[Guest]

Alright, here's my list, including a little bit about my picks and the appropriate YouTube links. Some of the ordering is a little arbitrary, but it's pretty much how I would rank these songs. It was narrowed down from a much larger shortlist, and often from shortlists for the different artists.

101. Danny Brown - The B-Side radio freestyle (2009)

I know it isn't a song as such, but this is still my favourite thing that Danny Brown has done. It's the first I ever saw/heard of him, and straight away I knew he was going to be someone whose progress I should follow with interest. This is pre-skinny jeans, pre-crazy hair, pre-Pitchfork seal of approval - Danny just murders the beat with that unique flow and his trademark sense of humour. A must-watch for even the most casual of Brown fans.

100. Sadat X - Theatrics (2008)

This was the B-side to a standalone 7" called 'The Okie Doke', which I picked up in a (now deceased) little record store/cafe in Moseley, Birmingham called Jibbering Records. Before the smoking ban came into effect, me and my friends used to go in there, ask the guys behind the counter to put on an album for us and go and sit in the back sipping coffee and smoking roll-ups. One of the dudes who worked there was an expert on hip-hop, and he recommended this to me. The A-side is fine, but I immediately fell in love with this cut. I love that bittersweet sample, and Sadat X just has a great rapping voice. A lovely song.

99. D4L - Laffy Taffy (2005)

That minimal beat that sounds like it was made in five minutes. Those stupid fucking lyrics. Brilliant.

98. Twista ft. Raekwon - The Heat (2010)

Two heavyweights trading blows over a heavy, guitar-assisted No I.D. beat. It's not revolutionary, it's just two supreme lyricists forcing each other to up their game and spitting some extremely dope bars. Twista is mad underrated.

97. The Pharcyde - Bullshit (1995)

The opener to their hugely underappreciated second album, Labcabincalifornia, 'Bullshit' finds The Pharcyde boys in a more serious mode than at any time on their debut, bemoaning the, er, bullshit they see around them, each of them slowing down their usually spitfire flows to match a lush, organic Dilla beat which features a twinkling electric keyboard line over the top that I adore. My favourite Pharcyde song.

96. Q-Tip ft. Free Murder - Just a Lil' Dude (Who Dat Over There) (2007)

Taken from the soundtrack to Afro Samurai, Q-Tip and Free Murder (who appears to be, for all intents and purposes, little more than a passable Jay-Z tribute act) are given free reign over an awesome RZA beat. It's got a really catchy chorus, and Q-Tip's verse kills it. I actually really like Free Murder's verse too, but it's almost embarrassing how much of a Jay-Z circa 2001 rip-off he is. But yeah, a great song.

95. Method Man - Say (2006)

Over a beat built around a tasteful sample of Lauryn Hill's acoustic cover of Bob Marley's 'So Much Things To Say', Meth berates critics and fickle fans who have unfairly criticised or ignored him and the rest of Wu-Tang over the years. For me it's his best ever lyrical performance, and proof that he's much more than just a voice and a flow.

94. Cypress Hill - Hits from the Bong (1993)

When it comes to weed songs, this is the king. The way B-Real tells the listener to "inhale... exhale" gets me every time, and that Dusty Springfield sample is perfect, it actually sounds stoned. This song is just memorable as fuck and mega fun to rap along to stoned. I don't really listen to Cypress Hill very often now that I'm not fourteen, but I get the urge to listen to this every so often and always remember how much I love it.

93. The Fugees - Nappy Heads (Salaam Remi Remix) (1994)

In truth, The Fugees debut album is pretty much the definition of underwhelming, but this bonus track is an absolute beast. It features my favourite Wyclef verse (by quite some distance), him sing-songing his way around a headnod-inducing beat that all comes together when the horns come in. Lauryn obviously kills it, and Pras does his best not to ruin everybody else's good work. Oh, and the chorus is dangerously catchy - I couldn't tell you how many times I've found myself singing this just walking down the street. I wish The Fugees were always this good.

92. Big Pun ft. Joe - Still Not A Player (1998)

Purists would probably hate this choice, but fuck it. They'd rather the original, without the Joe chorus that reeks of the shiny suit era. Hell, they'd just rather 'Super Lyrical', which I seriously considered putting on this list ahead of 'Still Not A Player', but that'd be somewhat dishonest. I just really love that post-Puffy R'n'B rap, and the hook, "I'm not a player, I just fuck a lot", is one of my favourites by anybody ever.

91. Run-DMC - My Adidas (1986)

Because this plays in my head every time I step into a pair of Adidas. And it makes me feel like a god.

90. Rick Ross ft. Styles P - B.M.F. (Blowin' Money Fast) (2010)

The beat, courtesy of Lex Luger, is an absolute dancefloor slayer, and Ross' authoritative voice and entirely fictional lyrics about being a drug kingpin are perfect for it. It's also ridiculous how many songs have come out since this that sound just like it. And, most importantly, there are very few things in life as enjoyable as drunkenly screaming, "I THINK I'M BIG MEECH! LARRY HOOVER!" in the club with your mates.

89. The Geto Boys - My Mind's Playing Tricks on Me (1991)

No explanation needed.

88. Chance The Rapper - Juice (2013)

It might be a little early to put this on a list of my all-time favourite hip-hop songs, but I've absolutely rinsed this tune since I heard it. It's just joyous as fuck. Chance may not be a supreme wordsmith, but he has this real Dr. Seuss-esque quality whereby you get the sense he's just rhyming words for the love of rhyming words. This makes me want to run through the streets rapping along, and that's probably the best compliment I can pay a song. A gem.

87. Jehst - Alcoholic Author (2002)

When push comes to shove, Jehst is my favourite British hip-hop artist, and 'Alcoholic Author' is his mission statement. It's grimy and dingy and packed with dark imagery, but it never feels forced or cliched. The fact that he manages to pull it off while still sounding completely British is great, and I really recommend that anyone yet to find some UK hip-hop that they truly enjoy gives him a try.

86. Quelle Chris ft. Machine - NuBeginning4∞ (2011)

It's got this lilting, dreamy, lo-fi beat that reminds of being underwater for some reason, and just some very honest raps from both guys. Machine, technically the weaker rapper of the two, actually has the standout verse here, lamenting the mistakes his father made in a very real, touching way. The whole album is easily one of my favourites of the last few years (and of all-time, to be honest), but it's this song I find myself returning to the most.

85. Cannibal Ox - Scream Phoenix (2001)

A hidden track from The Cold Vein, and the best thing on the whole CD. CanOx are fucking crazy, and El-P's beat is magical; spaced out and yet totally intense.

