Rhymes: Evidence - "You" (Music Video)

Evidence drops off his first single off his upcoming Rhymesayers debut, Cats & Dogs. This one is laced by the legendary DJ Premier, and is one of his best tracks he's released in a while. Cats & Dogs will be released on September 27.

Pre-order your copy here.

Rhymes: Apathy - Honkey Kong

So Apathy released the best titled album of the year, Honkey Kong on Tuesday. Apathy, who pokes fun at his whiteness on the album, ironically has one of the least white-sounding voices in hip hop. Apathy has it all on this record, hilarious punchlines, phenomenal story telling, powerful battleraps, and just all around great hip hop jams all over consistently solid production. Kong is easily one of the year's best releases, and should not be over looked.

Press Release:

Apathy is preparing to take his career to another level with the release of his third-solo LP, Honkey Kong, which was released today (I have included a retail link below). The Connecticut emcee and The Get Busy Committee (Apathy, Scoop Deville and Ryu released Uzi Does It in October 2010) and AOTP member has undeniably crafted his best project to date and it includes production from Apathy, DJ Premier, DJ Muggs, Statik Selektah, Evidence, Da Beatminerz and Teddy Roxpin (Mac Miller) among others. Guest appearances on Honkey Kong include Xzibit, Slaine, Vinnie Paz, Esoteric, Ill Bill, Celph Titled, Action Bronson, General Steele (Smif N Wessun) and Mad Lion.

Rymes: Best Hip Hop Single of the Decade #20-11

#20 Devin the Dude - "What a Job (ft. Snoop Dogg and Andre 3000) [2007]

Devin and Snoop do their thing speaking of the behind the scenes shit that goes into making music. But my God does 3 stacks go off on that last verse. Verses from Benjamin Andre were few and far between towards the end of the decade, but all of them were absolutely spectacular as this one.

#19 Nas - "One Mic" [2001]

Few songs and videos are as powerful as Mr. Jones' 2nd single off of Stillmatic. This and "Hate me Now" were my introduction to the God Son emcee.

#18 Atmosphere - "Guarantees" [2008]

One of the best songs off of one of the best albums of the decade. Sean Daley doe shis damn thing speaking of blue collared struggles over amazing guitar playing by Nate Collis. ONe of my favorite atmosphere songs ever.
#17 Dilated Peoples - "This Way ft Kanye West" [2004]

Damn I miss backpack rap Kanye. This song was an introduction to one of my favorite west coast acts, Dilated Peoples and Evidence. One of my fav Kanye productions ever.

#16 Gangstarr - "Rite Where You Stand (ft Jadakiss)" [2003]

One of my fav Primo joints ever, 'kiss and Guru deliever incredible verses over my introduction to that gritty NY boom bap hip hop.

#15 SunN.Y. - "Soul of a Hustler" [2005]

Now this is an incredible song from an artist who i've never heard from again. He was signed to so so def in 05 but his album was never released, which is a damn shame becuase few emcees can hold down a 5 minute song with just straight spitting and no hook. This song is just as amazingly jaw dropping today as it was half a decade ago.

#14 Hi-Tek - "Music is for Life (ft Nas & Common)[2006]

Nas blacks out on one of hi-teks best beats ever. I prefer hi-teks original verse on this song that was on the demo version of the song, but Common is also excellent on this track.

#13 Lupe Fiasco - "Kick, Push" [2006]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gl83mI69nX4
Lupe's debut single was an instant classic, a smooth lush beat provided soundtrakk. Lupe's introduction to the world came at a perfect time, where D4L was dominating the airwaves and nas claim hip hop's demise, lupe brought lyricism back to the forefront of mainstream hip hop.

#12 Jay Electronica - "Exhibit C" [2009]

Similarly what Lupe did 3 years earlier, Jay Electhannekkuh has had the internet going insane during the final weeks of the decade. This being the newest single on the list, its difficult to place exactly where this song belongs in the list, but few songs that I can remember have had as much impact as this just blaze production.

#11 CunninLynguists - "Mexico" [2007]

This song is just a masterpiece. Off of one of the best albums of the decade, released as a digi-single, songs like these make me wonder why arent the 'Lynguists all over MTV and selling a million records. Its a damn shame, maybe in a different era, they would be the most acclaimed group of a generation, but in this decade, they are underground's special little secret.

Rhymes: Top 50 hip hop singles of the decade (50-41)

So I decided to compile the top 50 Hip Hop singles of the past decade (there's just too much rock and other genres that I havent heard so it would be unfair for me to do a ranking of those genres), heres the criteria:
- Must be released from 2000-2009
- Must be a Single (VLS,CDS, Digi-Single) or have an official music video made for it
- Must be released by a hip hop artist and there must be mostly rapping on the record (no autotune singing shit)
- Must be on my iTunes library (sorry for those who I havent heard, but my library consists of 9289 songs currently)
- Must have a strong personal influence

and with that being said...

#50 Twista - "Overnight Celebrity" [2004]
[Video Not Found, Thanks YouTube]
Well you all know it, one of 2004s biggest hits, a classic Kanye beat.

#49 Dilated Peoples - "Worst Comes to Worst" [2001]

The trio from the left coast's most famous hit (until they collabed with a certain chi-town producer)

#48 Erick Sermon - "Relentless" [2004]

I could've very well gone with 2001's classic "Music" but this is the song is what introduced me to the green eye'd bandit and it's straight rapping, no hook, which i've always had a soft spot for.

#47 Jake One - "The Truth (ft. Freeway and Brother Ali) [2008]

The Seattle beatsmith brought together two of the fiercest emcees on this hard hitting production. Who comes better? my vote goes to Ali, but Free wasn't a slouch on this by any means.

#46 B.o.B - "I'll Be in the Sky" [2008]

Bobby Ray is easily the least prolific artist on the list, but he certainly isnt the least talented. This song is undeniable, and is a personal classic. As for Mr. Ray's future? only time will tell, his debut album will be released (hopefully) this April.

#45 Substantial - "It's You (I Think)" [2009]

Stan has given the QN5 label its first major air-play with this kno laced track.

#44 Wu Tang Clan - "The Heart Gently Weeps" [2007]

The come back single from the almighty Wu, while 8 diagrams wasn't as great as many would hope this song was fantastic. Ms. Badu on the chorus and George Harrison's son playing guitar. And Rae, Ghost and Mr. Mef bring it home. Classic Wu.

#43 Wyclef Jean - "Sweetest Girl (ft. Akon and Lil Wayne)

This almost broke my must-have-rapping-on-it rule, but lil wayne saves the day (Whaaa?), but seriously this is one of those songs i could hear a million times and not get sick of. I dont know why I love it so much, its just a damn good song.

#42 Da Ranjahz - "Inspiration (ft Cee-Lo)[2003]

This is the only song I know from this horribly named group, but this primo-produced track is a personal classic.

#41 Jay-Z - "Song Cry" [2001]

Here is the best single released from 2001's blueprint (how was heart of the city not released as a single???).