Dejounte Murray is the first video single, and I am sure the tip of the iceberg, from longtime collaborators, Daniel Son, Asun Eastwood, and Futurewave. They’ve made ALOT of music in this past decade but this is their first official release as a group since, Physics Of Filth dropped in 2018. Exciting. The chemistry between the three is easy to see and their run of making great music only continues.
Daniel Son & Futurewave – Paid My Tolls / Kolors On Queen (Video)
More visual dope from Daniel Son and Futurewave’s latest project, Shattered Glass. Daniel Son’s scenery may have changed but his bars remain razor sharp and his chemistry with producer Futurewave…unparalleled. Shattered Glass is chocked full of short but potent gems, so make sure you check out the project…better late than never!
I’m just here to chase my goals.
Keep my head on a swivel through them late night strolls.
I’m the captain.
Can’t change my role.
Should I pay my tolls?
Pray it’s heaven where they place my soul
Daniel Son & Futurewave – Shipping Containers (Video)
Shipping Containers may be my favorite song off of Daniel Son and Futurewave’s alabum, Shattered Glass. I love that dark reverberation Futurewave creates in this beat. I pulls the grime out the street and plays right into Daniel Son’s narrative. And while he’s always in the pocket, his flow and cadence on this track in particular have the rewind button in full usage.
Daniel Son & Futurewave – Broke Routine (Video)
Don’t get your head to gassed younguns, the sherriff is still in this town! Daniel Son and Futurewave are the gold standard for emcee and producer at this juncture in their respective professions, and if you think you are coming for the crown…settle down. These artists are battle tested and continuously swinging swords. Each sound and bar land precise!
Broke Routine is off of the new album, Shattered Glass.
Daniel Son & Futurewave – Lil Earl (Video)
Daniel Son and Futurewave are out there cooking again on the coldest of days and hitting you with some of that vintage with a twist. Futurewave laces a slow cooked meal which Daniel Son spices up to perfection A little bit of a different sounds that feels no less perfect than previous. We ALWAYS look forward to our guys coming up with some new music and the game sorely needs them this year! New project dropping in a matter of days! Shattered Glass…April 2nd. Save the date!
Daniel Son & Futurewave – French River (Video)
Daniel Son and Futurewave just released their new project, Baggage Claims on all DSPs. I couldn’t wait for that so I copped it a few weeks ago by purchasing a CD direct when I don’t even own a way to play it just so I could get the download early. That’s how much I love this combination of emcee and producer.
Baggage Claims takes us back to 2018 when the opus Pressure Cooker was made. These are joints that were crafted back at that time and released from the vaults now. And these songs resonate just as hard.
French River is the destination and the aspiration as the hustle continues. Make sure to support and purchase direct.
Raz Fresco & Futurewave – Steve Austin (ft. Daniel Son) (Video)
Oh lawd! Raz Fresco and Futurewave cooked up some melodic brilliance with the new track, Steve Austin, off of their just released album Stadium Lo Champions.
And you add the skill set of Daniel Son to the equation, you have the track than can do no wrong. It’s superlative. Futurewave brings some instrumentation that just cascades over the drums, while these emcees trade bombs with their bars. From “Nagasaki bomb on your consciousness” to “I make contact call me Babe Ruthless” this flow and pen from both are impeccable.
Top 50 Songs Of 2024
Here are some of my favorites songs from 2024 in independent hip hop. Again…not cumulative. I know your tastes my vary but maybe you will see something on the list you didn’t hear and enjoy. Click the song link to be taken to a youtube offering of that track. And as always…support the artist! Off to 2025!
