50 Best Rap Songs of 2009

I had a hard time coming up with 10 hip-hop albums I really enjoyed this year. But when it comes to songs, I had to stop myself at 50. Yep, songs (and mixtapes) murdered albums in 2009.

50. Dolla - "Georgia Nights"
© Frazer Harrison/Getty
ATLien Dolla recorded this slow cooker just days before he was murdered in L.A.

49. Grouch & Eligh - "All In"
© Legendary Music
Once in a while, alt-rap specialists like Blackalicious and various members of the Hiero clan pop up to remind us that the west coast isn't all hyphy and big basslines. Case in point: this slice of slaphappy hip-hop anthem courtesy of The Grouch & Eligh (both members of Living Legends).
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48. LEGACY - "T.K.O." (Ft. Phonte)
© Traffic Entertainment Group
Hip-hop posse cuts have become a way to demonstrate clout and drum up publicity for an album, as opposed to a lyrical showcase. This jawn by L.E.G.A.C.Y. doesn't conform to that standard. It finds like-minded MCs Sean Price and Phonte pummeling a rather tough beat into submission.
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47. Pac Div - "Mayor"
© Universal Motown
Mibbs & crew are having an Ice Cube-style good day. In fact, they're bubbling with so much excitement that a run for mayor suddenly seems feasible. Or is that Grey Goose in action? The group expects to drop its first official full-length via Universal Motown Records in 2010.
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46. Slim Thug - "I Run"
© Koch
Brassy, slap-happy southern rap encouraging all personages in the streets of H-Town to please recognize his royal Thuggness.
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H-Town Sneaker Summit - Winter '09

Click on the Image to go to their website.

H-TOWN SNEAKER SUMMIT - WINTER '09 BUY, SELL, TRADE, DISPLAY, BROWSE, & DISCUSS RARE & EXCLUSIVE SNEAKERS AND CLOTHING Special Guest Bobbito Garcia aka Kool Bob Love View Displays From The Hottest Sneaker Collections! Visit One Day Only 'Pop Up Shops' By The Finest Boutiques! Find Special Holiday Deals On The Hottest Fashions! Preview And Purchase Unreleased & Exclusive Items Available Only At The Summit! Win Raffle Prizes & Free Give Aways! 30,000 sq ft venue featuring five unique areas; Backstage VIP area, Concert Hall, Club/Lounge, Arcade/Game Room/Sports Bar, Outdoor Playground ft. Skatepark and Basketball Half Court. Live Skateboard Demo by A-Front and Southside Skatepark Dance Cipher lead by professional dance team. Performances and Special Guest Appearances TBA

Sunday, December 27th the H-Town Sneaker Summit will hold their annual winter event. The event is the largest and longest running of its kind in the entire Southwest. The bi annual summit is entering it's sixth year and looking forward to continue to push the envelope and elevate sneaker culture into the next decade. Past events have attracted the likes of Rafer Alston, Slim Thug, DJ Clark Kent, and long time summit participant Bun B, along with several thousand sneaker enthusiasts from all over. This seasons event will feature special guest Bobbito Garcia aka Kool Bob Love among others. Event merchandise will feature an exclusive limited edition collaboration with long time H-Town Sneaker Summit Sponsor, Akomplice Clothing.

..:: Admission ::.. Advance: $15 :: Day of Show: $25 ..:: Times ::.. Door: 3:00 PM ..:: Tickets On Sale::.. 12/09/2009

The 10 Best Rap Albums of 2009

While 2009 has produced more duds than gems, the year boasts an array of great albums that managed to sustain our faith in hip-hop. Grab a cold drink, pull up a chair, and join us as we take stock of 2009's best hip-hop albums.

10. K'naan - 'Troubadour'
© A&M
For a guy who only learned the English Language a decade ago, Somali-Canadian MC K'naan is an outstanding lyricist. K'naan Left an indelible mark on the global hip-hop community with 2005's Dusty Foot Philosopher. He now returns with the musically rich Troubador, which features Damian "JR Gong" Marley, Chubb Rock, Mos Def, Kirk Hammett of Metallica, Chali 2na and Adam Levine & James Valentine of Maroon 5. Troubadour finds K’naan assuming the role of a street griot and dishing out some of the most compelling narratives you’ll hear all year. In his own words, “My job is to write what I see/So a visual stenographer is what I be.”

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The Most Disappointing Rap Albums of 2009

Disappointment. The displeasure caused by a failure to meet expectations. These are 10 rap albums we'd love to forget about as we approach the dawn of a new year.

