Every month it feels like a million new songs are released, and that number might be literal, so it would take a small army to sift through the muck and find each month’s crown jewels. Thankfully for you, I have become that army, and collected the 20 best rap songs to come out in October.
Big Sean — “No More Interviews”
Big Sean waited until the very last day of October to drop his two newest tracks, but when they’re as dope as these two the timing is always perfect. Sean divulges a bit of his private life and has a brief convo with Kid Cudi on the first leak. These songs cement how much Big Sean deserves credit as an incredible rapper, no matter what haters might say.
Big Sean — “Bounce Back”
Then he let loose a party anthem that’s already garnering tons of radio spins and play in the club thanks to Sean’s catchy hook and a thumping production from Metro Boomin, Smash David, and Yung Berg.
Boogie — “N***a Needs”
Rihanna called Boogie her “new fav” thanks to the provoking video for “N***a Needs” and the track is worthy of all that praise and then some. But…
Boogie — “Just Might”
That’s not the only highlight from Boogie’s new mixtape Thirst 48 Part II. Really, you could put the entire tape, but in the interest of space I’ll just say start with the woozy, hypnotic “Just Might” and then listen to the whole thing here.
Pusha T — “H.G.T.V.”
Pusha T returned briefly before hitting the Hillary Clinton campaign trail with the off-kilter, punchline-laden “H.G.T.V.”
2 Chainz — “Doors Open” (Feat. Future)
Tity 2 Necklaces might be having the best 2016 of any rapper alive, so it’s only right he links up with the rapper that had maybe the best 2015 (and then some) for a long overdue banger between the two Atlanta titans, produced by none other than Three 6 Mafia’s DJ Paul.
Drake — “Fake Love”
Drake announced a new “playlist” entitled More Life on his OVO Sound radio and immediately proceeded to drop off a whole new batch of tracks to keep his fans satisfied until the it arrives later this year. The most likely to be a radio hit is easily “Fake Love,” with it’s easily repeated hook and theme of, well, fake love, it’ll be belted out by drunken club-goers from now ’til well beyond New Years Eve so you might as well get used to it.
Drake — “Two Birds, One Stone”
While “Fake Love” had the most hit potential of the four tracks Drake dropped last month, it’s without a doubt the Kid Cudi (and maybe Pusha T) “diss track” that is the best song. The 6 God might as well have dropped a time and a location in the title because his chorus-less, four-minute long therapy session is every bit a “9 A.M. In Dallas” spazz out, complete with production from Noah “40” Shebib, and, controversially so, Kanye West.
Nipsey Hussle — “Mark My Words” (Feat. Rick Ross)
Nipsey’s #MarathonMondays continue, and for this installment he nabbed Rick Ross for some of their patented, hustler talk over a pristine production from Mike & Keys, and Jake One.
Meek Mill — “Offended” (Feat. Young Thug and 21 Savage)
Meek Mill’s DC4 collaboration with Young Thug and 21 Savage is so fire the OVO crew even had to play it on OVO Sound Radio, even if they did cut off Meek’s verse.
YG — “One Time Comin'”
For the uninitiated, it may be a shocker that YG might be the most socially conscious rapper in the industry at the moment, but for those paying attention this is nothing new. YG’s first release from his forthcoming mixtape Red Friday is just another in a long line of quality, and timely tracks from the Compton MC on police brutality, inequality and any number of issues plaguing society at the moment.
Run The Jewels — “Talk To Me”
Mike and El make their return, finally, and “Talk To Me” will only have fans salivating for RTJ3 even more.
Dave East — “L.A. Leakers — Open Mic Freestyle”
This is kind of a cheat, but for those of us smart enough to rip the MP3 of Dave East’s L.A. Leakers freestyle the track is without a doubt, a song, nestled on our iPods and in playlists just waiting to be unleashed during daily commutes to get the blood pumping and the head nodding.
Vince Staples — “Funkmaster Flex Freestyle”
And if Dave’s freestyle counts — and I’m making the list so it definitely does — then so does Vince Staple’s potent Funk Flex freestyle. Rip, upload and enjoy.
Curren$y — “Told Me That” (Feat. Starlito)
A long awaited collaboration between former label mates more than exceeded expectations as Spitta and Lito floated on a smooth Cardo production.
Gucci Mane — “Out The Zoo”
Gucci continues his scorching 2016 with yet another deep dive into his psyche, mixing bird talk with revealing and reflective bars about depression that are both vivid and harrowingly honest and most importantly, sincere.
Big K.R.I.T. — “Free Agent”
Krizzle vents about label frustrations and hopefully there are big things in the future for rap’s most prized free agent.
Caleborate –- “Consequences”
A little bit of a cheat since 1993 –the album that houses Caleborate’s “Consequences” — was released back in August. Still, the Berkley, California MC didn’t release the crisp video for the track until October, and the bouncy, Bay Area slumper deserves it’s own bit of shine. Plus, who doesn’t want to just chill, smoke, drink and be cool.
Joe Budden — “I Wanna Know” (Feat. Stacy Barthe)
The growth Joe Budden displayed on his new album Rage & The Machine was much appreciated, still, it’s always fun to see Joey dig deep and really give a piece of himself away on another revealing track. On “I Wanna Know” that piece of his was a revealing verse about the state of the relationship between him and his son, and it’s the brightest moment on an album that’s full of colorful hues from an artist that rarely lets the light in.
Common — “Red Wine” (Feat. Syd and Elena)
https://youtu.be/JIG29wrulkI
Commoncalled his new album Black America Again “a piece of art,” and that’s never more apparent than on the mellow, soothing “Red Wine.”