| Song | Artist | Note |
| #1 T.I.M.E. | K-Salaam, JdotL, Wrekonize, & Jae Skeese (ft. D.Lylez) | This is the perfect song. The production is a vibe. The lyricism is fantastic. And the hook bridges perfectly! |
| #2 Oppenheimer | Vega7 The Ronin & Ferris Blusa (prod. by Kalos Beats) | Sometimes you just need a song to slap you in the face…this my friends is that slap. This joint is tough!!! |
| #3 Act Of God | Ed OG (prod. by Tone Spliff) | Our emcee has been doing this a long time…and he still knows how to craft GREAT music. |
| #4 Dangerous | Bobby J From Rockaway & Dom Dirtee | This joint not only knocks but can easily get caught in your head. Infectious. |
| #5 The Magnum | Dan Johns (ft. Amen) | I’ve talked about this song at length. Trust me. Lyrics. Production. This is top notch. |
| #6 Fuck It | Grieves & Mouse Powell | Another anthem for when you can’t care. Exceptional musically and love the horns on this track. |
| #7 Flinch | Locksmith (ft. Ekoh) | If you are feeling like you are on the brink. Don’t give your enemies the satisfaction. Don’t Flinch. |
| #8 Spare Change | J. Lately (ft. Ian Kelly) | The guitar licks. The vibe. And the style make this song play on in your head for days on end. |
| #9 Stupid. Dumb. Illiterate. | Heems (prod. by Lapgan) | This song has so much finesse and a great sound. The production and flow of the track is remarkable. |
| #10 Two Kids | maticulous (ft. Elzhi) | The art of storytelling is not lost in hip hop. Check out this case in point from 2024. |
| #11 OHLawd | J57 (ft. H3RO) | This again is just beautiful music. I love this production , the chorus, and the lyricsm on display here. |
| #12 The Way | Spit Gemz (prod. by Nickel Plated) | Some music gives way to thought and makes you think with another light. This is that! |
| #13 Cadillac | Brother Ali | HipHop is primed to speak on social injustice and Brother Ali does that through his own story. |
| #14 Defiance | Izrell & Dead Perry | Sometimes you just need something epic…dark and epic. |
| #15 Roc Nation Brunch | Marv Won (ft. Freeway) | Great concept, and creating a fun visual through words. Inventive. |
| #16 Delusions Of Grandeur | K.A.A.N. & DJ Hoppa | This is one of the best pairings of the year and you can hear exactly why on this track! |
| #17 Raised On | Mic Bles & Level 13 (ft. ethemadassassin) | I’ve talked about THIS track at length too. But this that authentic hip hop flavor! |
| #18 Close | M-Dot (ft. Kore) | No one does that “life music” better than M-Dot. He speaks like you are in his shoes. You too are “close”. |
| #19 Crownsville | Rock & Ruste Juxx | The tandem takes you into the streets of Crownsville in the illest way possible. |
| #20 Broken Mirrors | Jae Skeese & Superior | Skeese speaks to me on this one. Wow. Music that makes you feel something is invaluable. |
| #21 My Nephew and I | Nef & Bobby J from Rockaway | This beat from Nef! One of the best, and wow, Bobby J just continues to impress. Sure shot! |
| #22 Courtleigh Chemist | Daniel Son & Finn | Here you have a producer and emcee in perfect step delivering that head nodder. |
| #23 Budda Palm | ZaZa God | “I’m Big Anubis…The Ra Royal!” This track just goes incredibly hard. |
| #24 What I’m Asking | Pro Dillinger | Is your relationship stressing you to the limits? Dillinger taps in. You know you’ve been there. |
| #25 Home | Waterr & Wavy Da Ghawd (ft. Spoda) | One of the hardest working emcees in 2024 delivered many great moments but this is among my favorites. |
| #26 Sins Of The Father | Supreme Cerebral (ft. Eloh Kush and O The Great) (prod. by Swab) | Swab laces a beautiful canvas and these emcees put it to work. One of the best posse cuts this year. |
| #27 Lunar Stroll | CG The Producer (ft. Revalation x MKDel x Lateb) | Let your mind drift as though it was on a space walk. This song will help you. Great song. |
| #28 A Different Kind Of Payne | RJ Payne & BP | Payne gets deep and personal over some eloquent BP production. Hear the inner pain. |
| #29 Lessons | Willie The Kid & VDon (ft. Eto and Rome Streetz) | Another one of the best combos in the game unleashed excellence this year. And this is among the best. |
| #30 Symbiote Suits | Daniel Son & Futurewave | Vicious. This joint is just vicious. If the phantom of the opera hit the streets, this is the epic it will tell. |
| #31 Illuminati Money | Planet Asia & 38 Spesh (ft. Klass Murda and Tristate) | Spesh and Asia win again combining all their superlatives for another banger. This beat and these lyrical skills…wow. |
