Antoine Dodson & The Gregory Brothers - Bed Intruder Song

Album: Bed Intruder Song (Single)

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I’m not much of a YouTube watcher, so it was just recently that I found out about Antoine Dodson, who got the most YouTube video views of the year in 2010. For those of you who haven’t heard of this guy, first watch the original newscast where he was featured.

He sounds like the Donkey from Shrek! As if this wasn’t hilarious enough, music group, The Gregory Brothers, took this clip and created auto-tune song out of it, which is actually quite catchy.

This song became so popular on iTunes that it even entered the Billboard Hot 100, and caused numerous viral covers. I particularly liked the college marching band covering the song. I enjoyed it so much that I even purchased the track on iTunes. Hey, the proceed of the song was able to get Dodson family out of the hood. The only sad thing is that the sex offender has not been caught just yet.

Das Racist - hahahaha jk?

Album: Sit Down, Man

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I kept on seeing their names on the year end lists, and had to look them up. Apparently they are known for the 2008 song, “Combination Pizza Hut And Taco Bell” where they humorously rap about being confused about the national chain that combines both choices. This track was also voted as one of the best songs on Rolling Stone magazine. The mixtape album is available for free on their website.

Diddy - Dirty Money - Coming Home /ft. Skylar Grey

Album: Last Train To Paris

With so much of the rap world focused on newer superstars such as Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj, younger rap fans may not be so aware of Puff Daddy’s “Bad Boy” existence. But, Diddy has finally released much anticipated album, Last Train to Paris using the group name, Diddy-Dirty Money, which also includes, singer-songwriter, Kalenna Harper and former Danity Kane member, Dawn Richard. I didn’t expect too much from this album, but the current single is quite catchy, after you listen to it a couple of times.

Rick Ross - B.M.F. (Blowin' Money Fast) /ft. Styles P

Album: Teflon Don

MTV News announced their list of top 25 songs of 2010, and the top 5 ranked as: #1 Usher – OMG; #2 Kanye West – Runaway; #3 Kanye West – Power; #4 Rick Ross – BMF; #5 Cee-lo Green – Fuck You. I’ve reviewed all of those songs, except for Ross’ BMF (Blowing Money Fast). It wasn’t a huge radio hit, considering that MTV ranks it amongst the best of the year, here it is.

T.I. - That's All She Wrote /ft. Eminem

Album: No Mercy

T.I.’s follow up album after 2008 mega-hit, Paper Trail was delayed due to his jail sentence. And just when we thought he got out, he was sent back to jail again for violating his probation. The album is strong with guest stars ranging from Kanye West, The-Dream, Chris Brown, Drake to even Christina Aguilera. On the regular edition, you can’t get the previously released singles such as “Got Your Back” or “Yeah Ya Know” and “I’m Back.”

Dr. Dre - Kush /ft. Snoop Dogg & Akon

Album: Kush (Single)

Finally! The most anticipated album of the decade – Dr. Dre’s final album of his career, Detox, may be coming close to finishing. This album has been in work since 2003. There has been several leaked songs, but this one seems like an official song, as it was released as a single on iTunes. The beat is still the Dre’s hardcore Westcoast sound. And how can you hate on the collaboration between Snoop and Dre.

Nicki Minaj - Roman's Revenge /ft. Eminem

Album: Pink Friday

I read an interesting interview of Nicki Minaj. She started out in the mixtape by being a bit of Lil Kim/Foxy Brown, using P-words and C-words. But lately, Nicki has realized that she has a lot of younger fans, like 8 year olds, and she no longer feels comfortable shouting, “where my bitches at!” at concerts, and lately calls them her “barbies.” I think she is by far the hottest female MC today, and even in the company of men, I would list her as one of the best. How she can go from one bar to the next, completely changing her character reminds me of Eminem, and this track proves that she can spit next to the best rapper and still make her sound good.

Chris Brown - Deuces [Remix] /ft. Drake, T.I., Kanye West, Fabolous, Rick Ross & Andre 3000

Album: Deuces Remix

Chris Brown has been trying to regain his fans after the incident with his then-girlfriend Rihanna. He was able to get a lot of famous rapper friends to spit verses on his recent single, “Deuces.” That’s an impressive lineup if you got Drake, T.I., and Kanye West, but that’s just the first half. Fabolous, Rick Ross and Andre 3000 of Outkast also appear on this remix.

JYJ - Ayyy Girl /ft. Kanye West & M. Yusuf

Album: The Beginning

In the past couple of years, several Korean singers and groups have tried to break through in the US market. This month, it is JYJ’s turn. Korean and Japanese audience will know them as the three guys from their former group TVXQ or Tohoshinki or Dong Bang Shin Ki. As much as I want to cheer these guys on for trying, their singing makes me nervous. It’s not that they are a bad singer, but combined with cheesy lyrics and not-so-sexy accent, it will be hard to sell this to US audience who have no previous contact with Tohoshinki. I do want to give them a credit for being able to drag Kanye West into this.

