stefanoneder 2025

Favorites of 2025

We are going to do this a little different than we used to. In this end of the year post you will still see our favorite songs, projects, and we will acknowledge those we think differentiated and left that indellible stamp on the year. This is more commentary than list, and redefined as our “favorites” rather than just ascribe them as the “best” as we all know that’s contentious and debateable. There are ALWAYS dope tracks, great albums, and talented artists that these pages aren’t big enough to hold, so for that, we apologize. But THIS is the music that moved us most for one reason or another throughout the year that set itself apart. (Please note we will “slow rolling”the albums and songs out daily until we hit our favorites by January 1st so stay tuned for the updates!)

Favorite 50 Joints Of 2025

ArtistSongNote
#1
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#21 – The ExpertA Different Reality (ft. Milc)The flow off of this track is impossible to ignore. I had never heard of Milc before this but I definitely know now. These bars over this etheral production is godly. Off of Vivid Viisions
#22 – Mickey Diamond & BigGhostWTFWe all wait with baited breath until the end of the year for the Mickey Diamond and BigGhost collabo and they did not disappoint with the ill Wolf Tickets. This is my favorite track from the album.
#23 – ElcaminoLondon GatwickElcamino has made ALOT of music over the years but by far his opus is his album MINO. And the toughest track from this album featured a trip to London. Watch how he executes!
#24 – A-F-R-O & 60 EastCornersThis duo was back at it creating dope music in 2025 and this was one of my favorite story telling tracks of the year. Definitely check out their album At The Sideshow 2: Art House
#25 – K.A.A.N. & DJ HoppaBreaking Bad (ft. Coyote)These two collaborators were literally out in 2025 cooking up something special yet again for the masses, offering this ill and frenetic track to the masses off of their fantastic album, Anger Management
#26 – Rasheed Chappell & Mickey BlueNo. 9Another banging and memorable track from an extraordinarily talented artist…backed by banging yet spaced out production from Blue. Off of the Speer VIllage Alum album.
#27 – Eto & NicoJPG#NicoJP laces something dark and ominous for Eto to lace his elite pen game upon! The two lay down the rules of land in a commanding way. Off of Sicilian Codes.
#28 – Skyzoo Pardon Me I have said this many times but you can hear it EVERY time he flows…consummate emcee and rhyme writer with a voice that stand distinct. Off of the Views Of A Lifetime album.
#29 – Maze Overlay Deaf ConfessionsHe’s always dropping something personable and relateable that puts things in perspective for the listener. His easy going flow really connects here. Off of the album, Word.
#30 – Skanks the Rap Martyr & Ruste Juxxessential bars essential bars…and that’s exactly what you get this single. Damn…these emcees bring solidified fire to the mic over some really nice production from UG. Off of the Live From Crow Hill album.
#31 – Ferris Blusa & Observe Since 98In Gawd We TrustThis is the perfect combination of emcee and producer. They did something very unique with their project, Let Go And Let Gawd. Intertwining soul and lyricism seamlessly.
#32 – Lil Dee Up All NightWe’ve seen lots of videos and freestyles of Lil Dee ripping up mics and now you get the album, Danny James…and this song stands front and center with his menta
#33 – Lord JucoHiatusNobody puts the soul into music quite like Juco and that’s on full display here. He gives you that unique conversational style like he’s talking to you through the track. Off of Sweet Nothings!
#34 – BlackLiq & Dub Sonata10 Black Commandments Blackliq put his own twist on the commandments as it pertains life and music. He’s dropping knowledge to artists every where. Don’t miss! Off of the extremely personaland dope Much Given, Much Tested.
#35 – Fuzzy EdFragments Of Life (ft. Copywrite and Tone Spliff)Favorite track off of the album, The Way Home. The strings, the drums, the scratching, and the way Copywrite flows so viciously over it all!
#36 – Ryu Hang Time (Ryu To The Rescue)I love how this leads the album Medium Raw. Ryu shows that his craft and lyricism are still sharp and the production has that vintage SOB flavor. Love it!
#37 – Napoleon Da Legend & Dub SonataHumble Pt 2Love how Dub Sonata laced this beat…so damn beautiful And our emcee laces some introspective lyricism refelcting on life. Off of Soul Vs. Math.
#38 – Substance810 & Josiah The GiftPay The Price (ft. DJ Grazzhoppa)Damn this song goes hard. The bars and the beat are phenomenal alone but Grazzhoppa take this joint next level with the scratches. Off of You’re All Welcome.
#39 – FuHandz Done Different (ft. Planet Asia and Terror Van Poo)Producer FuHandz linking up with venerable PA Medallions and TVP was the sure shot…love this beat and how he rocked it. Off of same titled project…Done Different.
#40 – Vega7 The Ronin & MachacahaQuoth The RavenWish we had more from Vega7 in 2025 but what we did get was potent! And once again Machacha on the boards! Off of The Ghost Orchid
#41 – Fresh Daily & ParentalPlaid Patterns (ft. Awon & Debonair P)It’s in the name…fresh. It’s a refreshing listen from a pair of really talented emcees. Off of These Things Take Time
#42 – Landon Wordsell & Es-KGrudgesAnother highly slept on emcee and project from this year hitting you from the heart. Off of Remember To Breathe.
#43 – AesoprockOpossumEveryone feels this way at some point in their life or day. Aesoprock hits the nail on the head. Off of I Heard It’s A Mess There Too
#44 – B1 The ArchtectFind Out (ft. Daniel Son)I know you slept on this one. This track is like fire in the darkness, and c’mon Daniel Son does not miss. Off Of Heads Or Tails.
#45 – MachachaWish You Hell (ft. Waterr x Andre Desaint)Machacha. We will talk more about him soon. This is the perfect combo on this track. Off of The Formula: 250
#46 – Joell Ortiz AmbidextrousVery few as polished on the mic as Ortiz. And he shows his tenacity and dexterity yet again here. Off of Love, Peace & Trauma
#47 – Blame One & Preed OneReach The DustCuts by DJ TMB push this one over the top for 2025. Pure hip hop. Off of Road Map.
#48 – The Bad Seed50 Seed isn’t just getting older but he’s getting better with time as you can hear on this banger producer by Murda Megz off of From Us With Love.
#49 – GriffenServititude (ft. Squirt ILL)Addressing the state of music ownership in the illest possible way with a chorus that sticks in your head. Off of the effortless pen 2.
#50 – ShylowYa Timez UpThe first part of this song was pretty dope, but when the second verse hit with the drums it was a wrap. Off of The Contingency Plan.

