Smart & Angry

#75-50

75.Statik Selectah ft Joel Ortiz & Brother Ali-Damn Right

Brother Ali might have the most underrated guest verses of all time. I never hear anyone talking about his cameos, yet when he blesses it's lovely. Might be the underground Andre 3k. That's how memorable his verses are. Joel delivers a dope verse as well. The beat is cold to, Ali needs more of this on his next album for certain.

74.Mayer Hawthorne-Mr Blue Sky

I usually have a hard time co-signing cover songs. The fact that I am on my Sunshine Anderson a.k.a Heard it All Before doesn't help either. But this jam from Mr Hawthorne was crucial for my ears. He brought a little more soul into it, and it fits his M.O a little more than the original.

73.Drake-Look What You Done

The piano loop on this is classic. What makes it work too is the lack of drums in the beginning that help sell the emotion(yeah I know folks will say he is soft for this) of the song. I might not be the hugest fan of this man's music overall now days, but I can't front he understands a thing or two about crafting a good song.

72.Lil Wayne ft Tech Nine, & Andre 3000-Interlude

Andre 3000 spits a verse on here and Lil Wayne doesn't.

Also:Those who have somehow never heard a Tech Nine verse in their life will be amazed by his technical skills. For those who have, there is a Andre 3000 verse.

71.9^th Wonder ft Terrance Martin, Phonte and Bird and The Midnighters-One Night

When I hear this song, it reminds me of the stuff that the older folks would listen to at parties when I was a kid. Has the funk as well as the soul and has that groove that had your Uncle yelling “that's my jam” and let the two-step'n begin from that point on. I almost want to buy an old Cadillac(or Lincoln) so I can drive around with a tooth pick in my mouth, fur coat on my back and this song playing in the system. It's that type of jam.

70.DJ Premier ft Nas & The Berklee Symphony Orchestra-Regeneration

If I wanted to be lazy basically I would just say there all artist involved in the title are enough to warrant any amount of listens. I am not so I will say it was good to see Premo and God's Son teaming-up again after what seems like forever(Nas is Like). But then you add the fact that there also is an Orchestra from one of the most prestigious music schools in the world? This should have been playing after you read the song title basically.

69.Marsha Ambrosis-Lose Myself

A cover Lauryn(Miss)Hill's far and few new musical creations this year. Now taking the form of a ballad, the song finds new life under Marsha as it's message of losing ones self and then finding it again is slowed down and the lyrics take on a new meaning.

68.Lupe Fiasco-Words I Never Said

Remember when Alex the Kid and Skylar Grey were taking over Top 40 radio months ago? Much like the bankers/speculators on Wall Street, big labels seem content in capitalizing as quickly and recklessly on something “hot” at the moment. Though when the Kid/Grey production was presented to Lupe while reorganizing LASERS for mass consumption(aka record executives approval), Lupe transformed another would be sad love song, into a rebel anthem for the masses. One of the biggest songs(sales wise) in his career asked many questions that had been pretty much ignored or handled pooryly by popular music. A rant of sorts, the song brought up such questions like: Is Obama really a terrorist? What about that War on Terror? What am I doing while all this is going on in the world? Salute, for making smart, cool once again.

67.Lil B'-Gon Be Okay

I like the sample(as well as the movie it's from), the positivity as well isn't bad to. Though he is on the Based flow more so than a structured verse, so not all the bars are nice, but if the kids are listening to this versus some of the trash that I hear on radio, I Okay with that.

66.Blu ft SA-RA & NOLA Darling -Never Be The Same

Nola Darling kicks this off so lovely. Like that is as good as it gets when you want to start a song off. It's hard for me to really zero in on what I really like about this one, because on hand it kind of has that bounce that you would cruise to. On the other hand it adds a bit of the electronic sound in it to make it something new. It works well, and because of that I am still trying to fit it into some box that exist when really there isn't one for this type of song.

65.Kirk Franklin-Before I Die

Paging Wale! This is what should have been on Ambition! The Go-Go drums and horns on this joint are ridiculous. Kirk brings it, the arrangement is incredible and you can't get that DC bounce outta of your head either.

64.Snoop Dogg ft Wiz Khalifa- The Weed Iz Mine

I wasn't really checking for Snoop this year, but my homegirl sent me this one and I couldn't deny the groove on it. Some of that OG bounce right here. Wiz Khalifa who I usually could care less about, actually sounds cool on the track as well(props for him will go no further that sentence). Though I am not a marijuana advocate, I can still be OK with life when this song comes on, and get my two-step on.

