stefanoneder 2024

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 ArtistNote
#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 OppenheimerVega7 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 GodEd OG (prod. by Tone Spliff)Our emcee has been doing this a long time…and he still knows how to craft GREAT music.
#4 DangerousBobby J From Rockaway & Dom DirteeThis joint not only knocks but can easily get caught in your head. Infectious.
#5 The MagnumDan Johns (ft. Amen)I’ve talked about this song at length. Trust me. Lyrics. Production. This is top notch.
#6 Fuck ItGrieves & Mouse PowellAnother anthem for when you can’t care. Exceptional musically and love the horns on this track.
#7 FlinchLocksmith (ft. Ekoh)If you are feeling like you are on the brink. Don’t give your enemies the satisfaction. Don’t Flinch.
#8 Spare ChangeJ. 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 OHLawdJ57 (ft. H3RO)This again is just beautiful music. I love this production , the chorus, and the lyricsm on display here.
#12 The WaySpit Gemz (prod. by Nickel Plated)Some music gives way to thought and makes you think with another light. This is that!
#13 CadillacBrother AliHipHop is primed to speak on social injustice and Brother Ali does that through his own story.
#14 DefianceIzrell & Dead PerrySometimes you just need something epic…dark and epic.
#15 Roc Nation BrunchMarv Won (ft. Freeway)Great concept, and creating a fun visual through words. Inventive.
#16 Delusions Of GrandeurK.A.A.N. & DJ HoppaThis is one of the best pairings of the year and you can hear exactly why on this track!
#17 Raised OnMic Bles & Level 13 (ft. ethemadassassin)I’ve talked about THIS track at length too. But this that authentic hip hop flavor!
#18 CloseM-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 CrownsvilleRock & Ruste JuxxThe tandem takes you into the streets of Crownsville in the illest way possible.
#20 Broken MirrorsJae Skeese & SuperiorSkeese speaks to me on this one. Wow. Music that makes you feel something is invaluable.
#21 My Nephew and INef & Bobby J from RockawayThis beat from Nef! One of the best, and wow, Bobby J just continues to impress. Sure shot!
#22 Courtleigh ChemistDaniel Son & FinnHere you have a producer and emcee in perfect step delivering that head nodder.
#23 Budda PalmZaZa God“I’m Big Anubis…The Ra Royal!” This track just goes incredibly hard.
#24 What I’m AskingPro DillingerIs your relationship stressing you to the limits? Dillinger taps in. You know you’ve been there.
#25 HomeWaterr & 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 FatherSupreme 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 StrollCG 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 PayneRJ Payne & BPPayne gets deep and personal over some eloquent BP production. Hear the inner pain.
#29 LessonsWillie 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 SuitsDaniel Son & FuturewaveVicious. This joint is just vicious. If the phantom of the opera hit the streets, this is the epic it will tell.
#31 Illuminati MoneyPlanet 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 KimchiJay 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 LoFiGuttr (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 AnybodyDouble 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 ScreenCopywrite (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 TossThe 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 HourTek & Stu Bangas“No success without sacrifice…life without music” Tek and Stu Bangas created something memorable in 2024
#38 Gucci GambinosMickey Diamond (ft. Pro Dillinger)Umbrella over everything! Diamond and Dillinger over Big Ghost…you know it’s godly. Super tough.
#39 Mask On, Mask OffMaze Overlay & SwabBest song off of a great album from 2024. Maze and Swab give you some dope hip hop that knocks.
#40 Born Alone, Die AloneSnak The RipperYou want to hear the rock bottom of unhinged? Here we go! Snak delivers the darkness in the dopest way possible.
#41 EsotericSkyzooI said it before and I will say it again, Skyzoo is a PROFESSIONAL emcee. You can hear that on this excellent cut!
#42 Los AngelesBlu & EvidenceFrom their city to yours! Blu and Ev bring a piece of California to your eardrums with their superlative tradecraft.
#43 Master SeminarEyeree Beats (ft. Jay Royale, Snotty, and Supreme Cerebral)Producers getting their due on HHD. Beautiful production with right emcees to do the job!
#44 OMGPhilmore GreenOne of the best albums of the year also has one of the best songs. Great lyricism, production, and scratches.
#45 Heat WaveMurderers 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 LineChuck N Lock (prod. by Oppenheimer)The tandem never fails to deliver bars that make you rewind profusely. A style unto themslves. Genius.
#47 So LongParadimeParadime can make some great songs! This one has you reminiscing and singing that chorus alongside him.
#48 ListenV-StylesIntrospective and thought provoking music that will get you to do exactly that…Listen!
#49 Blood In, Blood OutBozack 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 SummitKail Problems & DJ HoppaAnother fiya beat from DJ Hoppa lends itself to another win with Kail Problems delivering bar after dope bar.
stefanoneder Singles

