My Top 10 Hip Hop Songs of 2017 (So Far) + Honorable Mentions

It's time for My top 10 hip hop songs of 2017 (so far)

Time FLIES By

It's already MIDYEAR List Season. Yes, 2017 is already halfway dead and gone. And as we approach the 2nd half of the year, I want to reflect on what the year has given me so far in Hip Hop Music and more. These are my top 10 songs of 2017 (so far).

As always...we must start with the honorable mentions (there are 2) for this mid year list.

HONORABLE MENTION #1...

HONORABLE MENTION #1: 2 Chainz - 4 AM (feat. Travis Scott)

My custom made cover art for the song "4 AM" by 2 Chainz & Travis Scott

There's no real, deep, philosophical reason I like this song. It's just...and I hate saying this, but it's true. The song is just a vibe for me.

The beat is a detuned piano that is all too easy to get lost in as 2 Chainz spits about his memories and accomplishments while recording this song at (you guessed it) 4 AM. Travis Scott handles hook duty and he does it pretty well. Travis knows where to place an ad-lib.

Once again, nothing grandiose, deep or even conscious about it. I simply love the beat and the voices that go over the production. Good song through and through.

"4 AM" is just something you can have on in the background during the night time. Like a drug-induced, midnight lullaby.

Recommended To You If You Like: Songs with a drug-like, "vibe" type atmosphere.

Suggested To You If You Like Artists Like: Gucci Mane, Future, Young Thug, Rick Ross, Juicy J, T.I.

Listen to "4 AM" by 2 Chainz & Travis Scott here

HONORABLE MENTION #2: Vince Staples - Big Fish

Official single art for "Big Fish" by Vince Staples 

In 2017, Vince has returned with the album called the "Big Fish Theory" and the lead single, conveniently titled "Big Fish" has also flowed into my playlist. 

The song "Big Fish" finds Vince rhyming introspectively over ostentatious, bass heavy production with a hint of the sound of water dripping mixed within the beat. Juicy J handles hook duty and it's a pretty standard Juicy J hook.

But what makes this record stand out to me is how effortlessly Vince's flow merges with the beat. It's like he was born to rhyme on "Big Fish". It's great.

Now, if only the production on here was similar to say, the rest of "Big Fish Theory" maybe I wouldn't have felt a type of way about the album. But more on that later.

Recommended To You If You Like: Danceable, modern production that still has meaningful lyrics.

Suggested To You If You Like Artists Like: Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, Earl Sweatshirt , ScHoolboy Q, Casey Veggies

Listen to "Big Fish" by Vince Staples here

Written by Joseph Sanker II on 7/9/17.

And now...on to the Top 10 Hip Hop songs of 2017 (so far)

#10. Mike Will Made It - Razzle Dazzle (feat. Future)

Artwork for "Razzle Dazzle" by Mike Will Made It & Future

Mike Will Made it is a producer and really just provided the beat for Future to rap on. This write up on "Razzle Dazzle" will focus mainly on Future's performance on the song.

I'm surprised this song wasn't released as a big single or anything (especially since "Where Ya At" w/ Drake got play on the radio).

Future is honest to god rapping, and he's rapping about a lot of real, relatable situations. These situations include his little sister with sickle cell calling him, saying she loves him or Future expressing his disdain for interviews in the second verse.

All of this is accompanied by a nice, hype, pulsating beat that keeps Future's flow busy and fast.

Recommend To You If You Like: Future's older, more rap-centric sound. Or if you like today's  more modern Metro Boomin type beat selection.

Suggested To You If You Like Artists Like: Migos, Young Thug, Rick Ross, Drake, Gucci Mane

Listen to "Razzle Dazzle" by Future & Mike Will Made It here

#9. Flatbush ZOMBiES - Babel

Soundcloud artwork found with "Babel" by Flatbush ZOMBiES

 Replay value is probably my number 1 factor in determining my top 10 anything (especially music).

With "Babel", a song by Flatbush ZOMBiES, the production includes this peaceful, heavenly, harp string that just speaks to my soul. If you've ever seen that one looney tunes episode where Bugs Bunny turns into a cross dressing opera singer. You would know the music used in that episode was AMAZING. And that's what "Babel" by Flatbush ZOMBiES reminds me of.

A nice, orchestral like, but still banging, hypnotic beat with the ZOMBiES rhyming about what they know best...which is telling the listener about opening your mind, psychedelic drugs, and keeping it real with yourself.

*Quick Note* 

Meechy Darko's verse was cut off from this song because, according to Darko himself, he was being "too graphic" (which is complete BS, please recall the song "Death 2" from the Better Off Dead Mixtape where Meechy Darko stated and I quote "I crack your fucking skull and use it as a bowl for cereal") 

Now, THAT'S what I call "graphic". Makes me wonder...what in the world was he saying on "Babel" then?). Still, I'm DYING to hear Meech rap a full verse on this song. He just does a crummy little outro that's still good, but still too short for my tastes.

