#drxquinnx | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

therappundit · 5 years

Text

The Best of the 1st Half -*2019 Pundit’s PlayLi$t*

Yeah so quite a bit has gone down since the ball dropped.

Everyone talks about how having a baby can change a person, but in my opinion it doesn’t change a person as much as it evolves a person into someone that can still love all of the stuff they always loved, *plus* a little person that they now put before anything else in their day to day life. My friends, that is where I am at in this moment in life. No, I do not write as much as I used to, but I’m happier now than have been in some time, and I love music just as much as I ever did. I am still learning the balance, but I’m also pretty excited to have a little daughter that I will be able to share my highly opinionated thoughts on hip-hop with, whether she wants to hear them or not (most likely not).

These rankings are based on the following key factors: my personal favorites (this is technically not just a list of my favorite songs), plus songs that I thought were especially well done or influential (even if they may not have resonated me as much as everyone else), diverse (I didn’t want to have 10 songs from the same artist, but I would have if I was only basing this list on personal faves), especially strong production and/or verses, and the song had to be officially released prior to July 1st.

As for the year in rap music in general up through the close of June, it has been a strong one. What the genre has lacked in strong “mainstream” releases, it has made up for with enough fantastic underground hip-hop projects that belong in steady rotation for a long time. So here it is, at last, my list of the best rap songs of the first half of 2019… 🙏

1. “Palmolive” - Freddie Gibbs & Madlib feat. Pusha T & Killer Mike

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSn_r2w-idg

(Bandana is quite an album, and “Palmolive” is quite a song. One terrific verse from Freddie, a great hook from Killer Mike, and then a verse of the year front runner with Pusha’s verse, all over a soulful Madlib back-drop?? Yikes. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib have made all rap fans very proud in 2019.)

2. “Thank God” - Tree

https://soundcloud.com/mctreeg/thank-god?in=mctreeg/sets/wegrownnow

(Tree’s We Grown Now is such an amazing album. I can’t recall the last time I heard a project that felt like a living, breathing work of art that logs the life of a man that has been through life’s ups and downs and is just happy to be here to talk about it.)

3. “Crown For Kings” - Benny feat. Black Thought

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtTu_TC3f6A

(Blown away. Black Thought and Griselda?? Bars on top of bars on top of bars...two verse of the year contenders, easily.)

4. “Ricky” - Denzel Curry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WHm6tfvKlk

(As soon as you press play, you can feel the humidity coming off of this song as if we were in the crowd with Curry down in Florida. A wonderful homage to his father, and the Carol City of which he hails.)

5. “Massage Seats” - Freddie Gibbs & Madlib

https://soundcloud.com/gangstagibbs/massage-seats?in=gangstagibbs/sets/bandana-16

(Smooth as Helllll. “This ain’t for soccer mamas this is for the underground” is right.)

6. “Funeral March (The Dirge)” - Your Old Droog feat. Mach-Hommy

https://soundcloud.com/your-old-droog/funeral-march-the-dirge-feat?in=your-old-droog/sets/it-wasnt-even-close-1

(One of the hardest sounding songs in recent memory. I can hear these too aggressive rhymers do this all day.)

7. “Crime Pays” - Freddie Gibbs & Madlib

https://soundcloud.com/gangstagibbs/crime-pays?in=gangstagibbs/sets/bandana-16

(So quintessential to Bandana’s vibe this thing feels like it has a pulse. I was listening to this on my walk home the other day and it put me in such a breezy headspace, I can’t even describe it any other way than simply saying it’s another classic Madlib production.)

8. “5 to 50” - Benny feat. India

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQGRPxrHtjI

(Captivating. Benny and The Alchemist join forces to concoct a song so real it makes 90% of drug dealer talk in rap music sound phony.)

9. “There U R” - Tree

https://soundcloud.com/mctreeg/there-u-r?in=mctreeg/sets/wegrownnow

(Give this man his flowers now. There are a lot of talented artists in rap music, but none tackle a song like an old Blues man...none except Tree, that is.)

