By shelz. and Odeisel
We’re back with part two of Planet Ill Dot Com’s best songs (that we’ve heard) of 2010. Let the good times continue to roll. Enjoy.
Sia – “My Love”
The OST for Eclipse took an edgy turn from its predecessors and yielded some great music this year. Even with The Dead Weather, Ceelo Green and The Black Keys representing, the standout cut was Sia’s dramatic string and piano driven elegy. “My Love” rides a perfect wave of melancholy, but is still a joy to listen to.
Arcade Fire – “Ready To Start”
Anyone who has stepped out on faith in the face of the unknown can appreciate “Ready To Start.” This song expresses the leap from status quo’s precipice into self actualization (word to Maslow) as well as any sonic self starter kit ever has. Need a kick in the ass to walk away from mediocrity? Arcade Fire has your back.
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – “War Machine”
“War Machine” grinds through a slow sonic miasma like a freight train on a drive by in the middle of a forest fire and was the definite highlight of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’s album Beat the Devi’ls Tattoo. You may not be familiar with the crew responsible for this brooding storm cloud of a song, but you should be.
04-black_rebel_motorcycle_club-war_machine-crn
Gil Scott Heron – “Me and the Devil”
The back story of Gil Scott Heron’s cover of Robert Johnson’s “Me and the Devil” from his album I’m New Here is just as dramatic as this poignant narrative about the acceptance of darkness. Heron’s damaged voice ads to the gravity as he explains a day with his menacing shadow over one of the year’s most sinister tracks.
Ceelo Green – “Fuck You”
Cee-Lo Green put out so much great music this year, but his potty mouthed ode to the ultimate heartbreak temper tantrum, “Fluck You” captured the listening audience like almost nothing else this year. He also cried without being branded an emo loser. How many rappers can do that?
Cali Swag District – “Teach Me How to Dougie”
Cali Swag District produced the dance song of the year with “Teach Me How to Dougie.” Everybody and their cousin wanted to jump on the remix and Wolf Blitzer brought it to CNN and shared it with your grandma. Favre may not have a decent move out the pocket anymore, but even he can teach you how to Dougie.
California Swag District-Teach Me How To Dougie
Sleigh Bells – “Treats”
Sleigh Bells took noise and distortion to new cool levels this year with their debut album Treats. And the title cut is the most obnoxiously loud and reverb-laden of them all. The slow grind is evil. The child-like vocals smeared on top are eerie and the skeletal breaks heighten the drama.
Tricky – “Hakim”
The vocals are most likely Arabic. The Middle Eastern influence is so strong the song is more rai than pop, but the thump at the beginning and the strings that float throughout take this song out of the ethnic box. “Hakim” is a spell-binding and beautiful addition to Tricky’s Mixed Race. It’s a shame it’s the only song he didn’t perform.
Janelle Monae feat. Saul Williams – “Dance Or Die”
It’s snaky bassline and sexy double time sit atop an ambient organ, all of which implore you to dance. Then the hook explodes with horns and layered vocals sealing your fate. The lyrics about war and death are cold, but the funky beat makes this song a hot one.
02 – Janelle Monae – Dance or die (feat. Saul Williams)
Rick Ross feat. Kanye West – “Live Fast, Die Young”
The synth whines over a very fluid, good time track while Rick Ross spits la vida loca. First class, hot broads and lots of money. The party is over here, but Kanye knows the high life can be short lived. The work hard play harder theme has never knocked as summer time dope.
02 Rick Ross feat. Kanye West – Live Fast, Die Young (Dirty)
Chrisette Michele – “If Nobody Sang Along”
What motivates people to create? Why put yourself out there to be judged? Are you seduced by the fame or the need for attention? Michele makes a riveting examination with minimal music, maximum musing and heart wrenching vocals. Would she be willing to sing if nobody sang along? I hope so.
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Erykah Badu – “Gone Baby”
Badu drops a softer more uptempo version of “Other Side of the Game” with a soothing groove. Erykah plays the role of supporting partner, pushing him to chase his dreams. The blend of wails, digital bass, guitars and her trademark background vocals. The song is mood driven rather than lyric driven; a nice change of pace for the bag lady.
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Nas & Damian Marley- “Count Your Blessings”
Hip-Hop meets urban contemporary meets reggae as two musicians’ sons drop adult lyrics not about counting their money or cars or girls but counting blessings of family health wealth and wisdom over a mellow rhythm tinged with electric guitars. What a novel concept.
06 – Nas & Damian Marley – Count Your Blessings
Fat Joe- “I Am Crack”
In the tradition of James Brown’s “King Heroin” Fat Joe becomes drugs personified, giving a first person narrative of the damage crack has done. If that wasn’t enough, and inspired Just Blaze drops one of the hardcore beats of the year sprinkled with news reports that tell the frightening tale of the drug that took the neighbor out the hood.
Fat_Joe-I_Am_Crack_(Prod_Just_Blaze)-2dope
Katy Perry- “Circle the Drain”
A far cry from the pop aesthetic of ‘”Teenage Dream” Perry lays into her ex Travis McCoy (who she doesn’t actually name) with visceral lyrics declaring that she doesn’t want a front row seat for the drug-addled self-destruction of someone she loves. That’s real for your ass.
The Roots Feat. Jim James & Monsters of Folk – “Dear God 2.0”
Philadelphia’s finest rework the powerful “Dear God” for a Hip-Hop infused version of the powerful. Sometimes when you feel like the world is against you, even believers question the motives of Divine design. The song walks that line of humility before the maker and the despair of a good heart in a cold.
Bilal-“All Matter”
Over a velvet-smooth bassline, Bilal delivers a high-concept look at the common threads that run throughout our existence while noting that we only seem to concentrate on what makes us different. Love is the only thing that can overcome the things that separate us all.
Skyzoo & !llmind- “Speakers on Blast”
The tension-filled “Speakers on Blast” features a dynamic beat colored by 808s and snares that boom and emulate a popped speaker. Skyzoo references Jigga’s “Blue Magic” and pop references from the Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing and sneaker culture. Word to Radio Raheem.
Skyzoo & Illmind-Speakers On Blast
Kanye West – “My Dark Fantasy”
“My Dark Fantasy” is an haunting arrangement of the RZA’s strings and bewitching atmospherics that provide the perfect mood for Ye’s thoughts on the industry. The song speaks to fame and money intoxicate and what happens when you’re so high you miss the square life?
Eternia-“BBQ”
Who says women can’t rap? Buried in the Minaj Mania is the fact that there are women who write rhymes and body tracks. Canadian import Eternia gathers legends Rah Digga and The Lady of Rage in homage to Main Source’s “Live From The BBQ.” How appropriate that the trio drops nothing but fire.
The_BBQ_(DIRTY)_ft_Rah_Digga_&_Rage
Stay tuned for part 3!
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