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

SongArtistNotes
#1 – Done M-Dot & Apollo BrownThis 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 & NottzA song that gets caught in the head and does not let go. It is a personal anthem.
#3 – Power Nap Nicholas Craven & Boldy JamesBoldy 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 DonThis song’s whole vibe gives me chills.
#5 – Chain GretzkyMickey Diamond & Big GhostNo song went harder than this in 2022.
#6 – War I BringSherm LaRock & MidazNo song went harder than this in 2022…except above
#7 – Area 57 (ft. Skyzoo)J57Dope rhymes. Fluid flows. A Change Up. Perfect.
#8 – QtnaDefcee & BoathouseFrom the best album of 2022, you would expect a Top 10 song.
#9 – Highly Favored (ft. Bub Styles & Mickey Diamond)Ty Farris & Slim OneIt’s raw hip hop with a fantastic producer and three consummate emcees.
#10 – Linchpins (ft. Prince Po)Guilty SimpsonThe strings are glorious and the rhymes abound.
#11 – Everywhere I Go (ft. Muja Messiah, Guilty Simpson, and Copywrite)Dub SonataThe connections and cohesion on this joint are unparalleled. So clever!
#12 – Paint Pictures (J.Rocc Remix)XP The MarxmanHip-Hop holds true to it’s purest form on this joint.
#13 – The Most ExaltedIAMGAWDPen game is strong with this one. Glorious.
#14 – 3xMadhattan & NVPied Piper type smooth. Follow the flute and dope flow.
#15 – Sal’s Pizza 38 Spesh & Harry FraudSpesh and Fraud are an elite combination, and you can hear it here.
#16 – Why BitchStarvin B & DustyVibesStarvin B is a regular on these lists and this year is no different.
#17 – No Time To Waste (ft. Jadakiss)Apathy & Stu BangasIf you love sick lyricism this is the joint for you.
#18 – Cancel Myself Ren Thomas & Brutal CaesarYou make a mockery of hip hop so Thomas and Caesar make a mockery of you.
#19 – Immortals (ft. Casual)Lunar HeightsGreat track and the Casual cameo is spot on.
#20 – Keeper Of The FlameMooch & Oh JaySmooth track and crisp flow.
#21 – Gunsmithz (ft. Phat Kat, Asun Eastwood, Recognize Ali)Ol’ Man 80zzzAnother track in 2022 that knocks harder than most.
#22 – Stuck In Our Ways (ft. Rigz, MAV, Mooch)Real Bad ManIt’s Da Cloth!!! Flames!
#23 – Carlito & KleinfeldJay Royale & Kool G RapIt’s that certified street shit featuring a legend with one of today’s strongest.
#24 – Bone TomahawkSpit GemzThis 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 MisslePlanet Asia & SnowgoonsLegends unite to give you this heat rock. These guys are at the pinnacle of their craft.
#27 – Roar Of The LionsEl GantAnother track that just “feels” like hip hop. It gets you hype to be a fan.
#28 – SlayJohaz & NottzNottz does it again this time taking you to church with Johaz.
#29 – Dis Could Be BadMAVIt could be bad, but MAV is oh so good.
#30 – Raekwon’s Table Ullnevano & God Sense BeatsNot all are worthy to sit at Raekwon’s Table. But these artists show and prove.
#31 – Lo PanTeek HallTeek 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 TwistBruce Willis may not approve but the hip hop community agrees this is a banger.
#33 – Diamond Backs (ft. Daniel Son)Maze OverlayNorthside and AZ link up over some Farma heat.
#34 – CompromisedRansomRansom is too talented to not make this list twice.
#35 – Guerrero (ft. Westside Gunn)Benny the ButcherThe 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 KaineFlamethrower bars over some production from the talented Hobgoblin.
#37 – Both SidesThe TangiersEvery time this cut comes on, my head nods instantly. Drops heavy.
#38 – One Bridge (ft. Fashawn & K-Prez)SnowgoonsThe organ that drives this track is the perfect set up. And the emcees give such great energy!
#39 – Bars After BarsFatt Father & DJ Jewels BabyThe Wu-Tang flip is insane and the bars and flow speak for themselves.
#40 – Museum Piece (ft. Torae)Napoleon Da Legend & Just Music BeatsThis song has the necessary hype and talent equivalent to make the list. Lyricism for days.
#41 – Hamster Wheel LocksmithOne of the most authentic artists in hip hop delivers a virtuoso performance.
#42 – TyrantShabaam Sahdeeq & John Jigg$Two of my favorites link up for some lyrical gold here.
#43 – Dudesovadere (ft. Dro Pesci)Mic HandzThis project is full of bangers and needs to be heard. This is just one of those harbody tracks.
#44 – Too ConvincedNelson Dialect & BigBobThis joint is just so melodic. It honestly should be higher on this list but what’s done is done. Incredible track.
#45 – Queens GambitShaz Illyork & Buon AnniSo good to hear Illyork over these banging beats from Buon Anni.
#46 – Big Coffins (ft. Mickey Diamond and Pro Dillinger)SnottyIt’s The Umbrella posse cut that bodies the competition.
#47 – Bill and Fame (ft. Tone Spliff)The Bad SeedA tribute of sorts to M.O.P. and no one is more set to do it properly than Seed!
#48 – RiotDaniel Son x Futurewave x 36 CypherYes. This joint could easily cause a riot. Everything is intense on this cut.
#49 – It’s Like That (ft. DJ Grazzhoppa)Supreme CerebralSupreme 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.

