[VIDEO] 2013 Hip-hop, R&B Lists

 Breaking down our 2013 hip-hop and R&B year-end lists.

Favorites Verses & Songs of 2013

UNDERSTAND, THESE VERSES AND SONGS ARE OUR FAVORITES FROM 2013, NOT NECESSARILY WHAT WE CONSIDER TO BE THE BEST (UNLESS SAID OTHERWISE)

LAWRENCE'S FAVORITE TRACKS OF 2013

@L_reels919

1. Kanye West- "Black Skinhead" (Yeezus) - Kanye + Daft Punk = MAGIC. For a rapper to rap his ass off on a trance rock sounding track is amazing. For it to be this good is flat out brilliant.

2. Drake- "Hold On, We’re Going Home" (Nothing Was The Same) - The fact that he can do this is incredible. As close to a perfect song as it gets. Shouts to Majid Jordan.

3. James Blake- "Retrograde" (Overgrown) - Some of the best lyrics + production I’ve ever heard. James does not miss very often. This track is fucking awesome.

4. Disclosure feat. Jessie Ware- "Confess to Me" (Settle) - This embodied 2013’s most overused phrase “Turn Up”.

5. Chance The Rapper- "Pusha Man" (Acid Rap) - The first half of this song display lyrical prowess; the second half is as powerful a perspective ive heard in rap this year while still being really fucking good.

6. Partynextdoor- "TBH" (PARTYNEXTDOOR) - He flexed hard on this joint. Great ballad wish it was way longer. (pause)

7. Beyonce feat. Drake- "Mine" (Beyonce) - I know it’s early, but the amount of times I’ve listened to this song is sickening. Gets the nod based on volume.

8. Travi$ Scott feat. A$AP Ferg- "Uptown" (Owl Pharoah) - Credits should also say featuring Wonda Gurl who made this monstrous beat. I don’t think any trap track really fucked with this one here.

9. Daft Punk- "Get Lucky" (Random Access Memories) - I mean… Come on

10. Robin Thicke- "Blurred Lines" (Blurred Lines) - See #9

LAWRENCE'S FAVORITE VERSES OF 2013

1. Kendrick Lamar - "Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe Remix"- Verse 2- Nobody rapped this well in 2013.. NOBODY

2. Drake- "Versace" - I almost don’t wont to put this because of the stolen flow but Migos couldn’t have done this in their wildest dreams.

3. Earl Sweatshirt- "PRE" (Doris)- “Im a problem to n*ggas”

4. Jay Z - "Beach is Better" (MCHG) - Quick spaz Hov

5. "Pusha Man"- (Acid Rap) - Chance the Rapper- Verse 3- Social spazzing

6. BET Cypher- Kendrick Lamar- Ask Marley about that conviction.

7. Jodeci Freestyle- J. Cole- Yes Cole, this is what we want.

8. "On Sight"- (Yeezus) - Verse 1- No one did this other than Ye this year.

9. "Numbers on the Boards" (MNIMN) - Pusha T- Verse 1- “Might have to headbutt ya evelynnnn.. BALLERS”

10. "Control"- Kendrick Lamar- Certainly not his best verse but maybe his most important. Our kids will talk about that Control verse. 

MARTIN'S FAVORITE TRACKS OF 2013
@marley_mcfly

Wale feat. Sam Dew: “LoveHate Thing” (The Gifted)

Between the Marvin Gaye sample and Dew’s vocals it stuck with me. I really enjoyed bumping this in the car last summer, for soul.

Robin Thicke feat. T.I. & Pharrell: “Blurred Lines” (Blurred Lines)

“Everybody get up”. Too much bass. Too much funk. Robin snapping. Best song of 2013.

Deptford Goth: “Feel Real” (Life After Defo)

Fell in love with this when I saw him and his experimental choir do this in an empty church (watch here). Still can’t get enough.

Kanye West: “New Slaves” (Yeezus)

The projection; the message; the riot.

Nipsey Hussle feat. Sade & James Fauntleroy: "If U Were Mine" (Crenshaw)

You can't sample Sade like this and not be on my list.

MARTIN'S FAVORITE VERSES OF 2013

Jay Z – “Beach is Better” (MCHG)

I could care less how short it was. What 44-year-old man do you know that can trap like this with Mike Will? I literally resonate with the Darby/1 Oak bar and the Richard Pryor reference was just.... UGH.

