Stanisland Magazine

We curate an alternate playlist of rap songs you’re either unaware of, or have forgotten for the sunny season.

If you feel like you’re bumping the same old tunes every year, you’re not alone. Variety is the spice of life and music only enriches the marinade of your speakers. Here we present seven lesser known tracks for your upcoming summer.

Symba – “Big Homie” feat 2 Chainz

A big tune for the big car! “Big Homie” has a festival meets cruising vibe, filled with tenable lyrics and the flow of one of hip-hop’s most underrated and current MCs – Symba.

Filled with flute samples and featuring rapper 2 Chainz, it makes for a track that will please everyone in your friendship group and then some.

Nas – “Death Row East”

The connoisseur of reinvention, Nas, has some gems that often go under the radar. Crafted for “King’s Disease II,” this banger goes hard alongside a relentless flow and penmanship.

Featuring string samples and an uplifting production, it is perhaps a song hidden in plain sight which for some reason, fails to register for many.

Shade Sheist – “Where I Wanna Be” feat Nate Dogg and Kurupt

Despite his brief time in the limelight, the west-coast rapper created a buzz for himself spurred by the release of his debut album’s lead single: “Where I Wanna Be”

Featuring the melodic and highly distinctive artistry of Nate Dogg, it overwhelmed most summer releases of 2002, attracting listeners from all walks of genres who appreciated its laid back and happy tune; albeit with a gangster tone supported by LA’s legendary rapper Kurupt.

Ahmad – “Back In The Day (Remix)”

This is a laid back joint that often finds its way out of the archive for brief moments at a time; often gracing soundtracks for short periods.

Tingling with nostalgic outputs that act as a time capsule for the period it was released (1994), it accents this through Ahmad’s incredible flow that only builds upon the music that feeds it.

Foxy Brown – “Hot Spot”

Despite her being quiet of late, Foxy has done enough to alleviate her lack of presence in the scene.

This joint goes hard, with a powerful production that boosts the delivery of our famed lyricist, and you can never go wrong when you meet at the “Hot Spot.”

Tash feat Raekwon – “Rap Life”

One for cruising, “Rap Life” features an interesting beat most artists probably wouldn’t consider for their album’s lead single. But Tash decided this was the one, and for good reason.

Pulsing with slow tempo bass and recycled vocals, he partners with Raekwon to detail the intricacies of the spoils of hip-hop’s excessive bling culture.

Naughty By Nature – “Feel Me Flow”

You’re probably thinking, I know this one though, and so do many others too. Just admit it, you forgot about it right? And that’s ok because it’s a classic brought out by that old school lover friend/mum or dad of yours.

This joint oozes summer flow, and cauterises your aversion to head bumping within seconds as its voracious feel good vibes permeate your car space.

Bonus: TQ – “Westside”

I know it’s not a hip-hop song, but this one compliments the aforementioned. Despite failing to rip it in his home nation of the United States, TQ made a name for himself in Europe.

His debut album “They Never Saw Me Coming” was a smash in the UK, where its lead single “Westside” led the charge, charting numerous top ten places across the pond. Once the chorus hits, the next time you hear it you’ll understand the momentum before it’s even begun. This is a classic piece of music and a rarity of sound within the R&B scene.