Single You Out: Double Life (L*Roneous x Gennessee) – Return Of The Kings

L*Roneous and Gennessee are indeed Double Life. And if you’ve been listening to independent hip hop for as long as i have, you are probably going to recognize the name. These artists were at the forefront of music scene we see today…they released their vinyl single, Revolutions, in 1997. That was literally at the precipice of the independent movement as I know it. But as it looks now, Double Life stands the test of time. These guys sound brilliant together. L*Roneous captivates me with his wordplay every time and I stay waiting for him to drop some new music. He is simply unique and his style stands out effortlessly. And Gennessee has a more raw delivery and owns his sixteens from beginning to end. The two sounds really nice together.

To be honest….I couldn’t even make it passed the third cut on the album before I was determined to make this post. This isn’t just good…this is superior music. I am not sure how many of the songs were in the vault, or how many are new, but the energy and quality are on full display. Check out the album, SHANTARAM, and peep the cut, Return Of The Kings, below….you will NOT regret this recommendation.

stefanoneder Album Reviews

L*Roneous x 2Bers – Utopian Blues (2014)

a0451656655_10

Artist: L*Roneous x 2bers

Album: Utopian Blues

Tracklisting:

1. Modify
2. Soul Clap
3. Second Sun
4. Wishing Well
5. Small Town
6. Tech
7. Espionage
8. Zombie Fingers
9. Help Me

Note:

L*Roneous had told me that he had some new music coming soon and to my pleasant surprise Bandcamp sent me an email a couple of weeks ago that one of my favorites had dropped another project.  This time the project, Utopian Blues, is a collaborative effort between L*ron and 2bers. I was skeptical at first because sometimes these pairings can go terribly wrong.  L*Roneous is a high level emcee and not knowing who 2Bers was left me a little incredulous.  So many times you get a high caliber artist who reaches below his skill level in a collaboration.  That’s really not the case here.  This is more of a blending of strengths rather than a disparity in talent.   It’s actually one of the most melodic releases I have heard in a while.

Continue reading “L*Roneous x 2Bers – Utopian Blues (2014)” →

stefanoneder 2012

Top 10 Albums (2012)

id579717145

#1 – (Apollo The Great – Hennessy Diaries) –  I know what you are saying right now…”What is he thinking?”   But you probably haven’t even heard this album.  I have listened to it at least 10 times in preparation for this list and I have come to the same conclusion every single time.  It is the best.  Now I haven’t even had the time to review the album in it’s entirety but I hope this accolade prompts you to listen to it.  This is going to sound like large praise indeed, but listening to this was similar to listening to Illmatic.  Now before you get your panties in a bunch…I said like.

This is a great album.  The beats are incredible and Apollo the Great is a superb lyricist.  There is not one skippable track on the entire project.  It is great from the alpha to the omega.  Above The Sky, Liquor Talk, and Bad Ones are all some of my personal favorites off of this joint.  Each joint is well done but the flow of this album is on point as well,   It’s an extremely fluid release

OddiseePHWTS

#2 – (Oddisee – People Hear What They See) – This album dropped in June and for no apparent reason I listened to it and moved on.  But upon revisiting this project, I too can see it’s brilliance.  Many people know Oddisee as the producer but people are getting more and more exposure to his lyricism.  He’s very introspective and delivers powerful performance after powerful performance.

