The intro to this song is hilarious but it also shows a lot of insight into how we as fans look at rappers at times. Plus, this Neptunes beat is dope and so is Earl’s rapping.

Lupe released a slew of great songs this year including his Kendrick response and his Orwell tribute but this song stuck out as number one for me.

Don’t let ya inner fears result in a outer coward

The song is straight bars, and to be honest that’s when Lupe is at his best.

Gambino set out to create more than an album with because the internet, releasing a short film as a prelude and a script to go with it. For me, this worked, creating an experience that was much more than just music; something that will stay with me for a long time.

Life’s the biggest troll but the joke is on us
Yeah, the joke’s you showed up

This song really is a lyrical firestorm, and when paired with the script the words become more than just dope bars.

My Name Is My Name is one of my favorite releases of the year, and “King Push”, the opening track, takes the cake for me.

I got a label deal under my mattress

This cold as ice production combined with Push’s braggadocios drug laden lyrics make it the number four song of the year.

Yeezus may not have been for everyone, but for me it was easily one of the most interesting and entertaining releases all year. “New Slaves” was the pinnacle for me.

Y'all ‘bout to turn shit up
I’m 'bout to tear shit down
I’m 'bout to air shit out
Now what the fuck they gon’ say now?

The production is incredible and Ye’s second verse is filled with raw emotion and relevant statements about culture.

You have a killer Raekwon verse, a nice Joey Badass verse and Statik Selektah’s great production, not to mention Black Thought with what could have been verse of the year save a song called “Control” dropping and you have the number two song of the year.

The most notorious, Poet Laureate
Whole story is glorious, stoic warriors

This type of song represents what I love about hip-hop, three emcees going bar for bar over an insane beat.

Now hold up, K-Dot absolutely bodied this track but let’s take a minute here. Big Sean and Jay Electronica both had nice verses and No I.D.’s production is phenomenal. I just wanted to take a minute to put things in perspective.

I got love for you all but I’m tryna murder you niggas

Here’s Sean talking about the verse because Big and Kendrick are two of my favorite rappers and I can’t just let people slander Sean like that!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=yPSAxGwnDlI#t=573

Now for my personal experience with the song “Control”. I was on Twitter 20 minutes before the song came out when Sean was tweeting he was about to drop a song with Kendrick so I stayed on. The minute I heard the song I was floored, just thinking damn Kendrick really snapped like that. I had no idea the song would blow up the way it did, but the minute I heard it I knew things had changed. This song made the biggest splash out of any release this year, and thus takes the top spot.

As I’m sure anyone else on the list would attest, limiting yourself to ten songs isn’t easy, so here are some honorable mentions .

“Side B” – Danny Brown
“Bad Guy” – Eminem
“First Chain” – Big Sean
“Picasso Baby” – Jay Z
“Favorite Song” – Chance the Rapper