
Honestly, most of the music I add to playlists comes from the past, as quality was higher in the analog days. Now it’s 2024. I apologize for the delay on this list, as it is time consuming to run such an important blog. I know the world awaits my coveted opinion, so this is my year-end list of the best hip-hop and rap songs of the year for 2023.
The one rule is that I am NOT including any tracks from my AOTY list, so if you want to hear some great albums, go check out my last post! Making a strong album is no easy task, but with attention spans today, I’d imagine that my readers will gravitate towards this post, especially since I’m including a fucking playlist for y’all. My sacrifice on this blog is close to that of the great Jesus that my ancestors happily and brutally murdered on the cross. Rip Jesus. So here’s the list, hope y’all like it! Also it’s in no particular order, so don’t get your panties in a bunch, cause wedgies suck.
Without delay, here are your blessings childrens:
NxWorries – Daydreaming
This song single-handedly revived Mark Zuckerberg’s image, as it was the backdrop to the video of him wakeboarding with Israel Adesanya and Alexander Volkanovski. NxWorries is one of the greatest duos ever, Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge, and their second single here after the phenomenal 2022 release “Where I Go” is equally excellent. I could listen to “Daydreaming” all day every day, though it could cause you to literally get stuck in a daydream, because that is what this song sounds like. A day dream. It was my second most played song in 2023, and I was surprised it wasn’t #1!
The Musalini, 9th Wonder, Shabazz Palaces – Cool Out
Musalini made it to my 2022 year end list for most prolific rapper(s) of 2022 and for good reason. If I did that segment again this year, Mu$ would be on the list again, as he released a ton of albums in 2023 that I haven’t even had time to fully digest yet. You gotta check him out, he’s made so much dope music. Type of music you can play at the beach, in the car, with some bad bitties at the crib, wherever. Super smooth, and this track was my favorite he dropped last year.
Draft Day – Close 2 The Sun
I honestly don’t know how I stumbled upon this masterpiece, probably Spotify’s godly algorithm, but yeah, glad I found Draft Day. Amazing beat, and Draft Day blazes it. Such a catchy track, totally a summer anthem. I’m forever tapped into this young swaggy lad. Play this while you’re getting topped off by Felicia in a cabana.
Freddie Dredd, Danny Brown – Five Nights
This might be the best track of 2023. This goddamn beat is ridiculous. As soon as Danny Brown takes the mic, this track ascends to the heavens. Perfect beat for Danny, and Danny rips it to shreds. This is one for the druggies, at least I like it when I’m high. If you’re a recovering drug addict, don’t listen to this, as it will have you grasping for the chemicals that fueled your sordid past.
Brent Faiyaz, A$AP Rocky, N3WYRKLA – Outside All Night
Brent Faiyaz dropped a pretty solid album last year, much better than his previous one. I almost put his other track “Best Time” on the list, but it’s R&B. Anyways, this track is excellent, and the A$AP Rocky verse is fun. Great track. You can play this one with a girl around too, as it’s pretty romantic, and I mean that in the most corny way possible. When A$AP asks his hypothetical girl not to fuck his friends, I felt that, as girls should not fuck the friends of their man. That’s just cruel.
Danny Brown, JPEGMafia – Tell Me Where To Go
Out of all the tracks Danny Brown has dropped since his breakout album The Hybrid, this is the one that most sounds like something Danny would’ve made in his mixtape era. Yeah Danny Brown made mixtapes, a bunch, which many so called fans have no clue about. Step your game up you fake ass fuck boy fans that act like you’re hip. You’re far from hip, but you can become hip if you follow my blog. That’s why I’m the Hip Pop Critic, I know what is hip in pop culture, even beyond hip-hop!
Danny Brown, JPEGMafia – Hermanos
I personally enjoyed the bonus tracks “Hermanos” and “Tell Me Where To Go” more than any of the songs on the phenomenal Scaring The Hoes album that they dropped in 2023. This isn’t a diss to the album at all, these tracks are just both excellent. Enjoy.
