stefanoneder 2024

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 ArtistNote
#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 OppenheimerVega7 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 GodEd OG (prod. by Tone Spliff)Our emcee has been doing this a long time…and he still knows how to craft GREAT music.
#4 DangerousBobby J From Rockaway & Dom DirteeThis joint not only knocks but can easily get caught in your head. Infectious.
#5 The MagnumDan Johns (ft. Amen)I’ve talked about this song at length. Trust me. Lyrics. Production. This is top notch.
#6 Fuck ItGrieves & Mouse PowellAnother anthem for when you can’t care. Exceptional musically and love the horns on this track.
#7 FlinchLocksmith (ft. Ekoh)If you are feeling like you are on the brink. Don’t give your enemies the satisfaction. Don’t Flinch.
#8 Spare ChangeJ. 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 OHLawdJ57 (ft. H3RO)This again is just beautiful music. I love this production , the chorus, and the lyricsm on display here.
#12 The WaySpit Gemz (prod. by Nickel Plated)Some music gives way to thought and makes you think with another light. This is that!
#13 CadillacBrother AliHipHop is primed to speak on social injustice and Brother Ali does that through his own story.
#14 DefianceIzrell & Dead PerrySometimes you just need something epic…dark and epic.
#15 Roc Nation BrunchMarv Won (ft. Freeway)Great concept, and creating a fun visual through words. Inventive.
#16 Delusions Of GrandeurK.A.A.N. & DJ HoppaThis is one of the best pairings of the year and you can hear exactly why on this track!
#17 Raised OnMic Bles & Level 13 (ft. ethemadassassin)I’ve talked about THIS track at length too. But this that authentic hip hop flavor!
#18 CloseM-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 CrownsvilleRock & Ruste JuxxThe tandem takes you into the streets of Crownsville in the illest way possible.
#20 Broken MirrorsJae Skeese & SuperiorSkeese speaks to me on this one. Wow. Music that makes you feel something is invaluable.
#21 My Nephew and INef & Bobby J from RockawayThis beat from Nef! One of the best, and wow, Bobby J just continues to impress. Sure shot!
#22 Courtleigh ChemistDaniel Son & FinnHere you have a producer and emcee in perfect step delivering that head nodder.
#23 Budda PalmZaZa God“I’m Big Anubis…The Ra Royal!” This track just goes incredibly hard.
#24 What I’m AskingPro DillingerIs your relationship stressing you to the limits? Dillinger taps in. You know you’ve been there.
#25 HomeWaterr & 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 FatherSupreme 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 StrollCG 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 PayneRJ Payne & BPPayne gets deep and personal over some eloquent BP production. Hear the inner pain.
#29 LessonsWillie 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 SuitsDaniel Son & FuturewaveVicious. This joint is just vicious. If the phantom of the opera hit the streets, this is the epic it will tell.
#31 Illuminati MoneyPlanet 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 KimchiJay 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 LoFiGuttr (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 AnybodyDouble 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 ScreenCopywrite (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 TossThe 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 HourTek & Stu Bangas“No success without sacrifice…life without music” Tek and Stu Bangas created something memorable in 2024
#38 Gucci GambinosMickey Diamond (ft. Pro Dillinger)Umbrella over everything! Diamond and Dillinger over Big Ghost…you know it’s godly. Super tough.
#39 Mask On, Mask OffMaze Overlay & SwabBest song off of a great album from 2024. Maze and Swab give you some dope hip hop that knocks.
#40 Born Alone, Die AloneSnak The RipperYou want to hear the rock bottom of unhinged? Here we go! Snak delivers the darkness in the dopest way possible.
#41 EsotericSkyzooI said it before and I will say it again, Skyzoo is a PROFESSIONAL emcee. You can hear that on this excellent cut!
#42 Los AngelesBlu & EvidenceFrom their city to yours! Blu and Ev bring a piece of California to your eardrums with their superlative tradecraft.
#43 Master SeminarEyeree Beats (ft. Jay Royale, Snotty, and Supreme Cerebral)Producers getting their due on HHD. Beautiful production with right emcees to do the job!
#44 OMGPhilmore GreenOne of the best albums of the year also has one of the best songs. Great lyricism, production, and scratches.
#45 Heat WaveMurderers 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 LineChuck N Lock (prod. by Oppenheimer)The tandem never fails to deliver bars that make you rewind profusely. A style unto themslves. Genius.
#47 So LongParadimeParadime can make some great songs! This one has you reminiscing and singing that chorus alongside him.
#48 ListenV-StylesIntrospective and thought provoking music that will get you to do exactly that…Listen!
#49 Blood In, Blood OutBozack 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 SummitKail Problems & DJ HoppaAnother fiya beat from DJ Hoppa lends itself to another win with Kail Problems delivering bar after dope bar.
stefanoneder 2024, Awards And Accolades