84. Queen Latifah - U.N.I.T.Y. (1993)

I'm a sucker for a nice jazzy beat, and Queen Latifah clearly means every word. A real feelgood summer jam, with a strong message.

83. GrandeMarshall - Thuggin' Shidd pt. II (2012)

GrandeMarshall raps his ass off over The Roots' beat from Erykah Badu's 'Otherside of the Game'. A winning combination.

82. Will Smith - Gettin' Jiggy Wit It (1998)

The epitome of the shiny suit era. A banging disco beat bounces beneath some Nas-penned lyrics about how good Will Smith's life is. Hip-hop doesn't get any more fun than this.

81. Chief Keef - Love Sosa (2012)

It's dumb as fuck, but the ridiculously hard beat and Chief Keef's drunken drawl make this one of the most menacing club bangers of all-time. Another song that I just love hearing when I'm out dancing and drinking.

80. Lil B - T-Shirt & Buddens (2010)

I love Based God, and I really, reeeeaaaaallllyyyyy fucking hate Joe Budden, so this dis track is like the greatest thing that's ever happened as far as I'm concerned. It also helps that Lil B brings his most technically accomplished rapping to the table, proving that he is more than capable of spitting a very dope verse when he puts his mind to it. Bonus points for perhaps my favourite hip-hop insult of all-time too - "I bet you jack off with your butt cheeks out, listening to mood music" - and for calling Joe Budden a "pervert". Life-affirmingly brilliant.

79. Funkdoobiest - Superhoes (1995)

DJ Muggs crafted a dark, funky beat, and Funkdoobiest came up with the goods. Raps about the perversions of superheroes are quite possibly the best type of raps, and if there's a better first line than, "I caught Spiderman jerking off in the booth" then I'm yet to hear it.

78. Big L - Ebonics (1998)

It's like a cool RapGenius, set to a banging beat.

77. Coolio - The Winner (1996)

Usually I'm not really a fan of the uplifting, cheesy, "stay in school, kids" hip-hop songs, but this is just impossible to hate. The quickest way to my heart is through an Impressions sample and, despite spreading a message that I'd normally find horribly annoying, Coolio is the perfect choice for this joyful beat. I first heard this song when I was five or six on the Space Jam soundtrack, and it's remained a song I play regularly ever since.

76. Non Phixion - Black Helicopters (2000)

Dark, conspiracy theory rap isn't really my thing either, but this song is just way too dope.

75. Klashnekoff - It's Murda (2004)

A UK hip-hop classic, and a song I've known every word to since I was fourteen.

74. E-40 - Big Ballin' With My Homies (1999)

E-40 might just be the weirdest mainstream rapper ever. I first heard this seven or eight years ago when I picked up its parent album in a charity shop for a pound. I wasn't anywhere near as into hip-hop then as I am now, but I really enjoyed the album and this song in particular. He just has such a distinctive flow, and the minimalist funk acts as a perfect foil for his maximalist, "let's see how many syllables I can fit in this line" rapping.

73. The Coup - Dig It! (1993)

A Ray Manzaraek sample, a rolling, funky bassline and lyrics championing communist ideals make this a must-hear.

72. Tyler, The Creator - Yonkers (2011)

This was one of those "have you heard this?!?!?" songs. It was inescapable for about 6 months as friend after friend found it and insisted on playing it constantly. Thankfully it's so good that it never became an annoyance. The dark piano, those nihilist lyrics, everything comes together on this one. Also, bonus points for threatening to "stab Bruno Mars in his goddamn esophagus" - I don't even dislike Bruno Mars, but that line is great.

71. Earl Sweatshirt - Chum (2012)

But even better than the "look at me, aren't I shocking?" lyrics of 'Yonkers' (not a bad thing, hip-hop needs songs like that every so often) are Earl's introspective musings on 'Chum', which features some incredible rapping. Like, fucking incredible. It's been widely known since Odd Future started to attract some hype that Earl is the most talented of the group, and he proves it in style on this song.

70. Souls of Mischief - '93 'til Infinity (1993)

Just the ultimate summer chill-out anthem.

69. Jeru The Damaja - Come Clean (1993)

That beat.

68. Roc Marciano - Hide My Tears (2010)

This song appeared on Roc Marci's stunning debut, Marcberg, but has been taken off of reprints and reissues due a problem with sample clearance, which is a real shame. It finds Marci rapping considerably faster than usual, disproving the theory that he always sounds like he's just awoken from a coma, but his content remains unchanged. His wordplay is incredible, as per usual, and the uptempo(ish) beat makes for a refreshing change and an awesome song.

67. Clipse ft. Ab-Liva & Rosco P. Goldchain - Cot Damn (2002)

An awesome Neptunes beat, and some trademark cold-as-fuck rapping from the Clipse boys and associates. Selling coke never sounded so simultaneously fun and frightening.

66. DJ Quik ft. 2nd II None & Peter Gunz - So Many Wayz (1998)

There isn't a funkier man in all of hip-hop than DJ Quik, and 'So Many Wayz' is him at his very best. The rapping might be workmanlike and predictable, standard hip-hop boasting and talking about getting pussy, but the beat is anything but. Incredibly infectious, and a perfect example of why DJ Quik is the West Coast's best ever producer, Dr. Dre included.

65. Jurassic 5 - Concrete Schoolyard (1998)

Maybe the most "hip-hop" hip-hop song of all-time. Beats and rhymes, spread between a bunch of nimble rappers who sound like they're having the most amount of fun possible. It's not new or progressive, but it shows an innate understanding of the genre and the culture.

64. GZA ft. Ghostface Killah, Killah Priest & RZA - 4th Chamber (1995)

My favourite song from Liquid Swords. When the beat drops I just want to go crazy, every time. Add to that great verses from all involved and you have yourself a classic.

63. T.I. - What You Know (2005)

You know that weird little monologue Lil Wayne does at the start of 'Mr. Carter'? I feel like that whenever I hear this song.

62. Dr. Dre ft. Kurupt, Nate Dogg, Hittman & Six-Two - Xxplosive (1999)

My favourite Dr. Dre song doesn't actually feature any rapping from Dr. Dre. Coincidence? Probably. However, my favourite Dr. Dre song does feature a brilliant hook from Nate Dogg, and that's definitely not a coincidence. "All the true gangsters know Nate ain't never loved no hoe". RIP.