Mr. Muthafuckin eXquire – Dot Vs. Dilla
If you don’t know eXquire, which you probably don’t, then you weren’t into hip-hop in 2010-2013, but that’s ok, you might have still been swimming in your dad’s sack. eX’s 2022 album got my AOTY for 2022, as this dude is arguably the best rapper ever. I shit you not. That is if you listen to lyrics, which you probably don’t, because you’re an American and you aren’t open-minded enough or sharp enough to pay attention to lyrics. eX also has a great ear for beats, but this is a mixtape style track, with a dope concept. The concept being that in eX’s hood, people didn’t listen to Dilla, but they instead listened to D-Dot of Bad Boy P. Diddy fame. eX then raps over D-Dot beats and Dilla beats back and forth, and defends his position and calls out all of the Dilla backpack nerds, and his argument is so strong that the nerds were/are forever silenced, hopefully. After he finishes rapping, he gives a dissertation on the state of hip-hop that is brilliant. eX might also be the smartest rapper ever too. He’s a genius with words.
Kanye’s first single off Vultures 1 took a bit to grow on me admittedly, but it’s great. Some Kanye tracks take a few listens, that’s just how it is. Kanye’s so funny on here, the line he uses to prove he isn’t anti-semitic, and the the threesome line… classic Ye. Ty Dolla $ign sounds great on here too. The album was hit or miss, but decent. I just miss the days of classic Kanye albums, but those appear to be gone. Still can’t complain if I get 5-6 good to great tracks on an album, that’s better than most artists!
SwuM, GRIMM Doza, Krimelife Ca$$ – Passport
My homie is a Mexican named Jaime, so you know he’s suss, and I sent him this absolute fire track and he noted that he likes the original version of the sample, that came from a group I actually like (BADBADNOTGOOD). Of course I listened to the fool and it was a track that I didn’t remember from that album, albeit a decent one, but if you like rap, this version is 1000x better. This recco by Jaime made me demand that he come out of the closet. Anyways, back to Passport. Fire sample/beat, but the rapping is sooo good. “These ni%$#s pussy, but they barking like it’s CatDog.” For all my 90’s babies, this reference makes for one of the hardest lines ever. Have had this on replay since it dropped. Absolute flames 🔥
Robb Bank$, Tony Shhnow – Hallucinating
I was really excited when Robb Bank$ (of Raider Klan fame) and Tony Shhnow (my favorite ATL artist on the rise) announced a full-length album together, but tbh, I didn’t love their album. This single is excellent though, and instantly made it on to my most esteemed playlist when it dropped. I don’t like you if you don’t love this.
YaH-Ra, Bruiser Wolf – THE iLLEST
I’m a big fan of Bruiser Wolf, an artist that was introduced to the world by the great Danny Brown as a member of Danny’s Bruiser Brigade. Bruiser Brigade is underrated, particularly Bruiser Wolf, who is one of the most unique rappers to emerge in the last decade. He collabs with YaH-Ra on here, who is someone I didn’t know, but she sounds really nice over this great beat. Then Bruiser Wolf comes in and devours the beat, as wolfs should. Very nice track.
Babyface Ray, 42 Dugg – Ron Artest
Babyface Ray might be the rapper I hear most when I’m outside. He’s got a dope sound, but sometimes it can get repetitive, at least to me. “Ron Artest” though, this song is so replayable, and I never get bored of it. One of my favorite tracks from 2023 easily. Beat is the wave, and Babyface Ray and 42 Dugg coast on it.
The Musalini, Khrysis – Anything Goes
Another day, another great Mu$ track. Khrysis is a legendary producer in his own right, and he joins on this track he produced to rap as well. Great beat, and they both come correct. Mu$ is smart to align with Jamla Records, where he gets access to a ton of excellent producers. May the 🌊 🌊🌊 never crash.