| #32 Korean Kimchi | Jay Royale (ft. Vega7 The Ronin) | Jay Royale is vastly underrated. Such a talent! Here you can listen to him deliver alongside Vega7 over a really dope production. Love the vocal sample. |
| #33 LoFi | Guttr (Havoc x RJ Payne x Ras Kass) | Hip Hop supergroup put the industry back in it’s place with this one. Lyrical swordplay over some glorious production from Havoc. |
| #34 We Never Believe Anybody | Double Life (L*Roneous x Gennessee) | Two emcees with distinctly different styles that unite to do something so dope…time and time again…favorite song off this year’s project. |
| #35 Green Screen | Copywrite (prod. by Evidence) | Lyricism you are accustomed to from Copy over the years and doing so over the freshest of beats from Ev. |
| #36 The Iron I Toss | The Bad Seed (ft. MIMS x Honey Dinero x Nam Nitty) (prod. by JR Swiftz) | You want a dope posse cut? I got you. 6th Man shit! JR Swiftz laces the production as each emcee shows and proves. |
| #37 Hour After Hour | Tek & Stu Bangas | “No success without sacrifice…life without music” Tek and Stu Bangas created something memorable in 2024 |
| #38 Gucci Gambinos | Mickey Diamond (ft. Pro Dillinger) | Umbrella over everything! Diamond and Dillinger over Big Ghost…you know it’s godly. Super tough. |
| #39 Mask On, Mask Off | Maze Overlay & Swab | Best song off of a great album from 2024. Maze and Swab give you some dope hip hop that knocks. |
| #40 Born Alone, Die Alone | Snak The Ripper | You want to hear the rock bottom of unhinged? Here we go! Snak delivers the darkness in the dopest way possible. |
| #41 Esoteric | Skyzoo | I said it before and I will say it again, Skyzoo is a PROFESSIONAL emcee. You can hear that on this excellent cut! |
| #42 Los Angeles | Blu & Evidence | From their city to yours! Blu and Ev bring a piece of California to your eardrums with their superlative tradecraft. |
| #43 Master Seminar | Eyeree Beats (ft. Jay Royale, Snotty, and Supreme Cerebral) | Producers getting their due on HHD. Beautiful production with right emcees to do the job! |
| #44 OMG | Philmore Green | One of the best albums of the year also has one of the best songs. Great lyricism, production, and scratches. |
| #45 Heat Wave | Murderers Row (Outerspace x King Syze x Reef The Lost Cause) | Really looking forward to this full project. So great to hear these guys deliver such heat on the same song. |
| #46 Money On The Line | Chuck N Lock (prod. by Oppenheimer) | The tandem never fails to deliver bars that make you rewind profusely. A style unto themslves. Genius. |
| #47 So Long | Paradime | Paradime can make some great songs! This one has you reminiscing and singing that chorus alongside him. |
| #48 Listen | V-Styles | Introspective and thought provoking music that will get you to do exactly that…Listen! |
| #49 Blood In, Blood Out | Bozack Morris (ft. Asun Eastwood x Lex Tallonis) | Some songs on this list are just filthy. This song fits that category. Morris unleashes the sinister on this one! |
| #50 The Summit | Kail Problems & DJ Hoppa | Another fiya beat from DJ Hoppa lends itself to another win with Kail Problems delivering bar after dope bar. |
Pro Dillinger & Futurewave – Say So (Video)
Pro Dillinger and Futurewave not only are among the most talented in their respective crafts but they are two of the hardest working artists in the industry. They are relentless in putting out some of the best music we have heard in 2024 and they united for one of the best projects this year in Dirtwave, Vol. 1. On the joint Say So, you hear Futurewave bringing that magic on the boards (best way I can describe it, a style unto itself), and Dillinger delivering gritty bars, telling you that he is in full control of what he’s doing. This is a tremendous project. Don’t sleep!
Daniel Son & Futurewave – Stone Cold (Video)
Daniel Son & Futurewave are the best combo out right now in contemporary hip hop. When they link, magic happens, and great music follows. When they dropped The Pressure Cooker, in 2018 I was floored. That album is to me a personal classic, and they strike back in 2024 (a few releases in between) with their new release, Bushman Bodega. They have a sound together that cannot be denied. And on Stone Cold, you can hear that chemistry bubble. Futurewave laces a special concoction for his emcee that has so many dope and interesting elements while being subtle. And as has been said throughout his entire career, Daniel Son, is always in the pocket with his bars and illustrious pen.
….like a young Gordon Ramsey, give em’ hell in the kitchen.
