Best Rap, 2010
I say this every year but this has been the hardest year end singles list I’ve ever had to compile. I mean the shit is. Fucking. Ridiculous. Young people are making great music, old people are making great music. Styles are evolving faster than ever, new little underground pockets of creativity are popping up. Fun rappers are having fun again and serious rappers are getting even more serious. The best of them are doing both. So much great rap is being produced that I had to make quite a few painful omissions from this list – the initial lineup was pared down from about 100. At the same time the labyrinth/maze is more complex than ever. Apart from a handful of triumphs in the upper reaches of this list, major label rap has been a complete mess this year. Several long standing rap icons – particularly the once holy ATLien trinity of Jeezy, T.I. and Gucci – have fallen to relative irrelevance on both creative and commercial levels. Many of the rappers who have found success have done so with records where the act of rapping is an afterthought or even nonexistent. They are now stars who rap, not rap stars.
But forget those bums. This is the Best Rap list. There is no Drake. Other notable omissions include, but are not limited to: aging New Yorkers who have had more major deals than major hits; teenagers from Dallas or LA who keep giving different names to the same goddamn dances and won’t get off my lawn; autistic youtube sensations; dead men whose voices live on in the name of dollars; white people who aren’t wolves or bugs; bloggers turned rappers; child actors turned rappers; children of rappers turned rappers; 40 year old rappers who talk about Gucci; children who act like 40 year old rappers who talk about Gucci; 40 year old rappers who hate both children and Gucci; children who act like 40 year old rappers who hate children and Gucci; Juggalos; Canadians; South Africans and J. Cole.
If you’re just joining us, please read the rules and standards before you start talking shit. Otherwise, hit the jump for the full list and prepare to argue about opinions as if they were empirical facts. Or, you know, just stfu and enjoy fifty good rap songs.
1. Rick Ross f/ Styles P – “BMF” (Def Jam)
2. Kanye West f/ Nicki Minaj & Others – “Monster” (Def Jam)
3. Young Dro – “Freeze Me” (Grand Hustle)
4. Lil B – “Wonton Soup” (Internet)
5. Waka Flocka Flame f/ Roscoe Dash & Wale – “No Hands” (Brick Squad/Asylum)
6. Killa Kyleon f/ Z-Ro – “Swang Real Wide” (AMG)
7. Soulja Boy f/ Gucci Mane – “Pretty Boy Swag (Remix)” (SODMG/Interscope)
8. Lil Wayne – “Single” (Cash Money/Universal)
9. E-40 f/ Too Short – “Bitch” (Sick Wid It)
10. Tyler, The Creator f/ Hodgy Beats- “French” (OFWGKTA)
11. Young L – “Young L-E-N” (Legendary)
12. Curren$y – “King Kong” (Blu Roc)
13. Starlito – “Alright” (Blu)
14. Travis Porter – “Make It Rain” (Porter House)
15. Cam’Ron f/ Vado & Kid Cudi – “Ur Killin Me” (Diplomats)
16. Earl Sweatshirt – “Earl” (OFWGKTA)
17. Wiz Khalifa – “Mezmorized” (Rostrum)
18. Z-Ro – “Blast Myself” (Rap-A-Lot)
19. French Montana f/ Curren$y – “So High” (Mixtape)
20. Roc Marciano – “Thug’s Prayer” (Fat Beats)
21. Alley Boy f/ Young Dro – “Tall” (Mixtape)
22. Gucci Mane – “Long Money” (Mixtape)
23. Yelawolf – “Pop The Trunk” (Interscope)
24. Big Boi – “Shutterbug” (Def Jam)
25. Plies – “Bruh Bruh” (Slip N Slide/Atlantic)
26. Roach Gigz – “Respect It” (Thizz City)
27. BOB f/ Playboy Tre & TI – “Bet I Bust” (Grand Hustle/Atlantic)
28. Wooh Da Kid f/ Waka Flocka Flame – “Body Bag” (Brick Squad)
29. Jay Electronica – “The Announcement” (Roc Nation)
30. J. Stalin f/ Messy Marv – “HNIC” (SMC)
31. YG – “Toot It And Boot It” (Def Jam)
32. Lloyd Banks f/ Juelz Santana – “Beamer Benz Or Bentley” (G-Unit)
33. Main Attrakionz – “Legion Of Doom” (Internet)
34. Danny Brown – “Greatest Rapper Ever” (Rappers I Know)
35. AG – “Infected” (Fat Beats)
36. Kendrick Lamar – “Michael Jordan” (Top Dawg)
37. Fat Trel f/ Wale – “E St. Flow” (Mixtape)
38. Lil Boosie – “Top To The Bottom” (Trill Ent.)
39. Lil Blood f/ J. Stalin – “Sell My Coke” (Livewire)
40. Kingpen Slim f/ Jim Jones – “My Life Is a Movie” (Beam Up)
41. Lupe Fiasco – “I’m Beamin” (Atlantic)
42. Vado – “Large On The Streets” (Howie McDuffie)
43. Domo Genesis f/ Tyler The Creator – “Rolling Papers” (OFWGKTA)
44. Big Krit – “Country Shit” (Def Jam)
45. Oschino f/ Meek Mill – “Laughin At Em” (Mixtape)
46. Webbie – “My People” (Trill Ent.)
47. Nocando – “Hurry Up & Wait” (Alpha Pup)
48. Sean Price – “Figure Four” (Duck Down)
49. Black Hippy – “Zip That, Chop That” (Internet)
50. Nicki Minaj f/ Eminem – “Roman’s Revenge” (Cash Money/Universal)
Rules: This is a singles list, it focuses on tracks that were either promoted as standalone songs either via video or separate to or in advance of an album, though consideration is also given to lp and mixtape tracks that could or should have received that sort of push. As usual, the one song per artist rule is in effect and I’m also playing by the Pazz & Jop year of impact standard. A couple of these songs (“Single,” “French,” “Toot It”) technically dropped in ’09 but didn’t really break or get a video treatment until this year. Deal with it. [Return to top]
Tumblin' Erb
December 14th, 2010 at 9:55 pm
What album or mixtape was Boosie’s “Top To The Bottom” on?
