The Best Rap and Hip Hop Music of 2009
2009 was a great year for rap and hip hop music. Here are some of the best songs of the year.
Best Rap Albums
It’s been an amazing year for rap and hip hop music. We’ve seen a lot of new artists emerge and established artists continue to produce great music. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at the best rap and hip hop albums of 2009.
J. Cole- Cole World: The Sideline Story
J. Cole’s much-anticipated debut album, Cole World: The Sideline Story, was finally released on September 27, 2011, after numerous delays. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling over 217,000 copies in its first week. The album received mixed reviews from critics, but Cole’s single “Work Out” was a top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and caused the album to be certified platinum by the RIAA.
Kendrick Lamar- good kid, m.A.A.d city
Kendrick Lamar’s debut album good kid, m.A.A.d city was one of the best hip hop albums of 2012. The album was highly praised by critics and fans alike, and it went on to become one of the most successful rap albums of all time.
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis- The Heist
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’s The Heist was one of the most acclaimed rap albums of 2009. On the album, Macklemore raps about personal and social issues like drug addiction, consumerism, and same-sex marriage. The Heist was praised for its intelligent lyrics and catchy beats, and it won several awards, including a Grammy for Best Rap Album.
Best Hip Hop Albums
It was a tough year for music in general, but rap and hip hop albums still managed to shine. Here are the best of the best.
A$AP Rocky- LONG.LIVE.A$AP
A$AP Rocky’s debut album is one of the freshest and most exciting hip hop albums in recent memory. It’s a record that feels both old school and contemporary, with plenty of hooks and great production values. Rocky is a commanding presence on the album, and it’s clear that he has a bright future ahead of him.
Drake- Nothing Was the Same
Released in 2013, “Nothing Was the Same” is the third studio album by Canadian rapper Drake. The album proved to be a commercial success, debuting at number one on both the US Billboard 200 and the Canadian Albums Chart. “Nothing Was the Same” received positive reviews from critics, who praised its production and Drake’s songwriting. The album was included on several year-end lists, including those compiled by Complex and Pitchfork.
Kanye West- Yeezus
Few albums have been as eagerly anticipated — and as divisive — as Kanye West’s Yeezus. After a string of leaks and snippets, the album finally arrived in June 2013, and it was clear that Kanye had once again reinvented himself. Yeezus is a dark, claustrophobic album that draws sonically from industrial and dance music, with confrontational lyrics that address race, religion, and consumerism. It’s one of the most challenging and rewarding albums of Kanye’s career, and it confirms his status as one of the most innovative and important artists of our time.
Best Rap Songs
There are many great rap and hip hop songs that came out in 2009. Some of these songs are “Empire State of Mind” by Jay-Z, “I Gotta Feeling” by The Black Eyed Peas, “Run This Town” by Jay-Z, and “Heartless” by Kanye West.
J. Cole- “Can’t Get Enough”
“Can’t Get Enough” is a song by American rapper J. Cole, taken from his debut studio album Cole World: The Sideline Story (2011). The song features guest vocals from American R&B singer Trey Songz. It was released on August 24, 2011, as the third single from the album. The song was written by Jermaine Cole, Tremaine Neverson and Elite. The production was handled by Elite. The song became a top 40 hit in the United States, peaking at number 27 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Kendrick Lamar- “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe”
From Compton to the world, Kendrick Lamar has been having one hell of a year. “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe” is the breakout single from his first major label album good kid, m.A.A.d city, and it’s easy to see why this track has been getting so much love. Kendrick’s unique flow and capability for intricate rhyme schemes is on full display here, and he weaves in and out of the track’s minimal production with ease. The end result is a song that is as catchy as it is clever, and one that firmly establishes Kendrick Lamar as one of the best rappers in the game today.
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis- “Can’t Hold Us”
Released in 2013, “Can’t Hold Us” is a song by American hip hop duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, featuring vocals by Ray Dalton. It was released as the fourth single from their debut studio album, The Heist (2012). The song peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, making it their second consecutive single to top the chart.
Best Hip Hop Songs
It’s been a great year for rap and hip hop music. We’ve seen a lot of great songs come out this year. Here are our top picks for the best hip hop songs of 2009.
A$AP Rocky- “Goldie”
“Goldie” is a song by American rapper A$AP Rocky, released as the lead single from his debut studio album Long. Live. ASAP (2013). The song was produced by Hit-Boy, who also co-wrote it along with ASAP Rocky himself and Sultan of Swat. It features additional vocals from Hip hop artist Michael “Mikey Fresh” Valmonte. The track samples “Turn My Swag On” by American rapper Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em.
Drake- “Started from the Bottom”
“Started from the Bottom” is a song by Canadian rapper Drake, released as the first single from his third studio album Nothing Was the Same. The song was written by Drake, Michael Williams, Anthony Palman and Noah “40” Shebib. It features production from Mike Zombie. “Started from the Bottom” peaked at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number one on both the US Rap Songs chart and the US R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The Canadian Hot 100 chart also peaked at number one.
Kanye West- “Black Skinhead”
“Black Skinhead” is a song by American rapper Kanye West, from his sixth studio album Yeezus (2013). The song was released on July 4, 2013, as the fifth single from the album. The song features production from Daft Punk, Mike Dean, and Travis Scott. The song’s lyrics discuss racism and celebrity culture.
The song received critical acclaim from music critics, who praised its aggressive and minimalistic production, as well as West’s vocal delivery. It was also ranked number 39 on Pitchfork Media’s list of the 100 Best Songs of 2013.