Favorite 10 Albums In 2025

ArtistAlbumNote
#1
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#5 Eddie Kaine & MachachaCrown Me KaineWhen I heard this back in early 2025 I knew this is a record that would wind up as one of the best that year. Kaine’s intensity and talent is magnified overe these beats from Machacha. Also has one of the best songs of the year…(more later)
#6 BlackLiq & Dub SonataMuch Given, Much TestedThis is probably one of the most personal releases of 2025 as our emcee really delves into his own experiences, growth, and missteps. He does so skillfully over some really diverse production from oune of our favorites.
#7 – Substance810 & Big TripThe GuillotineThis release was unrelenting. Nine tracks that delievered without fail. Everything about this release was dope. The beats all hit. The rhymes and the chemsitry are on point. A few tracks longer and this one might have claimed the top spot. Savage.
#8 – Ferris Blusa & Observe Since 98Let Go And Let GawdBlusa has been prolific with his music…releasing several dope releases each year. But this album just sounds and hits different. It sounds like perfect chemistry between producer an emcee. Performed like it was live in Redio City Music and captures lightning in a bottle.
#9 – The Bad SeedFrom Us With LoveSeed has blessed us with a lot of dope music over the decades. But as far as projects go, this album produced by Murda Megz is among his most impressive in my eyes. Hardest album of the year imo.
#10 – Supreme CerebralSon Of HannibalSupreme Cerebral has been crafting music and albums for a long time…but this album…backed by beats from Swab…hit hard and left an imprint for the duration of 2025.
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Slaine & Statik Selektah – It’s All Good (Video)

In their latest visual It’s All Good, Slaine and Statik Selektah prove that hip-hop doesn’t just age—it evolves. Taken from their collaborative album A New State of Grace, the video serves as a poignant sequel to their work from over a decade ago, trading the reckless energy of the past for a grounded, gritty serenity.

Visually, the video keeps it authentic and intimate, centering on Slaine in his element. It’s an effective approach that forces the viewer to focus on the lyricism. The track itself is a masterclass in accountability; over Statik’s signature soulful, scratch-laden production, Slaine offers an open letter of apology and gratitude to those he may have hurt during his chaotic rise to the top.

It’s rare to hear an emcee drop the ego so completely. Instead of bracing for a fight, Slaine embraces his scars, celebrating survival and sobriety with a flow that is as sharp as it is reflective. It’s All Good isn’t just a song; it’s a victory lap for anyone who has stared down their demons and lived to tell the tale.

“I loved you for believing in me even when I went and gave you every reason to flee… I’m sorry I hurt you with repeat / But I had no virtue and needing to eat / So we went our own ways and I paid a price.”

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Substance810 & Big Trip – Medusa (Video)

You want a tough as nails release for 2025? Well I am going to give it to you, and the proof lies over head. The Guillotine from The Umbrella’s own Substance810 and Big Trip is certified bulletproof release! This project (of which I have listened to three times) is one of the best releases under The Umbrella banner. It is one of the best releases of 2025, and each song hits as hard as the last. But if I had to pick a joint…Medusa, produced by Hobgoblin, might be it. The piano keys, the vocal sample, and these drums are menacing. But not soooo menacing that you can’t hear the cold ferocity in these emcees’ bars. Damn. So good.

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DJ Premier & Ransom – Amazing Graces (Video)

Well this video single is sure to turn heads! It turned about 84K in YouTube views in just over a day so it’s safe to say the culture is well preserved! Amazing Graces features that classic DJ Premier production that has your neck snap just a few seconds in, and Ransom knows better than ANYONE how to deliver those bars with one of the sharpest pens around. I am hoping this means we are getting an EP or LP in the near future with these to icons of the craft.

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Swamp Thing – Midnight Dangerous (ft. Ghettosocks) (Video)

There are three certain things in life…death…taxes…and Swamp Thing (Timbuktu x Chokeules x Savilion) dropping Halloween mayhem every year with a new album. This year we have Granny Knuckles, dropping on October 24th. And the first taste of the album is here with the video single, Midnight Dangerous, setting the terror off and featuring guest bars from oft collaborator Ghettosocks. Always a great time with great music…fused with clever rhymes and production guaranteed to wake the dead. Don’t miss!

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Rigs – Free B (Video)

This one is a few weeks old, but I am not trying to be the first guy to share something but rather put you on to something memorable and that has substance. And when Rigs speaks we listen. He’s out there creating a better world for himself and imparting those gifts and narratives to you. Life gems. Enjoy.

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M-Dot & Confidence – 24 to 1 (Video)

It’s a numbers game when it comes to the new video single from M-Dot and Confidence, 24 to 1. Confidence laces a powerful production ignited with some strings and heavy drums and gives us the feeling that time is ticking. Meanwhile, M-Dot, counts us down from 24 to 1 utilizing moments in his life and memorable experiences to match each number. It’s a dope concept that is executed from top to bottom. And if you haven’t already, you should cop the new album, Library Of Sound.