61. Eminem - My Name Is (1999)

Because ten-year-old me thought that this was the most daring thing ever recorded. Even now it still sounds pretty daring actually, and it's probably the quintessential Eminem song. I wonder if he ever did figure out which Spice Girl he wanted to impregnate.

60. The Game ft. 50 Cent - Hate It or Love It (2005)

A great summery beat, and 50 Cent's best ever verse. Game's isn't bad either, but Fiddy kills this.

59. Common - The Light (Kero One Remix) (2007)

Another record I picked up in Jibbering Records, and infinitely superior to the already brilliant original.

58. Ludacris ft. Nate Dogg - Area Codes (2001)

The important part about this is the bit that reads, "ft. Nate Dogg".

57. The Beastie Boys - Ch-Check It Out (2004)

This was the first Beastie Boys song that really caught my attention, and it's still my favourite to this day. They're basically talking nonsense, roughly within the confines of standard hip-hop braggadocio, but still largely nonsense, and yet they somehow manage to make it sound like the coolest thing in the world. The beat is great too, nothing too complex but still massively fun.

56. Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth - I Got A Love (1994)

Pete Rock is arguably the greatest ever producer when it comes to flipping obscure(ish) soul samples, and what he does with The Ambassadors' 'Ain't Got The Love' here is simply marvellous. However, even the best beats often need a great rapper, and C.L. Smooth, whilst not the most impressive or extravagant MC, does his part to help craft a classic of early-mid '90s conscious, soulful hip-hop.

55. M.O.P. - Ante Up (2000)

Perfect for jumping around like an idiot.

54. DJ Khaled ft. Drake, Rick Ross & Lil Wayne - I'm On One (2011)

Three rappers who are regularly held up by supposed "purists" as signs of everything that is wrong with hip-hop. These people, the sort of idiots who make comments on YouTube videos, probably haven't even heard this song. Oh well, their loss. It's awesome.

53. Foxy Brown - (Holy Matrimony) Letter To The Firm (1996)

I first heard this on the Jackie Brown soundtrack, and rushed out to buy its parent album, Ill Na Na. Ill Na Na is totally fine, especially given the paucity of great female hip-hop records (which isn't down to a lack of good female rappers, but rather how they get marketed and bullied into making music they are often uncomfortable making, that is if they even manage to get their foot in the door), but this song is the clear standout, a great mafioso rap record told from the perspective of a loyal female. A refreshing, brilliant take on an old hip-hop cliche.

52. Big K.R.I.T. ft. Ludacris & Bun B - Country Shit (Remix) (2011)

Trunk-rattling southernplayalisticadillacmuzik from three generations of great Southern rappers.

51. P. Diddy ft. Black Rob & Mark Curry - Bad Boy For Life (2001)

Don't worry if he writes rhymes; he writes cheques.

50. Suga Free - Doe Doe and a Skunk (1997)

My favourite DJ Quik beat, and the wonderfully weird Suga Free (a strange hybrid of Too $hort's pimp sensibilities and E-40's elastic, hurried flow) extolling the virtues of good ganja make this one of my favourite summer songs.

49. Ol' Dirty Bastard ft. Kelis - Got Your Money (1999)

Ol' Dirty Bastard putting extra emphasis on the second word of his moniker, with an awesome chorus by the underrated Kelis. Hilarious, and a great party record.

48. Scarface - On My Block (2002)

Over a beat that would sound completely at home soundtracking a 1970s sitcom, Scarface gets all nostalgic about the block he grew up on. His transition from cold-blooded killer to wise elder statesman as his career has gone on has been a surprisingly natural one, and 'On My Block' is the sound of a man who is entirely comfortable, happy even, with being one of the game's older heads.

47. Public Enemy - Bring The Noise (1988)

One of the first hip-hop songs I truly loved, and one that I still go back to pretty regularly. When Chuck D raps, you listen.

46. Lupe Fiasco - Kick, Push (2006)

Lupe's debut single, an ode to young love and skateboarding, remains the best, most sincere thing he's ever done.

45. R.A. The Rugged Man - Every Record Label Sucks Dick (1994)

R.A. is one of the most underrated rappers of all-time, a larger-than-life cheeky chappy who is totally unafraid to say what he thinks, even at the cost of his career. Luckily he's had a mini renaissance in recent years, with new material convincing listeners to go back and check out his old stuff, the best of which if this song. There's only fifty thousand heads that are true to this, the rest are clueless to what real hip-hop music is.

44. Busta Rhymes - Woo Hah!! Got You All In Check (1996)

Just some of the most crazed rhyming you're ever likely to hear, all over a great little playful beat that always makes me want to dance.

43. Murs & 9th Wonder - And This Is For... (2004)

I always thought Murs was a thoroughly likeable, if somewhat unremarkable, rapper. In fact, I still do think that. But occasionally he gets it just right, as on this song. Obviously it helps to be rhyming over a beat by someone of 9th Wonder's talent, but regardless Murs is the star of the show here.

42. Kanye West ft. Nas & Really Doe - We Major (2005)

This is the most majestic hip-hop song I can think of. I always found the dichotomy of such a gorgeous, luxurious beat being used for a pretty standard song about smoking and drinking and partying pretty funny, but it really works.

41. Emanon - Blind Love (2002)

Emanon's sped up sample of the guitar from Billie Holiday's 'I'll Look Around' makes this song, but Aloe Blacc is no slouch either, with some great everyman lyrics about being in love. A really lovely summery tune.

40. Boogie Down Productions - Criminal Minded (1987)

I find most 1980s rap has dated pretty badly, what with the progress we've made both in terms of rapping and beatmaking, but occasionally it doesn't matter. Sure, this probably is pretty basic compared to a lot of hip-hop that comes out these days, but give me KRS-One going over a simple little drum beat any day.

39. Slick Rick & Doug E. Fresh - La Di Da Di (1985)

Just Slick Rick rapping in that suave, melodic voice of his over Doug E. Fresh's beatboxing. It's amazing.

38. 50 Cent - Many Men (Wish Death) (2003)

Get Rich or Die Tryin' was a pretty big deal to me and my friends when we were thirteen, and this was always my favourite song. It's genuinely menacing in a way that so much rap of this ilk fails to be. 50 Cent is also one of the best hook-writers of all-time, right up there with Method Man. The foreboding piano line and Fiddy's slurred voice help to make this a really powerful song. People can say what they like about 50 Cent, he seems to be a pretty easy target (insert joke about getting shot nine times here), but he sure knew how to make a banger.

