Returning almost exclusively to confound haters, it’s Totally Dublin’s monthly rap power rankings! We have captured and consulted a hype beast, and interpreted the findings as follows:
2 Chainz – Featured on slightly fewer tracks this month, possibly as a function of having to take a toilet break, but his verses with Bangladesh & Drama keep him exactly where he needs to be: saying 2222 Chaaaaaainz over rap songs you are already listening to anyway.
Nas – Nas is about to release an album, which means owners of Rap =/= Hip Hop tshirts are losing their shit with expectation, as they do every time Nas releases an album. It won’t be Illmatic, or even Stillmatic probably, but signs from the leaked tracks and his general demeanour are that it will be worth the attention.
Riff Raff – On one hand, he finally recanted on his allegiance to Soulja Boy’s SODMG, preferring to ally with Diplo. On the other, he did a track with Kitty Pryde, proving that he is an alien that humans cannot understand. His Meyhem Lauren feature was his highlight.
Rick Ross – So busy that he almost died twice, Ross followed up his excellent Rich Forever mixtape by curating a lax but popular MMG compilation. It’s a reminder that we have Meek Mill and Gunplay only by his grace, that he still a great ear for beats and than he can’t avoid making money.
Kanye West – Kanye West continued to exist this month.
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Big K.R.I.T. – Pulling the otherwise uninspiring Meridian, Mississippi into the spotlight in the way UGK once did with Port Arthur, Texas, Big K.R.I.T.’s lyrical dexterity, production, hooks and swagger made Live From The Underground everything fans could have wished for.
Harry Fraud – Not a rapper, but Harry Fraud’s continued rise to superproducer status deserves official acknowledgement. Equally at home with Meyhem Lauren, Heems and Rick Ross, the cause of Fraud’s success is refreshing: he consistently makes excellent songs.
Meek Mill – Following up the release of Dreamchasers 2 by playing the most consistent part on the MMG album, Meek is still flying. About a hit and a half away from being included in YouTube like-bait comments about how 2Pac is better than Lil Wayne.
Frank Ocean – A variety of rappers have long been convinced that being openly gay would actually benefit an artist due to the gay mafia who run the industry. Rappers often think mad shit, but being openly bisexual is certainly helping Ocean’s internet visibility.
Waka Flocka Flame – Following up a debut of the magnitude of Flockaveli has proven difficult for rappers to date but, though Triple F Life lacks the consistent raucousness of the first, it has highs, and the hype cycle it birthed put Flocka on magazine covers beyond just hip hop.
