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50. K. Vation ft. Devy Stonez and Brandon Fxrd – “Truth”
Three Iras cohorts jump on one song and give it their every ounce of energy. The beat is plain bottled aggression. Each time this song plays it has to grow on you. One of the best rap records of 2015, in Dallas, the state of Texas or otherwise. HDB
49. Honey the Hippie – “Faded”
This is almost not a rap song and just pure spoken word, but really what’s the difference? Also, Honey is spitting the truth. HDB
48. Terrence Spectacle – “Futon”
Terrance Spectacle thinks outside of the box. “Futon” is almost a phantasm, a dreamlike song, and those are best without the confines of a box. Not easily understood, nor appreciated, but a true delight. HDB
47. Bobby Sessions – “Black America”
“Black America” came at the height of social unrest – and of course, we’re still there. But when this released on MLK day this year, it was a particularly powerful song. Not to mention, the beat is insanity. HDB
46. Fat Tony ft Kool AD, Despot. – “Hood Party”
Fat Tony is a smart ass black boy. He’s got flows and styles for days. This one here is the hipster Pitchfork wave featuring none other than Despot and Kool AD. The video is a party in each of these guys’ cities of choice. Brilliant. HDB
45. RiFF RAFF – “How to Be the Man”
RiFF RAFF is a punk. He’s not a big fan of us either. But this song is great. Real Recognize real.
44. Mr. Lucci- “Mr. Diabolical”
Dallas hip hop has always been slightly behind the curve, and while Mr Lucci was making excellent music for a 17-year old at the turn of the century, it felt a little out of step with what was going on everywhere else. Doesn’t mean it wasn’t great; it was just a very unique moment. JPF
43. Mr. Pookie- “Crook for Life”
Maybe the most popular and ubiquitous song to come out of Dallas during the great rise of the South in the late ’90s and turn of the century. It was impossible to turn on Dallas radio and not hear this song four times an hour. JPF
42. Sam Lao – “Pilgrims”
“Pilgrims” isn’t long, and that’s really for the better. Sam Lao gets in and gets out with some fierce bars on a chaotic beat. When chaos is organized, it’s typically as swift as this. HDB
41. Le$ ft. Paul Wall and Slim Thug – “Steak and Shrimp”
Even a cool three decades into Texas rap, two truths remain unshakable: 1) We will always need car music to drive real slow to and 2) we will always needs cookout music to BBQ real slow to. These are both vital ingredients of Texas rap. HDB
40. Mike Jones – “Mr. Jones”
He’s kind of the most grating dude to come out of that whole era. This song is more important than genuinely good.
Who?
Mike Jones.
Who?
Fuck this.
Who?
HDB
39. Kevin Abstract – “Drugs”
Kevin Abstract is the type of organically weird and creative artist that a lot of contemporary rappers tend to fake. Take “Drugs” and you’ll find a fresh sound with some obvious influences, but something new nonetheless. An obvious heir to the late aughts work of Kanye and Kid Cudi. HDB
38. Damaged Good$ (DMG$) – “HOODRAT $HIT”
For a short time everyone in Dallas thought DMG$ were going to be the breakout group from the area. It didn’t quite happen, but man the material this duo put out is still breathtaking in its ambition so many years later. JPF
37. Maxo Kream – “Whitney Houston”
Not a fan of the use of “faggot,” but the song is what you would call a banger. I’m also not sure Maxo Kream takes more than about two breaths on this song. HDB
36. The Outfit, TX – “Private Dancer”
From the Dallas-bred and Houston-educated rap group comes an early fan favorite of theirs, “Private Dancer.” It comes from their 2012 release Starships & Rockets (Cooly Fooly Space Age Funk) and promises all the space-aged funk that’s advertised, with the assistance of a private dancer dressed in all purple. HDB
35. Travis Scott ft. Young Thung, Rich Homie Quan – “Mamacita”
Last year was a monumental year for Travis Scott and his mixtape, Days Before Radio, was a blog-rap fan smash. He found his niche as an artist, which is his own take on hell. Here is a slow dance in a burning room and bass rattling song with two other stars from 2014, Rich Homie Quan and Young Thug, who will always be remembered as the magical duo that gave us Rich Gang. HDB
34. Chingo Bling – “They Can’t Deport Us All”
This is what happens when a dude with an agenda and a marketing degree looks at Weird Al and decides to have as much fun as possible at the expense of people oppressing his people. It’s glorious. JPF
33. FAT PAT – “Tops Drop”
The synth intro to this H-town track is iconic for all the right reasons: It’s a slow burn into a hard bump and an endless thump. It’s for car rides and lit blunts, and sometimes that’s as Texas as you can get. JPF
32. BIG HAWK – “Chillin’ With My Broad”
There are a lot of oddly romantic and cool songs in the history of Texas rap. JPF
31. South Park Mexican – “I Must Be High”
South Park Mexican is a troubling artist, but he’s the most successful Latin rapper in the history of Texas. This tack is the best off his national breakthrough The 3rd Wish: To Rock The World, which peaked at No. 50 on the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks list, and it’s SPM to a T. It’s got a slow, methodical beat that allows SPM to showcase his lackadaisical flow and delves into the life of a man who needs to stay in a haze to function in a world out to get him. Many can relate to the plight, which is why so many are willing to forgive SPM’s transgressions. JPF
30. Chamilionare – “Ridin'”
Another track that’s kind of more important than good, or did Weird Al absolutely ruin this song forever? HDB