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 Singles

Single You Out: J Rawls & Cas Metah – Glory (ft. Scribbling Idiots)

If you want some dope hip hop with meaning, look no further than Cas Metah and J. Rawls new project, Criminal Blinded. Man, this project is so good, and needs to be showcased. The production is amongst the best I have heard this year. Honestly, maybe among the best I have heard in the last SEVERAL years. And Cas Metah and all of his guest spots sound really immaculate on this project. It’s really hard to pick a favorite track from this joint. They are all so damn good. But the song Glory, featuring the Scribbling Idiots, really stuck out to me. These guys have always been masters of incorporating religion and spirituality in their music without sounding holier than thou. Catch the music and the message!

 

stefanoneder Video

JustMe & Cas Metah – Part Time (Video)

This is an incredibly dope song that is extremely relatable to me as a blogger and supporter of the music. It’s actually incredibly inspirational. JustMe and Cas Metah take a break from their day jobs to show you just how ill they can be on the side. Life has an evolution for the independent hip hop artists. People get married, have families, and have to support that life in a way music may not be able to provide. But, that passion and skill level still remains sharp over the years as when time and space presents itself, these artists continue to show and prove!

I am not sure who produced this smooth beat but that’s a really dope production. And you can find this joint off their recently released album, The New 93′.

stefanoneder Video

Cas Metah – Forget About It (Theory Hazit Remix) (Video)

Cas Metah dropped his latest album, Second Wind, a couple of weeks ago, and it’s about time we showed some love. The track, Forget About It, is remixed by Metah’s compadre Theory Hazit, and the sound embodies that of the entire album. Metah is putting all the naysayers on notice when folks might say that he’s too old to be doing his thing. Hip Hop is the Fountain Of Youth and he’s going to continue drinking until the water runs out!

Dope cut!

stefanoneder Singles

Single You Out: Scribbling Idiots – Victorious (ft. Red Cloud, Cas Metah, Playdough. Sojourn, Manchild, Jurny Big)

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Good Gravy!  There’s some dope lyricism to be found on this cut right here!  This is yet another DOPE cut from the Scribbling Idiots’ forthcoming album, Invitation Only.   The emcees are guided by the strings within the production and all emcees drop some dope gems but this line from Cas Metah had me run it back a couple of times:

Leave the street sweeper in the back soldier / Or I’ll be forced to leave blood on the door like Passover

Step your bible game up!

stefanoneder 2012, Awards And Accolades

Top 50 Songs (2012)

Disclaimer:  It is hard and challenging to pick 50 tracks from the thousands upon thousands that dropped this year.  It is merely an attempt to list my favorite cuts of 2012.  Click the links to listen to the song!  I think it’s a great list.  There were a lot of great songs crafted this year and I know I left off some good ones.  I listened to 5,000+ tracks from 2012 alone this year, so as an artist, if you made this list you know you are on the forefront of my iTunes!

1. Megatron Mindstate – Spit Gemz, Shaz Illyork, and DJ Brans brought the banger of the year early on in 2012. For me this track just set a standard that could not be surpassed. The beat was epic and the rhymes intermingled the streets with theology to provide a brief but concentrated delivery of dope.

2. Tragedy Text – RP from the Loyalty Digital game me the chills literally with this track about texting and driving and anyone who can provoke that type of response deserves to be acknowledged.  One of the great conceptual songs in the last five years.

3. The Greatest Mother Ever – Rashid Hadee provides one of the great sarcastic songs of our lifetime with this joint.

4. Little Bunny Rabbit – Locksmith does angst so well.  He raps with a chip on his shoulder and delivers devastation to and and all in his path, in part to his little buddy.

5. Lo Siento Amigo – Dub Sonata x Double AB brought a lot of flavor and context to this joint.   Dub Sonata conjures a little latin boom bap and Double AB continues to be one of the best story telling emcees in the game, narrating a tale of romance, deception, and karma.

6. Local Artist – I could have honestly used any on the cuts off of The 17ths FREE EP.  It’s a damn great EP and you can listen to it through and through.   But this cut puts the listener in the shoes of your “local artist” and his life.

7. Under Their Radar, Over Their Heads – Illmaculate has always delivered dope bars but the production on this joint combined with the lyricism made this a sure shot for out Top 10.

8. Heaven – While this is not on any particular album, Mike Beatz provides an amazing banger for the fans and the visuals from the video give you that serial killer feel.  I can’t wait to hear more from this man in 2013.

9. How Do I Survive – Emilio Lopez and Falside link up for another banger that just makes the listener get out of the seat and get amped.

10. Dirt In The Ground – Premrock’s reworking of Tom Waits music is impressive and this joint is the closing cut.  It’s very innovative and poignant.

11. Rare Flow – Serge Severe and Jon Belz bring you that rare Portland air with this ‘rare flow’ over Terminill production.