37. Warren G & Nate Dogg - Regulate (1994)
36. Snoop Dogg - Gz and Hustlas (1993)
35. The Dove Shack - Summertime In The LBC (1995)

Three West Coast anthems that are just dripping in funk. Summertime party music, made to be shared and enjoyed among friends, preferably accompanied by a fridge full of beer and some nice "sticky icky icky", as Snoop would say. It was actually a total coincidence that these three songs ended up next to each other on this list, something I noticed after the fact, but something that just feels right. I considered splitting them up to give the list more balance, but it was just too perfect. Three of the best examples of West Coast hip-hop you're ever likely to hear, and all totally representative of the genre.

34. Biz Markie - Just A Friend (1989)

"Yoooooouuuuuuuu, you got what I neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed!"

33. Eric B. & Rakim - I Know You Got Soul (1987)

Rakim's rapping is just so measured and authoritative. Whereas his peers rhymes sound pretty simplistic when put up against the work of more recent rappers, Rakim's still holds it own. I love the James Brown break, but the main draw here are the lyrics - they pretty much laid the foundation for most rapping since.

32. Styles P ft. Pharaohe Monch - The Life (2002)

Styles P is another rapper who is stupidly underrated, but then he doesn't really try to appeal to an intellectual audience or pretend to be somebody he isn't. It's just really good street rap. I always find it weird that people hire Monch for hook duties, given that he's such an amazing rapper in his own right, but here Styles makes up for that completely. His raps are real and heartfelt, and the beat plays to that without ever straying into cheese territory.

31. Pharaohe Monch - Simon Says (1999)

Monch is one of the greatest rappers ever, and this is his best song. An absolute monster, whether it's in your bedroom or in a club. Shame about the sample clearance issue. That shit derailed his whole career just when he was about to become huge. That said, this song would be nothing without that Godzilla sample.

30. N.W.A - Express Yourself (1988)

Another pretty self-explanatory choice. I just love this song, and have done for years. It was the spoonful of sugar than helped the medicinal Straight Outta Compton go down, and whilst I eventually learned to love the whole album, this has remained my favourite song since I first heard it.

29. ScHoolboy Q & A$AP Rocky - Hands on the Wheel (2012)
28. Action Bronson & RiFF RaFF - Bird On A Wire (2012)
27. King L ft. Pusha T & Juicy J - My Hoes They Do Drugs (2012)
26. Kendrick Lamar ft. Jay Rock - Money Trees (2012)

I think 2012 was the best year for hip-hop ever. Great new albums, mixtapes and songs were cropping up on an almost daily basis, many of which were and are as good as most hip-hop that came before it. It seems the genre is going through a renaissance, buoyed by the rise of the free mixtape and the post-regional landscape we find ourselves in, and the fact that people's influences are getting weirder with each passing year. These four songs are all songs that I have played to death since their respective releases, songs that confirm everything I could hope for and more - that hip-hop is as healthy as it has ever been. Kendrick's album was stunning, the highlight of which (for me) was 'Money Trees', with it's Beach House sampling beat, respectful reference to another song in this list ('Big Ballin' With My Homies'), awesome chorus, and fantastic final verse courtesy of Jay Rock. 'My Hoes They Do Drugs' is one of the greatest irresponsible party records I've ever heard, with brilliant, and brilliantly varied, verses from Chicago's King Louie and veterans Pusha T and Juicy J. 'Bird On A Wire' is one of the great drug songs, a perfectly spacey beat acting as the canvas for Action Bronson and RiFF RaFF, two of hip-hop's biggest and strangest personalities, to paint minor masterpieces of surrealism. 'Hands On The Wheel' is just an absolute monster, with a brilliant flip of a Lissie sample and Rocky and Q proving that it's still possible to have genuine chemistry on a rap record these days, each playing off each other and pushing each other to be better. I genuinely believe these four songs to be some of the best hip-hop has ever produced, and the fact that they all came out in the space of twelve incredible months is testament to the current strength of a genre that seemed totally bereft of ideas only five or six years ago. It brings a smile to my face to think about how much great new hip-hop is available.

25. Gang Starr - Ex Girl to Next Girl (1992)

Guru's message to an overbearing ex-girlfriend is funny, brilliantly bitter and completely relatable, but what really makes this song is Primo's flip of the horns from an obscure old Caesar Frazier song. One of the catchiest beats I've ever heard, and it keeps me coming back to this song time and time again. Daily Operation is a great album, it's on my chart, but this a definite standout.

24. De La Soul - Eye Know (1989)

Eventually narrowed down my De La Soul shortlist to 'Eye Know', but it was totally arbitrary. 'Eye Know' got the nod because it's another song I use to play a lot when I DJ'd.

23. A Tribe Called Quest - Steve Biko (Stir It Up) (1993)

I've never understood why this song never gets mentioned among all the other great Tribe songs. It's been my favourite for years.

22. Skinnyman - I'll Be Surprised (2004)

Probably one of the more obscure songs on this list, at least for those with little knowledge of the UK hip-hop scene (which is the vast majority of users), but one of my oldest favourites. Skinnyman reminds me a little of a white, Cockney Tupac (albeit a Tupac who probably spent at least a couple of months holed up in a crackden), with much of his power being derived from the sheer emotion he puts into every song. 'I'll Be Surprised' is a straight-up banger, a song much loved by the UK hip-hop community, and probably the biggest encouragement I ever had to check out British rap further. I highly recommend his album, Council Estate of Mind.

21. Madvillain - Accordion (2004)
20. Danger Doom ft. Cee-Lo - Benzi Box (2005)

A bit of a cheat here, but Doom deserves two songs, and both of these projects are very different in vibe. He's just one of the greatest rappers of all-time, and for the period from 2003 to 2005 he was pretty much untouchable, what with the parent albums of these two songs, both the Viktor Vaughn albums and the fantastic Mm.. Food. Mos Def once said of Doom that "he raps as weird as I feel", and that's something I feel about him too. He puts words together in a way few other rappers can, and his rhymes are never less than unpredictable. He'll find something to rhyme with the previous line that you would never even have thought of, and for those who get Doom he's a genius. 'Accordion' and 'Benzi Box' are two very different songs - the former is almost lo-fi and features no discernible hook, whilst the latter is a polished attempt that relies heavily on its catchy chorus - but both are fantastic examples of why Doom is one of the best to ever do it, each crafted by an awesome producer at the top of their game, Madlib and Dangermouse respectively.

19. Ice Cube - It Was A Good Day (1992)

I think everyone can relate to this song, even if your idea of a good day isn't necessarily dependent on whether you need to use your kalashnikov or not.

