I think there’s already a second video to their new album, The Rabbit Hole 2, but this was the first one from emcee Isaac Castor and producer Foul Mouth. It’s a chill vibe that just kind of glides through the eardrums and allows to focus on Castor’s wordplay. We will be posting the other single very soon.
M-Dot & Revalation – Jump Start (Grazzhoppa Remix) (Video)
M-Dot and Revalation bring that exquisite lyricism over a DJ Grazzhoppa rendition of the track, Jump Start. And you know you are getting 100% hip hop with this combination.
Single You Out: WateRR x Lupara – Whenever The Drama Came (ft. Bohemia Lynch x Defcee)
I am a huge fan of WateRR. He has a very impressive discography as it stands. But this upcoming album with the production collective Lupara, Compendium Of Arcanum, is shaping up to be his best work to date. I really love this track, Whenever The Drama Came. This beat from Bohemia Lynch, the lyricism from WateRR and Defcee, and the chorus that binds, makes this a great listen.
Thunny Brown – Bar Work (Video)
Bar Work….yes Thunny Brown delivers on the namesake of this track with some serious street talk and a thunderous flow. This is not for you fancy lads, but this for that head nod effect. The beat is more than just proper and Thunny has some great wordplay and flow. This track appears on the album from 2020, Heavenly Sword. I might have to check that out.
You failed to plan and built your castle on the sand
Dope line.
Wildelux – 24/7 (Video)
Wildelux is back with a new song, and not only does he handle the mic professionally but he also produces this song. And this is not your average beat, either. This is some legit fire!
I’m a little saddened to hear this is his last solo album, but excited to hear what this end product to look like. Get ready for The IT Factor…coming soon!
Single You Out: Word & Skinny Bonez The Godfatha – Bangkok Bar Brawls (ft. Mickey Diamond & Dro Pesci)
Oh good gawd this joint is a heat rock and a half. Skinny Bonez Tha Godfather and Words team up with Mickey Diamond and Dro Pesci for music to murk to. Bangkok Bar Brawls as a title sounds like the perfect reflection for the music itself. Each emcee has the gravel to lace som kill shots in their respective sixteens. This is a combo that belongs together on a track.
Single You Out: Stu Bangas & Recognize Ali – Pulverized (ft. Lord Goat)
Stu Bangas and Recognize Ali are back at it for 2023 accompanied by Lord Goat for their first single Pulverized. This is a precursor for the new album Guerilla Dynasty 2. And this song is nasty. Bangas has a subtle, yet devious hand when it comes to the beat and string sample on this track. And Recognize Ali and Lord Goat exchange verbal blood baths making this the first sinister track of the year.
Maze Overlay – Trappicante (Video)
Maze Overlay is on an absolute tear with releasing dope music. This time he gets a hold of a SadhuGold banger, and he does what he always does…stays in the pocket with that flow and drops a steady diet of gems. He really has a unique way of keeping his rhymes gritty yet elevated, if that makes sense. Can’t wait to hear what’s next.
50 Best Songs Of 2022
Lists of this magnitude are tough to do and I take a great deal of pride in crafting. I think the first ten to fifteen are easy to distinguish and then after, I think the places can be somewhat become interchangeable. All great tracks, where the pecking order becomes less discernible. So many artists could have been included multiple times on this list, but then we lose depth. Artists like Mickey Diamond and Jay Royale could have had multiple entries. As it stands only one emcee, Ransom, got two tracks selected for this list.
In the end, this is a testament to the strength of hip hop in 2022. We can agree to disagree on many points but maybe you will find something dope you hadn’t heard or a new artist to support. This is my hope.
Thanks for your time and readership!
-Stef aka thathiphopguy
| Song | Artist | Notes |
| #1 – Done | M-Dot & Apollo Brown | This is the track that sets the tone for the entire year and this is what M-Dot and Apollo Brown typify: Hard work and talent! |
| #2 – Unruly | Vandal & Nottz | A song that gets caught in the head and does not let go. It is a personal anthem. |
| #3 – Power Nap | Nicholas Craven & Boldy James | Boldy and Craven is a beautiful union and nobody makes me crave a little rest like this cut. Beautiful music. |
| #4 – A Most Dreadful Symphony | Ransom & V Don | This song’s whole vibe gives me chills. |
| #5 – Chain Gretzky | Mickey Diamond & Big Ghost | No song went harder than this in 2022. |
| #6 – War I Bring | Sherm LaRock & Midaz | No song went harder than this in 2022…except above |
| #7 – Area 57 (ft. Skyzoo) | J57 | Dope rhymes. Fluid flows. A Change Up. Perfect. |
| #8 – Qtna | Defcee & Boathouse | From the best album of 2022, you would expect a Top 10 song. |
| #9 – Highly Favored (ft. Bub Styles & Mickey Diamond) | Ty Farris & Slim One | It’s raw hip hop with a fantastic producer and three consummate emcees. |
| #10 – Linchpins (ft. Prince Po) | Guilty Simpson | The strings are glorious and the rhymes abound. |