December 14th, 2010 at 9:55 pm
I thought MC Hammer should have been the single. It’s basically the same beat, better guest verse. Great list!
December 14th, 2010 at 10:09 pm
No T-Rock’s “So High”? I know it essentially made no impact and has little relevance, but I think it’s just a better record than a couple of songs on this list. Then again, that’s IMO.
Also; applause for proudly supporting young people doing shit who aren’t just pets of old rich rappers.
December 14th, 2010 at 10:16 pm
I forgot about “My People”, good song but forgot that song completely. “Body Bags” is fine, but honestly “No Romance” is the best song on Wooh Da Kid’s mixtape. Thank you, for speaking about “Toot it and Boot it”, because that is a great song that has not become popular enough.
December 14th, 2010 at 10:33 pm
Is “Bruh Bruh” the best possible Plies song? ‘Cause I think it is.
December 14th, 2010 at 10:35 pm
is the arrangement be reception or just what u thought?
December 14th, 2010 at 10:55 pm
you bumpin some whack shit my nigga.
December 14th, 2010 at 10:56 pm
why is Sean Price on here? isn’t he a 40 year old rapper who hates children and gucci?
December 14th, 2010 at 10:58 pm
*nodding head as I read this list*
Thank you for including:
- “HNIC”
- “Legion Of Doom”
- “Make It Rain”
- “Swang Real Wide”
- “Hurry Up And Wait”
December 14th, 2010 at 11:07 pm
meh. a lil too much hashtag rap for me, but that’s what’s hot I guess.
December 14th, 2010 at 11:16 pm
My only gripe is the omission of “Go Hard in da Paint.” That track is Top 5 for me. In total agreement with #1, though. I don’t think there was an emcee who laced their lyrics over that beat and DIDN’T sound hard as nails.
December 14th, 2010 at 11:20 pm
nevermind my last question. no soulja boy and lil b songs, or they dont count as another artist? and where show out at? too last year maybe. no bun? no kurupt, im burnt was cool too last year maybe? and i take it u dont care for diddy or that dr dre song? what else was there…
December 14th, 2010 at 11:49 pm
dawg I know you hate Drake but seriously “Light Up” needs to be on that list I don’t know if you got stock in Odd Future but Domo Genesis def dont belong on that list. It’s a matter of opinion but also common sense…
I think you could have replaced Bruh Bruh with Plies “Boosie”.
also Freddie Gibbs-”Rock Bottom” or “Do Wrong” should be on that list
and “Children Of The World” was a more powerful record than “Country shit”
L.E.P. Bogus Boys definitely need to be on there too, and French Montana.
and any of Young Jeezy’s tracks before he got indefinitely shelved…
oh and Soulrise, the Boosie track was on DJ Drama and Trapaholics Trap Music 10…it wasnt on any solo boosie tapes
December 14th, 2010 at 11:54 pm
Out of curiosity: How different would this list look if you included non-rap selections?
December 15th, 2010 at 12:23 am
^Post is titled “Best Rap, 2010″. Thefuckindaquestionthat?
December 15th, 2010 at 12:25 am
“Swang Real Wide” was my fucking jam this spring! Young L’s entire L-E-N tape was good to amazing. Hard N Da Paint > No Hands.
What a great year for rap music! So much stuff I loved, and spent money on, this year!
December 15th, 2010 at 12:28 am
Good god, just running down this list and nodding my head. This was a great year for rap. I’ve had so many moments this year where I’ve been shouting at the CD player/computer, putting a song on repeat, zoning out to the same album for days on end. I’m glad “HNIC” is on the list.
I’m sure I could find a bunch of manbutwhatabouts to suggest, but, staying within the confines of the rules, I’d like to suggest the following:
DB49 – “Club Pictures” – I mean, yeah.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZPUT3MsmyA
Husalah – “You Neva Know” – This song is wonderful – real wistful sad-gangsta feel, plus a really enaging beat. Also, I have an extreme soft spot for rappers who can’t really sing but do anyhow.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VCxmMpZ73M
8Ball & MJG – “Blunts & Broads” – I was completely surprised to find out that they dropped two albums this year. This was the single off of the second, and I’d say it’s the best cut off of either albums. I grin like an asshole every time the horns drop.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nA0WVQOZ7lQ
Beyond that, yeah, I favor “Hard In The Paint” too, and I’m sure I could name ten Lil B “singles”… and people need to be talking about Main Attrakionz’s “Young As Fuck,” that’s a remarkable song.
But hell yeah! A good year.
December 15th, 2010 at 12:45 am
Nice! Hurry Up and Wait made the list!
December 15th, 2010 at 12:51 am
Really happy that Z-Ro made it on twice!!! Cant get enough of him. Glad youve been supporting him for a while. He def deserves it. Thanks
December 15th, 2010 at 12:53 am
“No Hands” is less representative of Waka’s sound but I think a better stand alone record. Plus “Hard In The Paint” seemed redundant with “BMF” also in the top 5. It was a really close call though.
I don’t get the appeal of LEP Bogus Boys. I mean, they’re good at what they do but I feel like they are just the above average/super consistent/older gangsta rappers of Chicago with the added blog push. Every city has dudes like them. We do in dc at least.
RNT – i’m shocked you’re riding for “Light Up.” Shit is super soft. If anything I thought about “Thank Me Now,” mostly for the beat. But then I thought better.
December 15th, 2010 at 1:04 am
“why is Sean Price on here? isn’t he a 40 year old rapper who hates children and gucci?”
yeah i fucked up. that lee mason loop is so hard though. if jay elect had actually dropped “google eyes” this year we wouldn’t be having this problem.
December 15th, 2010 at 1:05 am
“^Post is titled “Best Rap, 2010?. Thefuckindaquestionthat?”