12. J.O.Y. – Copywrite features Torae and Jason Rose for this outstandingly soulful song.

13. My Condolences – Snake Hollywood released this beast of a track towards the end of the year and it instantly bypassed 95% of the other tracks out there.  Really dope rhymes.

14. Yesterday’s Gone – Swerve and Co$$ define soul in hip hop with this track.  Just something to put you at ease.

15. 3AM – Journalist 103 is prone to drop a gem on em’ and this is one of my favorite tracks from his most recent album.

16. Burn It Down – Gotham Green and Quickiemart bring you a track to tear the club up.  A 1940s club that is because this joint bumps with a nostalgic vibe.  Very unique.

17. Waiting In Vein – Mayhem drops one of the best storytelling joints this year.   You will just have to listen to this one and follow along.

18. Problem Solver – Vinnie Paz brings in the legend, Scarface for this song off of his most recent album.

19.  Futuristic – When is ‘The Wolves’ project going to drop because this collaborative deal between Shabaam Sahdeeq, Eddie B., and Harry Fraud is type ill.

20. Check My Resume – Substantial rocking over some Oddisee beats is the sure shot.

21. Don’t Hate – Of Mice and Musicians are trying to convince the listener they are doing it for their benefit…so don’t hate.  Also, this is off of a great album so make sure you cop that!

22. Big Bro – Fatal Lucciauno dropped a real raw ass album and this song is the crem de la crem.

23. Sorry – Alias & Fakts One apologize for the vicious cycle on this joint but not their dope music.

24. Mr. Governor – The duo of Soul Khan and Akie Bermiss again deliver a dope song with this conscious cut.

25. Drowning Man – Cas Metah and Wonder Brown  offer a Christian message in the form of dope hip hop rhythm accompanied by Copywrite and Elias.

26. Digi Box – C-Rayz Walz pays homage to the hip hop internet scene.

27. Rock To The Rhythm – Ruste Juxx and The Arcitype drop thisself explanatory joint but in the illest, and most high energy way possible.

28. Price & Shining Armor – When Sean Price and Ruste Juxx combine, it’s nothing but a win for everybody.

29. Unfukwitable – Red Eye and company rock over a DJ Bless beat making this the best posse cut of the year.  Hands down.

30. Sushi – Ras Kass is my all-time favorite emcee and he shows and proves his place in history once again with this track.

31. Monte Carlo – King Mez and producer Commissioner Gordon once again combine for this audio masterpiece.

32. Jansport Strings – Skyzoo and the horns are a formidable combination.

33.  Above The Sky – Apollo The Great is one of the best surprises this year to me.  His album is immaculate and this track is one of my favorites.

34. Terminate On Site – CF drops another tough joint.  Last year he brought ‘that fire’, and this year he ‘terminates on site’.

35.  Humid Nights – JR&PH7 link up with The Kid Daytona for a soulful joint off their most recent project.

36.  Success – The Audible Doctor  and Chaundon showcase their verbals over the former’s tightest productions.

37. Walk With The Lions – When Swedish producer Pause Beats comes out with his album in 2013 you will recognize.  A lot of talent on this track.

38. Knob Creek – JustMe, Marcus Wilkerson, and Sheisty Khrist give you a spiritual, soulful and bluesy vibe that this liste needed.

39.  Rabbit Season – Craig G is an OG.  He deosn’t care about end of the year accolades but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t deserve them.  He once again shows these youngsters how it is done…proper.  Kids….go get your shine box!

40.  the Last Great – This is the title track off of MaLLy & The Sundance Kid’s album from this year.  It’s such a different sound and the two work great together.

41. Blame The Label – The Narcicyst asks you to take a leap of faith with him which is easy when he drops an infectious track like this!

42.  Unlearn – Reks and Numonics kill the game with this track.  These are two of my favorites in their selected fields.  You can’t listen to this without stopping what you are doing and paying attention to the music,.

43.  Appreciation – Speaking of ill combinations, Donnie Darko  and DJ Bless continue their run with one of the best track this year.  Darko has a lot of power in his voice and Bless in his beats.

44. Sandstorms – This list needed another ill posse cut and who better to deliver than Blacastan, Emilio Lopez, Outerspace, and V-Zilla?  No One.

45. Holy Smokes – You don’t remember Mr. Complex do you?  Well, I personally think he is one of the most interesting emcees in the game.  A great talent with a great sense of humor.

46. People  – Falside ain’t right for this as he asserts his force on this Juan Deuce track featuring Romen Rok.  Real ill!

47. The First 48 – Apollo Brown and OC brought you one of the illest albums this year and this song typifies that release.  Dope beats and rhymes.

48.  You Know Who You Are – Oddisee is a unique talent with an old soul.  A producer extraordinaire with great lyrical ability.

49.  Balcony – Are you down with the Mission? The Black Opera.  You are either with us or against us.

50.  Time 2 Roll – The Red Giants are not only smooth but also extremely dope and don’t tell me Jermiside can’t flow.  This is ill lyricism and ability!