50. Cunninlynguinsts
"Mr. Morganfield & Ms. Waters"
Rose Azura Njune
Production: Kno
Arguably the most flavorful cut on their excellent Rose Azura Njune album was the split produced, "Mr. Morganfield & Ms. Waters". While the first half of the song ("Mr. Morganfield") was fairly melancholy in aura, the second half ("Ms. Waters") was perhaps the best beat on the entire album, giving it an ol' school, Native Tongues-type feel. Not to mention, it's more upbeat in appeal as well.
49. J.I.D.
"EdEddNEddy"
The Never Story
Production: Hollywood JB
Dreamville signee, and Atlanta native, J.I.D., has had many people turning their heads to him on his debut effort, The Never Story. Tremendous production and lyricism has J.I.D. among the leaders of the new lyrical school from the south. One such cut that exhibits his ability to be lyrically crafted and be a good storyteller as well is the slightly ominous-sounding, "EdEddNEddy". Highlighting the ways of he and his boys, J.I.D. displays a lyrical visual of the streets of the A to show why he's a rising hip-hop star.
48. Jay-Z
"The Story Of O.J."
4:44
Production: No I.D.
One of the most acclaimed albums of the year was 4:44, the stellar album from the returning Jay-Z. This album was less Jay-Z the artist, and more Shawn Carter the man. One track that received some bit of controversy was the cut "The Story Of O.J.", a cautionary ode to how you can have it all and lose it all if not careful. He didn't judge or condemn anyone in particular, but did spit jewels about mishandling of money and being responsible, investing in Black businesses, and the importance of credit. Some younger cats were salty about this, but the grown and mature appreciated this advice from a near billionaire. Over a brilliant Nina Simone-sample, Hov delivered a fantastic one here.
47. Scarface
"Black Steel"
Deeply Rooted: The Lost Files
Production: N.O. Joe
Uncle Face has been in the game for nearly thirty years, and hasn't lost a single step. In fact, with his 2016 album, Deeply Rooted, he regained a fire we hadn't quite seen since his epic 2005 release, The Fix. He released a remix/cutting room floor-type album with Deeply Rooted: The Lost Files. One of the new cuts on the effort was the venomous Public Enemy-reworked, "Black Still". Using the production and part of the title from PE's "Black Steel In The Hour Of Chaos", Face goes in on the government and the police on this cut that has Face at his "fuck you" best. No touching, introspective cut here. This is straight Fifth Ward, Houston, and Face wasn't holding anything back on this one.
46. Freddie Gibbs
"Alexys"
You Only Live 2wice
Production: KAYTRANADA & BadBadNotGood
"Alexys"
You Only Live 2wice
Production: KAYTRANADA & BadBadNotGood
One of the hardest efforts of 2017 was Freddie Gibbs' EP, You Only Live 2wice. After his acquittal from a rape charge, he returned with vision and a "resurrection" if you will in terms of lyrical abilities and storytelling. On "Alexys", he grabs the listener by the throat with focused and point-serving delivery over one of the most melodic beats of the year provided by Canadian production talents KAYTRANADA and BADBADNOTGOOD. Haters be damned. Gangsta Gibbs is back, and even more determined to have the rap game in a chokehold.
45. Jay-Z
"Kill Jay-Z"
4:44
Production: No I.D.
The very first cut on Jay-Z's spectacular 4:44 was the cut "Kill Jay-Z". Over an haunting No I.D. beat, we have Shawn denouncing Jay-Z and wanting to grow up. From slapping himself for his infidelity to other mistakes in his life, this is one of the bravest tracks we've ever heard from Hov, and lays it all out there for us. What a hell of a way to start an album, but this was sincerely one of Jay-Z's finest moments ever.
35. Talib Kweli feat. Jay Electronica and Yummi Bingham
"All Of Us"
Radio Silence
Production: Samuel Truth
44. Tha God Fahim feat. Mach Hommy and Billie Essco
"D'art"
Tha Ineffable Conflict of Roosevelt Creek
Production: Camouflage Monk
Among the plethora of projects Fahim delivered this year, one of them was Tha Ineffable Conflict of Roosevelt Creek, an EP filled with menacing and melodic production, mixed with tough guy talk with some jewels in there sprinkled as well. One standout is the ominous sounding "D'Art", with comrades Billie Essco and another former Griselda affiliate Mach Hommy (y'all should REALLY peep his HBO album, as it bangs) go for broke on this cut. With no bars from Fahim, this allows especially the lyrically potent Hommy to show his abilities. Hommy's another guy that put out a lot of material this year so check his shit out.