Kanye West - Monster /ft. Jay-Z, Rock Ross, Nicki Minaj & Bon Iver

Album: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Kanye West released his fifth album, the first one since interrupting Taylor Swift’s speech at 2009 MTV Video Music Award. The album was on sale at Amazon MP3 for only $3.99 during the Black Friday week (considering that they were giving away $3 free coupon on top of that, it was a really good deal). The current single, Monster is a good track which features Nicki Minaj who kills it once again. Currently on Kanyest.com, you can see the half an hour movie he directed and stars in, which features music from his latest album.

N.E.R.D. - Hot N Fun /ft. Nelly Furtado

Album: Nothing

I’m not quite sure why this latest N.E.R.D. album was not promoted that heavily. Their first single, “Ho N Fun” featuring Nelly Furtado, wasn’t a huge hit in the US, which could be the reason for the slow sale as well. But the beat is the usual Neptunes style.

Kid Cudi - Erase Me /ft. Kanye West

Album: Man On The Moon 2: The Legend of Mr. Rager

Kanye West’s protégé, Kid Cudi teams up with his master for the lead single from his upcoming album, to be released in early November. Kid Cudi follows the similar formula as his previous album, where he leans on the rock side. The new album will have other featured vocalists such as Cee-Lo Green and Mary J. Blige.

Nelly - Just A Dream

Album: 5.0

Multi platinum artist, Nelly’s last album, Brass Knuckles from 2008 didn’t do so well (even though it went Gold). None of the singles from that album broke top 20. Dirty South rapper Nelly is releasing his fifth album, titled 5.0, which already has top 3 hit, Just A Dream. Could this be his comeback album?

Waka Flocka Flame - No Hands /ft. Roscoe Dash & Wale

Album: Flockaveli

Waka Flocka Flame is a member of 1017 Brick Squad which also featured Gucci Mane, OJ Da Juiceman Wooh Da Kid amongst others. His debut album, Flockaveli is doing quite well, mostly thanks to this hit rap track, “No Hands” which features Roscoe Dash and Wale.

Far East Movement - Like A G6 /ft. Cataracs & Dev

Album: Free Wired

When I first heard this song, and saw that it was climbing up on the charts, I didn’t particularly think much of it. Then I read that Far East Movement consist of all Asian members from different background; Chinese/Japanese, Korean and Filipino, and that boosted my curiosity. Now this single has climbed up to #2 on the Billboard chart, and their major debut album just came out.

Kanye West - Runaway /ft. Pusha T

Album: Runaway (Single)

Kanye West performed this song live on this year’s MTV Video Music Award, and it was by far one of the most memorable performances of the night (since others were fairly safe and dull). The piano intro, reminiscent of Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut, sets the tone, and Kanye cruises through with his usual wordplay. This time he also gets a little help from Clipse’s Pusha T. It’s because Kanye creates songs like this, we are still willing to “toast to the asshole” as the song lyric goes.

Ice Cube - I Rep That West /ft. Jigg

Album: I Am The West

West coast rapper, Ice Cube is starting to be known more as an actor or film director than a rapper nowadays, especially to kids, who didn’t grow up listening to N.W.A. Initially Ice Cube has mentioned that his fellow NWA star, Dr. Dre will be providing beats to a couple of tracks, but none made to the final album. But on this track, Ice Cube reminds us why he is still the king of West coast rap.

Kanye West - Power /ft. Dwele

Album: Power (Single)

Although Taylor Swift and Kanye West both performed at this year’s MTV Video Music Award, there was no collaboration or opening skit including those two. I expected him to perform this single at the show, but instead, he performed a brand new song, “Runaway” which is still not available for purchase. I liked that performance, so for that, I’m recommending his latest single titled “Power” which samples King Crimson’s “21st Century Schizoid Man”.

Chiddy Bang - Opposite Of Adults

Album: Opposite Of Adults EP

If you are a MGMT fan, you would know from the first few seconds of this song, that they sampled, “Kids.” Philadelphia hip-hop duo, Chiddy Bang samples indie rock music in their rap songs (such as MGMT and Passion Pit). I have been waiting for them to release their debut album this Fall, but release date keeps getting pushed back. At least there is this EP to enjoy meanwhile.

Eminem - No Love /ft. Lil Wayne

Album: Recovery

The local hip-hop radio station has been playing this song a lot recently, and a week or so later, it was announced that this was Em’s third single from Recovery. Eminem lend a hand for Lil Wayne’s track, “Drop the World” last year and in return, Lil Wayne guest stars on this track, which samples Haddaway’s “What Is Love.”