This list is not solely limited to these songs; it’s just a small conglomeration of some that I’ve had cycling through my ears this past year that I’ve felt drawn to shout out. When I say “hardest” I’m taking such aspects of the song structure into consideration: flow, control, lyrical content/word play, and (of course) the beat. These functional facets aren’t meant to act as a base or rating scale for this post, but more of an observational musing. I thought of an insane amount of songs that could all rightfully go along with this, so here are some honorable mentions before we get down to it:
“Joker” AND “Joker Returns” by DAX
“2 Cents” by IDK
“Raw Thoughts IV” by Chris Webby
“Blk Rose” by Jaypitts
“96 Neve Campbell” by clipping.
“Head Shots” by Tobe Nwigwe (feat. D Smoke)
“What’s Poppin” by Jack Harlow
Listen, I know this song has been mad overplayed since it’s release, but there’s a damn good reason for it. When Harlow hops right in alongside that exquisite piano melody and starts laying down bars before the drums and hats even enter the ring, it gives an immediate legendary impression. Including remixes by himself, Joyner Lucas, Merkules, DAX, Montana of 300, AK and a slew of others, “What’s Poppin” may have helped Harlow solidify mainstream attention but his talent isn’t confined to any sort of one-hit-wonder status. Jack has been going hard since he was 12 years old and will be a heavy hitter in hip hop history in this life and beyond.
Some of the hardest line(s) of the song:
“This where my head is (listen) / I feel resentment from every direction / Even some homies be wearing expressions / I be discouraged from sharing my blessings (damn)
We used to share a connection / Now it just feels like it's wearing and stretching / I'm getting real sick of taking advice / From people that never could stare at reflections…” Oof.
“End of Daze” by (Spillage Village) EarthGang & JID feat. Hollywood JB, Mereba, Jurdan Bryant
Whether you know about this ATL powerhouse collective or not, there’s no denying that any of their members are fully equipped with all necessary components to slay a track. “End of Daze” only being one example from an anthological amassing of bangers over the past 10 years. Laying witness to world happenings and reflecting on how apocalyptic society currently feels, this track has a forceful yet simple beat and will have your head nodding with each flow switch. It floats you off nicely at the end with acoustic musings delivered by Johnny Venus (of EarthGang). Acting as sort of a cosmic carry off to that other planet Hollywood JB talks about in his verse. The entire song could be considered the hardest line(s) here, but the end of JID’s verse leading back into the hook possess some serious resonance:
“Let the smoke rise, take the bodies to the crypts / And when the poor people run out of food, they can eat the rich / Plead the four-fifth, drop one, zombies on the block / See, I come with the shot, like Siakam, I pop / I got this Glock from my pops, it make the parking lot stop /
We on the clock and time tock-tickin', have you forgotten that… (it’s the end of days, end of times …).” Just listen for yourself; there’s mad flow all on this track!
“Donnie Darko” by Cal Scruby
I didn’t even know about this cat until the end of 2020. My best friend Joey sent me Scruby’s song “Money Buy Drugs” and I was hooked immediately. His flow and playfulness with the words behind a thick, bumping beat gave me hardcore Shady vibes. I quickly found myself delving into Scruby’s discog and admiring his capacity and hunger for growth along with his aptness to entertain. Each of his projects shine specific light on Cal’s skill set in the game, but 2020’s While You Were Sleeping takes you on an entrancing journey through the fruition of his hard work and dedication to what he does. “Donnie Darko” is the second track on this wild ride of reflection and advancement. It covers all the stops : from compelling word play to a flow that cascades over a beat as dreamy and spooky as its namesake. Some of the hardest lines of the song come in the first verse:
“They all corporate, they all cute in suits / Ye on bullshit, with all that poop di scoop /
My shit goin' up, I go root to roof / They don't like that, they want mute the truth / They gon' switch sides, they go group to group / They want shoot the shit, ain't got shit to shoot / 'Til I go crazy, go and get the Baby Shark / Then hit 'em with the du du du-du du-du-damn” Shiiiit.
“Chopped Liver (Chopped)” by Conrad Jon
From his highly anticipated 8-track slapper, Slightly Sauced, Conrad delivers consistently on each track I’ve known him to release. Like everyone on this list, he puts both of his best feet forward at all times and that manifests into his efforts and accomplishments. Each song on the aforementioned project presents its own finesse in terms of Conrad’s grasp of the craft, but “Chopped Liver (Chopped)” is a gauntlet of style. From smooth bars to bars that are filleted in a frenzy, leave your head spinning in a saucy whirlwind of words. Conrad and Tuna are an exquisite example of what it’s like to bring the “beat laboratory” mindset to life. Like their contemporaries, they’re here to solidify their place in hip hop history. Check these silly hard bars Conrad comes in with from the get go:
“... Evangelistic preaching, you ain't live it though / Talk a lot of numbers, let's get physical / I seen a picture perfect image in a dark shadow / I seen you fold under pressure you was chopped liver / Me and mines the realest, bet you feel it, get to know us / Feeding off the hand, you bite it, I'ma have to close it / Ball a fist, I'm balling bitch, should know I keep the truest / She ain't-she ain't see the vision, cut off contact, my solution…”
Buckle in, and just keep listening.
“Same Ol’” by Mick Jenkins
If y’all don’t know about Mick Jenkins, you do now. On this opening track to 2020’s The Circus EP, Mick supplies relentless bars that remind the listener exactly where he is. Here; and he has been for over 10 years. Mick’s bars are known for their elaborate construction and slick delivery. HitBoy really sets the tone beat-wise by pumping out a glossy, aeromatic bump. Adding hats, tones, and clips that stroll you on underneath the bigtop of notation Mick and his team put together with The Circus. He’s an ultimate when it comes to the concept of rappers being an epic sect of writers. He also knows his way around the game, whether you’ve heard of him before this or not. Mick’s music has longevity and that could just be an opinion, but once you hear and look into him for yourself… you’ll know. Here are some of my favorite hard bars from this one:
“Gordon Ramsey instructed cookin', didn't need no instruction booklet / I just did my fuckin' thang I ain't get no fuck you lookin' / Told 'em I wasn't never lackin', how you let 'em sucker punch you? / Tell them n****s Eric Clapton / Heard it rockin' e'rywhere, n****s don't know where it happened / Heard it cost 'em e'rything just to be out there cappin' / Heard it's a new era now, heard them n****s still clappin' / So these n****s still actin', wow…”
I can churn out as many words as I can muster about any of these tracks, but they each speak for themselves in terms of each artist’s esteem when it comes to the heat of the game. All of them are doing the most. There could be some bias talking there, but with the exception of Jack and Cal, whom I had no idea about until 2020, I’ve been listening to the other artists for years and they’ve consistently delivered. The material in their discographies so far grow with them and it’s evidently fruitful. Now I leave y’all with a few more honroable mentions because fitting 2020s hardest hip hop/rap tracks into a compilation will find out creating an anthology for release in 2025 (give or take):
“WILLY” by nobigdyl. (feat. Andy Mineo)
“Greatness” by WooDaRealest & Killer Mike
“Same Boat” by Kojey Radical (feat. Mereba)
“Over the Top” by Lecrae
“1x1” by Mass of Man (feat. Futuristic & Bingx)
“WTF” by Erik the Architect (feat. Col3trane)
Recollect on your 2020 with awesome rap music and keep looking forward to more in 2021!
Until next time!
Stay safe out there, y’all!
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