Allow me to re-phrase for the re-tards. The list is entitled “Best Rap, 2010,” implying that is not Noz’s all-inclusive list of “Best Music, 2010.” My best overall in 2010 is solely rap–nothing else impacted me. I’m wondering if Noz feels the same.
December 15th, 2010 at 1:09 am
That Lee Mason loop is hard? Great sample, but beyond played-out. Dumbass Lootpack used the exact same loop in 1999. And when Sean Price revives it in 2010 it makes your best-of list? Logic?
December 15th, 2010 at 1:13 am
There are moments on Jewelry Selection, Ferrari Music, Mr. Zone 6 and the just-released King of Diamond that stack up to anything Gucci made in 2008/2009. You could even argue that some of these releases are among his most fully-realized albums. On what basis do you call Gucci “creatively irrelevant” in 2010?
December 15th, 2010 at 1:16 am
In Defense Of Sean Price: He’s still rapping far too well for me to hate the fact that he’s the “Gran Torino” of rappers.
Also, I’m backing AK. “Club Pictures” is just as brilliant a beat as “Rolling Papers” but with a non-garbage rapper. (Seriously, Domo gets so much love, and he’s the Mac Fu/U-God of OFWGKTA.) And Husalah’s “You Neva Know” is possibly one of my top 5 rap songs of the whole year.
December 15th, 2010 at 1:16 am
Good to see that French/Currensy song on there. That was my song of the summer. Video was extra mellow too.
Maybe something from Tony Yayo though(Bullets Whistle), dude dropped two really dope mixtapes.
*looks back at Rap in 2010*
*cries Ters of Joy*
December 15th, 2010 at 1:17 am
Is Nicki Minaj’s verse alone enough to warrant “Monster” your #2 slot? Beyond her what’s so special about that song? Or are you just paying tribute to the Fantasy hype?
December 15th, 2010 at 1:46 am
“That Lee Mason loop is hard? Great sample, but beyond played-out. Dumbass Lootpack used the exact same loop in 1999. And when Sean Price revives it in 2010 it makes your best-of list? Logic?”
I know that Lootpack used that joint. And Pace Won had used it prior to them. They both cribbed it off of a Dusty Grooves comp. Who cares? That was 11-12 years ago and it still sounds great. I like the beat, I like P’s rapping, I like the song. It’s not really that serious.
“Club Pictures” was on the shortlist but I just didn’t have space for it.
Domo’s a not an over the top mind blowing emcee but his rapping works to me. It’s understated and nicely just kinda sinks into the beats. That album is seriously one of my most listened to albums of the year. I zone the fuck out to it. I like U-God too so what do I know? When you have a giant crew you need guys like that.
I think Mr. Zone 6 had a couple joints and Gucci’s spit some other incredible verses here and there (notably “Pretty Boy Swag” which is on the list) but nothing he’s done is coming close to that ’07-09 stretch. Besides, he falls more in the commercial irrelevance category. It seems like everyone just stopped caring. I don’t think it’s warranted, but it happened. He’s approaching Ja Rule levels of instant buzz burn out.
“Monster” grew on me a lot after hearing it in the context of the album. But yes the ninety seconds of Nicki alone earns it the number two slot.
December 15th, 2010 at 2:00 am
An argument could be made that “No Hands” is Roscoe’s song and Waka deserves another spot for “Hard In Da Paint.” I’m not making it, but, y’know, it sounds a lot more like “All The Way Turnt Up” than Flockaveli.
December 15th, 2010 at 2:01 am
@Crowley: I’m a hair more for “Rolling Papers” than “Club Pictures,” maybe just because of Tyler on the hook and that weird typewriter snare sound. I’ve definitely spun each of those dozens of times this year, though. I have a huge weakness for things that sound like the producer hired an orchestra and proceeded to dump them into a vat of acid.
December 15th, 2010 at 3:50 am
Juicy J & Project Pat also had a strong year.
But I will agree with what homeboy said, Domo Genesis is pure uncut mothafuckin OD generically goddamn ass though. I’m not a fan of the whole weed rap genre as it is. If he didn’t have the OF cosign a lot of people wouldn’t be checkin for shit. I’d actually throw Mellowhype up there before Domo.
I still believe Drake belongs on the list. I don’t even listen to that shit dawg but message board dorks were going back and forth about who had a better verse between Aubrey and Shawn. It was a strong point of 2010 even if his album was on some boring ass KISS FM midnight love bullshit.
also G-Side “Money In The Sky” was good too.
Jadakiss “All Falls Down” was a decent regional hit as well.
December 15th, 2010 at 3:50 am
25 to life by eminem should have been on here
December 15th, 2010 at 4:16 am
you way overstate the gucci fall-off argument
December 15th, 2010 at 4:46 am
1. Zomg – Noz likes songs by Curren$y and J-Stalin!
2. Can’t believe Top To The Bottom didn’t end up on Incarcerated when there’s only the tagged mixtape version of it floating around.
3. “children of rappers turned rappers” – I thought you rode hard for I’m Loaded?
4. Kinda sucks that this was the year when the rap 12″ became extinct, but an incredible year for video singles.
December 15th, 2010 at 6:21 am
this is a great list you outdid yourself, but are you putting in some of these because of their impact/importance insteada whether you think theyr great songs? like i always got the impression you thought rick ross wasnt anythin special, but bmfs no.1. also stuff like this: “He’s approaching Ja Rule levels of instant buzz burn out.” has me confused. dont get me wrong, i dont think theres anything wrong with that im just curious if stuff like that factors into your criteria for the list, sos i know what im reading. and i like rick ross more and more by the day, i suspect he could actually be one of my favourite rappers out right now, which is worrying.
hes a gangster or undastandz me>>>>>>>>bitch, but it is a decent old-fashioned fun summer single and those are rare these days. seriously tho wheres mob figaz? dunno how your still sleepin on em, husalah had a few great songs this year alone.
yeh i was curious bout droop-e too, though id say most people would categorize him as a producer not a rapper, and sean price is exempt from any ill-feeling towards old-man haterism due to bein a funny cunt who can rap really good. and respect to pacewon (lootpack are a bit shite) but he officially owns that beat/sample now.
