Last year a lot of folks asked me when we’re going to do History of Hip-Hop 2010 and I always sort of deflected the question, like “it’s too soon to have perspective on this stuff, let’s let it simmer and look back at it in a few years.” But the truth is (these are my confessions) I don’t feel personally engaged enough in new rap music to do it justice. There’s just too much to keep track of everything, and a whole lot what I listen to doesn’t work in the club (Action Bronson, Danny Brown), is too offensive to go on our monthly Rub Radio show for Scion (Odd Future, Danny Brown), is closer to R&B or club music than to rap (Drake), or has other DJs talking over it.
Plus when I’m driving around, my daughter is usually in the car and she makes us listen to Polish children’s CDs instead of Hot 97. Don’t get me wrong, I stay on top of it with the “rap songs that kill it in the club” and have my cute wordplay mixes and mashups edits, but more and more I find myself exposed to rap by DJ Eleven and guests who play The Rub like Nick Catchdubs, Grandtheft, Rico Uno and so forth. BTW if you want to know where my focus is as a DJ, look at my Top Ten charts from the last few years, and at the music we’re putting out on T&A and Young Robots.
However, there are plenty of good DJs who still do the work and definitely keep me on my toes; one of these is Matthew Africa. He’s just compiled two hours of his favorite 2011 raps, plus he has a great rap podcast with my favorite asshole heckler, Sergdun. These are especially good if you like West Coast rap, as they rep the Bay Area. I mean I would have at least put a Maino song on but what are you going to do.
TRACKLISTS ARE HERE (or after the jump)
The other folks I want to shout out are Southern Hospitality, they run a great blog and stay super focused on the new raps. So check them out.
Part 1
1. Mr. Collipark – Let’s Have Some Fun (Intro)
2. Travis Porter – Bring It Back
3. Swizz Beatz – Everyday (Coolin’) feat. Eve
4. iamsu! – Swaggin’ feat. Loverance, Skipper & Kool John
5. Lil Phat & Mannie Fresh – Talk Some Mo Shit
6. Killer Mike – Ready Set Go Remix feat. T.I. & Big Boi
7. Dorrough Music – Blake Griffin
8. Stevie Joe – Raccoons
9. Meek Mill – House Party feat. Young Chris
10. B.o.B – Epic feat. Playboy Tre & Meek Mill
11. Tyler, The Creator – Yonkers
12. ADd+/Picnictyme – Likeamug feat. Sore Losers
13. STS – Bullshit feat. Kyle Lucas
14. LoLo C-4 – Poor Ppl Smiles feat. MondreM.A.N
15. Willie Joe – Blown Away feat. Aftah Sum & A Money
16. Curren$y – Scottie Pippens feat. Freddie Gibbs
17. Lil B – Motivation
18. Jay-Z & Kanye West – New Day
19. Mr. Muthafuckin’ eXquire – Build-a-Bitch
20. 50 Cent – Sunday Morning
21. Black Milk & Danny Brown – LOL
22. Hail Mary Mallon – Grubstake
23. Willie Evans Jr. – Dumbtron
24. Nas – Nasty
25. NhT Boyz – Chee$e
26. Roach Gigz – Gina
27. DJ Quik – Nobody feat. Suga Free
28. E-40 – Serious feat. T-Pain
29. Husalah – Da Mob
30. Lil Ill & Dashdcadet – I Just Wanna Smoke
Part 2
1. Juicy J – A Zip & a Double Cup (Remix) feat. Tity Boi
2. Gucci Mane & Future – Stevie Wonder
3. Webbie – Trilla Than a Bitch feat. Lil Phat
4. Big K.R.I.T – Money On the Floor feat. 2 Chainz, 8Ball & MJG
5. Starlito & Don Trip – L Word
6. Sir Kashflow – Eat a Dick feat. Kamonster
7. Zilla – Bitch Dawg feat. Monster & Junebug
8. Bo Deal – Safe Sex feat. Mello & G Blanca
9. Shady Nate – Baby Sit Part 2
10. Fam-Lay – Money Makin’ Trick feat. Project Pat
11. A$AP Rocky – Trilla feat. ASAP Twelvy & ASAP Nast
12. Corner Boy P – Lala Pt. 2 feat. Smoke DZA, Fiend & Killa Kyleon
13. Starlito – Thinking of You
14. Young Jeezy – I Do feat. Jay-Z & Andre 3000
15. Waka Flocka – Round of Applause
16. Main Attrakionz – Chuch
17. Schoolboy Q – Birds & the Beez feat. Kendrick Lamar
18. Danny Brown – 30
19. Kendrick Lamar – The Spiteful Chant
20. Kristmas – I Need a Drink feat. Codie G & Joi Tiffany
21. G-Side – Gettin It feat. Stalley & Joi Tiffany