Best of 2011 - Big Sean ft. Nicki Minaj - Dance (A$$)

I've already posted this song but it's my absolute favorite of 2011 and Nicki just made it that much better. It's off Big Sean's debut album Finally Famous and the original was released on September 20th, while the remix was released on October 18th. This song peaked at #4 on the US Hot Hip-Hop charts and #10 on the Billboard Top 100. 2011 was a great start for Big Sean and I'm anxious to see what he brings to the table in 2012. Happy New Year :D

Best of 2011 - Misc. Reposts: "She", "Peso", & "Novacane"

These are 3 songs that are less mainstream than the rest, but deserve greater recognition. I've already posted them over the course of this year so if you just want the short version, here it is: Tyler, the Creator ft. Frank Ocean - She, ASAP Rocky - Peso, & Frank Ocean - Novacane. Long version after the break..

Best of 2011 - Wale ft Jeremih - That Way

This year, Wale teamed up with Maybach Music Group and they released the single "That Way" on August 30th, off the debut album Self Made Vol. 1. 

Best of 2011 - Big K.R.I.T. ft. Ludacris - Country Shit Remix

This song is off Big K.R.I.T.'s mixtape Return of 4Eva. It features Ludacris and Bun B, and was released in April. I don't think it got anywhere near the amount of radio play it deserved, at least not in DC. Regardless, it's still one of the best of 2011.

Best of 2011 - Lil Wayne ft. Drake - She Will

This song was released on August 16th, and is off Weezy's ninth album Tha Carter IV. It was certified gold by the RIAA and peaked at #1 on the Hot Hip-Hop and #3 on the Billboard Top 100.

Best of 2011 - Drake - Marvin's Room

I've already posted this song but it was so big this year that I need to post it again. Everyone and their brother did a remix of this song, which was released on the October's Very Own blog on June 9th and has since been certified gold. It topped at #7 on the Hot Hip-Hop charts and #21 on the Billboard Top 100. Since my last post, I've found another remix/mashup with Aaliyah's "If Your Girl Only Knew", which I'll also post at the bottom.

Best of 2011 - Kreayshawn - Gucci Gucci

Kreayshawn became a viral sensation this year with her video for "Gucci Gucci", released on May 16th. Her debut single climbed to 57 on the Billboard Top 100. 

Best of 2011 - Jay-Z & Kanye West - Niggas in Paris

This song was released on September 13th and is still blowing up on the radio. It peaked at #6 on the Billboard Top 100 and #1 on the Hot Hip-Hop charts, making Jay-Z the rapper with the most top 10 hits. Crowds get so hype over this song that Jay and Kanye have been known to play it multiple times at shows, with the current record being 10 times at one concert. This song cray!!!

Best of 2011 - Big Sean ft. Kanye West - Marvin & Chardonnay

This was the second single off Big Sean's debut album Finally Famous, and was released on July 12th. This song peaked at #1 on the Hot Hip-Hop/R&B charts and made it to #32 on the Billboard Top 100. 

Best of 2011 - Nicki Minaj - Super Bass

Nicki released this single from her debut album Pink Friday on April 5th and it instantly blew up with both the hip-hop and the top 40 audiences. It peaked at #3 on the Billboard Top 100 charts.

Best of 2011 - Drake - Headlines

This was the first single of Drake's 2011 album Take Care, and was released first on the October's Very Own blog on July 31st. Of course, it was #1 on the Hot Hip-Hop charts and came in at #13 on the Billboard top 100. 

Best of 2011 - YC (Yung Chris) ft. Future - Racks

YC aka Yung Chris released his debut single, "Racks", this year on April 5th. It made #6 on the Hot Hip-Hop charts and #42 on the Billboard 100. I'll put the Hypertussin remix by Drobitussin on here too since I love it so much. Let me know which one you like better!

Best of 2011 - Trey Songz - Love Faces

Trey released this song early in the year, on January 11th, off his album Passion, Pain, & Pleasure. It climbed to #3 on the Hot Hip-Hop Songs chart but only made it to #63 on the Billboard 100.

Best of 2011 - Kelly Rowland ft. Lil Wayne - Motivation

Kelly Rowland released this song, from her third album Here I Am, on April 8th. It peaked at #1 on the US Hot Hip-Hop charts and held that spot for 7 weeks, but only made it to #17 on the Billboard 100.