18. Masta Ace - Good Ol' Love (2004)

A great soul sample flip and some brilliant boasting courtesy of a living legend. Masta Ace has carved out a niche for himself with his late career concept albums, and this is from his 2004 offering, A Long Hot Summer. This is the song that I return to most often, though. It's gorgeous.

17. Nas - Made You Look (2002)

Nas was one of many artists for whom I had a pretty significant shortlist of songs that could've made this list, including large parts of Illmatic, 'Heaven', 'Got Ur Self A...', 'Nas Is Like', 'If I Ruled The World', 'One Mic', etc., but eventually I plumped for 'Made You Look'. Of all of hip-hop's greats, Nas is arguably the least fun, or at least the most serious (with the possible exception of Rakim, but even then it's arguable, while I find famously serious rappers such as KRS-One and Chuck D to still have more of a fun side than Nas). He comes across as though he has no sense of humour, and he's often appeared hesitant to make huge bangers, even in his search for sales that match his reputation. But 'Made You Look' is a beast. Those sirens and those drums and those awesome boasts - it all makes for one of the funnest songs in Nas' repertoire, the one that was most enjoyable when I saw him live, and one that I return to more than most of his others. For those who think that Nas' career begins and ends with Illmatic, there's plenty of other great stuff out there, starting with this song.

16. dead prez - Hip-Hop (2000)

Such a huge, danceable beat is so rarely married to such subversive lyrics. Often, political hip-hop is incredibly shallow in its message, but dead prez are interested in teaching their audience a bit more than your average group. Sometimes we need reminding that some things are "bigger than hip-hop", and dead prez remind you in a way that's urgent and fun and downright incendiary. Everybody should be familiar with this song.

15. Blu & Exile - Blu Collar Workers (2007)

This could be pretty much any song from Below The Heavens, but 'Blu Collar Workers' is a particularly fun number with a banging chorus, and it's the one I like most today.

14. Mos Def - Ms. Fat Booty (1999)

When I was a kid I used to watch loads of music television, switching between channels whenever the adverts started in order to catch as many music videos as I could, of all genres. However, I tended to be less likely to enjoy hip-hop videos than others, largely because of the tired misconception that most music fans believe briefly at some point that all mainstream hip-hop is terrible. One day when I was ironing, this came on. It changed my view entirely, and from that point on I would search for hip-hop videos first and foremost. Sadly, very few songs I discovered during those hours watching the screen were as good as 'Ms. Fat Booty', but for this one song I guess I have MTV to thank.

13. Ahmad - Back In The Day (1994)

A song that does exactly what it says on the tin. I love a good reminiscing hip-hop song, and 'Back In The Day' is up there with the best. Over an awesome beat that samples Teddy Pendergrass' 'Love TKO', Ahmad (a very average rapper who clearly took an awful lot of influence from The Pharcyde's Fat Lip) laments having to grow up, at once touching and funny, and with a nimble flow. It's far and away the best thing he ever did, and one of the great hip-hop songs by anybody.

12. 2Pac - To Live & Die in L.A. (1996)

I've never been the biggest fan of Pac. I love 'Dear Mama', but other celebrated Pac songs like 'California Love' or 'Brenda's Got A Baby' have never appealed to me in the way they clearly appeal to others. That said, 'To Live & Die in L.A.' is one of my favourite songs ever, an ode to his hometown that, despite specific references that a foreigner could never fully understand, is extremely relatable. Anybody who loves where they live or come from should be able to see where Pac is coming from on this one, and it never fails to put a smile on my face.

11. Roots Manuva - Witness (1 Hope) (2001)

The greatest UK hip-hop song of all-time. There is no other rapper I can think of that could make a line like, "I sit here contended with this cheese on toast" sound so cool. He appears to take more influence from West Indian toasters than from American rappers, but still makes music that is completely and utterly hip-hop. This beat is an absolute beast, and when I first started buying vinyl I made this song's parent album, Run Come Save Me, one of my very first purchases (along with Method Man's Tical and a couple of other things). One of those songs that never gets old no matter how much I hear it (and I hear it quite a lot). He's also great live, so if you ever get the chance you should go and see him.

10. Mobb Deep - Shook Ones pt. II (1994)

Another song that needs absolutely no explanation. I think it may have been HTTS or DLGGLD that said we needed every line from this song on the website's banner, and I find it hard to argue with that.

9. Andre Nickatina & San Quinn - Ayo (2002)

First heard this song on a skate video. I don't watch skate videos anymore, but I still listen to this song. It became a sort of semi-anthem in our shared house a couple of years ago, and despite it's message of warning about the dangers of taking cocaine, whenever anybody did cocaine this song was the soundtrack.

8. Jay Electronica - Exhibit C (2009)

Jay Electronica came along at a time when I, and many others, believed that hip-hop genuinely needed him. It had begun to stagnate, rapidly becoming less relevant as new rappers weren't being given an opportunity and old heads weren't doing anything to match their earlier output. Hip-hop felt like it needed saving, and Jay Elec felt like a saviour. Fast-forward four or five years and it's clear that wasn't the case at all, the genre is arguably healthier now than it's ever been, and the amount of quality rap releases coming out seemingly every month is incredible. Also, Jay Electronica hasn't really done anything of note in that intervening period, and is now as irrelevant as the people he was supposed to replace. But 'Exhibit C' is still incredible. Over a soulful Just Blaze beat, all hell breaks loose. He gets through so much in five minutes, starting from humble beginnings before going onto take the mantle bestowed upon him by so many rap fanboys by the end of the song. Listening to it, the (non-)events since are easily forgotten. Even if he never releases another song again, I'll be pretty content in the knowledge that 'Exhibit C' exists.

7. Lauryn Hill - Doo Wop (That Thing) (1998)

I just adore this song. Another song I used to play pretty regularly when I DJ'd.

6. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib - Thuggin' (2011)

Freddie Gibbs just goes crazy over a hazy, smoked-out Madlib beat. He channels 2pac and Bun B in equal measure, yet raps better than either of those guys ever did. It's line after line of pure gold, possibly the best straight-up gangsta rap song ever, and performed with seemingly consummate ease. It's my favourite song of this decade, and it was one of a handful of songs that really made me realise that hip-hop is in as good a place as it's ever been. There really aren't many people alive who can match Gibbs bar for bar, and on 'Thuggin'' he is at his very, very best, spinning lines about life in the streets but relating it to wider issues, never once tripping over his words or wasting a breath. And the best part is that, despite the knowledge of how much rap music is completely fabricated, I believe him when he raps. As he says, he's "critically acclaimed but that shit don't mean a thing, when you're rockin' mics and still in microwaves cooking 'caine", and I feel like there's an element of truth in that line. He's so street that he had to be told who Madlib was, and what Pitchfork was when they inevitably started praising arguably the best rapper alive. His comfort zone songs - the hard street beats - are usually excellent, but this genius pairing with one of hip-hop's best ever beatsmiths is practically perfect.