December 15th, 2010 at 6:24 am
and that wayne tune is probably the only thing hes done in a long time that iv fully enjoyed but i forgot bout it so thanks for reminding me
December 15th, 2010 at 6:36 am
and can we stop talking bout drake already? dude from red hot chilli peppers, bleck eyed peas and kesha rap, but people dont feel inclined to include them in discussions on rap music. even by r&b standards hes borin as fuck.
i often find its people with decent taste who feel the need to mention him or begrudgingly give him respect half the time which is nuts. blowing up and being “important” or whatever shouldnt factor into anyone givinga shit bout him or god forbid, playing any of his actual music.
plus hes the gay rapper.
and a former child actor. ice cube went to archeology school but still there should be limits.
December 15th, 2010 at 8:56 am
THANKS NOZ
December 15th, 2010 at 10:03 am
Yeah this is a great list for a great year in rap and I feel it is very much grounded in reality. Thank you for “Swang Real Wide”, I somehow missed that. If anyone’s surprised Drake isn’t on this list let me welcome you to this website for the first time. That being said, empirically speaking, “Runaway” is better.
December 15th, 2010 at 10:15 am
thowed list.Dis new Lito tape iz incredible.
December 15th, 2010 at 10:28 am
no gibbs doe Noz? cmon now
December 15th, 2010 at 10:44 am
“Rolling Papers” is my favorite Odd Future release. It’s the best produced and the rapping is good enough (with flashes of greatness). “Super Market”!
December 15th, 2010 at 10:48 am
While there is much to like about “No Hands,” I don’t see really see how a record in whose middle Wale malodorously relieved himself can justifiably be placed so high. That verse seriously makes me want to stab my ears, although the “I think I deserve a chance” entreaty is amusing in a pathetic way.
December 15th, 2010 at 12:03 pm
Hey Noz did you ever hear the singles Rittz dropped in the wake of “Box Chevy Pt. 3″?
This is one of the illest songs of the year:
http://blvdst.com/?p=491
For that matter, so is this thing he did for Baller’s Eve:
http://www.zshare.net/audio/80927140bfc17fa8/
And he has some others of recent vintage that are also ridiculous. I don’t know how old “My Time Is Now” or “After Mornin’” are but taken collectively those four songs are as amazing a set of rap songs as any artist has released in a LONG fuckin’ time.
Other thoughts:
-I lean toward lyrics over beats too much to understand why “Toot It & Boot It” is on here but Freddie Gibbs, Pill, DaVinci and/or a Playboy Tre solo song are not. There’s also a couple songs I found out about through you that I’m surprised aren’t here: that Suga Free song produced by DJ Quik, that one Meek Mill song “Leggo” where Peedi and Young Chris both destroy shit, and that incredible song Burn One did for Po of Section 8 Mob. Did none of them survive the longlist? Not even that fucking tremendous Po song? Really? Wow. Most of these songs are great but very few have a verse like Peedi’s or beats like Burn One’s. Diff’rent strokes, not sayin’ jes’ sayin’.
-What would have been your pick from the Big K.R.I.T. album if not “Country Shit”? Is your beef with him really just ‘he sounds too much like old T.I.’? ‘Cause I think he’s an amazing rapper and aside from Sir Luscious Left Foot there’s no rap album I love more that’s been released in the last couple years. Get some doper guest rappers on there in place of Smoke DZA and Wiz Khalifa, and I’d call it a masterpiece. The K.R.I.T. / Yela collabo mixtape and the Rittz project with contributions from both of those two plus Gibbs are my two most anticipated rap records of 2011.
December 15th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
At least we can all raise a toast to Killa Kyleon.
December 15th, 2010 at 12:27 pm
No Das Racist? No Roots?
December 15th, 2010 at 1:00 pm
I’m Beamin’ was the most preachy tripe I’ve heard from Lupe since he said “I compliment you on your common sense” in that “nice guy” love song he did.
December 15th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
Thoughts:
Re: Das Racist. These dudes aren’t very good rappers in my opinion, but the smarmy irony of their approach would predispose me against their work even if they were, and I’m pretty sure I’ve read comments by Noz that suggest he feels the same way. They’re intelligent people and they sometimes make references to interesting cultural phenomena but that’s not the same as good rapping.
Re: The Roots. I didn’t much like that album. Dark Roots >>>>> happy Roots in my view. And that’s always been the case, minus some hits like “Datskat”. The new album isn’t bad by any means but I found it a little wan — even the Peedi verse did little for me. And if they were gonna involve indie acts like Joanna Newsom and The Dirty Projectors, I wish they would commit to it instead of including them only in that token half-assed way. I actually like those acts enough that I would listen to rap music that actually involved them somehow instead of just noting their existence.
Re: Lupe. I remember Noz saying he liked “I’m Beamin’” and “Go To Sleep”, and I can only assume it’s for the beats. Lupe is a smart dude but not very good at expressing his ideas and having them come across as good rap music.
December 15th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
For what it’s worth, Cyhi Da Prynce can still rap:
http://tinyurl.com/25x8rrk
http://tinyurl.com/3yjkagm
He is just deliberately choosing not to.
Also, here is a great song by a random unknown that I found on Burn One’s site a few days ago. http://blvdst.com/?p=940
December 15th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
Total irrelevance! Great list.
December 15th, 2010 at 1:58 pm
Oh shit, I forgot about “Money In The Sky”.
In regards to people crying about your favorite rappers who rap like rappers they listened to not getting on the list and “Toot It” getting in… Get out of here. Look, for once, Rap isn’t becoming a collection of dudes uncles and grandfathers hogging up the money. While I enjoy Gibbs and Tre, I think the fact that a random young guy has a hit single that other young people consciously support is hopeful.