Best of 2011 - DJ Khaled ft. Drake, Rick Ross, Lil Wayne - I'm On One

This song was my summer anthem! DJ Khaled teamed up with 3 powerhouses to release this song on May 20th. It reached #1 on the US Hot Hip-Hop Songs and #10 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Best of 2011 - Chris Brown ft. Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes - Look At Me Now

Chris Brown released this epic collaboration on February 1st off his album F.A.M.E. and it quickly became one of the hottest songs of the spring. It topped at #6 on the Billboard Top 100 and made it to #1 on the US Hot Rap Songs chart.

Kurtis Blow - Christmas Rap

Kurt Walker aka Kurtis Blow is one of the original legendary rappers. He was the first rapper to be signed to a major label and his single "The Breaks" was the first rap song to be certified gold. This jam was his first single and is off his album Christmas Rappin, released in 1979. It's an awesome holiday song and an important part of hip-hop history.

Run DMC - Christmas in Hollis

Run-DMC recorded and released this song in 1987, and it appeared on two different Christmas compilations: A Very Special Christmas and Christmas Rap. This song is pretty popular..it ain't officially Christmas until the radio plays Christmas in Hollis :D

Wale - Bait (Remix & Original)

Wale released this song a while ago, but the remix just came out recently so it's blowin up the radio again. In the original, Wale teamed up with DC area gogo band TCB, which I was super boosted about. I love when DC artists give the rest of the country a little taste of what cap city has to offer :) The remix is pretty cool too..I'll post both and you can decide which one you like better.

MoCo bread, PG though - Wale, Bait Remix

The Mash Meister - JohnnyG225

When I was looking for the video for Nomak - Rebirth the other day, I came across a mashup of "Rebirth" and "One Love" (by Nas), called "One Rebirth". I was so amazed by it that I checked out the rest of the producer's videos, which are equally as awesome. JohnnyG255 describes himself as an "aspiring music producer", but also notes his talents for playing piano and guitar and that he also composes his own music besides producing mashups. I'll put some of my favorites up here, and you can check out the rest on his YouTube page. 

Nomak - Rebirth

Nomak is a hiphop producer from Japan, with a really relaxed style. Most of his music features instruments like the piano, flute, and saxophone and is great chillout music. A friend of mine showed me this song a bit ago and I really loved it :]

Common ft. Nas - Ghetto Dreams

Two of hip-hops greatest emcees team up for the first single off Common's upcoming album The Dreamer, The Believer. Common and Nas have been in the game for a long time and they are both phenomenal; this collaboration is no different. Check out the music video too, it's pretty creative.

Johnny Juliano - Kid Cudi & Wiz Khalifa - Tree

Producer Johnny Juliano has made beats for a number of big name artists and is probably one of the most successful producers on SoundClick right now. This is a mix he did with Kid Cudi and Wiz Khalifa, let me know what you think :)

Kendrick Lamar ft Ashtro Bot - Keisha's Song (Her Pain)

Kendrick Lamar is a 24-year old emcee from Compton, California who has been on the rise lately. He notes Tupac Shakur as his main inspiration, and many of his songs carry the same messages and emotions. In this powerful ballad about a woman's life and death as a prostitute, he even references Shakur's "Brenda's Got a Baby". It's off his new album Section.80 which is available now on iTunes. Also, his 2010 mixtape O.Verly D.Edicated is available on datPiff for free download. Let me know what you think in the comments; I highly doubt this is the last you'll hear of this amazing artist.

Common - Sweet

This track, which is supposedly disses Drake, goes pretty damn hard. Common shows a new, rougher side with some more biting vocals and a couple cocky lines. He premiered this video, which was shot in Haiti, earlier this month on UStream and originally charged $1 to view, and all proceeds were donated to The J/P Haitian Relief Organization. "Sweet" is off his new album The Dreamer / The Believer, which comes out December 20th.

Check out the video and let me know what you think. Do you think this style is somewhat below him, considering his usually intellectual and inspirational lyrics, or do you think he's just dissing mainstream by acting mainstream?

Ground Up - Late Night Special

Ground Up is a three-man Philly hip-hop collaborative consisting of producer Bij Lincs and lyricists Azar and Malakai. They are still unsigned but have released 6 mixtapes, which are all available for free download on their website. If you like "Late Night Special", then go grab a mixtape or two and show them some love. 

Flo Rida - Good Feeling

Tramar Dillard, also known as Flo Rida, is an American rapper from where else but Florida. This song is off his fourth album Only One Rida (Part 2) and should be released next January. It samples a house song,  "Levels" by Avicii. Click here to listen to the original. Which version do you like better?

Kid Cudi ft. Cage - Maniac

This song is an exploration of the darkness that lies within. Along with the video, Cudi starred in a short film with the same title. It's an extension on the characters presented in the song and is definitely worth watching. It tells the story of two serial killers who vow to kill 8 people, all while being filmed. I'll put it above the music video, it's that damn important.