63.The Weekend-What You Need

Up until a few weeks ago I had all but forgotten about this guy. But as I sat in front of a beautiful French woman with a glass of wine in her hand, who just happened to ask what I would like to listen to, this was the 2^nd song that got played. She liked it of course, and set the mood for the night. A slow burner, for the late night sessions, almost transported from a time when slow jams weren't regulated to a day or certain night on a station. Perfect music to set the mood.

62.E-40 ft Devin the Dude-Looking Back

They spittn' game right here. From 40-Water and Devin we get a look back at a few tales of their early days in the music game. As a long time fan of both artist, it's treat to hear some insider stories from their early days over this laid back beat. It's almost like you are kicking it at a summer picnic and your able to listen to the two start those remember when stories.

61.Big K.R.I.T-American Rapstar

To think that this was something that he did with out the help of Def Jam money. I really look forward to seeing what a little bit more money behind him could do. Not only is this something to ride to, but it also has some thinking man lyrics as well this guy might be one of the best in the game currently.

60.Theophilus London-I Stand Alone

Anthem status song right here. I can't deny how contagious this song is,the fact that it was the theme song for Season 2 of HBO's How to Make it in America(though I didn't watch any episodes yet)doesn't hurt either the cause either.

59.Killa Mike-God Is In the Building 2

With Andre 3000 making appearances on some tracks that are questionable, you got to wonder why he isn't appearing on tracks like this that would further his legacy, instead of say...Llyod?Despite the what I feel would the lack of a 3 stacks verse, Mike sounds like the super-hero of the south over this southern banger. Seeking God, exposing his flaws, and telling you who is still walking with him through it all. You can tell I miss Outkast don't ya?

58.Blu ft Thurz, Yonas Micheal, Pac Div, J'Davey, El Prez, Tiron & Ayomari- Doin Somethin

A posse(I just said that word)cut that if it wasn't for Mr Muthafuckin Exquire(I feel guilty just typing his name), would have been my favorite posse-cut for sure. You of course want to know who has the best verses of course. I would say in this order: Blu, Like, Tiron,Thurz, Yonas, Beyong, Mibbs, Ayomari, J'Davey.

57.Drake ft The Weeknd(should be the other way around IMO)-Crew Love

This track right here was ridiculous! Like crazy! For not having any drums especially the majority of the track it works. The Weeknd goes off on the vocals(pause), and when Drake finally comes in, it's above average flow, and I can't hate that. This is is a song on paper I am not supposed to like, but when I press play I can't front on it like I don't. Fierce track though.

56.Toro Y Moi-New Beat

My homegirl put me up on this dude, and I am so glad she did. This song has grooves. Wouldn't mind bumping this at a summer Barbeque as well for the fam & friends. Funky, but cool, that's a good lane to reside in.

55.Shabbaz Palaces-An Echo from the host that protess infinitum...

A mind shifting song. When I first heard it I was like, this is fierce, but when it goes into percussion mode midway through the song, and the journey it goes on from there is what allows it to stand out amongst the crowd.

54.James Blake-Give Me My Month

So soulful...I love listening to stuff inside somewhere, with a cup of tea, on a rainy day, or by a late night winter fire. Yeah, I like this song a lot, and it's rawness especially. No unnecessary polish that makes it sound like an Alicia Key's track.

53.Rapheal Saddiq-The Perfect Storm

I need more songs like this in my life. So does the rest of the world.

52.Little Dragon-Ritual Union

There are two Sweden artist on this list, what is Europe doing to me? The title and opening track to their latest offering had some funk to it. Get yo' Prince on Little Dragon!

51.Murs-International

Songs about travel always will have a home in my favorites.

50.Mr J Mederios ft Stro- Serious

First off, Stro absolutely nails the hook! Like this might be one of the best features of the year. Just that alone should warrant a listen. A song that definitely should be getting some plays from a lot more people outside his fan base.

#49-25

49.Theophilus London ft Dev Hynes- Century Girl

Theophilus has the type of lyrical content that Big Sean specializes in, which is about 80% nonsense. But when it clicks like this, it works. Don't know why he didn't put this on his album? It could have easily have been another single for sure.

48.Tiron & Ayomari-Back 2 U

For the foreign situation where you don't know if you are going to see that someone again, send them this song.

