Spit Gemz unleashes some fury from the vaults! And tell me it doesn’t sound like it should make it on a project! This joint is dope and has Gemz lyrical stamp all over it that stands the test of time showing you that forgotten joints on hard drives can be like lost audio treasure.
Spit Gemz – Cold Blooded (prod by D-Styles) (Video)
Yeah don’t step to the mic or in the ring with Spit Gemz. You will get snuffed out fast over this D-Styles produced single, Cold Blooded. This is a track that feel like both beat and lyrics were throwing dirt on someone’s grave…meaning somoene is getting buried quick here! Really tough track by one of the best to do it on the mic, over one of the hardest beats we have heard in 2025.
Spit Gemz – Thousand Yard Stairs (Video)
More dope from Spit Gemz’ album, Diamond Cut. There is no abating the attack that Gemz and Eff Yoo put on you over this Ciecmate beat. Everything carries with it an intensity on this joint. This beat with the piano loop is insane. Ciecmate laced the whole EP with some fire. And these emcees are calling you out for your fraudulent ways and limited thinking. You are forewarned!
Spit Gemz – The Final Word (Video)
Spit Gemz. The name is synonymous with a relentless and ruthless pen game. I’ve used the word ferocious a few times recently but that’s what Gemz is…a blend of intelligence, experience, talent, and ferocity. His verses give you no quarter, they pin your brain down, and don’t let up until the song is done. And here you have that example with the new single, The Final Word. Ciecmate laced the beat, and he does an amazing job matching the emcees intensity with the production.
I seemingly say this with every recent release from Gemz, but his new EP, Diamond Cut, could be his best. I love the production on each track. It’s definitely a must have in 2025. Don’t miss.
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 | Artist | Note |
| #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 Oppenheimer | Vega7 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 God | Ed OG (prod. by Tone Spliff) | Our emcee has been doing this a long time…and he still knows how to craft GREAT music. |
| #4 Dangerous | Bobby J From Rockaway & Dom Dirtee | This joint not only knocks but can easily get caught in your head. Infectious. |
| #5 The Magnum | Dan Johns (ft. Amen) | I’ve talked about this song at length. Trust me. Lyrics. Production. This is top notch. |
| #6 Fuck It | Grieves & Mouse Powell | Another anthem for when you can’t care. Exceptional musically and love the horns on this track. |
| #7 Flinch | Locksmith (ft. Ekoh) | If you are feeling like you are on the brink. Don’t give your enemies the satisfaction. Don’t Flinch. |
| #8 Spare Change | J. 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 OHLawd | J57 (ft. H3RO) | This again is just beautiful music. I love this production , the chorus, and the lyricsm on display here. |
| #12 The Way | Spit Gemz (prod. by Nickel Plated) | Some music gives way to thought and makes you think with another light. This is that! |
| #13 Cadillac | Brother Ali | HipHop is primed to speak on social injustice and Brother Ali does that through his own story. |
| #14 Defiance | Izrell & Dead Perry | Sometimes you just need something epic…dark and epic. |
| #15 Roc Nation Brunch | Marv Won (ft. Freeway) | Great concept, and creating a fun visual through words. Inventive. |
| #16 Delusions Of Grandeur | K.A.A.N. & DJ Hoppa | This is one of the best pairings of the year and you can hear exactly why on this track! |
| #17 Raised On | Mic Bles & Level 13 (ft. ethemadassassin) | I’ve talked about THIS track at length too. But this that authentic hip hop flavor! |
| #18 Close | M-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 Crownsville | Rock & Ruste Juxx | The tandem takes you into the streets of Crownsville in the illest way possible. |
| #20 Broken Mirrors | Jae Skeese & Superior | Skeese speaks to me on this one. Wow. Music that makes you feel something is invaluable. |
| #21 My Nephew and I | Nef & Bobby J from Rockaway | This beat from Nef! One of the best, and wow, Bobby J just continues to impress. Sure shot! |
| #22 Courtleigh Chemist | Daniel Son & Finn | Here you have a producer and emcee in perfect step delivering that head nodder. |
| #23 Budda Palm | ZaZa God | “I’m Big Anubis…The Ra Royal!” This track just goes incredibly hard. |
| #24 What I’m Asking | Pro Dillinger | Is your relationship stressing you to the limits? Dillinger taps in. You know you’ve been there. |
| #25 Home | Waterr & 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 Father | Supreme 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 Stroll | CG 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 Payne | RJ Payne & BP | Payne gets deep and personal over some eloquent BP production. Hear the inner pain. |
| #29 Lessons | Willie 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 Suits | Daniel Son & Futurewave | Vicious. This joint is just vicious. If the phantom of the opera hit the streets, this is the epic it will tell. |
| #31 Illuminati Money | Planet 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 Kimchi | Jay 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 LoFi | Guttr (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 Anybody | Double 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 Screen | Copywrite (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 Toss | The 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 Hour | Tek & Stu Bangas | “No success without sacrifice…life without music” Tek and Stu Bangas created something memorable in 2024 |
| #38 Gucci Gambinos | Mickey Diamond (ft. Pro Dillinger) | Umbrella over everything! Diamond and Dillinger over Big Ghost…you know it’s godly. Super tough. |
| #39 Mask On, Mask Off | Maze Overlay & Swab | Best song off of a great album from 2024. Maze and Swab give you some dope hip hop that knocks. |
| #40 Born Alone, Die Alone | Snak The Ripper | You want to hear the rock bottom of unhinged? Here we go! Snak delivers the darkness in the dopest way possible. |
| #41 Esoteric | Skyzoo | I said it before and I will say it again, Skyzoo is a PROFESSIONAL emcee. You can hear that on this excellent cut! |
| #42 Los Angeles | Blu & Evidence | From their city to yours! Blu and Ev bring a piece of California to your eardrums with their superlative tradecraft. |
| #43 Master Seminar | Eyeree Beats (ft. Jay Royale, Snotty, and Supreme Cerebral) | Producers getting their due on HHD. Beautiful production with right emcees to do the job! |
| #44 OMG | Philmore Green | One of the best albums of the year also has one of the best songs. Great lyricism, production, and scratches. |
| #45 Heat Wave | Murderers 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 Line | Chuck N Lock (prod. by Oppenheimer) | The tandem never fails to deliver bars that make you rewind profusely. A style unto themslves. Genius. |
| #47 So Long | Paradime | Paradime can make some great songs! This one has you reminiscing and singing that chorus alongside him. |
| #48 Listen | V-Styles | Introspective and thought provoking music that will get you to do exactly that…Listen! |
| #49 Blood In, Blood Out | Bozack 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 Summit | Kail Problems & DJ Hoppa | Another fiya beat from DJ Hoppa lends itself to another win with Kail Problems delivering bar after dope bar. |
Top 5 EPs (2024)
There was quite a few Extended Play releases in 2024. I identify those releases as less than 10 songs on the project, excluding intros, interludes, and outros. I give you my top five of 2024 and I encourage you to give them a listen, purchase, and spread the word on this exceptional music.