43. Big K.R.I.T.
"Bury Me In Gold"
4eva Is A Mighty Long Time
Production: DJ Khalyl
The Meridian, Mississippi native's 4eva Is A Mighty Long Time double disc is arguably his most stellar effort to date and really shows his duality in a way that is introspective and honest. One of the more gripping cuts on the "Justin Scott" disc is the cut "Bury Me In Gold", a cut that shows that no matter how much fame you have or money you make, you can't take it with you when it's time to leave the earth. A very needed message in today's flashy, showoff-type times. K.R.I.T. knows how to reach your soul without having to do a ton of effort, and this is yet another example.
42. Drake
"Madiba Riddim"
More Life
Production: Frank Dukes & Nineteen85
Aubrey Graham is totally the guy that can just deliver a hit. Effortlessly. We know this by now with all the records he's setting and breaking on Billboard. His penchant to crank out a catchy club cut is impeccable. He does so yet again all over his More Life "playlist". One standout was the dancehall-infused "Madiba Riddim". We all know from previous dancehall cuts such as the wildly popular "One Dance", the just as crazy "Controlla", and the Rihanna-featured "Too Good" (all from his prior album Views), and this one is no different in terms of how this will fill a dance floor with its mid-tempo production. Not too many people can continuously pull off great-sounding dancehall/reggae/Afrobeat cuts without being a part of the culture itself somehow, but Drake does it and does it well.
41. Big Boi
"Chocolate"
Boomiverse
Production: Jake Troth
When Big Boi dropped Boomiverse earlier this summer, it had a vibe of futuristic funk mixed with the soulful bounce we had been accustomed to with his phenomenal debut solo album, Sir Lucious Leftfoot. With the singles "Kill Jill" and "Mic Jack" in heavy rotation, and rightfully so as thoise songs were very dope in their own right, it was the track "Chocolate" that had the most potential to start the party and start it well. This club knocker has the elements of futuristic funk and has the ability to have the hardest goons two stepping reluctantly. Leave it to one half of the legendary duo Outkast to help bring the ass-shaking in 2017 with cuts like this.
40. Future
"Mask Off"
Future
Production: Metro Boomin
Love him or hate him, Future has secured his place within hip-hop's elite within the past seven years. Hit after hit after hit, the cousin of Organized Noize's Rico Wade is one of the biggest stars in the game. In 2017, he hit paydirt with the runaway smash off his self-titled album, "Mask Off". The hypnotic flutes from the sample of "Prison Song" make this cut that jump-off cut. While he proudly boasts about "molly Percocets", there's no auto-tune singling here, just spitting. If the song wasn't hot enough, he brought King Kendrick for the remix and it was even more searing. Future has quite a few anthems ("Turn On The Lights", "Fuck Up Some Commas", "Move That Dope"), and this has become a new one for him.
39. MC Eiht feat. DJ Premier
"Compton Zoo"
Which Way Iz West
Production: Brink Sinatra
Longtime Compton triple O.G. MC Eiht returned to the scene in a major way with his thirteenth solo effort, Which Way Iz West. He partnered with the legendary DJ Premier for this project, as Preem either produced or just straight did cuts on tracks. One of the more notable bangers on this album was "Compton Zoo", as Brink Sinatra's knocking production meets Preem's signature scratching to deliver another hard-hitter for the former A-Wax.
38. Joey Bada$$
"Land Of The Free"
All-AmeriKKKan Bada$$
Production: Kirk Knight
While we've been seeing the star appeal of Joey Bada$$ steadily grow over these last few years, he delivered his best effort to date with the politically/socially charged All-AmeriKKKan Bada$$. Trying to be a crucial voice for the under twenty-five crowd, the Pro Era star hit you in the face with truth, and voices his displeasure with Trump, stating that "He's not equipped to lead this country", but with images such as burning crosses and Trump supporters in the video, this is one of his most important cuts ever, and here's to hopefully hearing more like this Brooklynite.
37. Jonwayne
"Blue Green"
Rap Album Two
Production: artist
One of the most conceptually painful cuts to hear this year was the disturbing, yet courageous cut by Jonwayne from the acclaimed Rap Album Two called "Blue Green", in which is vividly paints a picture of his drug and alcohol addiction, with him evidently having a dangerous liason with Jameson, the whiskey. The melancholy piano keys and a lovely female voice towards the end of this troubling cut makes this among the most detailed cuts heard in some time about the reality of addiction.
