BEATSPILL

2013 was an amazing year for hip-hop. There were shots fired, cultural phenomena had, and classics (?) set in motion. The summer of 2013 saw an incredible dose of quality hip-hop, especially in the mainstream. Here, I’m looking at Acid Rap, BetterOffDEAD, Legends Never Die, Run The Jewels, Born Sinner, Watching Movies With the Sound Off and more. But the quality music came from every corner of 2013, up until the very end. Here’s a shout out to my eight favorite beats of this glorious year that was.

There’s no order to these, just trying to get some thinking going.

——-Producer(s)  – “Track” – MC(s)——-

1.) The Alchemist – “Red Dot Music” – Mac Miller, Action Bronson

The eerie, whiny sample and creepiness of this beat is offset by a succulent drum backbone.

2.) Erick Arc Elliott – “Palm Trees” – Flatbush Zombies

Another wooing, ghostly sample that provides the base layer for a hypnotic and atmospheric instrumental from the Architect.

3.) Earl Sweatshirt, Matt Martians – “Hive” – Earl Sweatshirt, Vince Staples, Casey Veggies

The gritty, heavy darkness of this track was perfect for Earl. Best beat on his impressive debut album Doris.

4.) THC, Gwen Bunn – “Collard Greens” – Schoolboy Q, Kendrick Lamar

Bouncy and addictive. Minimalism and efficiency. Try not to jump around, at least not metaphorically.

5.) El-P – “A Christmas Fucking Miracle” – Run The Jewels

Another darkened beat, but with so many layers of jingle-jangles and pianos that the balance is something to behold.

6.) Chance The Rapper, Cam, Peter Cottontale & Stefan Ponce – “Good Ass Intro” – Chance the Rapper

If church music had been like this, I would have reconsidered a few things. Epitome of happiness with this one.

7.) Party Supplies – “Rolling Thunder” – Action Bronson

The 50’s era prom-night sample with a fat bassline made an unlikely marriage a beautiful ceremony.

8.) Don Cannon – “Numbers on the Boards” – Pusha T

Odd, experimental, and infectious is how I would describe this. Took me about 5 listens to fully accept this beat for the gold that it is.