A new month means another top list from StraightFresh. It's always really hard to narrow down the best releases of the past 30 days, but here's a brief recap of what you may have missed:
Notable Album Releases:
Yo Gotti - Live From The Kitchen
ScHoolboy Q - Habits & Contradictions
Gangrene (Alchemist x Oh No) - Vodka & Ayahuasca
K'naan - More Beautiful Than Silence EP
Sean Paul - Tomahawk Technique
Notable Mixtape Releases:
T.I. - Fuck Da City Up
Raekwon - Unexpected Victory
Britney Spears - Abroad
Rick Ross - Rich Forever
Future - Astronaut Status
Red Cafe - Hell's Kitchen
Trae Tha Truth - King of the Streets
Chip Tha Ripper - Tell Ya Friends
Masspike Miles - Say Hello To Forever
Gilbere Forte - YOTD: Year of the Dragon
Saigon - Warning Shots 3: One Foot In The Grave
Emilio Rojas - Breaking Point
Maino - I Am Who I Am
Mack Maine - Don't Let It Go To Waste
Hit the cut to check out my personal favorite songs of January 2012. Make sure to let me know if I've forgetten any tracks or have other feedback. Individual download links are included, in addition to a .zip file at the end of the post.
Previous: Top 10 Albums of 2011 | Top 10 Mixtapes of 2011 | Top 100 Songs of 2011
15. Joe Budden - No Church In The Wild
Producer: 88-Keys, Kanye West, Mike Dean
We don't usually hear Joey going in over popular beats, but we were in for a treat when he dropped this one off earlier this month. I'm glad he did the production justice, because I normally hate when rappers drop struggle bars over The Throne's originals.
Download: Joe Budden - No Church In The Wild [prod. 88-Keys, Kanye West & Mike Dean]
14. Mack Maine - King of New Orleans (feat. Raw DI, Curren$y & Lil' Wayne)
Producer: N/A
Besides "G'd Up", this was the only track I was really feeling off that Mack Maine album. Good to hear some stuff from the glory days of Young Money.
Download: Mack Maine - King of New Orleans (feat. Raw DI, Curren$y & Lil' Wayne)
13. Rick Ross - Keys To The Crib (feat. Styles P)
Producer: The Inkredibles
Inevitably there are going to be a few Rich Forever tracks on this list, the first one is the return of the "B.M.F." due, for a lighter song. No doubt these two make great music together.
Download: Rick Ross - Keys To The Crib (feat. Styles P) [prod. The Inkredibles]
12. T.I. - Popped Off (feat. Dr. Dre)
Producer: Dr. Dre
Dre comes out from hiding with a beat & a verse for the King. As Detox hangs out in purgatory, it's good to hear that the Doc can still come up with a hot beat. Who knows when the next time we'll hear new material will be.
Download: T.I. - Popped Off (feat. Dr. Dre) [prod. Dr. Dre]
11. Rick Ross - Mine Games (feat. Kelly Rowland)
Producer: Arther McArther
IMO this is one of the most radio friendly tracks off Ross' tape. Kelly kills the hook and this is the sort of song that the mainstream audience would really love.
Download: Rick Ross - Mine Games (feat. Kelly Rowland) [prod. Arther McArther]
10. 1982 (Termanology x Statik Selektah) - Shining
Producer: Statik Selektah
Statik Selektah comes up with yet another hot beat. He's had a huge year (with the release of his album and a ton of hot beats), so I'll be looking forward to to 1982's 2012 album.
Download: 1982 (Termanology x Statik Selektah) - Shining
9. Chip Tha Ripper - Boomshakalaka (feat. Bun B)
Producer: Woodro Skillson
@Clark_Berger24 showed me this one, a dope ass track with a Bun B feature. Since everyone knows he never drops a wack verse, this track is obviously enjoyable.
Download: Chip Tha Ripper - Boomshakalaka (feat. Bun B) [prod. Woodro Skillson]
8. Rick Ross - Rich Forever (feat. John Legend)
Producer: DVLP
The title track for Ross' tape boasts a great John Legend hook over some mellow production. You can't listen to this and NOT want to be skating around in a Maybach.
Download: Rick Ross - Rich Forever (feat. John Legend) [prod. DVLP]
7. LoveRance - Up! (Remix) (feat. Young Jeezy, 50 Cent & T.I.)
Producer: The Invasion
People still don't believe that this is going to be a hit. This is only one of the many remixes that have dropped, with Breezy and a few other big names supporting it as well. LoveRance has a bright future, we'll have to wait and see what he does with this buzz.
Download: LoveRance - Up! (Remix) (feat. Young Jeezy, 50 Cent & T.I.) [prod. The Invasion]
6. Rick Ross - Triple Beam Dreams (feat. Nas)
Producer: J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
One of the best verses on the tape, via Nas. If you don't believe me, press play below. Insane.
Download: Rick Ross - Triple Beam Dreams (feat. Nas) [prod. J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League]
5. Maino - Last of the Mohicans! (feat. PUSH! Montana)
Producer: Jokey Ent.
Now I know that this track dropped a few months ago on PUSH!'s tape, but I had to include it on the list when it was re-released on Maino's tape. This track is straight CRAZY. Much love to PUSH! and his support for our site.
Download: Maino - Last of the Mohicans! (feat. PUSH! Montana) [prod. Jokey Ent.]
4. T.I. - Hot Wheels (feat. Travis Porter & Young Dro)
Producer: T-Minus
T-Minus comes through with another straight fire beat. T.I. does his thing over this, along with Grand Hustle companion Young Dro. You should definitely check out Fuck Da City Up as a whole, if you haven't already.
Download: T.I. - Hot Wheels (feat. Travis Porter & Young Dro) [prod. T-Minus]
3. ScHoolboy Q - Blessed (feat. Kendrick Lamar)
Producer: Dave Free
Probably the best retail album of the month, ScHoolboy came through with a great project. Associated with Jay Rock & Kendrick, he obviously must have skills. The kick drums on this beat are on some next level shit when listened to with the Beats By Dre.
Download: ScHoolboy Q - Blessed (feat. Kendrick Lamar) [prod. Dave Free]
2. Avicii & NERVO - You're Gonna Love Again
Producer: Avicii
Play this at your next party. Trust me. It's only the first month of 2012 and the party song of the summer has already dropped. Please stop sleeping on this. You'll be hearing this on the radio, so stay ahead of the crowd and download now.
Download: Avicii & NERVO - You're Gonna Love Again
1. Rick Ross - Stay Schemin' (feat. Drake & French Montana)
Producer: The Beat Bully
Of course this had to be the top song. I mean yeah it's fire, but the relevance of this track in retrospect of hip hop is greater then that. Drake had let shots off against Common, who has decades of hip hop experience and everyone was waiting for a huge G.O.O.D. Music vs. YMCMB beef. Although that probably won't happen, it kept everyone excited to see what would come of this tussle.
Download: Rick Ross - Stay Schemin' (feat. Drake & French Montana) [prod. The Beat Bully]
Download all 15 songs here: Top 15 Songs of January 2012
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