Big Boi ft. Raekwon & Andre 3000 – Royal Flush

Potential track of the year candidate. Not quite as immediate and grandiose as Int’l Players Anthem but every bit as good as that and previous ‘Kast ‘n’ Rae collaboration Skew It On The Bar B. Andre’s closing verse, predictably, steals the show but Daddy Fat Sacks and The Chef are in fine form too.

ABN – Who’s Tha Man?

Z-Ro, Trae and a Lil’ Keke vocal sample for the hook? What more do you need? Z-Ro’s line about how we gets hungry he takes flights outta town to restaurants in other cities just to chow down has us wanting to get our air-miles game up.

Rakim ft. Lil’ Fame – I’m Back

A new Rakim album in 2008? No thanks but we’ll take a quick track of Ra’ not sounding like he’s a grumpy 50 year old with Fizzy Womack on hook and production duties. Throwback old-man rap which bumps – a pleasant suprise.

Bun B ft. Lil’ Wayne – Damn, I’m Cold

The highlight of another underwhelming Bun B solo album and Weezy’s best use of autotune thus far? Correct on both points. Chops from The Mountain Brothers going on to produce classic Southern shit on Rap-A-Lot? Who saw that coming?

Peedi Crakk – Pimp Ya Pen

We’re not sure he can make an album as good as either of Freeway’s efforts but throw him a beat which features a classic break and sure enough he’ll demolish it with one of the most unique flows and voices in the modern rap game.

Sick Wid It Umbrella – I’m Mannish

Turf Teezy is now 2 for 2 as far as great albums go and his showcase track with uncle E40 on the 2nd Sick Wid It Umbrella compilation was the highlight of the most state-of-the-art sounding rap album of the year so far. Real gangsta rap.

B.O.B ft. Boosie and DG Yola – Fuck You

If there’s one thing we don’t hear enough in rap it’s the harmonica so we’re glad it’s in full effect right here on this real country-rap future-classic posse cut from ATL’s most promising upstart B.O.B, the new Pimp C Boosie and DG Yola who is best known for having a bullethole in his neck.

Keak Da Sneak – P.I.M.P

Keak’s latest long player Deified definately had some joints but this track from Mob Figaz member and Thizz Nation affiliate Rydah J. Clyde’s Power Movez Volume One compilation is what’s really up.

Wale ft. Bun B & Pusha T – Back In The Go-Go

Jay Z proves that he’s still useful for something as he’s sampled for the hook on the anthemic go-go production styled highlight of Wale’s Seinfeld themed The Mixtape About Nothing. It’s Wale’s track and Bun is as reliable as usual but it’s all about Pusha here.

AZ – Dead End

His patchy latest set was a return to his ill advised crossover ridden days after a few years of being one of the only Noo Yawk rappers who debuted in the 90’s worth checking for but it did contain a few stellar moments like this jaunty soulful ode to keeping life simple.

What the hell, here’s a bonus…

Big Tuck ft. Q6 & Gucci Mane – Pussy And Patron

Houston tends to get all the props as far as Texas goes but Dirty South Rydaz member Big Tuck demonstrates that Dallas has it goin’ on too. Not A Stain On Me made the most noise but it’s really about this ode to minge and booze featuring Q6 and that ATLien who shot Young Jeezy’s mate.