10. “Freestyle Shit” - Freddie Gibbs & Madlib

https://soundcloud.com/gangstagibbs/freestyle-s-t?in=gangstagibbs/sets/bandana-16

(Pffffew, that Gibbs delivery....right from the get-go on the album’s first song it’s so clear that Bandana is a special project.)

11. “Sunday School” - Benny feat. 38 Spesh & Jadakiss

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ero1Xexyhs

(Good luck picking the best verse here! All three kill it, but Spesh may end up pulling ahead with a few key haymakers.)

12. “Situations” - Freddie Gibbs & Madlib

https://soundcloud.com/gangstagibbs/situations?in=gangstagibbs/sets/bandana-16

(One of Bandana’s more minimalistic instrumentals, and it takes off thanks to the jet pack provided by Gibbs’ absolutely sensational contributions on this one.)

13. “Cokewhite” - Goldlink feat. Pusha T

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zCGiHhTxMM

(One of a few verse of the year contenders from King Push.)

14. “Funeral” - Tree & Parallel Thought

https://parallelthought1.bandcamp.com/track/funeral

(I hope with all of my heart that songs like this aren’t part of Tree’s process of letting go of the music biz, but even if it is, what a beautiful way to go out.)

15. “Bandana” - Freddie Gibbs & Madlib feat. Assassin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWCciqqzno4

(While it may not have made the final cut of the Bandana album that shares it’s name, this reggae-tinged Madlib blessed riot starter has been one of my favorite songs of the year since it dropped and it keeps feeling better to me.)

16. “Flights” - Tree

https://soundcloud.com/mctreeg/flights?in=mctreeg/sets/wegrownnow

(Tree kills it with the autobiographical joints, and this soulful walk down memory lane is as enthralling as an audio diary.)

17. “To Whom It May Concern” - Jim Jones feat. Cam'ron, Guordan Banks, Benny The Butcher and Conway

https://soundcloud.com/jim-jones-capo/to-whom-it-may-concern-feat-camron-guordon-banks-benny-the-butcher-conway-the-machine?in=jim-jones-capo/sets/el-capo

(A Dipset and Griselda collaboration is enough to make someone like me get emotional...anyone have a tissue, this Benny-Cam’ron-Conway back to back series is too much to handle!?)

18. “Dominate” - DJ Muggs & Eto

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxjTKqpMHIE

(Straight menace music. Muggs & Eto would have made Mobb Deep proud with “Dominate”...especially Muggs, this beat is brutal!)

19. “Under The Train (Transporting)” - Your Old Droog

https://soundcloud.com/your-old-droog/under-the-train-transporting-1

(Droog’s Transportation album may be the perfect travelling companion for moving through the streets of NYC, and this song may be the crown jewel. This has the feel of a classic New York anthem and I am crazy for it.)

20. “Obamacare” - Quelle Chris

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-F19d5PcJY

(Another year, another thought provoking Quelle Chris project. He seems to be getting better with age, is that possible?)

21. “Attics” - DJ Muggs & Eto

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UmYxcv4YTs

(Sure Muggs & Eto dropped a banger of an album with Hell’s Roof, .but “Attics” has the strength to be a career defining track for Eto. This is dark poetry from the hungriest parts of upstate NY.)

22. “ZUU” - Denzel Curry

https://soundcloud.com/denzelcurryph/zuu?in=denzelcurryph/sets/zuu-3

(A rousing intro to what I would consider the best “mainstream” rap album of 2019 so far.)

23. “Chasing Ghosts” - Your Old Droog feat. Roc Marciano

https://soundcloud.com/your-old-droog/chasing-ghosts-feat-roc?in=your-old-droog/sets/it-wasnt-even-close-1

(What a great example of why these two are so good at what they do. Eerie underground hip-hop at its’ finest.)

24. “Giannis” - Freddie Gibbs & Madlib feat. Anderson .Paak

https://soundcloud.com/gangstagibbs/giannis-feat-anderson-paak?in=gangstagibbs/sets/bandana-16

(One of the funkier standouts from Bandana, and album full of standouts. Paak and Gibbs tap dance all over this one.)

