Stu Bangas and Recognize Ali are back at it for 2023 accompanied by Lord Goat for their first single Pulverized. This is a precursor for the new album Guerilla Dynasty 2. And this song is nasty. Bangas has a subtle, yet devious hand when it comes to the beat and string sample on this track. And Recognize Ali and Lord Goat exchange verbal blood baths making this the first sinister track of the year.
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. |
Single You Out: Stu Bangas x Apathy – One Man Army
When I listened to this track for the first time it was one of those ever-so rare “Oh shit!” moments. You think you’ve heard it all from Apathy at this point but then he just out does himself, this time over an immaculate Stu Bangas beat. This is simply just beautiful and they have an album dropping on December 9th, so be on guard for that.
Single You Out: Apathy x Stu Bangas – No Time To Waste (ft. Jadakiss)
A heatrock from Apathy and producer Stu Bangas coming off a forthcoming project. No Time To Waste is ominous. The strings that Stu Bangas puts to work on this track are damn menacing, and made more so with Apathy’s razor-sharp lyricism, and bar work from guest emcee Jadakiss. And his last line, “funerals on zoom” was definitely a way to close out a track. Mic dropped.
This is a favorite.
Dres of Black Sheep & Stu Bangas – Hate (Video)
Producer Stu Bangas links up with Black Sheep frontman, and legend, Dres. Together, these guys have a new project coming out very soon entitle Sheep Stu. Not sure when it drops but it’s bound to reflect the flavor found in this joint right here. This joint is silky smooth, jazzy and again illustrates that talent doesn’t diminish over time.
Single You Out: Jay Royale – The Alleged (ft. Willie The Kid)

A dope track from Jay Royale produced by Stu Bangas and featuring Willie The Kid. This joint has everything with that knocking production and scratching from Bangas, the ultra smooth refined flow of Willie The Kid, and the hard hitting rhymes from Royale. This is a major win for listeners.
Vinnie Paz – Papi Wardrobe (Video)
The prolific and timeless JMT frontman, Vinnie Paz, has yet another project on the way, seemingly adding to his mounting musical legacy. Burn Everything That Bears Your Name is the title of the album, and that is dropping on April 23rd. For this particular track, Paz, joins forces with producer extraordinaire, Stu Bangas. And they cook up a high energy joint that is sure to appease fans. Enjoy and mark the date!
Single You Out: Ill Bill x Stu Bangas – Hulk Meat (ft. Goretex)
Ill Bill and Stu Bangas have a project dropping this coming Friday, Cannibal Hulk. This is a single from that very project that features longtime collaborator and friend, Goretex. It’s dark, creepy, and maybe even a little sadistic…which is alright with me.
After Ourz – Hector Salamanca (Video)
Foul Monday, Starvin B, and Flushing Tek combine with producer Stu Bangas for this track on the After Ourz project. And if you know ANY of the names affiliated you know what this project is about. On this particular joint, you are getting that unfiltered NYC grimy lyricism with that exceptional production that Bangas is always affiliated with! The project is seven tracks long and won’t disappoint in the least.
Ty Farris – Tyrant Talk (Video)
Here’s one of the choice cuts from Ty Farris’ recent project, No Cosign Just Cocaine 2. I like this project even more than the first installment. A track like this can just be considered cold-blooded. Stu Bangas is on the production.
Enjoy, and as always, if you are feeling the joint, make sure you cop!