Frank Ocean - Swim Good

Here's another track of OFWGKTA member Frank Ocean's debut album Nostalgia, Life. The music video is really awesome, so definitely check it out.

KushNup

I don't know who the hell sings this. A lot of places say it's Drake, but I'm almost positive it's not. Lol..if you know, please tell me so I can credit them, because this song is amazing.

11/11 your lucky night tonight baby..

Drake - Take Care

Drizzy's new album Take Care, which is scheduled to be released on November 15th, has been making its rounds online since it leaked yesterday and it's building a hell of a buzz. Even though his management was trying to keep it under wraps, leaking is pretty inevitable these days and I think Drake handled it gracefully. I'll put up a few of my favorite tracks, so check them out asap just in case YouTube takes them down. How do you think Take Care compares to Thank Me Later?

Kanye West & Jay-Z - Gotta Have It

This is another track off Kanye & Jay's incredible collaborative, Watch the Throne, which is arguably the hottest album of the year. Check it out and see if you agree :)

Tyler the Creator ft. Frank Ocean - She

Tyler, the Creator is a rapper/producer from LA and part of the Odd Future/OFGWFTA hip-hop collective. His style is reminiscent of skater kid swag mixed with emotions and actual deep thoughts. In this collaboration with Frank Ocean, he plays the role of a psychotic stalker and he does it so well its creepy. 

Wale - DC or Nothing

The wait is finally over for Wale's new album Ambition, which dropped today. You know I have to show love for the PG native, cuz he definitely shows love for his home. My personal favorite track off the new album, "DC or Nothing", is proof that however big he gets, he's still got love for the DMV.

ASAP Rocky - Purple Swag

More wallpapers available at http://wallpapers.selfmedicatemusic.com

This track, "Purple Swag" is off Harlem artist and swag enthusiast ASAP Rocky's new mixtape, LIVELOVEA$AP that just dropped yesterday. Like the awesome artist he is, he released it for free download on his website. If you like his style, you can get his mixtape here and check him out on Drake's upcoming Club Paradise tour.

#swag

Outkast - Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik

Georgia-bred hip-hop duo Outkast, consisting of Big Boi (Antwan Patton) and Andre 3000 (Andre Benjamin), were first signed almost 20 years ago in 1992. This song is the title track off their 1994 debut album, and their reign of trans-genre amazement has been changing the hip-hop game ever since.

Tupac - Keep Ya Head Up

Tupac's heart for those still struggling was apparent in a lot of his music, especially this song. It was released 18 years ago today, in 1993. He samples the beat from Zapp & Roger's "Be Alright" and the chorus is sampled from The Five Stairsteps' "O-o-h Child". It's my favorite song of his, some of the lyrics are just incredible:

I wonder why we take from our women, why we rape our women, do we hate our women? I think it's time to kill for our women, time to heal our women, be real to our women.

Shad - Rose Garden

Canadian hip-hop artist Shad is another intelligent, social-conscious rapper that is breaking stereotypes and changing the game. I found him not long ago and I really dig his style..how many rappers do you know with a Master's degree?

Drake - Fear

One of this year's hottest artists, Drake, turns 25 today. This song is off his So Far Gone EP, I really love the flow, and the lyrics are some pretty deep shit. I love it. Happy birthday Drizzy. OVOXO.

J Dilla - Won't Do

In case you haven't noticed, I really like J Dilla. This song is off the album The Shining, which he was still working on at the time of his death. Friends and family helped complete the album and release it posthumously, and many can be seen in the music video such as Common, Will.I.Am, Black Thought, Frank N Dank, and J Dilla's brother John. Their love and respect is palpable in this video..look at the blimp at 1:57 :)

Common ft. Will.I.Am - I Have A Dream

This duet was featured on the film Freedom Writers and is simply amazing. Common's socially conscious and inspirational lyrics really bring this song to life. Since the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial is being dedicated in
Washington D.C.today, I think this is an appropriate tribute. I'll include King's famous speech on the Lincoln Memorial at the bottom as well. Enjoy :)

Kanye West ft. Kid Cudi, Big Sean, Common, Charlie Wilson, Pusha T - Good Friday

Good Friday was released under Kanye West's 'G.O.O.D Friday' series, where he released a new song available for free download every Friday. This track features a myriad of samples, including "Got What I Need" by Freddie Scott, "La Di Da Di" by Doug E. Fresh & Slick Rick, "I'll Say It Again" by Sweet Linda Divine, and "Hip-Hop VS Rap" by KRS-One. I'll put a few of them at the bottom :)