M-Dot is back with another video for his Apollo Brown produced single. Done. This is arguably my favorite track from one of my favorite emcees. M-Dot and Apollo Brown take the audience to school on the quick and dirty way to make it in the industry versus actually staying true to your talent, values, and continuing to work hard. This is testimony to two careers in hip hop that have made distinctive names for themselves by sticking to their path and creating their own their own formula. Brilliant in every form and fashion and can be found on the album, Ego and the Enemy 2: A Dissolute Paradise.
Kore – No Exceptions (ft. M-Dot) (Video)
I’ve aways been a fan of EMS’ Kore. He has a very unique, melodic style that I can definitely vibe with. And here he teams up with stalwart emcee and brethren, M-Dot.
The joint has a very dark undertow to it. For my take it seems like this is the notion when give into our vices, despair, and our darker selves. We can throw it all away…or have others do it for us, if we allow.
Dope and ominous track.
M-Dot – Break (ft. Kore) (prod. by Gajos) (Video)
M-Dot exorcises some demons on his most recent single, Break, from his album, Ego and the Enemy 2: A Dissolute Paradise. Life is all about those highs and lows and M-Dot takes you below the heart’s sub-flooring to give you some gritty realism on this track. Bills need to be paid? Wifey questioning your fidelity? Friendships going by the wayside? Feeling that darkness? This is definitely a track you can relate to. Gajos on the beat and Kore on the hook!
M-Dot – Not Today (prod. by Black Milk) (Video)
M-Dot rocking over some Black Milk production and showcasing that resiliency both in film and profession. Nobody overcomes obstacles like our man. So many years. So many shows. So many projects. And that talent keeps shining and the only man that can stop that is the man in the mirror. You can hear that tenacity on Not Today, and it looks like this video came equipped with a cardio routine on the streets of Dresden!
You can still cop the album, HERE.
Premiere: M-Dot – The Atonement (prod. by Pete Rock) (Video)
M-Dot gave me the privilege to be able to debut his new video for the Pete Rock produced heater, The Atonement, off of his recently released album, egO anD The eneMy 2: A Dissolute Paradise.
M-Dot has that knack for making music that connects a listener to the artist, often hitting on topics that so many of us can relate to. But every once in a while, a man needs to flex what differentiates him from the rest of us. And hence we have The Atonement, which is unabated lyrical tenacity unleashed over a gritty Pete Rock beat.
The quotables can’t be extrapolated when they are woven together this tightly, which really showcases M-Dot’s gifts as an emcee.
Gritty video. Gritty sound. Supreme talent. Perfect Blend.
M-Dot – Pain And Haste (Video)
The emcee’s emcee, M-Dot, is back with another banging single from his album, egO anD The eneMy 2: A Dissolute Paradise.
On his new video single, Pain and Haste, he connects with his listeners on the humanity of it all. He addresses self-doubt, depression, alcoholism, fidelity, community violence, being a father, and an artist. He does this all with adept skill, introspection, and one thing I know he values above all…integrity.
As an artist and a man, M-Dot never tosses stones through a glass house. He does it all from the vantage of his own feeling and experience.
Definitely make sure you check this album!
Production is handled by Pro Knows Music. Don’t sleep!
M-Dot – Silver Bullet (Video)
Silver Bullet is the final single before the release of M-Dot’s much anticipated opus, egO anD The eneMy 2: A Dissolute Paradise, which is set to drop on Friday on his bandcamp page. And on this track, M-Dot makes you feel his angst and pressure over production from Pro Knows Music. He articulates on how he changed and adapted as the times changed. When the tours stopped because of covid, M-Dot just sharpened his tools and began producing, and he continues his fight through music while other faces have faded through the years.
I’ve been waiting on this album a long time, and in four days the wait is over!
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.
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. |
SoulRocca – Toil (ft. M-Dot) (Video)
M-Dot and company fired this video single off to me, and it’s super fresh. German production team, SoulRocca, provide and excellent and energetic backdrop for one of our favorites to sink his teeth into. I say this all the time, but the track Toil again hits this note for which M-Dot is famous. It’s that hard work infused with talent that sets him apart bar by bar from others. Love this joint.
And you can hear more from SoulRocca off their new album, In Good Company. A lot of dope features on there and you can hear the talent from behind the boards.
Hip Hop Dependency 