36. Freddie Gibbs
"20 Karat Jesus"
You Only Live 2wice
Production: Speakerbomb & Blair Norf
"20 Karat Jesus"
You Only Live 2wice
Production: Speakerbomb & Blair Norf
The one and only Gangsta Gibbs reemerged in 2017 with one of his single finest efforts to date with You Only Live 2wice, stemming from his acquittal of a rape charge overseas in 2016. On "20 Karat Jesus", he spits like he not only never missed a step, but that he gained even more lyrical potency. Personal, yet aggressive, this is a hard cut. Over a split beat, Gibbs goes for broke and delivered a banger.
35. Talib Kweli feat. Jay Electronica and Yummi Bingham
"All Of Us"
Radio Silence
Production: Samuel Truth
One of hip-hop's most important voices, Talib Kweli, had not one but two projects in 2017. The first was his collabo EP with Styles P, The Seven, but he would later release Radio Silence to the people. Filled with the vintage Kweli we've all been accustomed to in terms of education, Black liberation, and calling out the oppressors of our society, he channels all that into one track called "All Of Us". Over fantastic melodic production, he shares the mic with the incredible Jay Electronica for some of the most complete bars of 2017. Alongside the dreamy vocals of Yummi Bingham and this belongs among the top cuts within the discography of Mr. Kweli.
34. KMD feat. Jay Electronica
"True Lightyears"
Crack In Time
Production: MF DOOM
In the fourth quarter of 2017, Adult Swim teamed up with the legendary supervillain himself, MF DOOM, to release a weekly dose of unreleased DOOM cuts. The second week of this project (which sadly didn't last past six weeks or so) was a hip-hop lover's dream booking of DOOM (released under his old group name of KMD) and Jay Electronica over a vintage DOOM track. Supposedly the cut will be on the next KMD album, Crack In Time. KMD haven't released an album since the ever controversial Black Bastards album of the mid-nineties and the unfortunate death of DOOM's brother. Will the album ever see the light of day? We have no idea. Until then, if ever, we have this neck-snapper from two of the most enigmatic emcees in the business.
33. Apollo Brown & Planet Asia
"Deep In The Casket"
Anchovies
Production: Apollo Brown
Apollo Brown has done it again. Every year he collabs with an artist and their subsequent album is flames. This year, he paired with west coast underground champ Planet Asia for Anchovies. Basically the entire album is non-skippable, but one standout cut from the album is the melodic, piano laced, vocal-wailing "Deep In The Casket", where Asia pulls the nine-milli on any and all haters that dare wanna stop his shine. You know Asia comes correct with any track he's handed, but as has been the case with Skyzoo, O.C., Guilty Simpson, and Ras Kass, he was able to bring the ass out of him like nobody has done in some time.
32. Run The Jewels
"2100"
RTJ3
Production: El-P
We were blindsided on Christmas Eve 2016, when Run The Jewels delivered RTJ3 a month ahead of schedule. What resulted was another searing, in-your-face release that showed why Killer Mike & EL-P are the biggest bullies on the block. Before the album dropped, however, we got a taste of what was to come with their amped up, "2100", an ode to the then-newly elected POTUS, Donald Trump. Highlighting racism, fasicm, and classicism, this was a call to arms and need for preparation for what was ahead, and boy were they ever right.
31. Jay-Z feat. The-Dream
"Marcy Me"
4:44
Production: No I.D.
When it comes to saluting and unapologetically chronicling their upbringing, Jay-Z is as devoted as it gets. Knowing that who he was end up making him who he is today, he snags The Dream for the vivid "Marcy Me" from 4:44, a look into his days growing up in the Marcy Projects of Brooklyn and the streets that had a hand in his growth. With what was already a fascinating album up to that point, this cut only elevated the album even more, and became of the best cuts on the album, even if it was overshadowed by more revealing cuts like "Family Feud" and the title track. Don't sleep on this joint.