I should not have to buy rappers who started rapping around the same time my father started rapping (That’s a very personal complaint, but you can see what I’m saying) unless the music is good. I should be inspired by my peers first. So I’m bigging up “Toot It”, even though I actually don’t give a fuck about the record.
Maybe then certain old men (Busta, Common) can get FUCKING DROPPED ALREADY, so then major labels might… I don’t know, have the ability to promote the guys they’re signing right now!? Because maybe then, if labels weren’t exhausting themselves with dead weight, Travis Porter could’ve been the ones signed to Interscope.
Also, big up Supreme sticking up for Cyhi. I first learned about him from here, so watching Kanye scream about him in all caps was weirdly satisfying. Like watching Mos Def nerd out about Doom.
December 15th, 2010 at 2:22 pm
Re: Supreme Neck Protector
Das Racist: I wouldn’t begrudge anyone dismissing these guys as idiots but a lot of people would probably say the same about OFWGKTA*, who are repped 3 times on the list, or Nicki Minaj–who, inexplicably, appears twice. The intro talks about all the “young”, “creative”, and “fun” stuff that came out this year, if that doesn’t describe Das Racist I don’t know what does. I’ll take ‘All Tan Everything’ over ‘Wonton Soup’ any day.
The Roots: I agree that HIGO isn’t the best Roots album, while overall very good it seems to be missing some fire, but I expected a mention of something, Dear God 2.0 maybe?
* Important note: I’m not hating on OFWGKTA, I actually dig them, I’m just saying there’s some room to get some other acts in there.
December 15th, 2010 at 2:34 pm
Re: Das Racist. The dudes in Das Racist (especially Himanshu) have drastically improved at rapping since their early output. It’s more than reductive and unfair to pigeonhole them as “those smarmy, ironic jokey” dudes, when if you listen to their output, you realize they love and care about rap just as much as any of the people on this list. But that’s just my take; as a soon to be over-educated, second-generation West Indian dude from Queens, their stuff is kinda tailor-made for me.
Anyway, thanks for putting this list out, gives me a lot of listening to look forward to once I finish up finals…
December 15th, 2010 at 2:45 pm
love this post every year always sparks great discussion and puts me on to shit i missed or overlooked. i would have put on “i put on a show” for the travis porter slot but “make it rain” is blowing up.
December 15th, 2010 at 2:54 pm
Talking about OF and Das Racist as if there was any, ANY similarity was goddamn idiotic when Frere-Jones did it and hasn’t gotten any better with repetition.
December 15th, 2010 at 3:02 pm
AK, no one was comparing them other than to say that both groups are likely to be dismissed by anyone who takes them at face value.
December 15th, 2010 at 3:30 pm
No Freddie Gibbs at all? Really?
December 15th, 2010 at 3:48 pm
Where is Freddie Gibbs? “Rock Bottom”? “Do Wrong”? “National Anthem”? Man, if half the rappers on this list had dropped any lines like half of his, you would be stubbornly crowing about them for 6 months. (Instead of, like, 3.)
Sorry to be a hater but damn is that a glaring omission, and I still can’t understand where you’re coming from.
December 15th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
By my reckoning the vinyl count is down to 1 out of 50 this year. Am I wrong? #BringBackTheStars #Again
December 15th, 2010 at 4:08 pm
Again this is a singles list. Guys like Tre (who is represented with “Bet I Bust”) and Davinci made solid top to bottom projects but in going back and listening to them it’s hard to figure out a real standout track. I had the same issue with the Roots album, which I revisited before making this list. It sounded better than I remembered but really I couldn’t settle on any one track to pull out of it. (“Dear God” is one of the low points on the record to me, as is the title track.) This definitely was a big year for album oriented rap – Kanye, Roc Marci.
I don’t think Gibbs had all that great a year to be honest. I liked a couple joints – “Personal OG” and yeah “Do Wrong” come to mind – but most of the St8 Killer stuff was sort of a letdown. Maybe it’s because he released so much music last year but it didn’t feel like he made much forward motion.
Droop-E is great and so is his brother Issue. Anyone in the Stevens bloodline should be making music forever. Both of them just narrowly missed this list. I was thinking more of the Willow Smith/Corey Gunz/etc types with the children of rappers comment.
I like Wale’s verse on “No Hands.”
December 15th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
“this is a great list you outdid yourself, but are you putting in some of these because of their impact/importance insteada whether you think theyr great songs?”
Impact comes into play but I wouldn’t put anything on this list that I didn’t think was a great song. This is why Drake, “Teach Me How To Dougie,” etc. are absent.
December 15th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
freddy gibbs did get that all important sports guy co sign!
December 15th, 2010 at 4:15 pm
Gibbs released so much music last year? Did i miss it? The 90-something mixtape he dropped had I think 2 new songs on it, all dat shit wuz from years ago. All he really released wuz Str8 Killa EP and mixtape which fucin wrecked. To say he didnt have that great a year is pretty absurd ta me he raps his fuckin ass off every single verse. and if you wanna talk singles “Ghetto” iz a great song
December 15th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
two quick things. looking back at all of the “best of” lists, how dominant is 2007? Very dominant.
The title track off of the day the turf stood still would be the obvious Davinci inclusion.
December 15th, 2010 at 4:45 pm
Teach Me How To Dougie rules. It even has the Go-go-ish drums a la old Doug shit like The Show and I’m Gettin’ Ready.
I slept on Issue until Rob Breezy from SH recently put me onto Don’t Disturb My Fly.
December 15th, 2010 at 6:47 pm
Everybody speaks about the songs that are missing but nobody speaks about the bad songs on this list. Are ya´ll really satisfied with that?
If this was a great year for rap like everybody in here seems to agree with then i don´t understand why some straight up irrelevant songs like BMF and MONSTER can make it to the top.
Too much lame ass material on that list.
December 15th, 2010 at 7:00 pm
“i don´t understand why some straight up irrelevant songs like BMF and MONSTER can make it to the top.”
LMAO.
