Stream Awkword’s (@AwkwordRap) Approved @AudioMack Playlist For June 2016

AWKWORD went through all the Rap music uploaded to AudioMack in the month of June, picked out the 50 best songs, & created a playlist that flows from start to finish. Don’t let them tell you that Hip-Hop is dead. The DigiSpot got beautiful genre-blending records, work from overseas in Africa, Europe, & Latin America, a few throwbacks to the golden era, and even some protest music. Some of the artists, like De La Soul, Snoop Dogg, & DMX, have been around for years, and some are new — proof that all hope isn’t lost. The top 10 highlights for AWKWORD include:

1. Young Lito & Troy Ave’s off-key singalong, “I Love This Game”
2. The soulful “Don’t Forget ‘Em (Remix)” from OLD Kanye & his former Chi-Town collaborator Consequence
3. The rock-influenced song of protest “Say When” from THEY.
4. Skyzoo’s genius response to Jay-Z’s “Friend or Foe ’98”
5. Some non-violent rap confrontation from Diabolic & Talib Kweli, as well as Hus Kingpin & Rozewood talking to their (former) friends from Griselda Records
6. The triumphant return of YC The Cynic, as Kemba (2 tracks)
7. A bold effort from Vic Mensa with Le1f, Lil B, Halsey, & Malik Yusef
8. More work from AWKWORD’s “I Am” cohorts in Nigeria & Zambia, Modenine & Holstar
9. New, classic ILL BILL
10. AWKWORD’s song of the month, the “1st (Remix)” from Torii Wolf & DJ Premier, featuring Dilated Peoples