Top 10 Albums 2024

I know how people feel about lists. These are simply HHD’s personal recommendations for the albums we enjoyed most in 2024. There were so many to consider and inevitably this is not a total of all the great music that was released this year, merely our favorites. Assuredly many dope releases that are deserving of recognition are not on this list. Out of 355 albums that were purchased this year, THESE are the ones I present to you as our Top 10 and do so humbly out of respect to all the artists who share their craft with us.

#1

The #1 album of 2024 is none other than Skyzoo’s, Keep Me Company. Skyzoo has a catalog of dope releases over the last couple of decades, and as some artist’s taper and diminish, he is creating his best works. He is the “emcee’s emcee“. His wordplay, concepts, and just charisma on the microphone are undeniable on this his latest album. He is a one man showcase, displaying unparallel talent with this album! Favorite Tracks: Finders Keepers, Courtesy Call, Esoteric

#2

The number two album of the year in my mind belongs to Philmore Green, with his project, The Grand Design. And that’s an extremely fitting name. In this album is woven, a city, an experience, a tale, a man, and his music. You can’t take a piece of that away, or else the album loses it’s identity. This album strikes as the embodiment of being an artist and a man in Chicago. It’s as if Chicago was speaking through him. Favorite Tracks: Street Lights, OMG, Stay Gone

#3

Bobby J From Rockaway and Dom Dirtee strike hip hop gold with their collaborative album, Higher. This is an album made for the fans, by artists who are elite in their craft. There is a sound for every mood and endeavor. Every vibe and moment is tapped into by our artists for this album. Whether your mind is in attack mode, a somber state, or just simply want to vibe out. This album was made for YOU in mind. Favorite tracks: Higher, Dangerous, Break Me Down

#4

With our #4 favorite album of the year we bring you Heems and Lapgan with their album, LAFANDAR. It released much earlier this year and is my MOST listened to album in 2024. I can’t get enough of the sounds that Lapgan curated to give this project a vibe all unto itself while letting Heems unleash bravado, observation, and humor in the cleverest of ways. It’s just a unique and captivating release. Favorite Tracks: Stupid Dumb Illiterate, I’m Pretty Cool

#5

We again have a city and artist collide for the makings of our #5 album, Los Angeles, by Blu & Evidence. I was not immediately taken by this album, because the expectations of a Blu and Evidence were enormous. But listen after listen, I began to hear the brilliance and the music resonate with me. It became more exceptional with each play and is an album, you must delve further into! Favorite Tracks: Los Angeles, LA Traffic, Wish You Were Here

#6

Unabating and relentless is how I would describe the #6 album on our list. Locksmith pulls no punches with, No Atheists In Foxholes. He is aggressive yet insightful, but ALWAYS with the touch of one of the most preeminent pens and flows in hip hop. He is able to tackle self-reflection, social commentary, vulnerability, and confidence like no one else in the game. Favorite tracks: I Meant It, Watch Your Mouth, Flinch

#7

Rockness Monsta and Ruste Juxx keep the spirit of Sean Price alive to the fullest with the release of Crownsville. Our #7 album of the year is the embodiment of the art that Duck Down has represented since the early 1990s. And when the sidewalks talk we listen! Ruste and Rock combine elite talent with chemistry on the mic that was more than impressive over some of the best beats in 2024. Favorite Tracks: Crownsville, Crash Ya Whip, Sean Lives On