30. Skyzoo
"'95 Bad Boy Logo"
Peddler Themes EP
Producer: TUAMIE
Skyzoo dropped one of the year's strongest EPs and efforts overall with Peddler Themes EP. The always lyrically precise emcee comes through with everything in detail. With "'95 Bad Boy Logo", he glides through the excellent TUAMIE-produced track reminiscing over how much of an influence Bad Boy was in its heyday in New York and for him personally. There's no denying how strong of an influence Bad Boy was, and how it was one of the biggest labels to ever exist in hip-hop. Leave it to Sky to give Puffy and the gang their well-worth due.
29. Westside Gunn feat. Conway The Machine and Royce 5'9"
"100,000 Machine Guns"
Hitler On Steroids
Production: Just Blaze
There may not have been a more cohesive unit this year than Griselda Records. Led by Westside Gunn, the crew consisting of him, his dumb nice brother Conway, B.E.N.N.Y., EL Camino, and slept-on poet Keisha Plum put out mixtape after mixtape this year, and even got officially signed to Shady Records. However, just because they got Marshall Mathers over them doesn't mean the rawness ends. In fact, they reminded people who the fuck they are on Gunna's Hitler On Steroids mixtape this year. On the meticulous just Blaze-crafted track, Gunn, Conway, and Royce all obliterate this track, especially the ever lyrically insane Royce who once again outshined the artist who's track it was in the first place. Nonetheless, Shady and Griselda just may be a match in hardcore heaven.
28. Drake
"Blem"
More Life
Production: T-Minus & Frank Dukes
Drake once again blesses us with the dancehall he's become accustomed to when wanting to get the dance floor popping. In this case, it comes in the form of the slow-winding "Blem", whcih is ironically right after the aforementioned "Madiba Riddim". This is certified to get the dancehall flavor started in any situation, and Drake, in this lane, can just absolutely deliver.
27. Fashawn
"Mother AmeriKKKa"
Manna (EP)
Production:Hecktick & Jukebawks
Fashawn is known for delivering some pretty good cuts that not only exhibit his lyrical talents, but also brings a sense of himself with him. None are likely more powerful from a social level than the melancholy "Mother AmeriKKKa". A call to action by addressing the ills of today's country under the Trump Administration, Fashawn drops a very needed cut for today's unfortunate times.
26. Royce 5'9'
"Wait A Minute (freestyle)"
The Bar Exam 4
23. Logic feat. Damien Lamar Hudson
"Black Spiderman"
Everybody
Production: artist, 6ix, & DJ Khalyl
"Wait A Minute (freestyle)"
The Bar Exam 4
Royce was once labeled as "the complete emcee". Never has that title been more accurate for anyone better than the Detroit rhyme animal. In between delivering his 2016 album, Layers, and his forthcoming Book Of Ryan and the just as anticipated, PRhyme 2 collab album with Preemo, he dropped his THUNDEROUS mixtape, The Bar Exam 4. Among the many standouts of the project was his version of the otherwise catchy radio cut "Wait A Minute" by Phresher. Arguably the most ridiculous freestyle on the entire project (you MUST peep his collabo cut with Conway and Westside Gunn "Governors Ball" on the mixtape), Royce once again shows why he's among the respected, yet feared, spitters in the game bar none, no pun intended.
25. Kendrick Lamar feat. U2
"XXX"
DAMN
Production: Mike WILL Made It, DJ Dahi, & Sounwave
King Kendrick dropped so many jewels from his third classic album, DAMN, that it solidified his distinction of being the most talented emcee of his generation (feel free to put J. Cole and possibly Big K.R.I.T. in that category in that mix too). On the dual-layered cut "XXX", he shows a duality. The first half has a NWA-type beat from Mike WILL Made It having him on a rant about what would happen to people if they were to mess with friends and family, but then the more brooding second half has him more reflective on how the country has declined since Trump has come in and has him very observant. With the legendary Rock band U2 at the helm with lead singer Bono providing the bridge between halves, this song is another different, yet brilliant, cut on one of the most memorable albums we've heard in this era.
24. Cyhi The Prince
"Get Da Money"
No Dope On Sundays
Production: Novell, Mark Byrd
In an important moment on the very highly impressive No Dope On Sundays album, Cyhi breaks down the highs and lows of hustling on "Get Yo Money". Over a neck-snapping beat, Cyhi spits his truth about the street game and it's important, if that's how you wanna live, is handle your business and get out as he unapologetically lets us into his former life of what he raps about here. Definite highlight.
