30. The Game - Why You Hate The Game - Featuring Nas. I managed to see The Game live on his "Documentary" tour, which was sick, but I really wish he rolled around again for a post Doctor's Advocate or L.A.X. tour. Hearing this song live would be something to put a lighter in the air for. Not to mention that it is a solid Just Blaze production. This track addresses much of what Game usually raps about: the West Coast, Eazy-E, certain controversies, 50 Cent beef... "I don't talk about my guns nigga I 'Just Blaze'."
29. Lauryn Hill - Doo Wop (That Thing) - When I was drafting my list this was one of the first songs I thought to throw on. I remember everything about this song vividly, like it was 1998-99 and Much Music was playing this song on repeat. "Lick 2 shots in the atmosphere."
28. Nas - Got Ur Self A... - This track is too hard. I really don't know what to say. When I was younger and Stillmatic just came out I made sure to listen to this one when my mother wasn't around...
27. Pharcyde - Passin' Me By - Pharcyde is another extremely underrated hip-hop group from the West that deserved more attention for their album titled "Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde." Playful lyrics about failed attempts to gain the attention of a secret crush. This on top of a nice mellow beat makes this track an A+.
26. De La Soul - Eye Know - Speaking of nice mellow beats, this Steely Dan sampled tune also provides a nice feel-good sentiment. Like "Passin' Me By" this song is also a more playful love song, but without as much rejection.
25. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony - Crossroads - I'm of course talking about the more famous remixed version released after the death of close friend to the group, Eazy-E. What else would this song be talking about? "What you gonna do when judgement comes for you? Because it's gonna come for you."
24. Geto Boys - G Code - The moral of this song is DON'T SNITCH! Scarface, as the lone performer on the track, tells about street code and how some people snitch to get a lighter sentence (amongst other things). Because of its beat and catchy chorus, a lot of my not-so-rap inclined friends still love this one. "We ain't trusted in the judicial system we shoot guns."
23. Beastie Boys - An Open Letter To NYC - I didn't mean to overlook tracks from "Hello Nasty," after a process of elimination I come to realize that this is my favorite Beastie Boys track. It is the trio's ballad to the city they're from, past to present, explaining its a number of things like multiculturalism, 9/11, shopping and of course homage to the five boroughs. "Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten, from the Battery to the top of Manhattan... ...New York you make it happen."
22. Freddie Foxxx - 24 Hours - This is a prime example of grimy New York underground rap from none other than Bumpy Knuckles. His voice alone makes me never want to run in to him on a bad day. Don't sleep on Freddie!
21. Dru Down - Can You Feel Me - Although this track only achieved mild mainstream success it is one of my favorite West Coast jams. G funk style hip-hop was still alive and well in 1996 when this track was released, and it shows. I urge you to watch the video... Dru Down stylin' on your ass.
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