25. “18 Wheeler” - Benny feat. Pusha T

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdZC8uBwJ4Q&list=PLVipAi3U-JouPCQvz3KoH2B1VAKAZc7m4&index=6

(At this point, what else needs to be said about the potency of these two rap-writers? Calling it “coke rap” wouldn’t even begin to explain how good these two are when it comes to rapping.)

26. “Cubicle” - Buddy feat. 03 Greedo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZ9Yw7i_Fo8

(What a slept-on smash from Buddy and 03 Greedo. Both artists do the West Coast proud with one of my favorite cuts off of the deluxe edition of Harlan & Alondra.)

27. “AUTOMATIC” - Denzel Curry

https://soundcloud.com/denzelcurryph/automatic?in=denzelcurryph/sets/zuu-3

(Denzel Curry and Tay Keith prove to be a potent combination on this ZUU banger.)

28. “IMG” - Nolan The Ninja

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vNvRLIQHVs

(Nolan has blessed us with a number of great songs in 2019, but I think this one epitomizes just how much he has progressed as a rap artist.)

29. “Make No Issues Of It” - Jim Jones

https://soundcloud.com/jim-jones-capo/make-no-issues-of-it?in=jim-jones-capo/sets/el-capo

(Jimmy did his thing...but Heatmakerz kicks the damn door down.)

30. “Splinters” - Fly Anakin & Tuamie feat. ANKHLEJOHN & Al.Divino

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWORdUQAEcc

(Just a chilling collaboration from some of the best artists that underground hip-hop has to offer, that’s all.)

31. “Deadass” - Kemba

https://soundcloud.com/kembaland/deadass-2

(Unfortunately, in any other era this should have been a huge rap hit. Fortunately, in this era it can be praised as one of the best underground smashes of the year.)

32. “Wild Minks” - Quelle Chris feat. Mach-Hommy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dQmPX1C0Vk

(Quelle and Mach make beautiful music together, and they don’t come much more beautiful than this one.)

33. “Education” - Freddie Gibbs & Madlib feat. Yasiin Bey & Black Thought

https://soundcloud.com/gangstagibbs/education-feat-yasiin-bey?in=gangstagibbs/sets/bandana-16

(As if that line-up isn’t enough to make any hip-hop head salivate, what’s even more impressive is the final product manages to meet expectations.)

34. “Dynasties” - Tedy Andreas

https://soundcloud.com/tedyandreas/dynasties-prod-graphwize

(Dope beat, dope MC and a killer hook. I can’t be the only longterm fan that Tedy earned with this one.)

35. “Flat Tummy Tea” - Freddie Gibbs & Madlib

https://soundcloud.com/gangstagibbs/flat-tummy-tea

(I liked it when it first dropped, love it even more now. Freddie straight MURDERS this one...)

36. “Eedeot Bwoy” - Mach-Hommy feat. Your Old Droog & Tha God Fahim

https://soundcloud.com/mach-hommy/eedeot-bwoy-feat-tha-god-fahim?in=mach-hommy/sets/wap-konn-joj-1

(What a great year for both Mach & Droog. This joint feels like 3:00AM Wake Up Show music...and I love that!)

37. “2016” - Jamal Gasol

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxEBzhV6Ar4

(True Stories is quite possibly my favorite project from Gasol’s impressive discography, and this one has been in my rotation for all of 2019 thus far. Jamal is another one of upstate New York’s gem MCs, so if you’re a fan of Benny and Griselda, definitely check out Niagara’s Jamal Gasol.)

38. “Field Negro” - Royce Da 5′9″

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yDmU881LTo

(An unorthodox production anchored by one of the best writers in the history of the genre, that’s all. Royce murders this thing with so many quotables...yet you’re still somehow sleeping on Royce???)

39. “Know The Type” - Lansky Jones feat. CJ Fly & Mr. Muthafuckin' Exquire

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riRJk2QiROI

(What happens when a collection of some of NYC’s most talented, but least heralded MC’s join forces to deliver what sounds like a classic mid-90′s throwback joint? They create one of the smoothest rap songs of 2019.)