23. Logic feat. Damien Lamar Hudson
"Black Spiderman"
Everybody
Production: artist, 6ix, & DJ Khalyl
Fantastic Baltimore emcee, Logic, hit paydirt when his third album, Everybody, debuted at number one. The album was led by the highly celebratory first single, "Black Spiderman". With spirited vocals by Damien Lamar Hudson, the single highlights diversity and differences in culture. Just the type of positive tone of music we need in today's divisive times.
22. Logic feat. Alessia Cara and Khalid
"1-800-273-8255"
Everybody
Production: artist & 6ix
In what came to be one of the single most important and gripping singles of 2017, Logic delved into a very sensitive, yet vital, issue with "1-800-273-8255", the number for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline. Joined by Grammy nominees Alessia Cara and Khalid, Logic raps from the perspective of a very depressed and suicidal individual and bringing to light the despair of what life can bring. The video is even more compelling. Shouts to all of the above artists for touching a needed subject.
21. Big K.R.I.T.
"Aux Cord"
4eva Is A Mighty Long Time
Production: DJ Khalyl
One of MANY standouts on K.R.I.T.'s amazing, 4eva Is A Mighty Long Time double album, is the excellent "Aux Cord". The song gives it up to all his influences growing up within music and really shows how much of an old soul he is. K.R.I.T. name drops artists like The Ohio Players, Minnie Ripperton, Eddie Kendricks, and Raphael Saadiq among others to show how much music really inspires him and just puts together an appreciative cut for those that made him love music as a whole.
20. Rapsody feat. Busta Rhymes
"You SHould Know"
Laila's Wisdom
Production: 9th Wonder
The first official single from Rapsody's breathtaking Laila's Wisdom album was the Busta Rhymes-assisted "You Should Know". Rapsody been long known for being an intricate emcee on the mic and showing how stellar of an emcee she is. Over this clever reworking of Goodie Mob's classic single "Cell Therapy", Marlena Evans spits flammable bars, but the mighty infamous Busta Rhymes comes through on the smoothed out second half to show that after twenty years plus, not only does he still got it, he has more than these young so-called emcees today. The dungeon dragon still delivers flames with one of the hottest emcees going.
19. Evidence
"Jim Dean"
Weather Or Not
Production: Nottz
It's been some years since we last heard from Dilated peoples' "weatherman", Evidence. Mr. Slow Flow himself returns with the second single from his forthcoming Weather Or Not album, "Jim Dean". Over a snapping Nottz instrumental, Ev reminds us that he's still a very talented emcee and has his album among the most anticipated releases of 2018.
18. Sean Price
"Imperious Rex"
Imperious Rex
Production: The Alchemist
Approaching three years since the untimely passing of Sean Price, we still snap our necks relentlessly and rewind his sick bars. Duck Down and his wife Bernadette dropped his posthumous album, Imperious Rex and it was every bit as knocking as other previous efforts such as Mic Tyson and Jesus Price Supastar. With the Alchemist-laced first single, named after the album, his guerilla lyricism was top notched and there was definitely a lot more where this came from on the album.
17. Cyhi The Prince feat. Travis $cott
"I'm Fine"
No Dope On Sundays
Production: Charlie Heat & Anthony Kilhoffer
If there was ever some heat on the album, it definitely came in the form of the searing collabo between Cyhi The Prince and fellow G.O.O.D. Music artist Travis $cott on "I'm Fine". Over a blazing beat meant for the dance floor, Cyhi details how he has reaped the benefits from his hustles and struggles. A possible anthem for those that didn't need any help from anyone for them to get to the place he or she needed to be. Plus the prayer from the pastor to close out the track was perfect.
16. Jay-Z
"Adnis"
4:44
Production: No I.D.
Rarely do we hear Hov bare his soul on records drenched in pain. Cuts like "Song Cry" revealed there was more than the flashy Jay-Z we had known. On "Adnis", Shawn Carter pens a poignant and saddening letter to his absent father, Adnis. Over arguably the most haunting beat on the album, Jay also expresses his forgiveness for his fathers misdoings. He made his song cry again.
15. Westside Gunn & MF DOOM
"Gorilla Monsoon"
WestsideDOOM EP
Prtoduction: Daringer
Dear God! When the word came out that Gunna and the legendary MF DOOM were doing a joint effort together, the streets went ballistic. Rightfully so. The first sonic earthquake from the album was the stinging "Gorilla Monsoon" Westside sounded his grimy best, but DOOM clearly didn't miss a step over the chilling production from Griselda's beatmaker de force Daringer. One can hope for a full-length album one day.