I can maybe understand questioning the quality of those records but their relevance/impact is pretty undeniable. I think I heard “BMF” every time I stepped outside of my door between May and September.
December 15th, 2010 at 7:12 pm
“If this was a great year for rap like everybody in here seems to agree with then i don´t understand why some straight up irrelevant songs like BMF and MONSTER can make it to the top.”
Irrelevant? To who? If you say irrelevant to people who don’t like rap circa 2010, then OK.
December 15th, 2010 at 8:05 pm
“I can maybe understand questioning the quality of those records but their relevance/impact is pretty undeniable. I think I heard “BMF” every time I stepped outside of my door between May and September.”
Yeah, I gotta agree with this. That particular beat did plenty of damage to car speakers on my block. Even had my pushing the max on my stock speakers while driving down the highway and I don’t even care for Rick Ross.
December 15th, 2010 at 8:17 pm
http://bit.ly/CB502010
December 15th, 2010 at 8:37 pm
MAYNHOLUP Says:
December 15th, 2010 at 10:28 am
no gibbs doe Noz? cmon now
^^
This one hurts Andrew.
Even something like Do Wrong, Rock Bottom, Personal OG, or National Anthem…
Hell, you could go to some of the other Pill x Gibbs collabs like Run Up To Me..
Matter of fact, no Pill either?
Other than that, good list.
JihaD
December 15th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
Love love your year end lists and I got no real complaints…except that Roc Marci should have been represented by “Panic” instead of “Thug’s Prayer”, not that Prayer isnt a good song but man I just love the drums and paranoid fuzz of Panic. That whole damn album bangs does not get enough love in my opinion. Oh and co-sign on the “Hard in Da Paint” argument. Otherwise, noz you are the man!
December 16th, 2010 at 2:17 am
You didn’t prefer the remix to Freeze Me over the original version?
December 16th, 2010 at 2:31 am
Awful list
Zero lyricist apart from Big Boi maybe
Hip Hop is dead
How many will be in the Top 50 of in 10 years? Zero
December 16th, 2010 at 2:47 am
damn noz judging by the HUGE response to this you should hold an email submission for the cbrap readers poll for like top ten-25 rap singles of 2010… just to get a feel from us and then you know, write about it? the more writing from you the merrier brother
December 16th, 2010 at 3:11 am
“damn noz judging by the HUGE response to this you should hold an email submission for the cbrap readers poll for like top ten-25 rap singles of 2010… just to get a feel from us and then you know, write about it? the more writing from you the merrier brother”
That’s a good idea though I worry that I’ve tainted the water by posting this.
“You didn’t prefer the remix to Freeze Me over the original version?”
I did not. More Dro verses >>>
December 16th, 2010 at 4:16 am
Not a fan of “Salute”?
Smarten up, Noz.
December 16th, 2010 at 4:17 am
word on the taint
different reader poll maybe?
top 10 most anticipated artists of 2011?
December 16th, 2010 at 5:10 am
“Smarten up, Noz.”
December 16th, 2010 at 5:34 am
In all seriousness this list is great you could’ve replace the oschino track with a meek mill solo.
December 16th, 2010 at 7:44 am
I’d like to read your non-rap list also, but that’s some invasive shit and also not a think you should put on a Hip Hop blog. Glad to see Main Attrakionz in there, thought those guys would’ve gotten more notice by now. Good call on Nocando also, despite being both involved in the current pantomime youtube-bait battle rap scene and also being kind of a not-cool dick, his album is interesting and that song is probably the highlight. Danny Brown should have 100 million bitches on his dick and does not already, would’ve liked too see him higher. But this is your list not the gospel view of the critical landscape so that’s a dumb comment to make really. Look forward to more of your incredulous anger at the continued existence of every other person online in ’11.
Oh and does this mean this is the Fader’s rap songs of the year list too?
December 16th, 2010 at 9:49 am
@NoChorus;
I’m sure every Fader writer/intern was instructed to look at every song they weren’t intimately familiar with. And I’m sure they will proceed to hype these dudes like they’ve ALWAYS KNOWN they were great.
Which is fine. Better ANYONE on this list or in these comments than say, Kid Sister or some shit. Or their strange love-affair with Fab.
December 16th, 2010 at 10:20 am
[...] Premier hip-hop blogger picks his favourite 50 from the year gone by [...]
December 16th, 2010 at 11:44 am
LOLOLOL. You shit on my list and come with this? E-40! Lil Wayne!! Soulja Boy!!! I’m not even offended any more. Cracking up over here.
December 16th, 2010 at 12:47 pm
“I did not. More Dro verses >>>”
I guess I can understand that.
So, any plans to post a Best Albums/Mixtapes list as well?
December 16th, 2010 at 1:28 pm
Oh god, this Chris Faraone list is a howler. Please check it if you want to see the definition of a rap Republican. Can’t believe this guy actually found 100 songs from this year that are still stuck in the late-Nineties rap mentality. Move on! Faraone why do you even check this site when you can get all your ninth-generation Wu-Tang joints and hot fire C-Rayz Walz tapes at 2 Dope Boyz and Okayplayer?????
December 16th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
HEAVY list. A ton of smart picks & moves in the above list. Z-RO ‘Blast Myself’ is a personal fav, that song is simply too deep. I’d say Brotha Lynch Hung’s ‘Meat’ has the same strong emotional content.
