!!
— bob Mar 14, 08:53 PM
This was a great list of songs and all, but you need to list the songs that are being most listened to the most. you need to list new songs every week so you won’t fall behind on the top so ngs.
— bad boy Mar 26, 01:56 PM
these arent that great. :)
— jaii Feb 15, 03:12 PM
Nice post…I like it…!
— Francis Feb 26, 07:06 AM
all those gay songs are fuckin retarted you asshole rap is fuckin crap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
— ed Jan 19, 01:34 PM
francis can suck smurf dick. crap looks at you and says you look like shit
— chris Jul 21, 02:20 AM