5. Wu-Tang Clan - Triumph (1997)

I love me a good posse cut, and nobody does it better than Wu-Tang. To be honest, the reason why 'Triumph' is here ahead of the others should be pretty apparent by the end of Deck's opening verse.

4. Ghostface Killah - Big Girl (2006)

I had a really hard time choosing one Ghostface tune for this list (I could have included any one of about fifteen or twenty that I totally adore), but in the end I decided on the one that starts with the words, "it was those cute pretty bitches that were smelling like coke", because why not. On this song, Ghost plays the part of pimp and mentor, essentially telling potential prostitutes that they should do something more respectable than being prostitutes (in some ways it's another "stay in school, kids" hip-hop song), but doing so in a manner that only Ghost could over a lovely Stylistics sample.

3. The Notorious B.I.G. - Juicy (1994)

If I have to explain why I love this song then you're in the wrong thread.

2. Jay-Z - Heart of the City (Ain't No Love) (2001)

The ultimate in braggadocio. Over a wicked Kanye beat, which samples the late Bobby Bland, Jay-Z keeps it classy whilst reminding just about everybody why he's better than them ("I don't want much, fuck I drove every car, some nice cooked food, some nice clean drawers"). I've recently realised that I might hate Jay-Z, but then I listen to this, and everything he says here, and am reminded that hating the man who made this song is virtually impossible, barring him turning out to be a rapist or a paedophile or something unforgivable (that said, Magna Carta Holy Grail is pretty unforgivable). The Blueprint is one of the first albums I ever owned, and this is the undoubted highlight - four minutes of the best rapping you're ever likely to hear. "Jigga held it down six summers, damn, where is the love?"

1. UGK & Outkast - International Player's Anthem (I Choose You) (2007)

My favourite hip-hop song of all-time. It features my favourite verse ever (Andre 3000's opening verse about informing ex-girlfriends of his upcoming marriage), that amazing Willie Hutch-sampling beat, Big Boi's awesome similes and metaphors, Pimp C's brilliant pronunciation of "fairy" ("fay-reh"), everything one could possibly want from a song. UGK and Outkast are two of my favourite groups of all-time, with dozens of songs between them that I love, and yet this still stands head and shoulders above everything else as the pinnacle of their respective careers. It's weird but not too weird, banging but not too banging, thought-provoking but not too thought-provoking. If I'm honest, this is probably my favourite song in any genre, and I really can't put into words how much I adore it. I've often said that I want this song played at my funeral, despite it being about getting married. It's as perfect as pop music gets.

[GeevyDallas]

[Le_Samurai]

[edubs]

Kurtis Blow - Basketball
Outkast - Flip Flop Rock
Jay-Z - Heart of the City (Ain't No Love)
The Notorious B.I.G. - Hypnotize
Outkast - Knowing
Oran Juice Jones - The Rain
Dr. Dre - Nuthin' But A "G" Thing
Run D.M.C. - Hit It Run
Run D.M.C. - My Adidas
EPMD - Jane
Public Enemy - Bring The Noise
Eazy-E - Boyz-N-The-Hood

[Precedent]

1. Hopsin - Nocturnal Rainbows
2. Kanye West - Power
3. Earl Sweatshirt - Chum
4. Eminem - Stan
5. Kanye West - Blame Game
6. Kanye West - Runaway
7. Kanye West - Bound 2
8. Tyler, The Creator - Yonkers
9. Kendrick Lamar - B*tch, Don't Kill My Vibe
10. Kanye West - Can't Tell Me Nothing
11. Eminem - Like Toy Soldiers
12. Aesop Rock - None Shall Pass
13. Grieves - Bloody Poetry
14. Hopsin - Ill Mind Of Hopsin 5
15. Tyler, The Creator - Domo23
16. Odd Future - Orange Juice
17. Kanye West - Jesus Walks
18. Kanye West - Through The Wire
19. Eminem - Mockingbird
20. Aesop Rock - Zero Dark Thirty

[Mercury]

Nezzle, you honestly should have your own publication or blog. You're brilliant!

That post was amazing! It have me shit to listen up on for AWHILE. Thanks!
_________________
-Ryan

ONLY 4% of people can understand this chart! Come try!

My Fave Metal - you won't believe #5!!!

[Guest]

Some numbers from my Top 100 (not including the Danny Brown freestyle):

Songs from the 1980s: 8
Songs from the 1990s: 39
Songs from the 2000s: 36
Songs from the 2010s: 17

Most popular years: 1993, 1994, 2002, 2012 (7 songs); 1998, 1999, 2004 (6 songs); 2001, 2005, 2011 (5 songs)

East Coast songs: 49
West Coast songs: 27
Dirty South songs: 10
Midwest songs: 10
UK songs: 4

[bananafish]

Atmosphere-Fuck You Lucy
Beastie Boys-Intergalactic
Beck-Where It's At
Beck-Loser
Blackstreet ft. Dr. Dre-No Diggity
Common-I Used To Love H.E.R.
Coolio-Gangsta's Paradise
Eminem-Space Bound
Eminem-Beautiful
Eminem-Stan
Eminem-White America
Fugees-Killing Me Softly With His Song
Grieves-Boogie Man
JayZ-December 4th
JayZ-Girls, Girls, Girls
JayZ & Kanye West-Who Gon Stop Me
JayZ & Kanye West-Gotta Have It
Kanye West-I Wonder
Kanye West-Celebration
Kanye West-Gone
Kanye West-POWER
Kanye West-All of the Lights
Lil Jon ft. Ying Yang Twins-Get Low
LMFAO ft. Lil Jon-Shots
Lupe Fiasco ft. Skylar Grey-Words I Never Said
Mac Miller-Wake Up
Mac Miller-The Spins
Pras, Mya, Ol' Dirty Bastard-Ghetto Supastar
Prince-My Name Is Prince
Prince-Housequake
Prince-P.Control
The Prodigy-Smack My Bitch Up
Sage Francis-The Best of Times
Sublime-What I Got
Wiz Khalifa-No Sleep

These aren't ranked. I didn't bother to count how many there are, these are just the hip hop songs that I consider essential. Some people might argue against artists like Beck, Prince and Sublime on a "best of" hip hop list. I would gladly welcome that argument.