December 16th, 2010 at 3:12 pm
who would have thought a year ago that ricky ross would be on noz’s top 2 tracks this year?
but i would have dropped Nicki Minaj (50) and Webbie (46) and put in MIKE G – STICK UP ft EARL SWEATSHIRT and DaVinci – Concrete Jungle Juice
December 16th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
man this faraone fruitcake a ughh.com/forum postin lookin ass. i mean you put an army of the pharaohs track in your top 10. i dunno what else really to say man. thats pure delusion of relevance in 2010. or even in 2001 when there might have been some possibility of context
anyways. serious list noz. just some other tracks i might have had in there/swapped.
that big krit ‘moon & stars’ remix w currensy and killa kyleon although ‘country shit’ and ‘children of the world’ are both real. im a fan of laid back raps with singin. prgz ‘good times’ would fall under that too. paul wall ft. jay e, rae and yela ‘live it’ also
young l ‘pound’ > ‘young l-e-n’. i would definitely have had droop-e on there…
styles p and jada over ‘in for the kill’ for the intro adlib ‘hood niggas like it pitch black’. runner up version goes to french/chinx/cheese. im waiting for someone to remix ‘black & yellow’ properly. best remix has to be slim thug’s ‘runaway’ tho
agree w everyone on gibbs. what other lil b tracks did you consider? ‘myspace’ was a personal favorite
ampichino ‘chem’. jacka and andre nickatina ‘my middle name is crime’. camron ft. young chris ‘kill em’. pill ‘reflections’. andre 3ks verse on ‘deuces’. roc marcy ‘scarface’. prefer tylers ‘seven’ to ‘french’. that out of left field mc eiht/dam-funk track
December 16th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
In keeping with your no bitter old porch rapper policy I’d give the nod to B’s “T-shirt and Buttons”. Best diss I’ve heard in years because it eschews “lyricism”, and instead kills a man on contrast. What’s the best way to go at the least fun rapper on the internet? Make a song on the internet that features you having more fun with bars than he’s managed his whole career.
I check out B from time to time but don’t bump him on the regular, but that track, to me, just seemed so ahead of its target it wasn’t even fair.
December 16th, 2010 at 4:38 pm
Also: Respect for including “Bet I Bust” despite B.O.B. (and T.I.) disappointing pretty much all their original fans with their output this year. That track is a total gem, reminds me of the Big Boi verse on “Kryptonite” x3, tough rappers on a tough beat, part pop, part head, all win.
December 16th, 2010 at 5:29 pm
I don’t even know who Chris Faraone is nor have I “shitted” on anyones list.
December 16th, 2010 at 6:42 pm
http://thephoenix.com/Boston/music/112769-100-essential-hip-hop-tracks-for-2010/
dude seems to think since an anonymous poster dissed his shit and linked this cbrap article that you, yourself, noz are the one dissin! What an idiot! I mean, look at his list and then examine his logic in believing he was attacked by noz… what an erb.
December 16th, 2010 at 10:07 pm
REALNIGGATUMBLR Says:
December 16th, 2010 at 5:34 am
In all seriousness this list is great you could’ve replace the oschino track with a meek mill solo.
^^
Or at least an all Philly Jawn like “Philadelphia Born and Raised” or “Leggo”
Or even Rose Red… And I HATE Rose Red.
… Oh, and when did “Dro Rock Diamonds” come out?? That song was NAILS.
JihaD
December 17th, 2010 at 1:23 am
Yeah I hated “Rose Red” too which is why I left it off. It’d probably feel like a bigger deal if I were living in the Philly area still, I remember I heard it like three times on the radio the last time I was up there. You’re right about “Leggo” though, that shit is great. I did neglect Philly a little with this list, it’s been one of the more exciting local scenes this year.
December 17th, 2010 at 2:12 am
my only problem with the list is that there ain’t no ISSUE or Droop-E (not even kill the both of em with that epic track they both rocked from the new issue cd) and “Bruh Bruh” by Plies made the list…
nada against Plies on the whole but that song is garbage to me
December 17th, 2010 at 4:10 am
SOLID list. Echoing the laments for no Pill, Gibbs or ISSUE but otherwise, this is mostly really good.
December 17th, 2010 at 4:24 am
[...] Best Rap, 2010 by Noz [...]
December 17th, 2010 at 6:53 am
can’t be mad at this list at all.
December 17th, 2010 at 7:18 am
How the fuck did Oschino make this list?
December 17th, 2010 at 9:05 am
RE: Faraone
I think, in general, the fact that he’s from Boston explains all that anyone needs to know about that list. The fact that it isn’t the top 100 Terminology cameos of the year is frankly a pleasant surprise.
December 17th, 2010 at 9:59 am
definitely not repping for the underground here at all. too many weak emcees. way too much pop shit. check this kid out for some realness, and he dropped some major heat in 2010. http://AWKWORDrap.com
December 17th, 2010 at 11:16 am
^^^^^
http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/2370/katt.gif
December 17th, 2010 at 12:20 pm
Thanks, Noz.
December 17th, 2010 at 7:02 pm
The backpacker underground doesn’t have any claim to any sort of “realness” any more. I’d like to point out that Awkword’s website has a link to a mixtape he’s on that some DJ did… along with, what, Jae Millz, and Lloyd Banks, and Tony Yayo? Does anyone find that contradictory?
Most of the rappers on Noz’s list are every bit as underground/independent as the backpacker cats. That sort of MC isn’t THE underground, it’s just one scene. And it happens to be a scene with a lot of annoying MCs, dull beats, and questionable songwriting skills. Starts looking like those guys who idolize “serious guitarists” like Malsteem and Steve Vai and all that bullshit.
I fuck with Nocando and Cadalack Ron. The rest can just stick to Grindtime.
December 17th, 2010 at 7:06 pm
Also: Aren’t there like ten different mcs going by some variation of “awkward”? I’m losing track.
December 17th, 2010 at 8:07 pm
I mean, I’m sure you’d recognize that if not for your rules Hard In The Paint would be in your top ten. Maybe even #1. Even if BMF was the bigger song, Hard In The Paint was a much better song. Other than that, it’s a great list. I mean I assume it is, nowadays I mostly just watch obscure 50s Westerns and contemplate how much living in DC sucks.
December 17th, 2010 at 11:54 pm
[...] here’s a link to Cocaine Blunts’ best of rap list for 2010. And if you’re that interested, here’s a link to download all the [...]
December 18th, 2010 at 9:10 am
that Birdman “Loyalty” track should be up there that’s prolly the best young money cut of the year, or maybe forever…
December 18th, 2010 at 9:21 am
How did salute miss the list? that shit is hype.
