Many (meaning a few people on the internet) point to the new millennium as the end of real hip hop. Even though rap isn't what it was in the '90's, a great amount of quality hip hop has come out in the 2000s, even if you don't want to admit it. Here are what I felt have been the top 25 songs of this millennium to this point.
25. Masta Ace- No Regrets
Masta Ace's "Disposable Arts" is one of a select few post-2000 releases I consider classic. From the reminiscent lyrics to the David Axelrod, "Next Episode" sample, this song is perfect to round off the album.
24. Slum Village Feat. Kanye West- Selfish
Kanye's presence and soulful production on this song gave SV some mainstream notoriety. It is one of the few songs for the ladies that I actually fuck with, and I gotta admit that I even like John Legends vocals on the chorus.
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23. G-Unit- Hate It or Love It (G-Unit Remix)
This was good the first time around, but when the whole crew got in on it it was a wrap. This also earns extra point for being a great song and also being extremely popular (although technically that was the original).
22. Marco Polo Feat. Masta Ace- Nostalgia
The top song of 2007 as selected by me. Masta Ace takes it back over Marco's perfect, laid back production.
21. Cunninlynguists Feat. Masta Ace- Seasons
This Masta Ace thing is one of the many weird patterns on this list but thats just how it came out. The concept and the beat on this are pretty fucking genius.
20. De La Soul Feat. MF Doom- Rock Co. Kane Flow
Jake One's beat on this is probably one of the most brilliant examples of production this millennium. De La and Doom drop some crazy, off the wall shit to top it off.
19. Jadakiss- We Gonna Make It
Here's another one that, at a time, was pretty popular. This remains both Alchemist's and Jada's master work as far as I'm concerned.
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18. Ghostface Killah- Shakey Dog
The horn blasts and Ghost's incomparable story telling kick of '06's Fishscale with a bang. It's too bad that energy was unmatched the rest of the album.
17. Scarface feat. Jay-Z & Beanie Sigel- Guess Who's Back?
This one is really more like a Roc-A-Fella song with Scarface on it, which in 2002 was a pretty god damn good idea. This is probably one of Kanye's best beats ever and Jay and Scarface make for a classic collabo.
16. Jay-Z- Allure
As much as it makes me cringe to say this, this is sort of like the new millennium "Dead Presidents". In my opinion, this is the best Pharrell beat ever, partly for how perfectly it matches the theme of the song. Plus, you can never go totally wrong with Jay-Z rapping about selling drugs and shit.
15. The Game- Dreams
To me, this is The Game's best song, but only for its musical value since his quality of rapping doesn't vary much from song to song. I've got a lot of Kanye beats on here, but you'll notice all of them date back at least like 4-5 years ago.
14. AZ- The Come Up
A dream collaboration, Premo and AZ. This was the best song of 2005 unless I'm leaving something out.
13. Fabolous- Breathe
This was the song Fabolous was born to make, a true street classic about how great he is and shooting people and whatnot. It could probably be argued that Just Blaze hasn't matched this quality since then also.
12. Jay-Z- Public Service Announcement
Unless, you count this, but I don't know which came first. Just Blaze flips the Black Moon beat to perfection and Jay-Z shuts it down. The defining moment of "The Black Album" for me.
11. Cormega Feat. Large Professor- The Come Up
This one is a little too brief considering how good it is, but it is the best song by by Cormega, who himself is basically a post-2000 artist. This hits hard even by Large Professor standards.
10. Mos Def- Brooklyn
The way the beat switches up on this is great because its like three Brooklyn anthems wrapped into one.
9. Mos Def- Mathematics
Another classic off of Black on Both Sides. The concept really sells this song, but Premo kills it on the beat and cuts.
8. M.O.P.- Ante Up
Before their wasted years at Roc-A-Fella and currently G-Unit, M.O.P. had this groundbreaker. If this song doesn't make you want to punch someone in the face, none will. That's really the best way to judge an M.O.P. song anyway, isn't it?
7. Royce Da 5'9"- Boom
So far, I'd have to say Royce's career is sort of a bust, given just how good he can be, but he did have a few shining moments. Most of them came with the help of DJ Premier, who blessed him on this.
6. Nas- 2nd Childhood
This is probably the most brilliant thing Nas or DJ Premier has done this millennium. The beat is so smooth and Nas' story telling is pure genius. See people, these are the kind of Nas songs that are "deep", not some racial, political propaganda nonsense.
5. Ghostface- Mighty Healthy
Every line Ghost spits on this is a quotable, even the intro is classic. And try to keep your head still listening to this.
4. Nas- You're Da Man
Two amazing verses over Large Professor's best beat since, what, "Halftime"? Just a classic song, best off of Stillmatic.
3. Nas- Thief's Theme
It was hard to decide between this and the last one, but "Thief's Theme" is just so badass it tough to go against it. It's incredible no one used this sample before 2005 or whatever, but Salaam Remi flipped it in the gulliest way possible as opposed to "Hip Hop is Dead" which is just plain gay.
2. Ghostface Killah- Apollo Kids
Given my preference for big time production, its improbable that my #2 song of this millennium was done by a no name (Hassan, for what its worth). Regardless, this is fucking epic, and Ghostface goes in as usual.
1. Jay-Z- Heart of the City (Ain't No Love)
What's better than Jay-Z talking down to some haters over the most over the top, wanton, genius Kanye beat ever. Nothing, at least not in this millennium.
Look out for a "Best of the Millennium" mix with some of these songs and some others I left off.