#8

Speaking of chemistry we need to talk about what Finn and Daniel Son did with their album Hare Brained Schemes which clocks in as the HHD #8 release of 2024. I love Daniel Son as an emcee. And he has put out a ton of dope projects the last few years, but what I love on this release is how Finn laces this melodic production that showcases Daniel Son’s talent and dexterity on a new level. Favorite Tracks: Courtleigh Chemist, Chalk Brothers, Fall Breeze

#9

At #9, we have Maze Overlay, with his Swab backed release, Enzo. Now by the time of this writing, I think Maze has seven albums in 2024 which is prolific, and all range from quite good to excellent. But Maze and Swab crafted something a little more haunting with this release and I love how emcee and producer fed off of one another to create this unique and ominous sound. Favorite Tracks: Respect The Brand, Mask On Mask Off, Phlex

#10

With #10 we are going with K.A.A.N. and DJ Hoppa’s Delusions Of Grandeur. Hoppa creates a chaotic masterpiece that is equal to K.A.A.N.’s frenetic pace. It is a dark, girtty, and sometimes unnerving body of work, but also one of the most cohesive albums you will find this year. It’s hip hop from the padded room. So journey through the mind! Favorite Tracks: Nightmare, Delusions Of Grandeur, Kiss The Ring

stefanoneder Singles

Single You Out: Supreme Cerebral – Sins Of The Father (ft. Eloh Kush & O The Great) (prod. by Swab)

I was excited back in April when I heard that Supreme Cerebral and Swab were linking for a project, Son Of Hannibal.   I knew this would be a great combination.  But then I didn’t hear anything for months.  And Supreme Cerebral was sharing music from other projects, and I just assumed it was tabled…but that’s what I get for assuming.   With the release of the single, Sins Of The Father, we get another taste of what is possible…this beat by Swab is sensational.    I love the vocal loop.   And Cerebral, Eloh Kush, and O the Great drop scorching verses.

This album is going to be a sure shot.  Dropping in January!

stefanoneder Video

Copywrite – Turn The Page (ft. Slug) (Video)

Copywrite and Slug team up for a heart felt and thought-provoking song from the newly released album, The Last Supper. The sample while familiar takes on a different entity in the venerable hands of producer Swab. It’s somber and emotional as the artists have different yet personal perspectives on what it means to Turn The Page.

Copywrite has returned with a great vengeance with this new album that features so many great emcees and producers. Don’t miss out!

stefanoneder Single You Out

Single You Out: Swab – The Manual (ft: Josiah The Gift & General Backpain)

The name Swab should be synonymous with dopeness and quality music. The producer has collaborated and laid soundscapes for some of the most talented names in today’s hip hop. I have never heard him deliver anything less than stellar. And now he’s got a new project coming out next Friday called, The Spy Ring. I can’t wait for this. And after hearing this single you will know why. The Manual starts out with a scintillating string sample and then those drums drop heavy as emcees Josiah The Gift and General Backpain unleash tightly woven lyricism sixteen bars at a time.

stefanoneder Singles

Single You Out: Comet – Closed Door Meetings

Comet is back with a single (that I missed), Closed Door Meetings, from his upcoming album, Authentic Kloth, with production from Swab. It’s that uncut realness that we would come to expect from Comet. Dope beat, samples, scratches, along with the lyricism give this track those hardened street edges that we love here.

And actually, you can cop the CD from Bandcamp right now and this will hit DSPs in about a week.

stefanoneder Singles

Single You Out: Evolve – Heroin (ft. Chino XL)

Emcee Evolve links up with revered wordsmith, Chino XL for the record, Heroin. This is appropriate because the track is highly addictive.  The beat by Swab out of the UK is just pure fire.

Evolve also does a good job of holding his own with a lyrical heavyweight such as Chino. This track is off of Evolve’s forthcoming project, Be My Guest.  If the project is half as good as this heat rock, it will be an auto-cop on my part!