We say goodbye to ’22 our way!

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WORST ALBUM

Kanye West – DONDA 2

Thanks to Suave, I was lucky enough to listen to DONDA 2. Remember, that s**t is only available on Stem players, which he has. What sucks is that DONDA 2 sounds incomplete, unmastered, and rushed. It also features some weird-ass guest appearances (I did like Soulja Boy’s verse on the album, though). I literally feel like Kanye tried to scam us (Ask Amazon for a refund if you bought a Stem Player to listen to DONDA 2).

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WORST VERSE

Yeat – Any Verse He Did In 2022

I like Yeat. After hearing him talk in a few interviews, I now feel like he’s a down-to-earth guy. I have also begun to appreciate who he is as an artist. But, come on guys, you know and I know that his verses are as questionable as Anthony Davis before every Laker game. I just feel like Yeat’s flows, his voice, and his lyrical content are just way too shaky to enjoy. Trust me, I’ve tried to listen to his music from every angle. I’ve tried to be as objective as ever. I tried, y’all.

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BEST VERSE

Drake – His Verse On “Churchill Downs”

I know, Jay-Z’s verse on “GOD DID” is sacred, stirring, and riveting. In my humble opinion, it also solidifies him as the greatest rapper of all time. With that being said, from a rap mechanics standpoint, Drake’s verse on “Churchhill Downs” is better. The punchlines the 6God dishes out are next-level good, his flows are amazing, and the little subtle jabs he takes at folks are brilliant. In my opinion, Drake taught a masterclass on how to put together a masterful rap verse.

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BEST ADLIB

Drake – F**k Adidas

I don’t know if you would call it back-and-forths or adlibs, but I f**k with the way Drake and 21 Savage gas each other up in Her Loss. One of my favorite tracks with supposed adlibs is “Broke Boys.” Even though I am an Adidas fan (I can give a flying f**k what Kanye thinks about them), I ain’t going to lie, when Drake said “I got stripes, but f**k Adidas,” I squinted my face in enjoyment. That s**t was hard as hell! Drake needs to be stopped, y’all!

I may have to retire this award. I created it because of Migos. These days, adlibs aren’t as noticeable. R.I.P. to Takeoff, BTW.

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BEST HOOK

GloRilla & Hitkidd – FNF

I think female rap is one of the most marketable subgenres in America right now. From Megan Thee Stallion to Latto to Nicki Minaj, it seems like a huge crop of lady spitters is winning right now. With that being said, there wasn’t a hook by a female rapper (Hell, a rapper in general) that moved me more than the hook on “FNF.” If you are someone that likes going to nightclubs, fighting, or is anti-relationships, man or woman, this hook will get you hyped as hell. Even the f**k n***a that Glo freed herself from is rocking to this joint!

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BEST FEATURE

JAY-Z – GOD DID

Now we can praise JAY-Z!

I truly believe that without JAY-Z’s verse on “GOD DID,” DJ Khalid’s album with the same name doesn’t get a Grammy nomination. The holy verse that the Brooklyn native gifted Khalid with made you forget that legendary musicians Rick Ross, John Legend, and Lil Wayne were even on the same song. It left both music fans and rappers equally in awe. It barely felt like a rap verse; it felt more like a gospel reading. Though it wasn’t my favorite verse, I think its powerful nature elevated hip-hop for a few weeks. Hov did!

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BEST BEAT

Kodak Black – Super Gremlin

I mean, c’mon, this is a no-brainer. The way “Super Gremlin” starts, with these kids chillingly singing about being potential superstars, builds up a great amount of anticipation. Unlike a lot of beats I’ve heard in the past, once this one drops, it lives up to expectations. “Super Gremlin” has a beat that knocks, is riveting, is memorable, and is hella gangsta. Even if you aren’t a rap fan, you have to appreciate this joint!

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CHEESIEST SONG

The Game – The Black Slim Shady

As much as I feel like “The Black Slim Shady” wasn’t that bad, I am man enough to admit that the song is pretty cheesy. While I am very impressed with how The Game morphs into Eminem for a good chunk of it, I’m not going to lie, the skits were very cheesy to me. I would’ve preferred if The Game left the antics at home and just challenged Eminem straight-up; all the other s**t was just weird.