Hit-Boy, The Alchemist – Slipping Into Darkness
When the fucking drums drop on this track I cream my pants instantly. I already did a write-up on this track in early 2023, as the music video for it absolutely blew me away. Still one of the best music videos ever. While I love the Hit-Boy beat that Alchemist raps over to kick things off, the second section of an Alc. beat with the Hit-Boy rapping isn’t as good, namely because of the Alchemist beat, which just isn’t good. Sorry he let you down Hit-Boy! Anyways, the Hit-Boy beat that kicks thing off here is amazing, and Uncle Al comes with some lyrical heat. This was a great way to kick things off in 2023.
WiFiGawd, GAWD – Hustle & Flower
WiFiGawd is an artist I’ve been following for a decent chunk of change, I think I discovered him through his collaboration with another Hip Pop Critic favorite artist Wiki. WiFiGawd makes some bangers, and this is another one in the catalog. The beat and his vocals fit like a glove. I love this song. Wish those mofos ridin’ on Harley’s downtown would slap a song like this, instead of the whack ass music they always play. This would get the block jumpin’.
Kelvin Crash, A$AP Rocky – GET A GRIP
I just love A$AP Rocky so there might be some bias here, but Rocky drops off a little one-verse wonder that is making me FE!N for his album. Been waiting for A$AP’s next LP for like 6 years now, this thing better come out in 2024!
Drakeo The Ruler – I’m The Reason
Drakeo’s first single that preceded the phenomenal Cold Day In Hell (Deluxe) album. Drakeo died in 2021, and he is still clowning rappers from the grave. He talks about how much people copied everything he’s done, as he created so many trends. Just listen to every LA rapper and even rappers in other metros like Detroit who rap over Drakeo type beats and employ similar flow. Drakeo fathered so many rappers, and it’s a shame that the leader of the movement is no longer here to lead.
Drakeo The Ruler, RONRONTHEPRODUCER – LMK Something
Drakeo is no longer here, but his long time collaborator RONRON is, so why not take some of Drakeo’s lyrics from the vault and put them on top of a RONRON banger? This sounds like classic Drakeo, as if the man is still alive. Love it. Long Live Drakeo!!!
Little Brother – Wish Me Well
I feel like I have to tell you who Little Brother is, which is sad, like people starving in third world countries sad. Little Brother is one of the greatest hip-hop groups ever, and they haven’t dropped since 2019, so when they came back in 2023 to drop a little two track effort, I got excited. “Wish Me Well” is excellent for those who love the purest form of hip-hop. Strap your backpack in for this one, or loosen it, depends on your style, which you’ll copy from someone else for the clout.
Tony Shhnow – Mind Of Da Crook
I was blazing when I found this track and I think I played it five times in a row, which is a lot for an impatient lad with severe A.D.D. I love the beat on here, and Tony absolutely kills it, with many classic lines, and a great chorus to match. This beat will embed itself into your brain with it’s little horn sound or whatever it is. I’m not a musician, I’m a writer, leave me alone.
Josef Lamercier, Niko Oroc, Huey Briss – Figure It Out
When Niko Beats and Huey Briss collaborate, I will always listen, as they always make magic together. Josef Lamercier kicks it off with an excellent chorus where he sings his ass off. This is an extremely relaxing track. I highly recommend it. Huey kills it as always. Tap into Huey Briss next time you light up a bleezy or whatever the kids call weed now.
Joey Bada$$, Statik Selektah – Life & Times
I wasn’t entirely sure if this track was worthy of the playlist, but it’s pretty nice. Classic Joey on here, and the beat is pretty darn good, as Statik Selektah has leveled up over the years. Joey waxes poetic on here, talking about life in a somewhat vague way that almost seems profound, but in some ways is just basic platitudes. You’ll probably like this one though, it’s undoubtedly good hip-hop.
A$AP Ant – Chemical Warfare
After his phenomenal 2022 album Lil Black Jean Jacket 3, I had very high expectations for his 2023 album The Postlude, which didn’t meet my impossibly high expectations. This track did though, as “Chemical Warfare” is a fucking classic. The chorus is funny/hard, and the beat is perfection. A$AP Ant is still probably my favorite discovery in the last 2-3 years. Who knew A$AP had a secret weapon that is THIS good?
