10 Good Rap Songs Of 2009

The 10 good rap songs of 2009 are fairly familiar tracks. This is because some of the best music from that year also ended up on the radio. And honestly, isn't that the way it should be? Sure, there is underground rap. But the best music should reach the widest audience possible.

1. Jay-Z - "Empire State of Mind" (Ft. Alicia Keys). Jay-Z is proving that rappers can age well. And even if you're from the West Coast, you have to respect the greatness that is the New York described here. Some have even suggested "Empire State of Mind" as the modern day version of Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York," but only time will tell if that holds true.
2. Jay-Z - "D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)." This song goes out to everyone who hates auto-tune. Auto-tune arrived with good intentions. Producers use it to fix pitch rough spots in recorded vocals. But because it's become an annoying gimmick, Jay-Z just had to write this song. Some may even want to stomp on Auto-Tune's grave, assuming there is such a thing. This is a great song because it stands up for real music.
3. Eminem - "3 AM." The music Eminem has recorded for "Recovery" is much better than this track. Nevertheless, even average Eminem is better than some of the best that other rappers have to offer. Eminem is healthy, off drugs, and seems like a fit fighter as much as a fit rapper. Anybody that can write a song during a time when most folks are sound asleep, deserves to be on the 10 best rap songs for that year.
   
4. Jay Sean – "Down."  This song made the list for its melody alone. Yes, it's not exactly the greatest example of rap, but it's a fine song without a doubt. Hey, it may even bring you up when you're feeling down.
   
5. Iyaz – "Replay." This is one of the 10 best rap songs of 2009 because of its memorable melody, emotive vocal and mention of the big place mp3 players have in music listener's lives.
6. Snoop Dogg – "I Wanna Rock." This is one of the 10 best rap songs of 2009 because it helps to better define what "rocking" means. It's not a stylistic term, per se, but an attitudinal one. Snoop Dogg, as usual, has the right attitude.
7. Lil Wayne – "Drop The World." This is not the best Lil Wayne track. But 2009 was Lil Wayne's year, and this popular cut well represents what he does. This song made the list because Lil Wayne has such a distinctive rapping vocal tone, and because he has a great sense of humor.
   
8. Asher Roth – "I Love College." Asher Roth may or may not love college, but any rap song that even mentions the word "college" is a good thing because it shows there is an alternative to the street lifestyle.
   
9. Ludacris – "How Low."  Ludacris can sure rap fast! Snoop Dogg may be rock & roll, but he's smoked too much weed to ever spit out words at the rate Ludacris does. Ludacris may well smoke weed, too, but at least it doesn't show as much.
   
10. Rick Ross ft. John Legend – "Magnificent."  John Legend's soulful vocals make any track better. And Rick Ross is great to begin with. This one is unbeatable. Legend's work with The Roots was better, but that's not to say "Magnificent" isn't, well, magnificent.