Top 10 Rap Songs of the Week

A weekly countdown of the best hip-hop songs.

10. Lupe Fiasco - "What You Want"
© Atlantic Records
If "What You Want"(the unmastered version) and "I'm Beamin'" are any indication, prepare yourself for an assault of strange experimentation. Lupe is trying his hands on new sounds and we can only hope for the better.

9. Snoop Dogg - "I Wanna Rock (West Coast Remix)"

"I Wanna Rock" was already a banger but Snoop found a way to further enhance it. The Dogg Father rounded up some of the west's finest MCs (Ras Kass, Crooked I, Daz) for a gangstafied remix.

8. Nas - "Strong Will Continue"

One of two leaks from Distant Relatives, "Strong Will Continue" finds Nasty Nas peeling back the curtain on his personal struggles: "How in the hell am I supposed to stay comfy when I pay alimony/child support monthly?"



7. Trae - "I'm Beamin'"
© Henry Adaso
H-town native Trae jacks Lupe's "I'm Beamin'" and drops some of the realest rhymes he ever wrote.

6. Statik Selektah - "So Close So Far" (Ft. Bun B, Wale, Colin Munroe)

Is it unusual that Bun B and Wale are rapping about personal responsibility and economic recession when "Pop Champagne" is the order of the day? Yes. Beautifully so.



5. Fat Joe - "Ha Ha (Slow Down, Son)" (Feat. Young Jeezy)

I saw Young Jeezy in concert with Jay-Z earlier in the week and he was just throaty live as he is on wax. Who woulda thunk it?

4. Nas & Damian Marley - "As We Enter"

Inhale. Exhale. That's fresh air washing all over your face.

3. Freddie Gibbs - "Do Wrong" (Feat. Pill)

Understandably, Freddie Gibbs' fascination with the harsh realities of street life may put off those who don't live it. But the music here, in its gorgeous monstrosity, could change that.

2. Jay Electronica - "Exhibit C"

Jay’s imagery, though impressive, is only one part of the equation. The other part comes from Just Blaze’s musically rich soundboard. A dense soundscape of shimmering piano licks over a classic break beat and thumping bass is the recipe for an instant banger.

1. Reflection Eternal - "Just Begun" (Ft. Mos Def, J Cole and Jay Electronica)

Following up their first collaboration, Train of Thought, Hi-Tek and Talib Kweli are readying their second Reflection Eternal album. The duo's sophomore LP is titled Revolutions Per Minute and it's slated for release on April 6, 2010. Mark your calendar.

via: Henry's Blog