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.

MidaZ The Beast – Champion Of The Block (Video)

I just gave a thorough listen to MidaZ’s new album, AU: Another Universe, and it’s a contender folks.  The album has a lot of bangers but also a lot of substance for you to sink your ears into.  It’s out now and I think you should cop it early to show your support.   As for this song, we have IMAKEMADBEATS on the production side of things and MidaZ essentially doing a press conference on what his music is going to be like.   It’s almost like a synopsis of this album.  I’ll let him tell it:

…Instead I’ll put out an album that’s really strong / Cater to the few and tell the many to suck my Jimmy Long….

Single You Out: MidaZ the BEAST – Fire (ft. Roc Marciano) (The IMAKEMADBEATS Remix)

Fire_Remix

 

Fire, from MidaZ the Beast and Roc Marciano is given the remix treatment by accomplished beatsmith, IMAKEMADBEATS.  IMAKEMADBEATS give this track a touch of playful sadsim.  (How did you like that?  Playful sadism…I said it)  It’s dark, banging, yet intriguing and interesting.  This may be one of my favorite beats from 2013.    Really feeling it.   AU, MidaZ’s album, is dropping in two weeks.  Highly anticipated.

Download

Red Eye – St. Fatrick’s Day (2012)

Artist: Red Eye

Album: St Fatrick’s Day

Source: Artist

Tracklisting:

1.J-Love Intro
2.Fuck B’n Polite (prod by DJ Qvali)
3.Drawn-n-Quartered (ft. Cella Dwellas x L.I.F.E. Long) (prod by Skammadix)
4.Step Aside (prod by DJ Qvali)
5.FigYa4LegLoc (ft. Critical Madness x Bezerk x Amiam x Illustrate x Shinobi Stalin x Tzarizm)
6.Til I Owe Nada (ft. Born Unique x Godilla) (prod by DJ Qvali)
7.7th Inning Stretch (ft. Shabaam Sahdeeq x Punchline x FT aka Fuc That x El Da Sensei x Phantasm x Nine)
8.Oh Baby Now (ft. Blaq Poet) (prod by Nickel Plated)
9.Definition of Apeshit (ft. Infinity Gauntlet x Dov) (prod by Snowgoons)
10.You Ain’t Ready (Remix) (ft. Shabaam Sahdeeq x King Magnetic) (prod by Res Nullius)
11.Never Relate (prod by DJ Qvali)
12.Click Clack (ft. Streets x Ruff) (prod by Thorotracks)
13.Hardcore (ft. Meyhem Lauren x Blaq Poet) (prod by Nickel Plated)
14.One By One (ft. Born Unique) (prod by DJ Qvali)
15.Unfukwitable (ft. Ruste Juxx x Reks x Reef the Lost Cauze x Shabaam Sahdeeq x Sha Stimuli x Nutso x M-Dot x Midaz)

Note:

It gets to a point where I could share every song off this mixtape as a single, but why not offer you guys the full picture of what it’s all about? And at this point I am just going to say it:  This mixtape is top notch.  If you want fifteen tracks that knock speakers with no filler of fru-fru material, St. Fatrick’s Day is the joint you are going to want to own.

Continue reading “Red Eye – St. Fatrick’s Day (2012)”

Single You Out: 9th Prince x Midaz The Beast – Thundercats

There were well over one hundred songs leaked in the last few weeks.  I passed on posting a lot of them because while they might have been good, they just didn’t move me. This Tzarizm produced track puts so many other of those ‘leaks’ to shame.  The drums hit so hard and the piano chords make this production beastly.  I have always been a fan of Midaz.  He puts out quality work.  He has an aggressive style and always seems like he is attacking mics.  9th Prince I am familiar with but really haven’t checked for him.  That may soon change.

Enjoy!

IMAKEMADBEATS ft. MidaZ The Beast – The Nightlight EP (2010)

Artist: Imakemadbeats x MidaZ The Beast

Album: The Nighlight EP

Source: Bandcamp

Tracklisting:

  1. Nighlight Sunset
  2. Flyers
  3. Freedom (ft. TzariZM)
  4. Subliminal Diss
  5. Word Of Mouth (ft. TzariZM and MURDOC)
  6. The Response
  7. 7 Years
  8. Nighlight Sunset

Note:

This project was released in conjunction with the sister project, The Daylight EP, that featured Butta Verses.   Both of the projects are a prelude to IMAKEMADBEATS’ self-titled album which is dropping, next week on January 18th.   I didn’t comment on the Daylight project mostly because I was involved in the end of the year business but I also must say that I prefer the darker side of things.

The beats on this project are grimey and MidaZ is the perfect emcee to rip over these tracks.    He has the voice, flow, and delivery to turn these dope instrumentals into hip hop gold.

Continue reading “IMAKEMADBEATS ft. MidaZ The Beast – The Nightlight EP (2010)”

Sean J – The Ego Egg Mixtape

Artist: Sean J

Album: The Ego Egg Mixtape

SourceSean J Website

Tracklisting:

  1. Lonely (prod. by Nine Six)
  2. Unstoppable (prod. by Soy Is Real)
  3. The Ode To An Assassin (prod. by Soy Is Real)
  4. Elevate (prod. by Unselftitled)
  5. Devil In New Denim
  6. Talk About (She Says) (prod. by Soy Is Real)
  7. Exhibition
  8. FTW (Big Bulge Music) (prod. by Soy Is Real)
  9. Deadly Medly (ft. Tzarizm and Midaz The Beast)
  10. Parallel (Snippet) (prod by. Mental Abstracto)
  11. The Sh*t (prod. by Soy Is Real)

Note:

I heard Some Sean J material earlier this year and I have not stopped listening to him since.  I knew this project was dropping soon but it caught me unawares when I saw the link go live earlier this week.  The Ego Egg Mixtape is a great window for hip hop fans to look through to see what kind of artist, Sean J actually is.   Lets just say he is the one with a ton of talent.   It seems with each project he shows and proves his merit.  I personally like each and every project he has put out and this one is near perfect. Continue reading “Sean J – The Ego Egg Mixtape”