Jay Royale – Carlito And Kleinfeld (ft. Kool G Rap) (Video)

One of the toughest and dopest joints to come out this year, and sure to be penned into some top end-of-the-year lists is Jay Royale’s new single, Carlito and Kleinfeld featuring Kool G Rap. Producer Ray Sosa has some sinister intents with his production here featuring those snapping drums, piano loops, and crescendo synth. Plus, those sample chops from DJ Grazzhoppa are so very precise and well timed.

Lyrically…c’mon KGR is a legend for a reason. His bars are FOREVER timeless and that’s no exaggeration. He sounds just as good now as he ever has, and Jay Royale shows precise execution in his sixteen, continuing to build upon his already buzzing name and talent.

Phenomenal.

Album Review: M-Dot – Dining In Dystopia (2022)

Artist: M-Dot

Album: Dining In Dystopia

Tracklisting:

  1. Blood, Sweat, & Tears (prod. L.O.B.)
  2. Price Of Love (prod. Jon Glass)
  3. Decadence (ft. Kool G Rap & Revalation) (prod. The Mighty V.I.C.)
  4. Another Day (Remix) (prod. by Pro Knows Music)
  5. Neck Tie (ft. Conway & Nutso) (prod. by Whatson)
  6. Ricochet (prod. by Whatson)
  7. Thunder Slap (ft. Celph Titled, Esoteric, Big Shug, & DZ The Unknown) (prod. by C-Lance)
  8. Schizoid (ft. DZ The Unknown & Mayhem) (prod. by C-Lance)
  9. Wrath Of The Titans (ft. RJ Payne & The Tangiers (prod. by M-Dot)
  10. Stop Watch (ft. Revalation) (prod. by The Quarter Inch Kings)
  11. Reaganomics (ft. Elzhi, Ras Kass, & Large Pro) (prod. B Leafs)

Note:

M-Dot has been showcased numerous times on our site, but the day he drops anything less than stellar, is the day his project doesn’t reach these pages. But my friends, today is not that day. For 10 plus years we rep him as an artist because of what this project, Dining In Dystopia, embodies. It is one part sheer skill and going for the jugular, and another part personal testament to what it takes to achieve this level of recognition.


Continue reading “Album Review: M-Dot – Dining In Dystopia (2022)”

Single You Out: M-Dot (ft. Kool G Rap x Revalation) (prod. by The Mighty V.I.C.)

M-Dot’s new single, Decadence, takes us through time when he invites emcees Kool G Rap, M-Dot, and Revalation to drop some verses over a beat from The Might V.I.C. The production, for my ears, harkens back to 1990s, with losts of synth elements, appropriately placed horns, and scratches from DJ Jean Maron applying LL Cool J samples. Each emcee picks takes on a time frame and takes us back to that place from their own perspective. The concept is articulated perfectly and I am positive all will enjoy.

Kool G Rap & 38 Spesh – Dead Or Alive (ft. Cormega) – Dead Or Alive (Prod Midnite) (Video)

Son Of G Rap is one of my most anticipated albums this year, ever since I head the first single, Upstate 2 Queens.  I loved the way Kool G. Rap and 38 Spesh exchanged their bars over that beat.  That song is in steady rotation.

This song is extremely dope in its own right, adding Cormega for the chorus.   The emcees go in on the struggle and the survival tactics needed to make it in this day and age.  There are a multitude of dope bars and visuals painted on this track.  Speaking of the visuals:  I am really feeling the animation here.  Midnite on the production.

Album drops for everyone on July 20th, and you get the early release on the 6th if you cop the CD.

 

Single You Out: Kool G Rap – Running (ft. Termanology and Saigon) (Prod MoSS) (Video)

Who better to echo the codes of the street than the one and only Kool G Rap, Termanology, and Saigon? Everyone is gunning for the spot…for your spot. So stick to the protocol, ya dig? This song is tough. MoSS has got the horns blowing and the drums a snapping on this joint.

There’s so much more from G Rap, and you need to check out his album, Return Of The Don.

Single You Out: Taiyamo Denku – Stone Cold (ft. Kool G Rap and War Beyah)

Taiyamo Denku and producer D-Cypha recently released a new album, Radioactive.   The album exclusively contains bangers.  D-Cypha has a real knack from collecting dope sounds and making phenomenal music.  Denku, over the years, has proved adaptable to those very same rhythms that Cypha creates.  In an album full of features, he sounds comfortable on every track.  This track featuring Kool G Rap and War Beyah is the perfect illustration, because sometimes we all run out of fucks to give.

 

Single You Out: Taiyamo Denku – Ice Cold (ft. Kool G Rap x Vinnie Paz) (prod. by DCYPHA)

It’s hard to argue with the dopeness found in this song.  Taiyamu Denku and Australian producer DCYPHA are out to create some night stalker music with their collaborative album, SUPERNATURAL.  The album is going to drop on June 25th with a slew of dope guest spots.   As a matter of fact, with Kool G Rap and Vinnie Paz on this joint, I am pretty sure that someone lost their life in the making of this song…Fire!!!