2570570085-1

#3 (PremRock – Mark’s Wild Years) – Man, for two years running Premrock has cracked this list.  I guess that should come as not surprise as he is probably the most innovative artist on this list.   I mean combining Tom Waits and Hip Hop is no easy feat in my mind but he brought so much life and vibrancy to hip hop with this release.  I hope people will give this album a chance in their rotation.  I think you will enjoy.  Premrock gives the term ‘artist’ all the more credibility in hip hop culture.

artworks-000030758308-6hjolw-original

#4 (Ruste Juxx x The Arcitype –  VIC) –  I had never heard of The Arcitype prior to this release and for shame on me.  This gentleman gave Ruste Juxx the perfect auditory canvas for his verbals.   VIC not only knocks to a higher rhythm, but Ruste Juxx showed incredible versatility making this joint shine bright for 2012.

3737343241-1

#5 (Swerve – The Barrelhouse)  Here’s another one you all might be shaking your heads at, but I will not back down from this choice.  The Barrelhouse is silky smooth and Swerve just has “it”.  His lyricism, flow, and the ability to morph a turn of phrase really separates him from the pack to me.  I am determined to get this man’s name more shine in 2013 because his 2012 was criminally slept upon.   The highest caliber of emcee.

MMGAPOCCD

#6 (Apollo Brown x OC – Trophies) – I know the majority will have this higher on their lists.  It’s a great album.  Everything Apollo Brown is touching these days appears to be golden.  But truthfully, when was the last time you heard OC come off like this? He sounds tight on the mic device.  This album is loaded with dope tracks and a must have in your stash.

MaLLy-The-Last-Great-550x550

#7 (MaLLy x The Sundance Kid – The Last Great) –  This is a great emcee and producer combo!  I felt like this project took forever to come out.  I was asking and anticipating and it finally arrived.  When it did, it did not disappoint in the least.  MaLLy doesn’t just rock mics…he commands them!  He just has incredible presence.  The Sundance Kid also is gifted behind the boards creating interesting blends of boom-bap and synth.  Check this!

20120328-LABYRINTH1

#8 (Locksmith – Labyrinth) –  Some of you forgot about this one, didn’t you?  Locksmith is tenacious with his spit game and filled with angst.  This is another album that is loaded with great tracks. My two favorites are Illuminati and Little Bunny Rabbit.

Reks-REBELutionary-Album-Stream-Tracklist-Cover

#9 (Reks x Numonics – Rebelutionary) – This is an artistic union that any fan or blog should be able to get behind.  Reks (in my mind) already has one classic album under his belt with, Grey Hairs.  Numonics has been cranking out some of the dopest production in the last couple of years.  The two sound really great together.   This album knocks hard and has edgy lyricism for the masses.

id529713210

#10 (LRoneous – Lgorithms) – LRoneous has been the epitome of consistency.  Last years’ Notes Of The Righteous Outlaw really caught my attention and Lgorithms just holds that captive audience and builds upon it.  He is one of the finest wordsmiths doing it right now and deserved to be recognized as much.  Lots of great cuts on this but perhaps none greater than his dedication to Mike Dream.

stefanoneder EP

Lgorithms 3P (2012)

Artist: L*Roneous

Title: Lgorithms 3P

Source: Artist

Tracklisting:

1. Drift Away
2. Melody
3. Apartment D

Here’s a little something extra for those of you who caught Lgorithms album earlier this year.  It’s obviously quite short but I guarantee you would rather cop three tracks from L*Roneous than a 16 track album from 95% of other ’emcees’.

All three of these tracks are harmonious and have a soulful vibe.   My favorite track of the bunch is Melody.  It just has a very optimistic outlook on life that I want to relate to.  I connected with that joint, though the samples on Apartment D are also quite memorable.

Give it a run…

stefanoneder Album Reviews

L*Roneous – Lgorithms (2012)

Artist: L*Roneous

Album: Lgorithms

Source: Artist

Tracklisting:

1. Lgorithms (Intro)
2. Tell A Vision
3. Clear vision
4. Sound Clash
5. Formulated Methods
6. The Get Down
7. Sunrays Midtro
8. 1984
9. The Method
10. The Unusual
11. Feelin’
12. Man’s World
13. Static
14. Dante
15. Black Cloud (Outro)

Note:

L*Roneous is back at it again.  That is he is back at twisting the english language for the listener’s amusement or amazement (which ever comes first).  I make no secret about the artists that I like and the reasons that I like them, but L*Roneous appeal should be universal.   It shouldn’t take more than a couple of listens to recognize his immense talent.

Continue reading “L*Roneous – Lgorithms (2012)” →