47.Phonte ft Elzhi-Not Here Anymore

New Tigallo-Tigallo-Tigallo! When it was announced that 9^th Wonder would be working with Phonte again I really didn't know what to expect. I had at this point grown accustomed to that non-9^th collaboration point of Te's career, and to be honest there wasn't too much that I had heard in the recent memory that had me begging for more 9^th Wonder. Well, when I heard this jawn, you pretty much consider all those former thoughts invalid. The beat is beautiful, Phonte delivers two hip-hop quotable worthy verses, and then Elzhi takes us home with a fierce verse as well making this one hell of a trailer to one of this years best albums.

46.Tyler The Creator ft Frank Ocean-She

Two of the more well-known members of OFWGKTA link up for on one of the weirdest songs available to public this year. Yet, everything that makes this song abnormal, makes it that much more enjoyable. The off-time drums, weird lead synths, creeper like verses from Tyler, and another golden hook sung by Frank, all work together to create a strange, yet still wonderful jawn.

45.Beastie Boys-Make Some Noise

These dudes still can rock it. It's on some skateboarder type youthful music though despite their age. This one will set the crowd into a frenzy for sure.

44.Frank Ocean-songs for women

What goes around comes around is the theme for this song about an R&B singer who sings songs to get at a girl, then finds out that the very girl who he was singing about is singing a new song. Kind of has a post-modern Mowtown sound to it.

43.Tanya Morgan ft Napoleon & Che Grand-Gotta Get Over It

I actually came back from a Friday evening walk downtown and this has been playing on repeat since shuffle brought it to my attention. The perfect song for a day like such. All the obligations for the week are done, everybody in a good mood outside, Christmas lights are up everywhere you look, great scene. The music is perfect for this in environment. Also I would include family get-together's, and summer barbecues as well. Tanya has supplied a jam for anywhere good spirits are present.

42.Pusha T-My God

Easily the first track this year that had folks on that screw face. Pusha is at home over these type of eerie sounding productions. My God!

41.The Roots Ft Dice Raw & Phonte-One Time

Glad to see that Phonte making another cameo with the The Roots crew. He sounds right at home here on this beat, and This kind picks up where How I Got Over Left off production-wise, left off. I can't wait to get back home and get the LP so I can read more up on this album.

40.Lupe Fiasco-WWJD He'd Prolly LOL like WTF!

Best song title this year. Beyond that though, Lupe does what he didn't do enough of on LASERS and spits more of the complex introspective raps that originally turned heads on. This introspective look at consumerism is worth every replay.

39.Blu- Amnesia(Remind)

The song is only clocks in at a little under a minute and a ½, but a song's length only matters if you're aiming for Clear Channel(radio) now days, besides since when did size matter? Anyways, this short jam on catching feelings is perfect for those afternoon hangout's and such. Doesn't hurt either that it's written by composed by Blu either.

38.Big Sean-So Much More

This beat is so nice that it doesn't matter that only 60% of Big Sean says on here is semi-interesting. NO I.D really did his thing this year on the beats. It's so soulful, I actually appreciate the part more when Sean is just talking at the end where he sheds the artificial and actually just gets real.

37.Lykee Li-Follow Rivers

Homegirl is so fresh! Songs like this continue to make my case. I hate using this term as it is something that the new school is more familiar with; swag. What I like about this is it has a swing to it than most indie music which allows you to groove a lot more than usual do to the hip-hop/r&b influence.

36.Beyonce- Rather Die Young

From the opening lines of this one, you know that B' is about to bring it. She sings with so much of the passion that I thought was lacking on a lot of the last two releases of hers. This is her track, it's not like I can sit here and think;oh _______would've killed this track.

35.Cee-Lo-Bridges

This cut right here was vintage. A Neptune's produced song that was left off the cutting room floor of The Lady Killers(why?). The two had collaborated before back on Cee-Lo's second solo venture ...Is The Soul Machine and had me thinking Al Green back then. Now, my thoughts are further cemented by this one. Casual fans of Crazy, and F*&K You might not have flocked to, but for fans of soulful music, this is a cut that will bring goodness to your ears.

34.Jay-Z & Kanye West-Murder to Excellence

One of the few moments on the album were the two take a look outside their window finally. The production on this one is dope. Can't believe I am actually saying this two years in a row now about something featuring co-production by Swizz Beatz. What is this world coming too?

