30.
Shabaka (ft. Moses Sumney):

Insecurities

A beautiful jazz track with background harmonizing from Moses Sumney, “Insecurities” is an enchanting sonic journey. Both artists appear to be in perfect sync, despite the variety between instrument and voice.

Best Line:
“I keep looking over my shoulder”

Listen: Shabaka (ft. Moses Sumney), Insecurities

29.
Hatis Noit (ft. Armand Hammer):

Jomon

An eerie, unlikely collaboration between Hatis Noit and Armand Hammer, “Jomon” is named after Northern Japan’s indigenous people. ELUCID contributes to the song’s brooding energy while billy woods adds a short, standout verse.

Best Line:
“Mom told me write until it walks off the page, til it bleeds / The slaves built a stage with bone and teeth on a midsummer day”

Listen: Hatis Noit (ft. Armand Hammer), Jomon

28.
Alice Longyu Gao (ft. Danny Brown):

Bird W/O Nest

One of the most interesting collaborations of the year, Alice Longyu Gao and Danny Brown come together for a resilient and uplifting track. Brown has a very honest verse about his mental health battles that is extremely motivational.

Best Line:
“Flying high through the sky, bird without a nest”

Listen: Alice Longyu Gao (ft. Danny Brown), Bird W/O Nest

27.
Rex Orange County (ft. James Blake):

Look Me In The Eyes

A soft piano duet between Rex Orange County and James Blake, the song is heart-wrenching. James Blake’s voice carries insurmountable weight and emotion, really emphasizing the somber tone of the track.

Best Line:
“Let me down like I would”

Listen: Rex Orange County (ft. James Blake), Look Me In The Eyes

26.
Blu & Exile (ft. Pistol McFly & Cashus King):

Homies

A beautiful tribute to friends past and present, “Homies” is an ode to brotherhood. Cashus King has the second verse, delivering a standout performance including a touching line about a friend that has passed away.

Best Line:
“I play it back in my head so he don’t feel dead"

Listen: Blu & Exile (ft. Pistol McFly & Cashus King), Homies

25.
Cordae (ft. Lil Wayne):

Saturday Mornings

If you dig through the archives of this list over the years, you’ll see a few names consistently each time. One of them is Lil Wayne, who continues his prolific run of features on “Saturday Mornings,” delivering a long guest verse that continues to pick up momentum until the very end of the song.

Best Line:
“And if it ain’t Mula baby then I ain’t the dad / I need my head scanned”

Listen: Cordae (ft. Lil Wayne), Saturday Mornings

24.
Childish Gambino (ft. Fousheé):

Running Around

A catchy pop-punk duet from Childish Gambino and Fousheé, “Running Around” is an energetic jam made stronger with the latter’s backing vocal range. Fousheé is the perfect contributor to a track like this.

Best Line:
“Running out of ammunition, no need to fire at my opps they dig their own ditches”

Listen: Childish Gambino (ft. Fousheé), Running Around

23.
21 Savage & Metro Boomin (ft. Travis Scott):

née-nah

A stellar feature from Travis Scott, he begins with a clean and raspy verse packed with crisp punchlines as he mentions the American singer Nina Simone—who seems to be the inspiration for the song’s title.

Best Line:
“'Til she reached in the trunk and found a nina / I told her, "Baby, that's Nina Simone"”

Listen: 21 Savage & Metro Boomin (ft. Travis Scott), née-nah

22.
Don Toliver (ft. KODAK BLACK):

BROTHER STONE

A bombastic feature from one of Florida’s finest, “BROTHER STONE” finds Kodak Black rapping a verse as well as handling the chorus. Topically the track is nothing revelatory, but hard hitting nonetheless.

Best Line:
“Don't call me back since you can't answer when I call ya”

Listen: Don Toliver (ft. KODAK BLACK), BROTHER STONE

21.
ANKHLEJOHN (ft. Navy Blue):

Cadillac Problems

On “Cadillac Problems,” Navy Blue enters into a reflective state as he enters a competitive mode that shows his confidence. Sounding like the sage he is, each line sounds like a modern hip-hop proverb.

Best Line:
“As of now I’m truly grateful for a stable mind / Cuz when its solemn in my solitude this little light of mine will shine”

Listen: ANKHLEJOHN (ft. Navy Blue), Cadillac Problems

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