December 18th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
Hard In The Paint is like, over a year old though. He’s kinda right.
@Chunksta; “Salute” missed the list because the beat is kinda awful. And Juelz asses out and sounds more like he’s Joell Ortiz on that one. Cam and Jim does not an amazing Dipset single make necessarily.
They actually should’ve grafted Vado on the original as well. His “FIFA!” adlib rivals Jones’ “SOOKIE!” for brilliance.
December 18th, 2010 at 6:27 pm
MAN AWKWARD IS DOO DOO
December 18th, 2010 at 6:41 pm
“I mean, I’m sure you’d recognize that if not for your rules Hard In The Paint would be in your top ten. ”
Yes. But if not for my rules there would probably be about eleven Waka Flocka songs in the top ten.
Salute was a nice gesture but I don’t think I’ve listened to it once since the week it came out. Still looking forward to reunited Dips shit in the new year.
December 18th, 2010 at 6:42 pm
“How the fuck did Oschino make this list?”
He made a rap song that was good. His whole tape was very solid.
December 19th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
Dug that Curren$y & French song but its sample sorta unveiled one of my secret personal fav jams to the world which i just can forgive
December 19th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
canT
December 20th, 2010 at 10:29 am
Great Music. Your kidding right.
This may have been the worst year for rap music ever. Only to top last year.
Gucci Mayne and Wakka Flocka is on your list.
Enuff said.
BMF. Crazy beat. When did Rick Ross turn into the preacher rapper.
December 20th, 2010 at 10:28 pm
[...] BEST RAP, 2010 (Cocaine Blunts) Full Disclosure: Nothing on this site should ever be considered to be advice, research or an invitation to buy or sell any securities, please click here or visit the disclaimer link at the top of the page. Uncategorized Looking Ahead » blog comments powered by Disqus /* [...]
December 21st, 2010 at 3:14 am
sharksbreath prolly listen to immortal technique stfu dawg
December 21st, 2010 at 3:04 pm
yea sharksbreath is doo doo flavor
December 21st, 2010 at 10:15 pm
What’s up noz. Been forever. Impressed with the site. 2 things: toot it and boot it should, in my opinion be closer to the top on the line “made her feel stupid” alone. Also, nothing from eminem’s album. I’m partial to “so bad” but I also like cheesy hip hop.
December 23rd, 2010 at 4:53 am
King Kong is a weird song. I’m not particularly fond of it and neither are friends of mine who like Curren$y, but it seems to be the gateway song into Curren$y for dudes who didn’t like any of his earlier stuff and even someone as unconvinced by $pitta as Noz likes it.
December 29th, 2010 at 12:00 am
No Fairytale or Salute?
December 31st, 2010 at 4:05 am
so u have lil b, waka, and gucci but no j.cole?? this is whats wrong with hip hop
December 31st, 2010 at 10:27 am
your whats wrong with hip hop
December 31st, 2010 at 10:28 am
i ruined my snappy dis by misspelling “you’re”. you’re still whats wrong with hip hop tho
January 5th, 2011 at 6:13 pm
on your twitter you mentioned people sayin “your whats wrong with hip hop . i was actually responding to what dude abov my comment. like the kinda people who say “this is whats wrong with hip hop” are whats wrong with hiphop
um yeh i dunno why i give a shit either. i should probably lay off the internets for a few weeks this is abit weird. and start unplug my computer before i go on the booze
comment boxes are whats wrong with evreything
January 8th, 2011 at 10:46 am
Mad respect. High hopes for 2011.
January 9th, 2011 at 2:35 pm
really newsworthy post about wiz khalifa i observe your web site a lot. i’m going to bookmark this web site. i hope i can download his mixtape before long.
January 12th, 2011 at 11:59 pm
I just started reading this site yesterday. Holy shit I’m fucking with your list bruh. I’m loving the BASEDGOD mixed with goon type shit. I’m now gonna read your shit habitually just because Wonton Soup made the top 5.
January 14th, 2011 at 7:49 am
Best 3 songs of 2010:
1. 7L & Esoteric feat. Inspectah Deck- 12th Chamber
2. The Left – Get In Where You Fit In (That gas mask album was crazy)
3. El Gant feat. Bekay & DeeJay Element – You Ain’t This
January 16th, 2011 at 2:57 pm
[...] Cocaine Blunts & Hip Hop Tapes Posted in Uncategorized Tags: Best « Gucci Mane ft Slim Dunkin, Wooh Da Kid, Waka Flocka – Trick Or Treat Lastest News Gucci Mane & Waka Flocka Flame Up TV, “We Love Each Other” Lastest News » You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. [...]
January 18th, 2011 at 2:34 pm
WHACKEST LIST IVE EVER SEEN!!!
January 28th, 2011 at 11:46 am
No Freeway? How is that possible?
January 31st, 2011 at 4:51 pm
I agree with a lot on this list, but…
Toot it & Boot it? Serious?
I’m trying to rap my head around it but i’m having troubles. Everytime it came on the radio (which I might add is a Canadian ‘hip-hop’ station that plays maybe 2 songs with any rapping per hour) I had to IMMEDIATELY change the station. Hot garbage, plain and simple.
With that being said, I gave it another chance just now…
SERIOUSLY WTF? Weak and uninspired rapping along with a boring beat. What exactly do you see in this? You can argue the artistic merits of B/Gucci/OFWGKTA, but not this clown. I hope i’m not coming off as a hater, because I enjoy all types of rap/hiphop, but this is just trash. Wack, plain and simple.
But if anyone knows something I don’t, please by all means, let me know…
May 15th, 2011 at 8:57 am
great list. Someone needs to put this in a .zip so we can download it
November 22nd, 2011 at 6:35 pm
isn’t earl south african? lol
December 15th, 2011 at 7:18 pm
Was “Legion Of Doom” ever put on a mixtape?
December 20th, 2011 at 1:39 pm
Great post I must say.. Easy however nonetheless entertaining and partaking liked reading this post!