Bun B, Statik Selektah, Benny The Butcher, Rome Streetz – Trillselda
Statik came with some heat here on this beat, that sounds tailor made for the feature who steals the show (Benny The Butcher). Benny rips this thing to shreds. I wish he rapped over beats like this more often. If he did, he’d probably be in my top 3, he just sounds too good over beats like this. All this is missing is a Westside Gunn and Conway The Machine verse. Griselda forever!
Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar – AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM
I’m not part of the Bey Hive per say, but I hope this song’s inclusion will preserve my blog from any future attacks from the Bey Hive. I heard they sting. Anyways, this track begins with an interesting intro, then Kendrick jumps in out of nowhere and starts spazzing AKA doing his Kendrick thing. I skip Queen Bey’s part personally, but it isn’t personal, I just love Kendrick.
Key!, Tony Shhnow – You Need God
Key! is an Atlanta legend that hails from a very dope group that I used to follow yesteryear called Two-9. Go check out Two-9 then come back to this post. Or don’t, sadly I can’t control you, but if I could I would, because people don’t know what they are doing let’s be real. Let me lead you and I will take you to the water, so that you can drink. Drink up my friends!
Travis Scott, Drake – MELTDOWN
This is honestly Drake’s song. Drake leads off with this cute lil’ whispery flow that honestly goes hard as fuck. I spelled out as fuck instead of writing af because it hits harder. When Travis comes out, the track inevitably loses some steam, but he does his best to hold it up with his tiny little body. Travis is a lil’ dude, which is ok, lots of successful people are small in stature, but large in impact. This song has like two beat changes because Travis Scott learned everything from Yeezy, from how to dress, who to date, how to rap, and also how to produce. Yet he’s inferior in every way. Kanye West > Travis Scott, and if you disagree, your IQ is low. That’s ok though, all of God’s Children have a place on this earth.
Tony Shhnow – Her Favourite
Another Tony Shhnow song? Yup. Dude’s one of the most prolific artists out today. He drops so many dope singles and albums every year that it’s hard to keep up. “Her life a movie, she like making scenes” is such a damn funny line. If I have to break it down for you as to why it is funny, let me know in the comment section.
lojii, Alexander Spit, Pink Siifu – the rotation
I discovered lojii from Huey Briss, yet I don’t remember how I discovered Briss, the man who can’t miss. Anyways, lojii is very nice on the mic, and he also seems to collaborate with the perfect artists on the mic and the boards. The chorus on here is too wise for me to quote. So press play and find out 😘 This one is for my real stoners.
Travis Scott, Playboy Carti – FE!N
You can make a case that Fe!N is the worst song ever or the best. It’s the perfect example of how Playboy Carti’s retarded brain is a weapon of mass destruction. When he yells Fein (fiend without the letter D?), you can’t help but go wild and start trashing your mom’s basement with reckless aplomb. FEIN X ∞
Trademark Da Skydiver, Young Roddy – L.M.K.
If you don’t know who these guys are, do you even smoke fuckin’ weed bro? Nah, you ain’t really blazing that gas, because you’d be deep into Curren$y’s discog, and you’d absolutely know who Trademark Da Skydiver and Young Roddy are. This little EP they did called Custom Made is nice, and this was my favorite track from it. J.E.T.S.
Tony Shhnow – Keep it A Hunnid
The second to last Tony song of the night. This one has some booming 808s that Tony manages to fit into and create pockets like a man with a large peen exploring a cave. My attention span is waning as I write another song review, writing this much is boring as hell, so my writing is beginning to delve into random shitty jokes. I apologize. This beat hits hard, wear a headguard or you’ll get KO’d.
