This track not only features two dope verses from King Hov, but it’s also the source of one of my favorite recent lines in any song:

You know it’s real when you are who you think you are

This is Drake’s way of saying that he has become the dream that he always imagined growing up. I used this line as a contrasting example when my class was studying T.S. Eliot’s The Love Song of J. Alfred Purfrock. Though Prufrock and Drake both share the same existentialist dilemma, J. Alfred is experiencing the demise of his aspirations, while Drizzy is literally living the dream.

Niday slayed it this year by dropping a pro-quality E.P. – Most Likely To Succeed – and this was that project’s best track. Wicked wordplay and a bangin’ beat; plus dem Nascar allusions! Best line:

So I’m the Jeff Gordon of recordin' / Or am I Earnhardt? Y'all Mario Kart / I’m Mario Andretti, better yet, Richard Petty / Point is, I killed the track before you ever got to start

https://soundcloud.com/stephenniday/lights-out-versus-everyone

Young Floridian rapper Denzel Curry is poised to break out big with his recent Nostalgic 64 project. “Threatz” is the most popular single from that album: a combination of lyrical ingenuity, catchiness, and street-wise thuggery that balls hard. Some of the other tracks are no doubt high quality as well, yet they also become a little too dark for my taste.

“Threatz” keeps the balance just right.

I love Chance’s unique style in general, but what sets this song apart is that it’s probably the most bangin’ beat on his Acid Rap mixtape. And as a practitioner of math puns myself, I was totally feeling this track’s best line:

Lean all on the square / That’s a […] rhombus

Young Floridian rapper Denzel Curry is poised to break out big with his recent Nostalgic 64 project. “Threatz” is the most popular single from that album: a combination of lyrical ingenuity, catchiness, and street-wise thuggery that balls hard. Some of the other tracks on the album are no doubt high quality as well, yet they also become a little too dark for my taste.

“Threatz” keeps the balance just right.

Though they appear ranked, these are not really in order of preference. I find it hard to say certain songs, especially top-tier tracks, are more favored than others. It really depends on my mood.

I just don’t get the seemingly widespread hatred for this song. Even my boy Fantano said, “Who needs another Rihanna chorus?”

I do! Ever since I heard MMLP2 would have another Rihanna feature, I was totally stoked to hear it. And it did not disappoint. It’s so catchy, and Em drops some fire verses. Thematically, too, the song fits with the personal-life struggles of both performers.

You don’t see many artists who are the most technically proficient in their genre that are also able to put out chart toppers. Ever heard a Dream Theater single? Exactly… I say more power to Mr. Mathers for being able to make songs like this! Best line:

Cause all I wanted to do’s be the Bruce Lee of loose leaf

Aside from digging his Cruel Summer verses, this was really my first exposure to Pusha. I readily enjoyed this whole album, but to me this opening track is still the standout: lyrics on point as always, but, more importantly, a beat that goes extra hard! Best line:

Rage against the machine, black Zack de la Rocha

Ok, I know what you’re thinking: “A country song? What blasphemy!” However, it does have one rap verse, with Nelly helping these white boys turn up. While obviously a catchy song, I was more struck by

The Video

in which it became clear to me that maybe Redneck and Hip-Hop culture really aren’t that far apart. Often times rap songs are criticized for being only about money, women, and drugs; well witness this twangy tune with its focus squarely on hot girls, big trucks, and recreational substances. Now we know what Nelly saw in these guys! Best line:

She was sippin' on Southern and singing Marshall Tucker / We were fallin' in love in the sweet heart of summer

Killer Mike and El-P expand their collaboration from 2012’s AOTY contender R.A.P. Music, where El mostly handled production duties. Now they’re an equal duo, trading rapid fire verses back and forth on this bass-thumping opening track. Best line:

Cowering like cowards cowering on concrete showers in Rikers Island / Victims, we the wolves that’s wilding / We often smile at sights of violence