40. “Spider Hole” - Billy Woods & Kenny Segal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1WBEi5LlkI

(Beautifully bleak music from Billy Woods and Kenny Segal, who demonstrate brilliant chemistry throughout Hiding Places.)

41. “Bad Boys” - Pivot Gang (Joseph Chilliams, Saba, MFnMelo) feat. Smino

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCaBVqi4Rag

(This one didn’t blow up - at least not yet - but I have no idea why!? This track, like so much of Pivot Gang’s You Can’t Sit With Us album, is such a fantastic showcase for Chi-town’s deep hip-hop scene.)

42. “Last Supper” - Eto & DJ Muggs feat. Meyhem Lauren

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCc47fVzptU

(A dope song from a dope album, sure...but it’s that Meyhem verse that catapults this joint into the top 50 of the year through June. “I don’t have kids just clothes, cars & cribs” is easily one of the year’s best opening bars!)

43. “$ream - Rigz (Da Cloth)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piGwjW27ZRQ

(Not just one of Rochester’s finest, Rigz is quite simply one of hip-hop’s finest MC’s.)

44. “HolOnHolOn” - Fly Anakin & Tuamie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCbgGn2BXUc&list=PLAfLqY9BQJkyjUuDAEn7cehQ3DZWAZogX&index=4

(Another GORGEOUS track from Mutant Academy. Is it me or does Tuamie channel some Jay Dee-esque vibes with this one?)

45. “Jason Statham, Pt. 2” - Pivot Gang (Joseph Chilliams, Saba, MFnMelo)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy57oefUZXg

(A very dope song from a very dope album. Pivot Gang’s project deserved all of the attention that Revenge of the Dreamers received, and then some. This is Chicago all-star work.)

46. “CAROLMART” - Denzel Curry feat. Ice Billion Berg

https://soundcloud.com/denzelcurryph/carolmart-feat-ice-billion?in=denzelcurryph/sets/zuu-3

(One of the bounciest joints on a very bouncy album, here Denzel successfully harkens back to the regional style that influenced him without sounding even the slightest bit dated.)

47. “Down” - JID, Bas, J. Cole, EARTHGANG & Young Nudy (Dreamville)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibvxfN7G6Gs

(The names in this line-up were enough to keep the hype building for Revenge of the Dreamers 3. However, it’s the performance of the artists on the track that have kept it in heavy rotation over here.)

48. “207” - Your Old Droog

https://soundcloud.com/your-old-droog/207-1

(Weaving funny lyrics with poignant observations has always been one of Your Old Droog’s specialties. By tackling personal topics such as agoraphobia and his general anti-social behavior Droog is able to elevate this song to stand-out status.)

49. “Only Built For Corrilinks” - Quadry & Tuamie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZXufjWO1E4

(Travelling waaaay under the radar is Baton Rouge’s Quadry, who dropped a stellar project helmed by rising underground producer extraordinaire, Tuamie. The duo’s Emergency Raps, Vol. 5 is a quick but impressive listen.)

50. “Oaks” - BULLIES (Denmark Vessey, DrxQuinnx and Azarias)

https://fxckrxp.bandcamp.com/track/oaks

(A criminally underrated project that stands amongst this year’s finest, Denmark, Quinn & Azarias have fantastic musical chemistry that can be found all across the Bullies album. In another time and another place, Bullies would fit in well alongside Def Jux’s starting line-up.)

***Selections #51-#100***:

https://therappundit.tumblr.com/post/186668563851/the-best-of-the-1st-half-2019-pundits

5 notes · View notes

therappundit · 7 years

Text

October 2017 - *PlayLi$t of the Month*

October is typically my favorite month of the year. My wife and I both have birthdays in Oct., autumn is easily the most perfect season, and if there is a holiday cooler than Halloween, I haven’t heard of it. Unfortunately, due to personal reasons this month has been one of the toughest that I can remember in my life. Thankfully, music has always been there for me in my time of emotional need. The last few weeks have yielded some solid releases from bigger names in hip-hop (Gucci Mane, the Wu-Tang Clan), as well as a celebration of some of hip-hop’s more diverse rising talents (Earth Gang, IDK, Lute, Rapsody). The selections I made below stood out as some of my personal favorites that I’ve been enjoying this month, so press play and escape with me as we kick-off hoodie season with my October PlayLi$t...