#1 Dan Johns- Resurgence
The number one EP of the year was easy for me. When Dan Johns released, Resurgence, I knew this was the one. It’s five self-produced tracks that showcase some of the best production and lyricism this year. Really impressive work. I would honestly rate each track 4.5 to 5 stars. It’s that impeccable. And to add to this blessing is Amen has a verse, that I would count as one of the best this year. Favorite Track: The Magnum
#2 – Spit Gemz – Eulogy For The Devil
The #2 EP this year goes to one of the realest to do it. Spit Gemz has a few EPs released in 2024, but my favorite is him rocking over some Nickel Plated production on Eulogy For The Devil. This project is just unabating and knocks hard. But you know what else makes this special? The knowledge and perspective that Gemz brings to the table track by track. One of the greatest compliments you can pay an artist is that he gave you food for thought. Favorite Track: The Way
#3 Ransom & Harry Fraud – Lavish Misery
Speaking of someone who makes you think, Ransom linked up with super producer, Harry Fraud for our #3 EP, Lavish Misery. Very few can turn a phrase like Ransom. But there is also so much more to his lyricism. There is a message. There is double entendre. There is so much nuance involved in his bars that a casual listener just can’t catch. So set 20 minutes aside for this beautifully orchestrated, Fraud produced release. Favorite Track: Immaculate Conception
#4 Mic Bles & Level 13 – Still No Halos
Sometimes you just need some straight hip hop. No frills. You need to be reminded about that authentic boom bap flavor. Mic Bles and Level 13 are here to be that reminder with the #4 EP of last year, Still No Halos. This is just hip hop in it’s purest form. It’s all about the boom bap beats, those precise scratches, and that ill lyricism. If you mix a few dope features in, this is the “no miss” recipe for this EP. Favorite Track: Raised On
#5 Premrock & Willie Green – Through Lines
And our last featured EP from 2024, is the union of talent between Premrock and Willie Green. Through Lines. Premrock is a poet extraordinaire that is unlike anyone you have heard and when combined with Willie Green’s weaving and turning productions, you have something unique and timeless. It’s two artists who each themselves dance to different drummers but when together, create the most special of rhythms. Let’s hope for more: Favorite Track: Love What You’ve Done With The Place
Single You Out: The 17th Cipher – The Myers Effect (ft. Spit Gemz, D. Goynz, Mar & Doza The Drum Dealer)
The 17th Cipher has been doing work in the month of October and I really didn’t want their “other” release to go unnoticed, because this Halloween project, The Myers Effect, is really dope. The highlight for me is the title track which features wordsmiths Spit Gemz, D. Goynz, Mar, and Doza The Drumdealer (who also produces the joint). This joint is tough all the way around should strike fear into the hearts of the suckas. But I really want to highlight someone on here that I really knew nothing about before hearing this track…third verse…Mar. That sixteen had me checking for his discography. Pay close attention.
Single You Out: Grime Lords & Spit Gemz – War Paint (ft. DJ TMB)
If there’s anybody who can get the listener ready for war it’s Born Unique and Spit Gemz, backed by sounds and scratches from Pete Twist and DJ TMB, respectively. The strings and scratches lead the way as the emcees leave a wake of carnage along their sixteens. The song is a warning to those who lead a false narrative in their music. Body bags included in this one!
Spit Gemz x Nickel Plated – Ice Pick Lobotomy (cuts by Jon Doe ATL) (Video)
No artist has commanded more listening in my music library than Spit Gemz. His discography and talent runs deep. And for me it’s a combination of things. He fuses religious imagery and an extensive knowledge with the street wisdom and creates superlative music. He also has a knack for dope beats, and he’s got a heat rock right here from Nickel Plated, with sinister scratches from Jon Doe ATL. You get it all on the single, Ice Pick Lobotomy.
Be on the lookout for a new offering on June 2nd, as Gemz and Nickel Plated put their feets on the necks of demons once more in the project, Eulogy For The Devil.
Hip Hop Dependency 