10. Fabolous - 'Loso's Way'

The problem with Fab is that you could make a greatest hits album out of his moments of inconsistency. Loso's Way starts off strong with one of the best introductory tracks of the year, but never quite sustains that intensity.


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Reebok Holiday 2009 Pump Omni Lite Plaid

In time for the cold days of the year Reebok introduces a new plaid colorway of the Pump Omni Lite. The mid top sneaker comes in a brown colorway with red/black plaid details. It is now available at Flauge.

#1 Side Chick

I personally believe that the following artist has been overlooked by many. He is lyrically talented...Like on the real, you cant find too many people who can just spit it like him. I'm hoping he gets pretty far wit it. If you havent copped his album, "Tha Connect" go get it, download it or sumfin...IT'S PRETTY HOTT...yea, HOT wit 2T's...Tis all I have to say....

2009 Urban Music Award Nominees Announced!

Ladies and gentlemen, this year’s Urban Music Award nominees have been announced so, of course, I had to share! We’ve got some great hip hoppers nominated this year. We’ve got Akon, Flo Rida, Lil Wayne, Timbaland, Busta Rhymes and so many more. They want you to vote for your favorite artists over the UMA vote page so make sure you cast your vote! Who will you be voting for?

Here’s a list of the nominees:

Artist of the Year 2009 (USA & UK)
Rihanna
The Dream
Rick Ross
Akon
Neyo
J. Holiday
Lil Wayne

Best Music Video 2009 (USA & UK)
Rihanna “Rehab”
Bobby V feat Lil Wayne “Ms Officer”
Day 26 ft. Young Joc & Diddy ‘Imma put it on her’
Akon ‘Beautiful’
Lady Gaga ‘Poker Face’
Ne-Yo ‘Ms Independent’

See the rest after the jump!

Best Album 2009 (USA & UK)
John Legend ‘Evolver’ (G.O.O.D/Columbia)
The Dream ‘Love VIS Money’ (RadioKilla /DefJam)
Kanye West ‘808’s & Heartbreak’ (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam)
Akon ‘Freedom’ (Konvict/Upfront/SRC/Universal Motown)
Seal ‘Soul’ (Warner Bros.)
Musiq Soulchild ‘On my Radio’ (Atlantic)
Keri Hilson ‘In a perfect world’ (Mosley/Zone4/Interscope)
JadaKiss ‘Last Kiss’ (Ruff Ryders/D-Block/Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam)
India Arie ‘Testimony: Vol2, Love & Politics’ (Soulbird/Universal Republic)

Best R&B Act 2009 (USA & UK)
Rihanna
Jazmine Sullivan
Robin Thicke
Bobby V
Keyshia Cole
J Holiday

Best DJ 2009 (USA & UK)
Green Lattern (USA)
Khaled (USA)
Tim Westwood (UK)
Fatman Scoop (USA)
Funkmaster Flex (USA)

Best TV Show (US only)
Making the Band – MTV
Bet 106 & Park – BET
American Idol – FOX
Rip the Runway – BET
Harlem Heights – BET

Best HipHop Act 2009 (USA & UK)
Lil Wayne
Giggs
Kanye West
Jay-Z
Lupe Fiasco
Kardinal Offishall

Best Magazine (Print & Online)
Yo Raps
Source
HipHop Weekly
Vibe
XXL

Best Male Act 2009 (UK & USA)
Flo’rida
Dizzee Rascal
Giggs
Kid Cudi
Ghetts
Bobby V
Day 26

Best Collaboration 2009 (USA & UK)
Kanye West ft Estelle ‘American Boy’
Taoi Cruz ft Sugababes & Busta Rhymes ‘Like a Star’
Jay Z ft Santagold ‘Brooklyn Go Hard’
T-Pain feat. Ludacris ‘Chopped & Screwed’
Sway feat. Akon ‘Silver & Gold’
Jim Jones & Ron Browz ft. Juelz Santana ‘Pop Champagne’
Musiq Soulchild ft. Mary J Blige ‘If U Leave’

Best Female Act 2009 (UK & USA)
Amy Winehouse
Estelle
Jazmine Sullivan
M.I.A
Chrisette Michelle
Rihanna
Keri Hilson

Best Producer 2009
Mark Ronson
Swiss Beatz
Timberland
Scott Storch
Ryan Leslie
Stargate

Best Single 2009 (USA & UK)
Tinchy Stryder feat Dappy ‘Number 1’
Busta Rhymes ft Diddy, T-Pain & more ‘Arab Money’
Ghetts ‘Sing for me’
T-Pain ‘Chopped & Screwed’
Eminem ft Dr. Dre & 50 Cent ‘Crack a bottle’
Kid Cudi ‘Day and Night’
Beyonce ‘Halo’