*End Note*

Regardless, this is still a top 10 song of 2017 for me (so far). This year hasn't been that impressive for me so far in terms of hip hop. (And I made it a habit to listen to at least one new music project per day.)

Recommended To You If You Like: Laid back, harp strings in your hip hop records with a dash of DMT, psychedelic talk.

Suggested To You If You Like Artists Like: Joey Bada$$, The Underachievers, Kirk Knight, Danny Brown, Nyck Caution, CJ Fly

Listen to "Babel" by Flatbush ZOMBiES here 

#8. Rick Ross - Santorini Greece

Custom artwork provided by yours truly (Joseph Sanker II)

Rick Ross has never been a "Lyrical, Miracle, Spiritual" lyricist. If you're looking for that. Skip this song and move on to the next one. Ross is more of a "talk to you, but, I just so happen to be rapping at the time artists" (See: Jay Z). And on "Santorini Greece", his seniority in the young man's world of hip hop is put on display for all to see and boy does it not disappoint.

Recommended To You If You Like: Gorgeously layered and lavish production, coupled with a gruff, gangster sounding voice that brings some good level of engagement in terms of the content being rapped about.

Like all that? Then this song is for you. As said in my Rick Ross review in VVV- Vol. 2. Ross uses luxury and vivid kingpin imagery to invoke an engaged listen, and boy did it work for me!

Suggested To You If You Like Artists Like: Jay Z, Meek Mill, 2 Chainz, Lil Wayne, Drake, Big Sean

Listen to "Santorini Greece" by Rick Ross here

#7. Maxo Kream - Grannies

Official cover art for "Grannies" by Maxo Kreaam

Maxo Kream deserves your attention...and for good reason too. Maxo's vivid storytelling, contagious flow and overall lyricism have allowed him to have made the 7th best hip hop song of 2017 (so far).

In his track "Grannies", Maxo gets introspective for a second. Reminiscing on the poverty and the trouble he was in at an early age in addition to how his grannies were always there to support him, even if they didn't necessarily agree with his choices. There's a constant bouncy flow that Maxo uses on top of the beat that is "Can't help but nod your head" catchy

Recommended To You If You Like: A southern artist whose beats are booming yet still keeps a higher degree of lyricism than most of the newer rappers of today.

Suggested To You If You Like Artists Like: Denzel Curry, Cousin Stizz, Vince Staples, Da$H, Joey Bada$$

Listen to "Grannies" by Maxo Kream here

#6. BROCKHAMPTON - Cash       

Custom artwork for BROCKHAMPTON's "CASH" done by Yours Truly (Joseph Sanker II)

Brockhampton, a musical collective of people who met on a Kanyetothe forum, embody the whole "woe is me, no one understands me, does anyone else feel that the world is unfair?" motif...BUT 

On the song "Cash" however, the musical misfits take on a more political stance. Each member of the song tackles social issues in short yet potent verses over a very gorgeous beat that combines elements of indie rock and hip hop together.

"Cash" is what happens when being unique pays off cause the production really does sound like a successful fusion of the rap/rock genre.

Recommended To You If You Like: Guitar driven production like the song "Lose Yourself" by Eminem or if you enjoy when more meaningful lyrics about society at large are at the front and center of a song.

Suggested To You If You Like Artists Like: Open Mike Eagle, Danny Brown, Busdriver, clipping., Tyler, The Creator

Listen to "Cash" by BROCKHAMPTON here

#5. Westside Gunn - 100,000 Machine Gunz (feat. Royce Da 5'9" & Conway)

Custom artwork once again, provided by the author of this article (Joseph Sanker II)

On "Hitler On Steroids", the latest mixtape from the Buffalo native, Westside Gunn continues his winning streak. Employing the help of Detroit's own Royce Da 5'9" and his usual partner-in-crime Conway. Gunn experiments with different flows over a unique yet still gangster instrumental provided by DJ Green Latern. 

When Gunn says "JEWELRY HANG GLISTEN" that's when I get buck. I can't help but rap along, by switching up their flows, unexpectedly, on this track, Gunn and Conway prove they aren't one trick ponies. They are, in fact, versatile as well.

Listen to this song and you'll see what I'm talking about. Great song in my book.

Recommended To You If You Like: Gritty, New York City, Mafioso type gangster raps to laidback, "classy" sounding beats.

Suggested To You If You Like Artists Like: Roc Marciano, Skyzoo, Your Old Droog, Action Bronson, Mayhem Lauren, Sean Price, Smoke DZA

Listen to "100,000 Machine Gunz" by Westside Gunn here

Written by Joseph Sanker II in July 2017.

#4. Jay Z - Adnis

Do I gotta keep saying it? CUSTOM ARTWORK DONE BY YA BOY JOE ONCE AGAIN!!

This isn't a turn up song, this isn't a laid back, sit down and chill song. It's simply poetry and lyrical therapy to a rhythm with a beat guiding it.

Sometimes, less is more, and Jay has proven that it doesn't matter how many bells and whistles you have in your production, it's up to the ARTIST who's performing with the instrumental to figure out how to best use it.

