Tuesday, September 20, 2011

So Far, So Good


I know this might be a little pre-mature, especially with new albums by J. Cole, Drake, and 9th Wonder coming up, but I'm about to hit you with my list of the top verses of 2011 (so far).  Let me warn you now, there is no Jigga, Weezy, or Yeezy on this list.  This is a best verse/freestyle list, not best song...remember that.  I will hyperlink the titles so you can hear the song.  So without further ado...

10.) Busta Rhymes "Look At Me Know (Remix)" - Bussa Buss is the remix killer.  He hasn't shined on his own shit since "Touch It," but has been consistently killing it on everyone else's remixes.  This is another example of that.  I can't even pull out one stand-out line to use as an example, this whole verse is stand-out.  If he could only bring the same enthusiasm to his albums.

9.)  Eminem "A Kiss" - This is from Em & Royce's Bad Meets Evil EP.  Since the rehab, it has been said that Shady lost a little bit of his edge, his ability to ridicule his pop music peers was fading.  Em killed that talk on here by throwing darts at the current pop monster, Lady Gaga, on his third verse:


8.)  Childish Gambino "Rolling in the Deep (Remix)" - For those of you who don't know who Childish Gambino/Donald Glover/"Troy" from Community is, allow me to introduce you.  This man is about to hit the scene with a full head of steam (hey, that almost rhymed).  He gained notoriety this year, with his verse on the remix to Adele's breakout hit this year.  His mental convo with an ex is flawless.

Play it cool, text me when you walk out

7.)  Andre 3000 "Sleazy (Remix)" - 3 Stacks...with Ke$ha???  That's what I said when I saw it.  I wanted to pass it over, but couldn't, it's still Andre 3000.  I'm glad I didn't.  This is another prime example of Andre's superior storytelling abilities.  His verse has very little to do with the actual song, but its still stellar none the less.

6.)  Drake "All of the Lights (Remix)" - Can you even call him a protege anymore.  Drake is so much better than Lil' Wayne now, there's no comparison.  I'm usually not one for all the "swag" talk, but his delivery of his verse was powerful. If you thought you had swag, after you heard this, you went to lift some weights.  Perfect verse to end the all-star remix, like having Usain Bolt as the anchor to your 4x100 relay team.

5.) Nas "Outro" - Of course, the best song on Lil' Wayne's Carter IV didn't even feature Lil' Wayne.  The outro of the album featured a quartet of stars, but none shined brighter than Mr. Nasir Jones.  I mean come on, it's Nas...do I really have to give an example?  I will just for shits and giggles.

Look who crept in with automatic weapons
Reppin' QB till the death of him
That, nigga that inspired lyrical tyrants like Kanye West and Em
Track record, goes back to the Essence
Smack adolescents who ask who the best is
I'm nasty like gas from a fat man's intestines

4.)  Lupe Fiasco "Words I Never Said" - Lupe has the potential to be the best in the game.  He can rap about anything and make it sound good.  The first verse of this song from his latest album Lasers, is a just a lyrical lecture about what he thinks is really going on in the political world, and nobody is safe, not even Obama.

Limbaugh is a racist, Glenn Beck is a racist
Gaza strip was getting bombed, Obama didn't say shit
That's why I ain't vote for him, next one either
I'm a part of the problem, my problem is I'm peaceful

3.)  Jay Electronica "Jazzmatazz" - This man is probably the best lyricist that nobody has heard of.  No albums, but a handful of already classic songs.  He gives New Orleans rappers credibility.  His verses are fluid and intelligent, and he's probably the only rapper that can mention Yo Gabba Gabba in his raps and still get taken seriously.  The second verse of this song is pure genius.

They silence you with force and then indoctrinate the children
Yo Gabba Gabba, Ahmadinejad will blow up your apartment if you don't observe the sabbath
I look the devil in his eye and say abracadabra
Then drown 'em in the mighty light his brain couldn't fathom
Scrappin' every day, just like fight club
A thriller and a smooth criminal like Mike was

2.) Childish Gambino "Break (AOTL)" - Yes this guy again.  Even though you never heard of him, he is that good.  He has been mentioned twice, while Jay-Z or Kanye

1.)  Joe Budden "Ordinary Love Shit (Part 3)" - All I can say about this freestyle is wow.  Jumpoff Joey's ability to get personally and still keep his lyrical prowless is second to none.  Using the Frank Ocean breakout hit "Novocaine" beat as a backdrop, Joe tells the story of his tumultuous relationship with video vixen Esther Baxter.  Damn, Derrick Ward, really?

Well that's my list, what do you think?  Am I wrong, am I right, did I miss something?  Let me know.  See you at the next post.


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