[19loveless91]

Ok, so when this thread was opened, I didn't want to make this list because quite honestly I know fuck all about hip hop and it would just look embarassing alongside lethal's list for example. But then I thought it could be fun to see this list develop through time. I often stumble upon old posts or comments of mine and find it hard to believe that it was me writing them - I kinda expect the same when I'll look at this next year.

Other reason why I'm posting this anyway is that I'm realizing that I'm able to enjoy hip hop more and a lot easier than i used to. See I knew nothing about hip hop before 2010 and I actually only got into some of it the next year. I still have trouble occasionally because I find it hard to understand the lyrics (not helped by the fact english isn't my first language), and I have to read them to even get what they're saying (but even then I won't always get them). But it's getting better...

Anyway, this is a short, top 20 one per artist list. It's very BAWPish, but that's what you gonna get from a white middle class newbie to hip hop:

20-Ali En - Leva Scena
If there is a reason why I regret not being born a decade or so earlier, it's not being able to live through the time Ali En appeared on the Slovenian music scene and dropped a couple of tracks that were not only completely different to anything that the country has seen until then, but also with an incredibly controversial subject matter and with more foul language than the previous 3 decades of popular Slovenian music combined. This song, Leva Scena ("Leva" literally means left, but in this context I would translate it to "lame", therefore "Lame scene") is an attack on pretty much the entire Slovenian popular music of the early 1990s, from the singers that are still playing their hits of 20 years ago to the "spoiled rich kids" thinking they know how to play jazz, to rapping athletes, etc. Using actual names of course.
I'll admit that this song isn't quality enough (in any way) to be in any legitimate top 20 songs list, but just the idea of it and the impact it had (still has) made me want to put it here.
For this kind of scene that a man can just throw up to, I have three words: "thanks, fuck you"

19-Public Enemy - Don't Believe the Hype
Before I listened to anything by Public Enemy I had them for this super political and serious group.. So then one day I decided to check them out on Youtube. And I stumbled on a live performance of Don't Believe the Hype (linked above) and there was Flav jumping around with his clock necklace. It was so confusing. I never understood how he and Chuck even met, much less worked together. Track's dope though, anyway...

The minute they see me, fear me
I'm the epitome - a public enemy
Used, abused without clues
I refused to blow a fuse
They even had it on the news

18-Eminem - Stan
Stan, you psychopath... A damn good track, when this was popular back in 2001 (?) even my dadrocker dad liked it. As did I. It doesn't matter how accustomed you are to a genre with that kind of storytelling. And Dido.

I can relate to what you're saying in your songs
So when I have a shitty day, I drift away and put em on
Cause I don't really got shit else so that shit helps when I'm depressed
Aw Stan, I related to you at this part..
I even got a tattoo of your name across the chest
But then ya lost me...

17-Nine - Whutcha Want
I heard this in "Kids". It's just infectious and one of those songs where the delivery alone sells it to me.

(Whutcha want Nine?) Fat beats for my rhymes
(So whutcha want Nine?) Mad clips for my nines
(So whutcha want Nine?) A ill posse
And my name up in lights, N-I-N-E

16-Kanye West - Devil In a New Dress
Not a huge Kanye fan, and definitely not a fan of this album. But damn, this track is amazing. The production alone is heavenly, then there's that hook, and an awesome Rick Ross verse. 6 minutes fly by..

I thought I was the asshole, I guess it’s rubbing off
Hood phenomenon, the LeBron of rhyme
Hard to be humble when you stunting on a jumbotron

15-Shabazz Palaces - Are You... Can You... Were You? (Felt)
Puts me in a sort of a trance. Amazing production, quality lyrics.

You can't lie to yourself
You can't lie how it felt
No surprise how the cards gettin dealt
(That's why)
I won't be back for a long time

14-Arrested Development - Tennessee
This group was one of those which helped me get used of hip hop more. Back then, Nas was way too wordy for me, Wu-Tang way too hardcore.. These guys did nicely for starters. Tennessee is probably the best song on the album. One of the best about personal struggle with God, up there with Sufjan.

I don't know where I can go
To let these ghosts out of my skull
My grandma's passed, my brother's gone
I never at once felt so alone
I know you're supposed to be my steering wheel
Not just my spare tire

13-Madvillain - ALL CAPS
Maybe my fav hip hop album. Madlib's production is just amazeballs. Hard to pick just one track though, it has to be listened as a whole.

So nasty that it's probably somewhat of a travesty having me
Then he told the people
You can call me Your Majesty

12-Tyler, the Creator - Yonkers
OK, so he's not doing anything that hasn't been done before (i.e. his multiple personas clashing in the song), but my god he does it better than anybody on Yonkers. So many genius oneliners.

This the revenge of the dicks, that's nine cocks that cock nines
This ain't no V Tech shit or Columbine
But after bowling, I went home for some damn Adventure Time

11-Nas - Memory Lane
No need to explain... In the dictionary there should be Illmatic's cover photo where the entry for hip hop is.

Sentence begins indented with formality
My duration's infinite, moneywise or physiology
Poetry, that's a part of me, retardedly bop
I drop the ancient manifested hip-hop straight off the block

10-Samo Boris - Vsake tok časa
This guy only made like, one short LP + a couple of guest appearances but still left quite an impression in the slovenian (alter) hip hop scene it seems. His wordplay in particular is amazing. For my taste he's a bit too preachy though, but this track is different to the rest. It's about his love of hip hop (and how it has helped him stand up against the injustices), and his love of life in general and what it thought him. Incredibly beautiful, optimistic, but also a bit bitersweet. As life is.

I'm gonna try and clumsily translate the hook of this track. BTW the title means "Every once in a while".
Don't be surprised if I'll hug you in the street
Don't look funny if I walk along and sing
I wanna live
So I am standing up against them now
Every once in a while, I rap so I can live

9-Mos Def - Mathematics
Maybe this one is a bit high, but I listened to this album again yesterday, then repeated the track for the whole afternoon. It's just really clever.

Numbers is hard and real and they never have feelings
But you push too hard, even numbers got limits
Why did one straw break the camel's back? Here's the secret:
The million other straws underneath it: it's all mathematics

8-Death Grips - Hacker
I don't wanna get into discussion on whether this is hip hop or not (I think lethal will be more disappointed in me liking it that much than describing it as hip hop).. But this is sooo dope. So catchy. I don't even know what he's on about. I mean coconuts? Wut?