1. “Gorilla Monsoon” - Westside Gunn & DOOM (WESTSIDEDOOM)

https://soundcloud.com/user-5212897/westsidedoom-gorilla-monsoon

(Griselda owns the first two spots on this month’s list, which is to be expected given that this is the spookiest month of the year. The first of two WESTSIDEDOOM cuts - that we know of - and everything from the Daringer instrumental, to the voice of WSG to the arrival of some new DOOM just screams Halloween, and I love it. Extra special bonus points to Daringer for flipping a sample from the original Night of the Living Dead on this one...soooo classic.)

2. “Spurs 2” - Conway feat. Benny

https://soundcloud.com/user-5212897/spurs-2-feat-benny-prod-by

(Conway & DJ Green Lantern’s More Steroids just dropped, and it’s already my pick for the best project of 2017′s fourth quarter. The Machine & Benny The Butcher both provide top notch bars, but it’s Benny that steals the spotlight with a scintillating verse, casually dropping one of my favorite lines of the year with “they come and ask for H like it’s Wheel Of Fortune”. This is menace music in all its’ glory, in the tradition of music from rap legends like the Wu, Boot Camp and Mobb Deep.)

3. “Schoolcraft” - Nolan The Ninja

https://soundcloud.com/nolantheninja-1/schoolcraft

(I sure hope Detroit is proud of Nolan The Ninja. While he has consistently dropped dope hip-hop in the tradition of dusty 90′s boom bap, Nolan really stepped up on his new album, YEN. Everything from his bars, to his storytelling, to his production choices, they were all top notch on this project. Like the Griselda boys, he breathes fresh life into a classic sound, and with “Schoolcraft” his aesthetic bottles the nostalgia and spirit of hip-hop very well.)

4. “Maryland Ass Ni**a” - IDK feat. Swizz Beatz

https://soundcloud.com/jayidk1/maryland-ass-nigga-with-swizz-beatz?in=jayidk1/sets/iwasverybad-soundtrack

(This new IWASVERYBAD project from IDK is legit. The Maryland MC - formally known as Jay IDK, before he shortened it - showcases a ton of skills on this thoughtful project. While his storytelling skills may be his most potent weapon of choice, this cut just erupts with attitude, plus his flow is so crazy...factor in this hard beat and catchy hook, and it became an easy standout for me.)

5. “Bipolar” - G Herbo

https://soundcloud.com/gherbo/bipolar

(With his major label debut, Humble Beast, the young spitter from Chicago wanted this to be his own version of Reasonable Doubt. While that is probably not a realistic expectation, the album does successfully put his gifts on full display. Herbo is not a cookie cutter product from the drill era, he is a young MC with real perspective, capable of being a mouthpiece for his community and a representation of the Windy City’s surplus of diverse talent. “Bipolar” is my favorite track from Herbo’s album right now because of how skillfully he switches up his delivery, and sounds so honest and hungry throughout.)

6. “Fresh” - Chuck Strangers & The Alchemist

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ltakk6HipzY

(Alchemist’s chemistry with Chuck Strangers is superb on this one - and like a lot of Al’s recent work, with “Fresh” we get two dope beats for the price of one! I mistakenly thought of Chuck as a producer first and MC second, but that wasn’t fair of me. As it turns out he is that rare producer on the mic that excels at both, so if you have been sleeping on this talent from out the Pro Era clique, it is time for you to wake up.)

7. “Juggin” - Lute

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdUgSxNS8VM

(If you missed the release of Lute’s West 1996, Pt. 2, you need to rectify that immediately. One of the most soulful releases I have heard in a while, Lute has a story to tell and he raps with the wisdom of a much older man. A lot of good MCs can drop bars, but surprisingly few can actually craft songs. Well, consider Lute one of those select few. Far from just a J.Cole co-sign, Lute blew me away with this project, and I will be sure to keep it in rotation for some time because it is straight up good music.)

