Kendrick Lamar - A.D.H.D.

I've said it before but I'll say it again; Kendrick Lamar is posed to be one of the greatest rappers of our time. He has a great flow and raps about things that are actually meaningful, not egotistical or superficial. This song is a commentary on the over-medication and apathy of our generation. Doctors tend to be quick to prescribe medications for people who may not actually need it and at the same time, we stay drunk/high to, for lack of a better word, self-medicate. This song is Kendrick Lamar's response-- "fuck that".

Lupe Fiasco - Show Goes On

Lupe released his third album, Lasers in 2010 and this was the first single. It's a motivational song for all the kids stuck in the ghetto and I really love it. He released it on October 26th, 2010 and it samples "Float On" by Modest Mouse, which I also liked.

Jay-Z & Kanye West - New Day

Kanye West teams up with the new father Jay-Z for this track, which was released on their collaborative Watch The Throne. It's a dedication to their future children, which is fitting for Jay-Z especially seeing as how Beyonce just gave birth to his first daughter, Blue Ivy, on the 7th. It was produced by RZA and also features a sample from Nina Simones 1965 song "Feeling Good". 

Memphis Bleek ft. Jay-Z - Murda Murda (Murda Marcyville)

New York rapper Memphis Bleek was one of the original artists signed to Roc-A-Fella Records and is a long-time member of Jay's crew. This track is off his 2003 album M.A.D.E. and is a testament to South Philly's rough environment. Jay-Z also takes the opportunity to diss his mentor Jaz-O, specifically in the first verse.

Handsome Boy Modeling School - Holy Calamity

Handsome Boy Modeling School is a collaborative between two of hip-hop's legendary producers, Dan the Automator and Prince Paul, using the monikers Nathaniel Merriweather and Chest Rockwell. They teamed up in 1999 and released the album So...How's Your Girl? followed by their 2004 release White People. The overlying theme of their music is a commentary on the materialistic and vain members of upper class society, and their characters acted as biting satire. 

"Holy Calamity", off the album So...How's Your Girl?, features DJ Quest and DJ Shadow. It's also known as "Bear Witness II", as a sequel to Dr. Octagon's 1996 song  "Bear Witness", which Dan the Automator also produced. 

Clipse - Virginia

Virginia Beach duo Clipse released this track on their 2002 album Lord Willin'. While it was never a radio single, this homage to their home state is still an awesome song and one of my favorites by them.

Game ft. Lil Wayne - Red Nation

Game (formally known as The Game) was born and raised in Los Angeles/Compton and has a very West Coast style. Although raised in a Crip household, he later became a Blood and after an incident in 2001, Game decided to leave the gang life behind and pursue hip-hop as a career. His life growing up and continuing to live in the gang culture inspires many of his songs.

"Red Nation" was the lead single off Game's 2011 album The R.E.D. Album and uses a sample of techno artist Zombie Nation's 2000 hit "Kernkraft 400". It's also featured in the trailer of the upcoming Mark Wahlberg movie Contraband. The music video was banned from airing on both BET and MTV because of its controversial portrayal of gang culture and Game's allegiance to the Bloods. I don't think it's that serious..it has a somewhat post-apocalyptic feel and doesn't expressely glorify gang culture or violence. You can see for yourself after the break.