33.Kendrick Lamar-Ho'd Up

Kendrick Lamar is definitely a talented artist. The problem for me is sometimes his beats aren't the most creative for someone with such a fluid style. Though everyone might of went crazy over ADHD, or HiiPower!!! This song is the one that showcases all his talents the best.

32.Pharohe Monch ft Styles P & Phonte-Black Hand Side

This is on the real song. Nothing flashy, a hard look on the reality of the modern African-American struggle, and critique on artist who neglect to tell this story in their music. Accompanied by Phonte's beautifully sung hook, Pharohe Monch and Styles P trade reality rhymes.

31.The Cool Kids ft Mayer Hawthorne-Swimsuits

Summer Jam! Fresh to def, radio formatted, and ready to lock and load. This was the song that would of had folks dancing for sure. I don't know if the clubs were playing this cause I wasn't in a place where hip-hop music was getting burn. I do know that this is some feel good, have fun music none-the-less and Mayer on the hook is gold!

30.The Roots Ft Big K.R.I.T-Make My

The Roots and K.R.I.T??? Yeah, never would've seen this collabo coming in a million years. This is a kind of blues-based track though and you don't have the Blues with out the South. KRIT, makes the most of his opportunity and delivers a great performance on the mic, next to one of the best in the game. A beautiful track, that was the first peak to the instant classic album Undun.

29.DJ Quik ft Dwelle- Time Stands Still

Grown folks music right here. What can't Quik do at this point? This might be one of the best songs that Dwelle has ever appeared on. He really should enlist some more production services from him. On that smooth tip, grown man tip for sure.

28.The Dream-Body Work/F#*! My Brains Out

The first half of this song isn't all that different from his normal sigle aimed music. But when we get a little pass the half-point, the song gets really interesting. From a slowed down bridge the speed almost instantly picks up to something that owes a lot to Prince, but also get's reaaaal nasty in here. Almost ten minutes of music that you shouldn't be listening to around kids.

27.Tyler The Creator-Yonkers

My first intro to the universe known as OFWGKTA(Odd Future for short, not writing that all the way out again). I don't want to get into the video since what I am doing here is talking about actual songs. So let's start with the amazing production. The jazz chords, are what gets to me the most, and then you have Tyler whose flow on here is crazy. It's dark, it's raw, it's explicit, in your face, and everything that you wouldn't want your young kids to listen to. In other words it's just what rap needed this year... A walking paradox

26.Nas-Nasty

Nas does these type of songs in his sleep now. He is JUST THAT GOOD. I don't know how people could even try to compare him and Hov? Besides making Ether the bar which all battle rap responses had to measure up to from that point forward, he has recently been over this year been seen commiting genocide on tracks left and right. Nas is the Chuck Norris of rap(in terms of bad ass, not ridiculousness).

Admittedly, I am a fan of Lupe Fiasco. I have met the man once and would say that I enjoy most his music as well. I predicted earlier this year that his next album Lasers might be the sleeper of the year. Well with no release date in site, my claim might now go into limbo with that album most likely. Which is sad to see I thought he had some legs behind this one, a good video, two good singles and a hot mixtape. Yet in the world of the music business if you have two Gold albums, a platinum single, and a Grammy, you cannot just release any album you want to.

I don't understand this principle. Carl's Jr seems to come up with tons of new burgers every year to try, I don't think that the burgers ever get stuck in limbo like albums though. Did the Superstar, have problems like this after the success of the Famous Star? Did they have to come up with a better packaging for it? Or did they wait till reviewers gave it praise? Probably not, but in music, no matter how many times an artist has put in the work to make the best album they possibly could at that time is not enough.

There are no guarantees in music, so I don't understand why labels waste so much money trying to generate interest in newer artist, when they have current artist with fans who have supported them consistently through the years? To me that just seems like bad business. Why not try to invest a little more in what is already generating income for you business? We what Big Boi of Outkast (who has one of the biggest selling albums of all time) had to go through to get his latest solo release out. Creating and paying for multiple videos, switching labels, and a bunch of other nonsense to just get his album released. Might I add one more time that this is BIG BOI of Outkast!!! He's like the Sir Paul McCartney of rap in terms of success! I am pretty sure label heads pretty much have to put out any album that man turns in.

Labels continue to prove themselves irrelevant to society, yet artist keep signing with them. Why, so they can get the opportunity to have their art be shelved by forces outside of their control? Who knows, I just honestly hope that Lupe's latest album eventually sees the light of day.

Justa