8. “Chrome (Like Ooh)” - Rapsody

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jT--wzif8fs

(Rapsody really delivered with Laila’s Wisdom. So many gems on this album, arguably her finest work, but what I love about “Chrome” is that it puts her talents on display as both a skilled MC and song writer. Comparisons to Kendrick are warranted, considering that they are two of the best at balancing those skill sets. Never to be referred to as a “great female MC”, Rapsody is quite simply one of the best MCs out there today, so folks make sure you keep the North Carolina representative’s name in all conversations when it comes to ranking the top 10 best in the game right now.)

9. “Bleach” - DrxQuinnx feat. Jay Lyn Gatz

https://soundcloud.com/drxquinnx/bleach-ft-jaylyn-gatz-prod-by?in=drxquinnx/sets/richard-pryor

(How DrxQuinnx isn’t as respected in the underground as Knxwledge is a surprise to me. A master of cut up dusty loops and samples, the Chicago producer/MC should be considered one of the best rising artists in the underground right now. His Richard Pryor tape is great hip-hop that you can nod your head to from front to back, and it’s the first tape he has released that made me really take notice of how good he is as a rapper - not just on the boards. I’ll be keeping “Bleach”, “Cocaine & Switchblades” with Vic Spencer, “Moves” and “Shteef” in rotation for the foreseeable future, thank you very much.)

10. “New Freezer” - Rich The Kid feat. Kendrick Lamar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLKYz1r23Lo

(One of the most unexpected Kendrick verses to come along in a while, this Rich The Kid collab is not really saying much...but it really works for me! Kendrick sounds like he is having a good time on this one, dropping one of his “99% crazy flow, 1% lyrical” verses, and in spite of Rich’s limits as a MC, I really dig his hook work on this one.)

*Honorable Mention - Bonus Cut*

“RIP Bobby” - Westside Gunn & Conway

https://soundcloud.com/user-5212897/westsidegunn-x-conway-rip-bobby

(I love how whenever a legend in the wrestling business passes away, I can count on the Griselda gang to bless us with a dope dedication track. Featuring a vocal sample from one of Bobby “The Brain” Heenan’s many classic rants - and production from BOTH Daringer & Alchemist - the Buffalo brothers go back and forth over two soulful backdrops. The lyrics might not have anything to do with the life of Bobby Heenan, but it sure captures the slick vibe of the greatest manager in WWE history. Enjoy, humanoids!)

“Black Fountains of Youth” - Cashus King (Co$$)

https://soundcloud.com/cashusking/black-fountains-of-youth

(s/o to the artist formally known as Co$$, I love this one. Cashus King has a great time rattling off a long list of clever rhymes proclaiming how great he his at...well, dropping all types of clever rhymes! Capturing the fun of classic tracks like Smoothe Da Hustler & Trigga The Gambler’s “Broken Language” without sounding dated, I hope this means we have more fun records like this one to come from the underrated veteran.)

“St. Regis” - Conway

https://soundcloud.com/user-5212897/st-regis-prod-by-daringer?in=user-5212897/sets/conway-and-dj-green-lantern-more-steroids

(Truth be told, I could have put 4 or 5 different Conway tracks from More Steroids on here. I selected “St. Regis” because it really sounded like Conway connected with Daringer’s soulful loop on this one, so much so that he even commented on it at the end of the track. With more projects slated to drop in the not too distant future, Griselda Records continues to make big moves to close out 2017.)

Still In Heavy Rotation:

4:44 by JAY-Z

http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/jay-z-4-44-upcoming-album-new-mixtape.117283.html

Rosebudd’s Revenge by Roc Marciano

http://onsmash.com/music/roc-marciano-rosebudds-revenge-album-stream/

[ICYMI: Last month’s list below]

https://therappundit.tumblr.com/post/165327239321/september-2017-playli-t-of-the-month

1 note · View note