Earl Sweatshirt – “PRE” (Doris)

One of my favorite Earl verses ever. SK brings him in proper, and Earl comes in and absolutely eats from jump with that continual, tangled flow. “Pop artillery the carbon is with ‘em/STARVIN’ to hit em”

Drake – “PMM2” (Nothing Was The Same)

This was one of the attitude moments on the album. The transition from “Pound Cake” is phenomenal and the background chatter provides the perfect kind of banquet hall context for Drake to enter, “Fuck all that happy to be here shit that y’all want me on…” Peep how he keeps the list going from, “Like I should fall in line” for several bars. You have to feel him on this one.

Issa Gold – “Melody of the Free” (Lords of Flatbush)

I never forgot about this verse all year. Issa Gold has the second verse and is clearly “fueled by prophecy” when he spits gritty and uplifting over choral segments.

Kendrick Lamar – “BET Cypher Freestyle”

I don’t believe that anyone else in rap right now could have made me feel like a student in class while pacing around and pointing in the camera with such conviction and forthrightness the way Kendrick Lamar did on this verse. Lord have mercy.

Nicki Minaj – “I B On Dat” (Dreamchasers 3)

Not the first time Nicki had my favorite verse on another rapper’s song, but the fact of the matter is I mobbed out to this trap-studded flow too many times in the club last year to not show her love when she lets the semi off like this.

[NEW MUSIC] Drake - "Trophies" (prod. Hit-Boy)

Here's the song the people have been waiting for from Drizzy. 

- Martin S. @marley_mcfly

Drake - Trophies (Prod. By Hit-Boy) [CDQ]

[NEW MUSIC] Future feat. Juicy J & Drake - "Sh!t (Remix)"

My Lord. The long awaited remix to Future's recent frantic cut produced by Mike Will Made It features added Juicy J ad libs for drama, and a vintage trap flow verse from Drizzy Graham. Hit the jump for that new heat.

- Martin S. @marley_mcfly

[POLL] Best hip-hop projects of 2013 (so far)

Alas, we've reached the cumulative period of reflection. This is our second annual "Best of's" campaign, and as we start to look back on arguably the most progressive year in hip-hop history, we want your input. In the poll below, check off all of your top hip-hop projects so far from this year, meaning as many as you want. If you don't see a project you think deserves recognition, by all means, make your case for it in the comments so we don't overlook it. Also understand our list will DEFINITELY include projects that are not in this poll.

If you dare to be even more active in the process, or just enjoy talking hip-hop, follow us on our SPREECAST channel where we'll dialogue at the end of every week this month about how our best hip-hop projects of 2013 list is being constructed.

Which are your TOP Hip-Hop projects (so far) this year?
	Chance the Rapper - 'Acid Rap'
	Eminem - 'Marshall Mathers LP2'
	A$AP Rocky - 'LongLiveA$AP'
	Killer Mike & El-P - 'Run The Jewels'
	Big Sean - 'Hall of Fame'
	Big KRIT - 'King Remembered in Time'
	Wale - 'The Gifted'
	2 Chainz - 'B.O.A.T.S II'
	Jay Z - 'Magna Carta Holy Grail'
	Kanye West - 'Yeezus'
	Tyler, the Creator - 'Wolf'
	J. Cole - 'Born Sinner'
	Mac Miller - 'Watching Movies With The Sound Off'
	Pusha T - 'My Name is My Name'
	Danny Brown - 'Old'
	Drake - 'Nothing Was The Same'
	Earl Sweatshirt - 'Doris'
	Meek Mill - 'Dreamchasers 3'
	Joey Bada$$ - 'Summer Knights'
	DJ Khaled - 'Suffering from Success'
	Action Bronson - 'Blue Chips 2'
	Juicy J - 'Stay Trippy'
	A$AP Ferg - 'Trap Lord'
	Travis Scott - 'Owl Pharoah'
	Kid Cudi - 'Indicud'
	French Montana - 'Excuse My French'
	Nipsey Hussle - 'Crenshaw'
	Tech N9ne - 'Something Else'
	Ace Hood - 'Trials & Tribulations'
	OTHER
pollcode.com free polls

NEW MUSIC- Timbaland feat. Jay Z & Drake- "Know About Me"

Timbo previewed this song a few weeks ago at a show and now he has finally dropped the song in its entirety. This formula is what dreams are made of. Enjoy

Kendrick Lamar - 2013 BET Cypher (VIDEO)

We anxiously awaited last night's airing of the BET Hip-Hop Awards since the clip of Kendrick Lamar's segmented jab at Drake was leaked from this cypher. Kendrick stood amongst his TDE affiliates and pierced into the camera with an angry-parent pointed finger and chilling conviction, reminding us of his lyrical prowess and sheer attack. This is just Kendrick's two-minute spot, still edited, still food. 

