2010-Now: Best hip-hop tunes of this decade

By John Glynn

Since 2010, there have been some absolutely killer hip-hop tunes. I have compiled a list of my five favorite tracks, the type of tracks that make you revel in the sheer brilliance of this genre.

5. J. Cole, “In The Morning” Feat. Drake
J.Cole and Drake are forever being hailed as the leaders of new school hip-hop. Stylistically, they are as different as night and day, yet they are constantly being compared. Drake’s mainstream appeal and songwriting skills versus Cole’s fierce spitting skills; which artist is better? (In my opinion, Drake, for sure) Anyway, Cole and Drake avoided going head to head, instead opting to collaborate. “In The Morning” is a quality tune that accentuates the force of both artists. Cole’s lyrical deliverance is rather aggressive for a song of this nature, decidedly different from Drake’s style. This song is unreservedly aimed at the female contingent; Drake is clearly a veteran of tracks involving flirting, seduction and sex. He really excels in this role. This track is a victory for Drake, the unofficial King of Canada; it also showcases Cole’s ability to deliver something a little less hostile.

4. Tyler, the Creator, “She” Feat Frank Ocean
The second single off Tyler, The Creator’s album Goblin; “She” was also directed by Mr. Creator and showcases fellow Odd Future member, Frank Ocean’s vocal ability. Tyler’s outlandish rhymes are more than just a guilty pleasure for desolate liberal types. He regularly raps about homicide, necrophilia and gay bashing. His rhymes, however, manage to make the inflicted, the inflictor and the audience all seem equally violated. “She,” is a song that matches Tyler’s disturbed, sadistic style of storytelling. The production is rather eerie, it sounds like a synthesized Kanye West track that was produced by Satan. Frank Ocean delivers an icy R&B chorus. If you haven’t watched the video, watch it. This track is both disturbing and brilliant.

3. Kendrick Lamar, ”ADHD”
“A.D.H.D.” truly consolidates all of Kendrick Lamar’s many strengths. The track is soulful, sharp and generation-defining, but also an unbelievable piece of technical rapping. The track is a story of substance use and romance, the beat is magnetic, carrying a rather somber air, contrasting perfectly with Kendrick’s forceful style. The song itself is symbolic of modern day partying: “I’m in the house party trippin’/ Off my generation, sippin’/ Cough syrup like it’s water/ Never no pancakes in the kitchen…”
He’s straight out of Compton, spitting dexterous rhymes that deserve to be recognized.

2. Eminem, “No Love” Feat. Lil Wayne
Eminem showcased his never ending creative streak with ‘No Love,’ the third release from ‘Recovery.’ He decided to sample Haddaway’s 1993 dance hit ‘What is Love.’ You might be familiar with the track; it is infamously associated with the Roxbury guys’ sketches from ‘Saturday Night Live.’ ‘No Love’ finds Em and Wayne dissin’ their competition and giving the middle finger to everyone who ever doubted them.
The track opens with Lil’ Wayne rapping about himself as an adolescent black male, receiving verbal and physical abuse from the bullies at school. Weezy’s rhymes are pretty forceful, he describes his pain in such a vivid fashion: “I’ve been to hell and back/I can show you vouchers.”
Em takes the mic, rapping in a ferocious manner. When compared to most rappers in the game, his audacity is warranted. Come on, we all know he is the best. Em raps, “When you’re so good but you can’t say it cuz’ it aint even cool for you to sound cocky anymore”.
The message Em delivers is rather imposing: the Detroit rapper truly believes he’s an underdog once again, perhaps because — from his own self-examination in “Not Afraid” — his preceding album, Relapse, “was ehh”. Eminem furiously spits:
“I ain’t never giving in again / Caution to the wind / Complete freedom / Look at these rappers, how I treat ‘em / So why the f*ck would I join ‘em, when I beat ‘em?”
Pretty slick lines, a pretty slick song.

1. Drake, “Marvin’s Room”
Drake has made his mark on the world of hip-hop and rap. He is now unofficially recognized as the “Leader of the New School.” Drake’s lyrics don’t focus on doing drugs or shooting people dead, they focus on his love of strippers and drinking the finest alcohol, oh ya – and having his sports car valet-parked, obviously. But “Marvin’s Room” is a different type of offering; Drake steps away from the “norm” and enters bolder, almost cockier territory. The title refers to the legend Marvin Gaye’s studio, which was called “Marvin’s Room.” Drake actually recorded the song at this infamous studio.
Drake faultlessly captures the atmosphere of a drunken late night on ‘Marvin’s Room,’ the finest song from the remarkable sophomore album, ‘Take Care.’ His storytelling has never been stronger. The scene is set; Drake’s wasted late at night, missing his ex, knowing she has a new man, but arrogantly not caring. He thinks calling her is the correct option, In all honesty, if you have yet to make a call comparable to the one Drake makes in the record, you have probably been on the receiving end of a similar call.
Singing softly and slowly, Drake reveals his intentions:
“Bitches in my old phone / I should call one and go home / I’ve been in this club too long / The woman that I would try is happy with a good guy / But I’ve been drinking so much that I’ma call her anyway and say / F— that n—- that you love so bad / I know you still think about the times we had / I say f— that n—- that you think you found / And since you picked up I know he’s not around.”
The song drives forward with the Canadian professing more thoughts to his ex, “I’m just saying, you could do better.” Drake’s efforts prove to be fruitless. “You’re not gonna come? Guess I’m ’bout to just kick it here then,” he says, miserably.
Although Drake’s trying to get his ex to cheat on her boyfriend, you can’t help but feel sorry for him, because the picture he has painted is that of a hopeless, abandoned male. Hate him or love him, not many rappers are talented enough to write something so emotionally pure.