14. Big K.R.I.T.
"Price Of Fame"
4eva Is A Mighty Long Time
Production: WLPWR
Big K.R.I.T. is one emcee never afraid to bear his heart, mind and soul on a cut. On disc two of 4eva Is A Mighty Long Time, he does so in incredible fashion. One such meaningful cut is "Price Of Fame", in which he highlights the stresses of being in the public eye and how much it can take on toll on your physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. While we've heard this topic covered before, when K.R.I.T. spits it, you really get a good taste of authenticity, and this is yet another standout cut in an already critically acclaimed career.
13. Skyzoo
"Let It Fly"
Peddler Themes EP
Production: !llmind
Skyzoo presents a BANGER on his Peddler Themes EP in the form of the !llmind-crafted "Let It Fly". Over a beat that could've very easily fit in with their marvelous 2009 collab album, Live From The Tape Deck, S-K-Y-Z-O-O spits with slick and highly skillful precision that makes among the most underrated emcees going in the game. Arguably the best highlight on this scorching EP.
12. Westside Gunn feat. Conway The Machine
"R.I.P. Bobby"
Hitler Wears Hermes 5
Production: Daringer & The Alchemist
Simply put kiddies, Griselda was on fire with joints in 2017. One such cut was the super grimy "R.I.P. Bobby", which took its title from the passing of the iconic wrestling personality Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, in which they're very passionate WWE fans. Over a split beat (first half done by Daringer, and the hypnotic second half done by Alchemist), Gunna and his brother spit that gun talk and continue to make themselves among the main ones to watch in 2018.
11. Conway The Machine
"Bishop Shot Steel"
G.O.A.T.
Production: Daringer
Betrayal is something taken very seriously in these streets. On the flute-driven "Bishop Shot Steel" (a reference to a pivotal scene in the movie Juice), Conway hollas at a former friend that backstabbed him and lets him know he didn't appreciate it and he got something coming for him. With someone like Conway, I would suspect that's the last cat I'd want as my enemy. Although he never calls out anyone by name, one has to wonder who he's dissing.
10. Prodigy
"Mystic"
The Hegealian Dialectic: Book Of Revelations
Production: The Alchemist
The rap world was stunned and saddened by the unfortunate passing of Albert "Prodigy" Johnson of the seminal duo Mobb Deep in 2017. One of the nicest to ever touch a microphone, Bandana P laces us with his brand of braggadocio hip-hop over a very breezy, flute-driven beat from close friend The Alchemist. Although technically released as a single in 2016, it made its way onto The Hegelian Dialectic: The Book Of Revelations, which was released in the beginning of 2017. This was the standout cut on what would be P's deepest and most philosophical album ever. God rest the dead.
9. Rapsody feat. Anderson.Paak, Black Thought, and Moonchild
"Nobody"
Laila's Wisdom
Production: 9th Wonder & Khrysis
Rapsody's major label debut, Laila's Wisdom, is cut for cut the best album of 2017, and for great reason. There are cuts that are great, and there are cuts that are near flawless. One such near perfect cut is the mid-tempo yet smooth "Nobody". Over live instrumentation with the croonings of Anderson.Paak and the band Moonchild, Rapsody breaks down how, in true poetic form, a variety of issues that "nobody" comprehends or gets or does anything about. Double that with another great verse from the legendary Black Thought (he even compared her to Philly rhyme great Bahamadia), and this is a truly fabulous cut.
8. Statik Selektah feat. G-Eazy, Joey Bada$$, and Enisa
"Ain't A Damn Thang Changed"
8
Production: artist
What would a year in hip-hop be without Boston's favorite deejay/producer Statik Selektah? He dropped yet another impressive outing in 8, and one of the true highlights of the album is the cut "Ain't A Damn Thang Changed". Possibly the most radio-accessible cut on the album, west coast rapper G-Eazy, frequent collaborator Joey Bada$$, and vocalist Enisa show how the more things change, the more they stay the same over a mellow head-nodder. Although many argue the cut with The Lox and late seventies group Mtume, "You Don't Hear Me Though" may have a slight edge over this one in terms of radio friendliness, it's the production of this cut that stand out more so. Can't go wrong with either.
