stefanoneder Singles

Single You Out: Chuck N Lock – Money On The Line

This new Chuck N Lock is soooooooo damn good. Grant Burgess puts this vocal sample and dusty sample in the forefront of his production, which acts as the duos haunt for about three minutes. But Chuck N Lock…I’ve said this before…their pen game and the way they sin words is one of a kind. 

When duty calls, most of yall just ignore it / Let it go to your voice mail recording / Never check it if the message is important / I get it, I just don’t endorse it / I never force it / Unless I am kicking it off the door hinge / I’m at your neck like the headless horseman / Full of endorphines / Special forces and a furious pen / I’m working lat one out, first one in….

Bars! New project Hole In THe Wall dropping on the 14th of this month!

stefanoneder Video

John Jigg$ – Success (ft. Rockwelz) (prod. Nam Nitty) (Video)

John Jigg$ is back with some new music to get 2024 off to a great start, and a winning mentality with his new song featuring cohort, Rockwelz. This song is all about mindset and hitting a level regardless of what stood in your way. ”Murder em’ with success, that’s the only way to kill em'” That’s mantra right there. 

I’m not going to dive in too hard to his new project, S.O.U.L, which is released just a few days ago as a Bandcamp only. But when I tell you, he put some literal soul into this work, it might as well have been a transfusion from man to music, because every joint is soaked in it.  You definitely need to check and support.

stefanoneder Singles

Single You Out: Recognize Ali – Veteranos (ft. Tony Mundo)

The prolific Recognize Ali is back with his first offering of 2024 and we at HHD are ready. The single, Veteranos, is off of the forthcoming album, As You Sow So Shall You Reap. J. Blunted provides a soulful soundscape utilizing a vocal sample to really make the track hit irrespective of the fact it’s without drums. Recognize Ali and guest emcee, Tony Mundo each deliver sharp bars with a little spanish in the mix as well. 

Album drops this coming Friday.

stefanoneder Video

Reek Osama X Chubs – Burly Skumbag (prod. By Circa 97) (Video)

If the name, Reek Osama keeps surfacing around you, well the reason is, he is making it hard for you to miss him! Osama has been on a tear of new releases, with the right number of features, and some dope producers to stamp his name on in to the start of 2024. Here he’s linking up with Chubs and producer, Circa 97 for a tough track in Burly Skumbag. Circa 97 laces those strings and the emcees tear in…dangerously.

Song is off of the release, Return Of Dadinho.

stefanoneder Singles

Single You Out: Ullnevano x Logic Marselis – Amazing Hallelujah

Ullnevano and Logic Marselis makes great music together. We’ve featured the collaboration a few times before an now they are back with another album on tap, CONCORDS. The two artists really bring the best out of each other in my humble opinion. Marselis really knows his craft and executing a ‘sound’. There’s just an energy that goes beyond the drums. And Ullnevano, always feels so at home here, over these beats. His turn of phrase and rhyme schemes blends seamlessly with a very blessed pen game. 

stefanoneder 2023

Top 25 Songs Of 2023

I think I have probably about 4,000 hip hop songs added to my library in 2023 so it’s no small feat to narrow it down to the Top 25 for the year, hence my time in taking to create this list. I could spend an eon trying to make a longer and more inclusive list. But the songs mentioned below were “no-doubters”. I play them over and over in a world where new music is released daily. This list is personal, but they are obvious recommendations of music I know that you would love and enjoy. It’s also a tribute to artists making this remarkable music. So have at it. I have also put a short blurb as to why the joint was favored and enjoyed along with links to the artist and music where applicable. Here are my favorite independent hip hop joints of 2023 in their respective order.

 