Ketchy The Great, Drakeo The Ruler, SmokePurpp – Challenger
If you don’t know Ketchy The Great, then you don’t know Drakeo The Ruler, and I don’t know you. And you don’t know me. Challenger features a very funny/scary Drakeo verse and chorus where he says he can’t trust anyone who drives a Dodge Challenger. I think everyone can agree with this too. If you drive a Dodge Challenger, sell that shit on Carvana right now. I even linked it for you. Let me get 10% please.
Mike & Keys, Buddy, Smoke DZA, Huey Briss – Be Solid
I remember when this song dropped and I was like “woahhhh this is niceeeeee”. I literally thought that the second the beat dropped. Then Smoke DZA and Huey Briss each deliver great verses, and Buddy comes with a singing chorus that I did not expect, as he’s also a great rapper. Didn’t know my mans can sing. The Mike & Keys production is so technically proficient you’d think it was made by AI. The drums, piano, sound effects, horns, etc. all marry together perfectly like a Big Fat Fucking Greek Wedding. Flawless victory!
Ralfy The Plug, Drakeo The Ruler – Everything U Lookin 4
Another Ralfy and Drakeo track, you betcha. Speaking of betcha, check out Drakeo’s Betchua (Freestyle) where Drakeo spits venomous bars for over 6 minutes straight no chorus. It’s one of the hardest tracks in the history of rap, due to its length, and the fact that it’s Drakeo. Drakeo is the best West Coast rapper ever, too lyrically dense for most folk. That’s why I avoid most folk.
K.E. – NOT SLOWING
I think Spotify’s algorithm showed me this one, I have no clue who K.E. is and I haven’t done my due diligence on him. This beat is hard though, and he kills it. Gotta give credit where credit is due.
GRIMM Doza, Tony Shhnow – Change Up, Pt. 2
The last Tony Shhnow track of the night has the finesse of Pau Gasol with the sleekness of a dolphin, as the beat cooked up by GRIMM Doza is butter. Tony provides the pancakes, waffles, and the syrup, with an extended verse that hits like so many of Tony’s do. Tony is such an underrated lyricist. “I don’t need love, I need someone that I can trust.” Amen brother, amen.
Ketchy The Great, Drakeo The Ruler, GoodFinesse – Lights Out Fatties Out
This is another funny Drakeo chorus, where he’s saying that girls bring their fat asses out of their pants when the lights go off. The beat as always slaps, and Drakeo kills it then passes the torch to Ketchy who also goes off while sticking to the exact same theme, so you had to think this track was made before both of them died. Long Live Ketchy and Long Live Drakeo! GoodFinesse kills it on here too, which doesn’t surprise me, as all the Stinc Team (Drakeo’s crew) can rap their asses off. This track is last on the list, but certainly not least!
If you read this far, you might actually have a moderately high IQ, as you can read and pay attention for a few minutes. That puts you in the top 1% in 2024. Congratulations. If you just clicked play on the playlist that’s ok too. That’s why I put it at the top. I get it. It’s ok. I love you.
3 Comments
Submit a Comment

About
The Author
I wrote this blog for a few reasons. One is because nobody in my circle of friends ever puts me on to music or things that are dope that I haven't heard about (step your game up friends!) as few people nerd out as hard as me on the dumb things I focus on. The other and main reason is because I am so tired of The NeedleDrop and Pitchfork, from the way Fantano talks about music, to the way that Pitchfork writes about it. Both cause me physical pain to read or watch, yet I for some reason occasionally check their review scores, because they are the only sites I know that do stay on top of music (to a degree), and they focus on genres that I'm not tapped into, so occasionally I find something good. Is it worth the pain? No. So let me save you the pain, by only sharing with you my favorites, and maybe you'll find a new favorite. Oh and I also love talking shit, so I'll do that too, but this blog is about showing love to great art.
3 Comments
-
Ye head on February 24, 2024 at 8:58 pm
No Yeezy whack list
No Yeezy whack list
Vultures is Yeezy and Ty Dolla $ign, but you were almost right. Almost.
Sir respectfully fuck off