Gaga can't handle this shit
Headed for the Sammy Davis wing
Throw up a black hole at the entrance of Linens N Things on the way
Never call it a day
Visit Tesla's grave for the ninth time today
Still on the way
Bigger wigs

7-Kendrick Lamar - Sing About Me
I think this is the centrepiece of GKMC. Kendrick reflecting on his rapping as a way of telling the stories of people he knew, and hoping that he will have done enough (if someone could correct my use of tense here I'd appreciate it) so that he too will be remembered. Beautiful.

I count lives all on these songs
Look at the weak and cry, pray one day you'll be strong
Fighting for your rights, even when you're wrong
And hope that at least one of you sing about me when I'm gone
Now am I worth it? Did I put enough work in?

6-Outkast - Ms Jackson
So I guess one of maybe 3-4 tracks that I loved even at the time when I didn't know what this whole hippity hop thingy was. But really at the time this came out my english wasn't anywhere near as good to understand 90% of the verses. I think I just liked the hook and the video. I do understand them now, and my respect for the song has just gotten a lot bigger since then. Both Andre and Big Boi deliver, the hook is still one of my favourites.. My favourite Outkast track.

Askin' what happened to the feeling that her and me
Had, I pray so much about it need some knee
Pads, It happened for a reason one can't be
Mad, So know this, know that everything's cool
And yes I will be present on the first day of school, and graduation

5-Notorious B.I.G. - Juicy
The ultimate rags to riches story. Fantastic hook. Listen to the original track (Juicy Fruit), it sounds like a parody of this (seriously, it's like Weird Al and Eat it all over again)

Lunches, brunches, interviews by the pool
Considered a fool cause I dropped out of high school
Stereotypes of a black male misunderstood
And it's still all good

4-De La Soul - Eye Know
Is this the only "love song" on this list? I think so. And it's simply gorgeous.

It's I again and the song that I send
Is taking steps to reach your heart
Any moment you feel alone
I can fill up your empty part
We can ascend 'till we reach De La Heaven
And in a spin we'll hit the Top Ten

3-Wu-Tang Clan - C.R.E.A.M.
I'm not sure if my memory is to be trusted but I think this album was the first hip-hop album to land on my chart. And this song is the first one that I loved off it. The hook is simply iconic, and Deck's verse is still one of the best ever. Hard hitting.

Neglected for now but yo, it gots to be accepted
That what, that life is hectic

2-N'toko - Zig Zig
Don't know if this is the patriot in me speaking, but N'toko has to currently be my favourite rapper. His lyrics (at least on his slovenian language albums) are always harshly critical of modern society, the consumerism, the popular culture, as well as the mentality of our nation. But he deals with these things in a very intelligent, and often humorous way, and very rarely comes across as preachy. Choosing a favourite N'toko song is worse than picking a favourite child, but it eventually came down to two. And, like your children, they both subtly make fun of you, but they're so perfect and clever that you remain ignorant to that fact. Now, if it is a patroit in me putting N'toko on the pedestal, then they're unfortunate choices, as one mocks the slovenian "identity" and all that is sacred to a patriotic citizen of this country while the other one, Zig Zig, deals with nationalism in general. In first verse, N'toko bluntly attacks the nationalistic ideology and people who stand behind it (e.g. skinheads) but explains that he's not afraid of them, they're irrelevant. In second verse he explains that the danger comes from elsewhere - the middle class, the obedient and passive people who in order to protect their safety and comfort, will trust any policymaker that will promise them that, without questioning the consequences. The third verse goes even further in criticizing the life of this "middle class" and there's a sense that he's questioning you - are you sure you are not guilty of the same thing? Do you know what the government does in your name? Not as long as there's peace and order.
It's just a really clever, intelligent song that makes you rethink your values.

The hook:
One nation, one leader, one religion, three words:
Safety (Sieg Sieg)
Comfort (Sieg Sieg)
Privacy (Sieg Sieg)
Heil!

1-Earl Sweatshirt - Chum
Okay I've been listening to Doris these past couple of days, and this song more than anything other hip hop related since it dropped last year. But I geniunely don't think I'm overrating it. Set to a simple, melancholic beat, this is just brimming with emotion, it's incredibly touching and sincere, basically a story of his life, before (1st verse) and after (2nd verse) him being sent to the boarding school in Samoa. Add to that his wordplay, which is absolutely amazing. I know the lyrics by heart now, and the last line still feels like a punch in the gut.

I can't decide on a particular line or part of the song, so I'm just gonna copy the whole thing off rapgenius:
[Hook]
Something sinister to it
Pendulum swinging slow, a degenerate moving
Through the city with criminals, stealth, welcome to enemy turf
Harder than immigrants work, "Golf" is stitched into my shirt
Get up off the pavement brush the dirt up off my psyche
Psyche, psyche

[Verse 1]
It's probably been twelve years since my father left, left me fatherless
And I just used to say I hate him in dishonest jest
When honestly I miss this nigga, like when I was six
And every time I got the chance to say it I would swallow it
Sixteen, I'm hollow, intolerant, skip shots
I storm that whole bottle, I'll show you a role model
I'm drunk, pissy, pissing on somebody front lawn
Trying to figure out how and when the fuck I missed moderate
Momma often was offering peace offerings
Think, wheeze cough, scoffing and he's off again
Searching for a big brother, Tyler was that
And plus he liked how I rap, the blunted mice in the trap
Too black for the white kids, and too white for the blacks
From honor roll to cracking locks up off them bicycle racks
I'm indecisive, I'm scatterbrained, and I'm frightened, it's evident
And them eyes, where he hiding all them icicles at?

[Verse 2]
Uh... time lapse, bars rot in heart's bottomless pit
Was mobbin' deep as '96 Havoc and Prodigy did
We were the pottymouth posse crash the party and dip
With all belongings then toss em out to the audience
Nothing was fucking awesome, trying to make it from the bottom
His sins feeling as hard as Vince Carter's knee cartilage is
Supreme garment and weed gardeners garnishing spliffs
With Keef particles and entering apartments with 'zine article
Tolerance for boundaries, I know you happy now
Craven and these Complex-fuck niggas done track me down
Just to be the guys that did it, like, "I like attention"
Not the type where niggas trying to get a raise at my expense
Supposed to be grateful, right?
Like, "Thanks so much, you made my life
Harder, and the ties between my mom and I are strained and tightened
Even more than they were before all of this shit"
Been back a week and I already feel like calling it quits

[Hook]

Phew, that took WAY too long. Do I get something now?

[Wombi]