1. “Doo Rags,” Nas
If you don’t feel like you grew up with Nas after listening to his music, you haven’t been listening carefully enough. Nas has such an incredible flow. The album this song is on, “The Lost Tapes,” is impeccably produced. It may be my favorite.2. “The Cliche Lil Wayne Feature (It’s the Remix Baby!),” Wale & Lil Wayne
I’m still not sure what I think about Wale’s place in hip-hop. This song’s on his most recent mixtape, “The Mixtape About Nothing” – a Seinfeld tribute. Usually I’ve got a lot of love for rappers who make unconventional mixtapes or albums. Come talk to me about this. Oh, and what’s good Lil Wayne.
3. “Creation & Destruction,” Immortal Technique
This is the first track on Immortal Technique’s first album. My entire relationship with hip-hop is binary: before and after I heard this song.
4. “These Few Presidents,” Why?
Why? is one of the few bands I never tire of. I saw them for $5 my first time in Quebec and it was one of the best shows I’ve ever been to. Plus, I had my first legal beer at their show. If you’re new to Why?, I recommend you listen to their full albums, in order. Actually, I’d say that of any artist.
5. “Sleepyhead,” Passion Pit
I dig this song. I dig this band. I’m not even offended that it was included on an
Urban Outfitters mixtape. I am, however, embarrassed to be on the Urban Outfitters mixtape mailing list.
6. “Girl, Boy Song,” Aphex Twin
I’ve found I can only draw well to electronic music. This is my favorite Aphex Twin song, by far.
7. “Sénégal fast food,” Amadou & Mariam
Amadou & Mariam have an incredible story. They both attended Mali’s Institute for the Young Blind – Mariam was one of the first pupils there. This song is on the album “Dimanche
Bamako,” which was produced by Manu Chao, another incredible artist. I don’t speak a word of French. I listen to this full album at least once a month
anyway.
8. “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” Al Green
I want to wake up to this song.
9. “Good Life,” Blu & Exile
I was given this album, “Below the Heavens,” for my birthday this year. I don’t know where my head was at before I heard this, but Blu is near flawless and Exile is now one of my favorite producers. This song makes me want to live a more honest life.
10. “Built This City,” The Diplomats
They use samples so well. This track reminds me of high school. Cam’ron just babbles incoherently, and I love it. Dipset the movement …