We’re starting with a chill cut off the upcoming Lupe Fiasco album.  This is a great track to just relax to, perfect listening for my last 2 days at work.

Next we’ll go to Jay Rock’s Life’s a Cycle.  Another quite chill track.  Jay Rock is very outspoken about being a blood, and this song goes into what he would be if he wasn’t a gang member.  He says that he could be at UCLA getting his masters or even his PhD.  I prefer the part that says he could be a scientist because he likes trees, or a botanist.  Rappers are so funny.

Next, Rich Boy’s Cover Girl.  I like Rich Boy.  It’s hard to not like a guy who enjoys throwing D’s on things.  Again, another very chill song. Here he’s talking to all the ladies, but mostly Egyptians and Italians, and wanting them to drop it down and whip it back.

I know absolutely nothing about Crooked I.  I have no idea where he came from or what label he’s on or what set he reps (something called COB which appears to stand for Crip or Blood, and that makes no sense to me).  Anyway he raps over John Hitt’s favorite song of all time, Fireflies!  If you know who John Hitt, then you probably already know about his love for Fireflies.  The highlight of this song is the end when he tries to sing the chorus, which is tough to do when you barely know the words.  Enjoy.

For those that know me, I do music.  Not all music.  I complain about a lot of music, but for the most part I can tolerate most of it.  The problem with a lot of the music I listen to (rap) is that after a certain number of plays, it gets really annoying.  But that’s how I know what songs I truly like, the ones that I can keep on my car stereo even when that are 10 years old.  So with that, I’m going to take this time to compile my list of music.

Favorite Non Rap Albums
James Blunt’s Back to Bedlam - Yeah yeah I know, but I can listen to this whole CD without skipping a track.  Favorite track on the album,  High.
Usher’s 8701 – This is probably my favorite album of all time, with 9 songs that I keep in regular rotation.  Favorite tracks on the album, U Remind Me, Twork it Out, U Don’t Have to Call
Usher’s Confessions – Another Usher classic, the end of the album gets boring but the first 15 or so tracks are good enough.  Favorite tracks on the album, That’s What it’s Made For and Simple Things
Gorillaz’s Demon Days – Just a great album with great music.  You can throw the album in on the background and just let it loop over and over.  Favorite tracks on the album, Feel Good Inc, Kids with Guns, O Green World
Fort Minor’s The Rising Tied – From Mike Shinoda, we get a more hip-hop Linkin Park album.  Maxed out at #51 on Billboard, so I’m guessing people aren’t too familiar with it.  Favorite tracks on the album, Remember The Name, Where’d You Go, Cigarettes, Kenji, Red to Black
Tony, Toni, Tone’s Hits – Tony, Toni, Tone was my favorite R&B group.  Great music, great lyrics, great flow.  Favorite tracks, If I Had No Loot, Anniversary, Feels Good, Let’s Get Down, Lay Your Head on my Pillow, Whatever You Want.

Favorite Rap Albums
Atmosphere’s Seven’s Travels - This is typically celebrated as Atmosphere’s worst album, but I don’t give a shit, I still like it.  Why?  Because I can put it in and listen to every song.  That’s what makes a good album for me.  Favorite tracks, Trying to Find a Balance, Always Coming Back Home to You, Shhh, Shoes,  National Disgrace
Bone Thug’s E 1999 Eternal - One of my first rap albums, I actually took it from my sister.  Favorite tracks, E 1999, Shotz to the Double Glock, Mo Murda, Budsmokers Only.
DMX’s Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood – DMX’s second album and still full of classics.  My favoirte thing about DMX albums is the intro tracks.  Everyone of his albums has an amazing intro.  Favorite tracks, Bring Your Whole Crew, Slippin (I can only listen to the edited version, unedited is horrible), My N!&&@%,
DMX’s It’s Dark and Hell is Hot – DMX’s fist album.  Amazing.  Favorite tacks, Ruff Ryders Anthem, How’s it Going Down, Intro, Damien.
Kanye West’s The College Dropout – His first album is hands down his best album.  All of his awards should have been won for this and not his later work.  I can listen to every song on this album except for Spaceship.  Favorite tracks, Never Let Me Down, Slow Jams, Two Words, Through the Wire, Family Business, Last Call
Nas’ God’s Son - Favorite tracks, Made You Look, Book of Rhymes, Dance, Thugz Mansion, P@$$!# Kills
Warren G’s Regulate…G Funk Era and Take a Look over your Shoulder – Regulate was on of the best rap albums ever made.  I really really liked the sounds of the “G Funk era”.  Favorite Warren G tracks, Do You See, This DJ, What’s Next, Young Fun, Smokin Me Out.

Favorite R&B Songs
Boyz II Men’s Motown Philly
Mario Winan’s I Don’t Wanna Know
Montell Jordan’s Something for the Honeys
Notorious BIG’s F@cking You Tonight
R Kelly’s Keep it on the Down Low
Tank’s Missing You
TQ’s Westide
Everysong that samples One Way’s Don’t Stop (Ever Lovin Me)

Favorite Rap Songs
2Pac’s Still Ballin, To Live and Die in LA, and Dear Mama
Black Star’s Astronomy and Above the Clouds
Da Brat’s Da B Side
Ludacris and Jermaine Dupri’s Welcome to Atlanta Remix
Method Man and Redman’s Da Rockwilder
Murphy Lee’s Regular Guy and What da Hook gon Be
Nas & AZ’s - The Essence
Nas & Quan’s - Just a Moment
Onyx’s Slam
Outkast’s Ms. Jackson, BOB, ATLiens, Elevators
Trick Trick & Eminem’s – Welcome to Detroit City

Favorite Non Rap Songs
I chose not to put any non-rap, non-R&B songs because I honestly do not listen to any on a regular basis.  I enjoy 80’s music, but I get sick of it easily if I listen to it too much.  Same with the guitar players (Dave, John, Jack, Jim, Joe, the guy in the hat, etc),  enjoy their music, but only for a while.

To conclude.  No MJ.  No Nirvana.  No Coolio.  No Notrious or other Bad Boy rap tracks.  No Cash Money or Lil Wayne.  No Mystikal.  Again, these are my favorites, my top 1%ers.  Notorious and Cash Money have songs that I will definitely bump, but after a few listens they turn into nails on a chalkboard.  I’m sure I’m missing some individual R&B and rap songs, but this is my current list, and I want to publish it before Friday.