Rap Radar

What a week. If you missed it, below is the recap of our annual lists.

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While the verdict is still out on Chief Keef, it’s unanimous that his producer Young Chop is packing some heat. Thanks to intimidating 808s and meager pianos, Keef’s “I Don’t Like” became a runaway hit. Kanye West and his G.O.O.D. Music familia even flipped the track as a single to their Cruel Summer compilation. Chop didn’t like ‘Ye revamping his production, but it actually turned out better than the original. Bang, bang.

Previously: #5 Rico Beats “Exodus 23:1” l #4 Salaam Remi “Queens Story” l #3 Hit-Boy  ”Clique” l #2 Mike Will Made It “Bandz A Make Her Dance“

Mike Will Made It really made it in 2012. Along with Drake, he took 2 Chainz to the top of the charts with “No Lie”, he showed no “Mercy” with Kanye and co., and helped Future “Turn On The Lights” and bring attention back to their hometown of Atlanta. But Mike’s crown jewel happened by accident. A lil record Juicy J did in a D.C. hotel room gained a life of its own when Lil Tunechi and Tity Boi decided to add verses. But it’s the beat of “Bandz” that’s the backbone of the song’s success. At times, rappers make songs that they think will sound good in the strip club. “Bandz” is the sound of the strip club. It’s sexy, seductive and raw and we can’t get enough. Is there an ATM in this muthafucka?

Guess “Niggas In Paris” wasn’t enough shine for this Cali producer. Hit-Boy hit 2012 with even more drive and diverse sounds. He worked with a wide array of acts from Nicki Minaj (“I Am Your Leader”) to A$AP Rocky (“Goldie”) to Justin Bieber (“Right Here”) to Kendrick Lamar (“Backseat Freestyle)”. But once again it’s Chauncey’s work with Mr. West that shined the brighest. Out of the bunch (“Cold”, “I Wish You Would”, “Higher”) “Clique” is our pick. A pulsating spacey groove that steadily hiccups along until the ill bouncy breakdowns in the chorus strike your chest cavity. ‘Ye, Sean, & Shawn know: Ain’t nobody fuckin’ with Hit-Boy behind the boards.

Nas had a story to tell. It wouldn’t be the first time he talked about his Queens hometown, but it would become his most memorable. With Salaam Remi on the boards, the Q.U. producer allows aggressive strings to confront an unforgiving boom bap. The results are harmonious and leave Esco’s manuscript sounding stupid!

What would drive a man to say such mean things? What pushed Pusha T to the limit to subliminally air Lil Wayne out and say f Cash Money as a staff, record label and crew? I say it was the dark track crafted by Rico Beats. The Brooklyn-bred producer’s credits include Soulja Boy and 50 Cent’s “Mean Mug” and Nicki and Lil Wayne’s “Roman Reloaded” (how ironic?), but it’s his Pusha Ton and Terius Nash collab that really put him on our radar. Armed with ambulance sounds and haunting piano, “Exodus 23:1″ sounds like the soundtrack to a murder scene. It ain’t safe no more.