  1. Waterr & Lupara - Whenever The Drama Comes (ft. Defcee): I obviously thought alot about the top joint in 2023 and landed here. First, Bohemia Lynch crafts a beautiful production that is in perfect sync for the emcees who drop both exceptional and thought provoking lyricism. And Waterr’s chorus was the perfect bridge to it all.
  2. Paradime – The Reign:  While this joint was not on his actual album but on a single, it still held the highest of places for me musically this year. The music, lyricism, and chorus were all top notch, and resonated with me since it dropped. Just a dope body of work.
  3. DJ Access & Meeco (ft. Dice Payne) – Honestly:  Speaking of a song that can get stuck in your head over and over again. This is a head nodder and a half, and Dice Payne’s has so much style in his flow and lyricism.
  4. Nef & Bobby J From Rockaway (ft. Hush) 718213 Interlude: This was a favorite from the jump. This flip is incredible and brings such energy. The verbal exchange with this production is just special.
  5. DJ J Hart – Brookland (ft. RIM and Eddie Kaine): - Speaking of exchanges…there is NO BETTER collaboration than RIM and Kaine. None. And DJ J Hart sets off this duo with a banger.  Not since Smooth and Trigga. This is a flamethrower.
  6. Speaker Bullies – Bad Rap: - I could have gone with a couple of songs from this album, but Praise and Supastition brought so much energy and dopeness on this one. It had to be this one in my mind. Great album by the way.
  7. Maze Overlay - Atonement:  Powerful song. This is just something that spoke to me which is what music is supposed to do. The whole feeling of redemption and making a path forward is more than relatable.
  8. DJ Akil & Starvin B – Aliens: This is a straight hip hop joint right here. It’s boom bap in it’s purest form with a Dragnet appeal. I dare you to try and stop your head from nodding.
  9. Supastition – Cold Blood:  This is another one I can feel to my core. And Supastition may be one of the most relatable emcees who has ever done it. He conveys his and thoughts in the dopest of fashions and allows his story to speak to yours.
  10. Will4Prez & Hobgoblin – The League: This is the most slept on artist of the year. No doubt in my mind. And he is verbal flame thrower! These bars I will put up against anyone. And Hobgoblin is one of the dopest producers. 
  11. Living Legends – If I Was Car: The Legends were back collectively in 2023 and what a blessing for hip hop fans everywhere. There’s a reason they have “legend” in the name. The creativity of this track coupled with the funk makes this track, well….fun…!
  12. J. Rawls & Cas Metah – Seven Kings: Yes this is the best posse cut of the year. Rawls laces the perfect beat for so many talented emcees to rock over. And EVERYONE on this track demolishes. So much talent condensed into five minutes can’t be ignored.
  13. Mickey Diamond – Tex Avery: I could have put five Mickey Diamond tracks on this list. In my mind, he rules the roost in hip hop right now. He delivers dope music after dope music, but this song knocked the hardest to me! “One Eye Open….Fetty Wap”
  14. RJ Payne – The Rack: Putting this next to Tex Avery is no accident…that plus this song from RJ Payne and Cartune Beatz are too tough for the competition. I listened to this relentlessly. Payne’s pen game is next level.
  15. Kahlee & XP The Marxman - Don’t Take It Personal: A union of west coast talent proves to be a problem on with this single. Dope production with Tone Spliff on the cut makes this such a memorable hip hop joint!
  16. Planetary – Ruin Ya Life: The Outerspace veteran delivered a great solo album, and showcases a career built on talent. He’s still razor sharp with his wordplay. 
  17. Substance810 & Hobgoblin – Untimely Demise: Off of one of the better albums in 2023, this joint again puts talent on full display. This production by Hobgoblin is fantastic and brings the best out of Substance810. This joint is vicious.
  18. 38 Spesh – Dark & Grim: Short but ominous describes this joint. Very few possess the talent that Spesh does. Production and emceeing are at the upper echelons. And even though this joint is short, it’s potent.
  19. Real Bad Man & Blu – The Golden Rule (ft. CL Smooth): So much talent on this track. Real Bad Man is an incredible producer and not mentioned enough. And these artists really blend and shine.
  20. Spit Gemz – Abbadon: Nobody drops it with more intensity than Spit Gemz. He delivers every bar like he was taking head shots. Such great mic presence.
  21. Skyzoo & The Other Guys – Straight Drop: Who is smoother than Skyzoo on the mic? Who? When I think of microphon charisma, this is where I turn and The Other Guys know exactly how to do smoooooth.
  22. Boot Camp Click – Wotcha Call Strength: Not very many groups in hip hop can stand with the talent in the Boot Camp Click, and they decided to let you all know in 2023 that they still deliver in ferocious fashion. Message delivered.
  23. Eddie Kaine & BP Infinite – Forever: I know you feel this. BP is another producer more people should give dues to. This guy concocts memorable production. Listen to this vocal loop! And Kaine demonstrates that he’s on his “shit forever”. Love this joint.
  24. DJ Low Cut – Last Day (ft. Daniel Son): Low Cut is back and brought in the incomparable Daniel Son to assassinate some epic production. These two artists once again prove to be a force on this one.
  25. Boldy James & Chanhays – Strange World: Last track for this list was not easy but I think Boldy and Chanhays aced it with this song. Harmonious. Beautiful. And meaningful. You can’t miss.
stefanoneder Video

Natural Elements – This Is Not A Drill (Video)

I hate blogs for not picking up on this. I hate that more people aren’t recognizing and talking about this new joint from none other than, Natural Elements. A-Butta, Swigga, and Mr. Voodoo are back with another epic single backed by Charlemagne. To put it simply there is no better three man team to do it. And after decades, these guys continue to deliver bars at a very high level. The production. The lyricism. The exchange. They are all on point. Don’t miss out. 

stefanoneder Single You Out

Single You Out: WateRR x Wavy Da Ghawd – Where Would I Be

Waterr and Wavy Da Ghawd are coming together artistically to drop a new project on Febraury 1st, entitled, Washed Ashore. And with the single, Where Would I Be, you can definitely catch the vibe of what’s come. There’s something very soothing about this single and a little bit of an escape for the listener, as Wavy transports you with this production while Waterr creatively asks the question: Where would I be without music?

Definitely a vibe.

stefanoneder Video

M-Dot – You and You (ft. Revalation) (prod. by M-Phazes (Video)

M-Dot and Revalation team up for some good chemistry on a funky production from none other than M-Phazes! It’s been a minute since I have heard some new production from M-Phazes and this is some definite feel-good hip-hop music. And while M-Dot’s last album had some very serious tones in it, this joint has that levity and lyrical fire power that just makes you crack a smile. 

New album, Daze Of Greed dropping within a couple months time!