                                          

NEW MUSIC: Terrace Martin - "From Time"

I keep telling people this man is our generation's Quincey Jones and I still feel like people don't understand. Terrace Martin does a jazz cover of Drake's "From Time" record, replacing the vocals with his saxophone. You're welcome.

- Martin S. @marley_mcfly

Timbaland Premiers New Jay Z X Drake Collab on Magna Carta Tour (VIDEO)

Timbo is on tour with Jay and while at their stop in Birmingham, England, Timb took the opportunity of the platform to preview a song rumored to be on his upcoming Shock Value III album featuring Hov himself and his Pound Cake collaborator Drake. I don't know about you, but anything involving the two of them has my immediate attention. Hit the jump to see the video.

-L.Reels @L_Reels919

Kendrick Lamar Sends Shots At "Sensitive Rapper" in BET Cyper Freestyle (VIDEO)

So... I don't know about you but if this isn't just us hyping ourselves up, we have one hell of a battle on our hands. Quite literally, nothing has really been the same in hip-hop since K.Dot's Control verse surfaced and he is doing his damnedest to make sure everyone knows it. Since the list heard round the world, Drake has not been quiet about not enjoying Kendrick's competitive sentiment (see CRWN interview and verse one of "The Language"). Seems like Kendrick is serious about this. Hit the jump to check out the clip of Kendrick's (believed) shots back at Drake at the soon air BET Hip-Hop Awards (October 15).

-L.Reels @L_Reels919

                                         

Justin Timberlake feat. Drake - "Cabaret"

Newest drop from JT's 20/20 Experience sequel set to release this week. This one features Mr. OVO himself and that bouncy Timbaland production. 

Drake - 'Nothing Was the Same' (LEAK)

CLICK HERE FOR DOWNLOAD

(who knows how long it will be up!)

Recommended: Majid Jordan - 'afterhours'

You may or may not remember the name from Drake's recent release, "Hold On We're Going Home". The duo consists of Majid Al Maskati and Jordan Ullman out of Toronto, Ontario, and according to Drake, the latest members of the OVO Sound Imprint. Majid is the singer and Jordan is the producer. 

Their sound has that OVO downtempo feel, and their talents are vast. "Give Me A Reason (For Lovin' You)" is club worthy, "Chill Pad Deluxe" has an acoustic serenity, "Far Away" relieves vocals with the same trance production that courses throughout the project. Groove out to the rhythmic instrumentations in "Hold Tight" or "Tea and Coffee". I hope you enjoy this mood of music as much as I do. Check out the stream below.

The Weeknd feat. Drake - "Live For"

See if you like this new drop from The Weeknd and Drake, set for his 'Kiss Land' album coming September 10th. 

Drake - "Hold on We're Going Home"

This new drop from Drake comes after the insane antics at his OVO Fest in Toronto last night, where his hometown was graced by special guests including Kanye West, A$AP Rocky, Miguel, Big Sean, J. Cole, TLC, and more. This cut features vocalist Majid Jordan and the sometimes undervalued R&B Drake, but I'm not sure the flow of this softer record could be recognized as any less than vintage Drake. Check out the audio below:

Drake feat. 2 Chainz & Big Sean - "All Me"

New Drake single just hit the wire. New flows. Key Wane production. Aziz Ansari comedy cameo. 2 Chainz. Big Sean. 'Nothing Was The Same' September 17th. 

On Notice: Party Next Door - 'PARTYNEXTDOOR'

Our WHAT WE HEAR team would like to divert your attention to one of the freshest R&B installments so far this year. The 19-year-old Canada native and OVO Sound member released his first full project at the top of this month, consisting of ten songs that display a wide range of suave textures, vocal valiance and versatility, and a generally unique style. "Welcome to The Party" makes a delicate yet demonstrative entrance, followed by more of a gritty flow with songs like "Wild B*tches" and "Make a Mil", not without their channeled riffs and trap-esque production schemes. He's able to deliver more mellow tones on "Relax With Me" while sticking to his forward sexual innuendos. "Right Now" embellishes those vibes with the opening hook, "You can be his forever baby, but tonight you mine", following harmonious cadences and adjustable delivery throughout. 

The shadowy, mysterious sounds with reverbs and that vintage OVO Sound can make Party Next Door seem like a deliberately concocted Drake/The Weeknd blend, but this young vocalist employs his own distinct and seasoned deliveries, saxophone serenities, and assuringly genuine vocal chords. Check out my personal favorites from this self-titled project, which in my opinion, puts another OVO representative on the fore front with a full and promising repertoire.