| #11 – Everywhere I Go (ft. Muja Messiah, Guilty Simpson, and Copywrite) | Dub Sonata | The connections and cohesion on this joint are unparalleled. So clever! |
| #12 – Paint Pictures (J.Rocc Remix) | XP The Marxman | Hip-Hop holds true to it’s purest form on this joint. |
| #13 – The Most Exalted | IAMGAWD | Pen game is strong with this one. Glorious. |
| #14 – 3x | Madhattan & NV | Pied Piper type smooth. Follow the flute and dope flow. |
| #15 – Sal’s Pizza | 38 Spesh & Harry Fraud | Spesh and Fraud are an elite combination, and you can hear it here. |
| #16 – Why Bitch | Starvin B & DustyVibes | Starvin B is a regular on these lists and this year is no different. |
| #17 – No Time To Waste (ft. Jadakiss) | Apathy & Stu Bangas | If you love sick lyricism this is the joint for you. |
| #18 – Cancel Myself | Ren Thomas & Brutal Caesar | You make a mockery of hip hop so Thomas and Caesar make a mockery of you. |
| #19 – Immortals (ft. Casual) | Lunar Heights | Great track and the Casual cameo is spot on. |
| #20 – Keeper Of The Flame | Mooch & Oh Jay | Smooth track and crisp flow. |
| #21 – Gunsmithz (ft. Phat Kat, Asun Eastwood, Recognize Ali) | Ol’ Man 80zzz | Another track in 2022 that knocks harder than most. |
| #22 – Stuck In Our Ways (ft. Rigz, MAV, Mooch) | Real Bad Man | It’s Da Cloth!!! Flames! |
| #23 – Carlito & Kleinfeld | Jay Royale & Kool G Rap | It’s that certified street shit featuring a legend with one of today’s strongest. |
| #24 – Bone Tomahawk | Spit Gemz | This is an intro to Gemz project and packs a lot of heat in a minute’s time. |
| #25 – Fire Slingers (ft. Snak The Ripper) | N.B.S. | Yeah. This track stays true to the namesake. They are spitting flames on here. |
| #26 – Scud Missle | Planet Asia & Snowgoons | Legends unite to give you this heat rock. These guys are at the pinnacle of their craft. |
| #27 – Roar Of The Lions | El Gant | Another track that just “feels” like hip hop. It gets you hype to be a fan. |
| #28 – Slay | Johaz & Nottz | Nottz does it again this time taking you to church with Johaz. |
| #29 – Dis Could Be Bad | MAV | It could be bad, but MAV is oh so good. |
| #30 – Raekwon’s Table | Ullnevano & God Sense Beats | Not all are worthy to sit at Raekwon’s Table. But these artists show and prove. |
| #31 – Lo Pan | Teek Hall | Teek Hall is name you should know and when this song gets caught in your head, you’ll remember. |
| #32 – Hans Gruber (ft. Lil Fame) | Wais P & Pete Twist | Bruce Willis may not approve but the hip hop community agrees this is a banger. |
| #33 – Diamond Backs (ft. Daniel Son) | Maze Overlay | Northside and AZ link up over some Farma heat. |
| #34 – Compromised | Ransom | Ransom is too talented to not make this list twice. |
| #35 – Guerrero (ft. Westside Gunn) | Benny the Butcher | The power and talent of Griselda is undeniable. This joint feels like it was actually made in a lab. |
| #36 – Triple Threat (ft. RIM & Frankky Smaccz) | Eddie Kaine | Flamethrower bars over some production from the talented Hobgoblin. |
| #37 – Both Sides | The Tangiers | Every time this cut comes on, my head nods instantly. Drops heavy. |
| #38 – One Bridge (ft. Fashawn & K-Prez) | Snowgoons | The organ that drives this track is the perfect set up. And the emcees give such great energy! |
| #39 – Bars After Bars | Fatt Father & DJ Jewels Baby | The Wu-Tang flip is insane and the bars and flow speak for themselves. |
| #40 – Museum Piece (ft. Torae) | Napoleon Da Legend & Just Music Beats | This song has the necessary hype and talent equivalent to make the list. Lyricism for days. |
| #41 – Hamster Wheel | Locksmith | One of the most authentic artists in hip hop delivers a virtuoso performance. |
| #42 – Tyrant | Shabaam Sahdeeq & John Jigg$ | Two of my favorites link up for some lyrical gold here. |
| #43 – Dudesovadere (ft. Dro Pesci) | Mic Handz | This project is full of bangers and needs to be heard. This is just one of those harbody tracks. |
| #44 – Too Convinced | Nelson Dialect & BigBob | This joint is just so melodic. It honestly should be higher on this list but what’s done is done. Incredible track. |
| #45 – Queens Gambit | Shaz Illyork & Buon Anni | So good to hear Illyork over these banging beats from Buon Anni. |
| #46 – Big Coffins (ft. Mickey Diamond and Pro Dillinger) | Snotty | It’s The Umbrella posse cut that bodies the competition. |
| #47 – Bill and Fame (ft. Tone Spliff) | The Bad Seed | A tribute of sorts to M.O.P. and no one is more set to do it properly than Seed! |
| #48 – Riot | Daniel Son x Futurewave x 36 Cypher | Yes. This joint could easily cause a riot. Everything is intense on this cut. |
| #49 – It’s Like That (ft. DJ Grazzhoppa) | Supreme Cerebral | Supreme Cerebral slays tracks and he takes this rock infused beat and wreaks havoc. |
| #50 – Gawds Wrath Massacre (ft. Don Streat x Rico Blox x J Fliz x Jae Hussle x Street Da Villain) | Slik Jack & Kng Bondalero) | I needed to set off the list with this ill posse cut because this beat by Bondalero is an anthem. |
Hip Hop Dependency 