And yes, "4:44" review is coming soon, but don't expect it like anytime in the next month or 2.

Recommended To You If You Like: When lyrics are HEAVILY emphasized and rappers use the production as a sort of catharsis for airing out whatever demons they may have within them.

Suggested To You If You Like Artists Like: Kanye West, Eminem, J. Cole, Meek Mill, Dr. Dre, Kendrick Lamar, Drake

Unfortunately, the only legal way to listen to "Adnis" by Jay Z is if you purchase a physical copy of the album "4:44" because that's the only place (as of 7/13/17) where "Adnis" is available so...here's a link to Amazon.com to purchase the physical copy of the album.

Written by Joseph Sanker II on 7/13/17

#3. Future - Sorry

Didn't make this cover, but it is edited by me (Joseph Sanker II) 

I would NOT put the same artist on here TWICE without good reason. This is a top 5 Future song EVER. Right up there with "Codeine Crazy" and "March Madness".

On the 7 minute long "Sorry", Future reflects on his life and becomes a strange mix of introspective yet boastful. Music is therapy and on "Sorry", Future is letting his demons loose with lyrics like

"Sold crack to a pregnant lady, forgive me for the crack baby"

Or

"Addy got me daydreamin', hope I ain't goin' insane"

It's these little personal admissions of guilt and vulnerability to a detuned piano trap beat that make the song great for me. Even though the song is 7 minutes, I STILL had the song on repeat, it's that good of a song and honestly, doesn't feel like it's 7 minutes long.

I didn't even mention the multiple flow changes, the boasts or the hook. That's because I already reviewed "HNDRXX" and that review you can check out here.

Recommended To You If Like: The rare time where an ostentatious rapper stops being invincible for a second and starts being real with himself and his audience.

Suggested To You If You Like Artists Like: Drake, Young Thug, Lil Uzi Vert, Migos, Ty Dolla $ign

Listen to "Sorry" by Future here.

#2. Freddie Gibbs - 20 Karat Jesus

Artwork is literally just a zoomed in version of the cover to Freddie's latest project haha, sorry no custom artwork here.

I swear, beat switches in rap songs are like a cheat code. Going from the downtrodden, heavy bass, drug peddler themed first half, to the "OMG is that YOU, JESUS?" themed second half is downright unfair cause that formula is almost guaranteed to work.

BUUUUUUUUUT...if it ain't broke, don't fix it. After spending nearly all of 2016 fighting a false rape accusation, Freddie comes back with a vengeance.

If you've ever had a victory of any sort, whether it'd be big or small, the second half of this song will take you back to that exact moment. The gospel-like background vocals in the second half of the song can breathe life into the dead. Also, I don't know if this is on purpose, but Freddie's voice picks up in the most awesome way. 

Definitely check out this song and the rest of only "You Only Live 2wice", in addition to checking out my review of it here.

Recommended To You If You Like: A song that gradually goes from death to life in the most awesome way.

Suggested To You If You Like Artists Like: Young Jeezy, Big K.R.I.T., Jay Rock, Action Bronson, 2Pac

Listen to "20 Karat Jesus" by Freddie Gibbs here.

AND NOW...my number 1 hip hop song of the year 2017 (so far) isssssss.....

DRUM ROLL PLEASE...

  

#1. Kendrick Lamar - PRIDE.

Not my cover art but it is a dope cover art nonetheless

All things considered, I truly do think Kendrick is the greatest of the post-2010 generation of rappers. The man just. Doesn't. MISS. Every time, he comes back with something different. His streak is wild and unending. And you know what? I want him to be the one. When "To Pimp a Butterfly" dropped, that confirmed to me that Kendrick was truly on a different level.

All Kendrick really needs right now, if I'm being honest, is one good diss track toward a rapper who is doing well in the rap game. I want Big Sean or whoever is at Sean's level, popularity wise, to mention Kendrick by name or at least make a reference that's undeniably referring to Kendrick like Drake did in "For Free". 

Then I want Kendrick to come back on some "Takeover", "Ether", "No Vaseline" type energy and OBLITERATE the competition. 

That's what I want. All the greats like Jay Z, Eminem, Nas and more have had their diss/beef moments on record, why not add Kendrick to that list?

Anyway, I already said what I had to say about "PRIDE." in my "DAMN." review. Go read that, it's track 7.

Recommended To You If You Like: Slower, psychedelic influenced hip hop with a beautiful, soaring, singing chorus.

Suggested To You If You Like Artists Like: J. Cole, A$AP Rocky, Kanye West, Big Sean, Drake, ScHoolboy Q, Jay Z

Listen to "PRIDE." by Kendrick Lamar here

Written by Joseph Sanker II on 7/15/17.

Yeah, so thanks for reading (or skipping) to the end of this top 10 list. I appreciate it. Going to be writing shorter posts like this. Trying to perfect the art of editing.

If I could get paid for this, that'd be awesome. But for now, it's just for fun. Maybe one day.

Anyway, lookout for whatever else I decide to post.

Peace

~ Joe