Recognize Ali – Hip Hop Dependency

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.