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BEST INTERNATIONAL SONG

Burna Boy – Last Last

Just to reiterate, we are an American website, so any music made by someone from outside of the US would be considered international to us. That being said, I think “Last Last” was the best international release this year. Though an American is the one that gets the song’s engine running (Toni Braxton), it’s Burna Boy’s passionate vocals that make it special. The hook he blesses us with is also invigorating as hell. All in all, “Last Last” is a mood-boosting track that actually transcends genres, languages, and countries (I wonder how white people feel about the song).

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BEST INDIE SONG

Alpha Ojini, Phlow & Tech Zilla – The Coin

These days, it’s rare that you come across a rap song in which everyone killed their verse; it happened in “The Coin.” First and foremost, I love the pep to their steps that each person in the song raps with. I also rock with the dynamic flows used, the overwhelming confidence displayed, and the random African accents brought forth. This song was legit played by me over 100 times this year.

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BEST INDIE ALBUM

Bella Blaq – Sweet Snacks

Bella Blaq is one very versatile musician. While I think that she is an outstanding rapper, it’s her fearlessness when it comes to exploring all kinds of hip-hop subgenres that really captures my attention. Throughout Sweet Snacks, her latest album release, she creates all kinds of impressive rap tracks; I’m talking club bangers, R&B-Esque bangers, trap bangers, and all. I am just a fan of musicians that aren’t afraid to step outside of the box.

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SONG WE’RE AFRAID TO ADMIT WE LIKE

Jack Harlow – First Class

“First Class” could’ve easily won the “cheesiest song of the year” award. I just feel like Jack Harlow trying to sound cool combined with the lazy Fergie sample could’ve gone left real quick. I think Harlow was able to freak the song just enough for us to say that it is more-so slick and catchy than corny and annoying. Way to straddle lines, fly white boy!

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QD’S PERSONAL FAVORITE ALBUM

Jessie Reyez – Yessie

I don’t understand why Jessie Reyez flies under the radar so much. I think she is just as talented as any other singer in the game today. Not only does Jessie have a voice that can move mountains, but she also is an outstanding writer. Yessie, her latest album, is literally magical. In the project, the Canadian native fully dives into rap, rock, R&B, alternative pop, and more, succeeding every step of the way. She also pens tracks that are thought-provoking and unapologetic. If you ask me, Yessie is the perfect album (I swear someone asked me).

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QD’S PERSONAL FAVORITE SONG

Vince Staples – WHEN SPARKS FLY

This song is absolutely perfect. I love the intoxicating instrumental, Luther Vandross on the hook (I’m assuming that’s Luther), the laidback style Vince Staple raps with, and just the overall chill vibes the song boasts. The song’s icing on the cake: (Spoiler Alert) How it’s fully about a gun. I didn’t know that s**t after the first listen.

The song is probably too grungy to be a commercial success, so that’s why it’s not a top song. Oh well, I love the s**t.

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TOP SONG

DJ Khaled – GOD DID

There’s no other way to slice it, “GOD DID” is amazing. First and foremost, we rarely get verses from JAY-Z anymore; we got one of his best of all time in this song. We also got powerful vocal performances from both John Legend and Fridayyy, and also really damn good verses from Lil Wayne and Rick Ross. Overall, I just feel like “GOD DID” shows the power that a hip-hop song can have on one’s spirit. Like, after listening to it, you will feel this urge to want to be great for at least 24 hours… It will wear off after you finish your burrito bowl from Chipotle, though.

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TOP ALBUM

Pusha-T – It’s Almost Dry

I always wondered how Pusha-T would top his fantastic It’s Almost Dry album… He topped it fantastically! It’s Almost Dry doesn’t only feature slick, picture-Esque cocaine-laced bars from Pusha, but it also features production primarily from The Neptunes and Kanye West. I don’t think you heard me… THE F**KING ALBUM FEATURES PRODUCTION FROM BOTH THE NEPTUNES AND KANYE WEST; TWO OF THE GREATEST TO EVER MAKE BEATS! I personally believe the album has literally zero skips and not a single bad verse. It’s commercial-ready and extremely lyrical. It’s the only album that I think should be abused. Ironically, Pusha’s It’s Almost Dry album is almost perfect.

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THANK YOU

To everyone that takes the time to read articles from us, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you! 2022 was a huge success because of you guys. I promise, in 2023, we’re going to be the best we’ve ever been!