7. Joey Bada$$ feat. J. Cole
"Legendary"
All AmeriKKKan Bada$$
Production: Statik Selektah
When heads learned J. Cole would collaborate with Joey Bada$$, the anticipation grew even more with A.A.B.A., and the cut "Legendary" definitely fits the aura of this song. Over a melodic, mellow track provided by Statik Selektah, Cole and Bada$$ go the conscious route, they address the ills of life while encouraging brothas in the struggle to stay "legendary", but also questioning their own existence. A very meaningful cut that deserves repeating quite a few times to get its essence.
6. Rapsody feat. GQ
"Ridin'"
Laila's Wisdom
Production: 9th Wonder & Eric G.
On another stellar cut from Laila's Wisdom, Rapsody goes to bat over a family member still struggling to find her own identity. Always wanting her to know that she has her back throughout, she also gives her tough love as well, as only a loving family member would do. Assisted by fellow Jamla artist, GQ, this cut is personal in the fact that we all have that member of the family that we're close to but that also needs help and guidance to make it in life. Rap does this and does this very well. The second half has Rap is seemingly playing the role of the family member she's concerned about in a party atmosphere. Mix this with a sobering GQ verse, and this one is a knockout.
5. Talib Kweli & Styles P feat. Jadakiss, Sheek Louch, and NIKO
"Nine Point Five"
The Seven EP
Production: Marco Polo
Is there anyone Talib Kweli can't rap alongside and it's not a sizzler? In 2017, he got up with another hip-hop great Styles P and they released a tremendous EP entitled The Seven. The lead single, "Nine Point Five" is just a melodic speaker breaker. These two, alongside Styles' Lox brothers Jada and Sheek, provide jewels for the masses without being preachy or overly heavy. With NIKO providing the hook, this is straight up and down good ass hip-hop. Period.
4. Brother Ali
"Dear Black Son"
All The Beauty In This Whole Life
Production: Ant
We waited for over six years for the return of Minneapolis' own Brother Ali, and boy was it worth the wait with his 2017 album, All The Beauty In This Whole Life. A simply fabulous piece of work from the man that created genuine classics such as Shadows On The Sun and The Undisputed Truth, the highlight of the album lies with the very personal and poignant "Dear Black Son". Over a piano loop provided by Atmosphere's Ant, this one has him having a heart to heart with his teenage son about today's society and that through it all, he still loves him. A tear jerker if there ever was one, Ali has crafted arguably the most important father to son cut since Will Smith's "Just The Two Of Us", but in today's racist, Trump-fueled atmosphere, where young Black men are getting killed by police and the George Zimmerman's of the world, this is a song EVERY father needs to play and discuss with his son. Bravo Ali. Bravo.
3. Kendrick Lamar
"Duckworth"
DAMN
Production: 9th Wonder
Once we finally reach the end of the excellence that is DAMN, Kendrick presents us with a real life story about the time his boss of TDE, Anthony "Top Dawg" Tififth nearly shot his father at a fast food restaurant, and how that would've ultimately made the story of DAMN a lot more complex. The genius of this album has the story from top to bottom different from listening to it in reverse, and this is the hot 9th Wonder-produced cut that literally summed it all up at the end...or told the whole story from the beginning. Your call.
2. Rapsody
"Jesus Coming"
Laila's Wisdom
Production: 9th Wonder
Just when you thought Laila's Wisdom was done with how incredible it was, the final cut comes in the form of "Jesus Coming", and it hits you like a sack of stones. One of the heaviest tracks you'll hear in hip-hop in recent memory, Rapsody plays different characters in this cut: a mother who has been shot by random violence, her daughter who also got shot, and one of the guys that had the shootout with another. All three are dying. A troubling yet brilliant cut that will leave quite an impression on you after just one listen. Over one of the melancholy tracks we've ever heard 9th put together, this song will give you the chills and may even choke you up.
1. Kendrick Lamar
"Feel"
DAMN
Production: Sounwave
If there was one song that captured the essence of what DAMN was about, it was this cut. Kendrick basically expresses his frustrations about his life and doesn't give a damn who likes it and who doesn't. Feeling nobody is praying for him, it's from this point we see where his pain and anger come from. Once you get a grasp of this cut, it makes the remaining album more clear as to why he is how he is through the album. This cut is as real as any cut you'll ever hear from King Kendrick.
There were PLENTY other incredible single that were blazing in 2017. There's no time to make a list of a hundred songs, but in terms of replay value, these are some of the best around. Feel free to bump these cuts at any given time of the year. Let's see what 2018 has to offer. Until next time y'all!
