Top 10 song releases - November 2022
By Philippe Martin 02/12/2022
As we approach the end of the year, artists are not slowing down when it comes to releasing quality songs. JID updated his album of the year contender with the amazing song “2007”. Montreal is maintaining its momentum with Zach Zoya, Mike Shabb, and Kevin Na$h releasing great songs. Big names artists like Gucci Mane, Travis Scott, and Tech N9ne keep on proving why they are still relevant in 2022. With only one month to go before the year-end, the “Best Of” lists will begin to be published, so be sure to stay on the lookout for Rap Nerd’s selections for 2022.
With that being said, here are the best songs of November 2022. This list contains many mainstream and independent placements from artists who either dropped great albums during the month or that are preparing to do so soon. Let us know in the comments what you think about these and if any other singles deserved to make this list.
- Zach Zoya - Birthday Sex
- JID - 2007
- Gucci Mane - Letter to Takeoff
- Pharrell & Travis Scott - Down In Atlanta
- Rich Brian & $NOT - VIVID
- Tech N9ne - Screen
- 38 Spesh, Harry Fraud, Benny the Butcher & Ransom - Band of Brothers
- Mike Shabb - K.D Stats
- Busta Rhymes & Swizz Beatz - Break This Bitch Up
- Kevin Na$h – Lovin Strangers
Zach Zoya - Birthday Sex
Part of a single pack with “Come By Here”, this new RnB song by Zach Zoya is intoxicating. The beat is moody as hell, with the 808s and the kicks mixing together beautifully. The Montreal native’s vocal performance is modern and slick, keeping things simple lyrically but delivering on the melodic side. “Birthday Sex” proves once again that he has what it takes to make waves outside Canada.
Released 04/11/2022
JID - 2007
Added in the updated version of JID’s August album “The Forever story”, the new outro “2007” is amazing. His storytelling abilities during his verses are impressive as usual. The story he shares with the listener uses commentaries from his father and J. Cole to detail what defines him as a person. With a 7-minute runtime, the Atlanta native takes his time closing one of 2022’s best records the right way.
Released 04/11/2022
Gucci Mane - Letter to Takeoff
As everyone begins healing from the loss of Takeoff, Gucci Mane lets his feelings out on this new song, paying tribute to his old protégé. Zaytoven produces a slow but classic-sounding trap beat for the 1017 leader to spit one of his most vulnerable verses in a long time. After the killing of Young Dolph last year, this marks another close loss for Gucci Mane and the hip-hop community.
Released 15/11/2022
Pharrell & Travis Scott - Down In Atlanta
“Down In Atlanta” is a good example of two superstars collaborating on a low-key song that sees them both step out a bit of their comfort zone. The beat is particularly poppy for Travis Scott and the vocal performance is more distorted than the traditional Pharrell song. It works well as the production is intoxicating and contagious, making you want to move a muscle or two.
Released 18/11/2022
Rich Brian & $NOT - VIVID
The 88 Rising artist releases a great single before the year-end. “VIVID” features the artist $NOT, a New York rapper that released a solid album in February 2022. They collaborate on a slow instrumental full of 808 basses and flute loops. This song is on par with the quality of Rich Brian’s excellent January EP “Brightside”.
Released 15/11/2022
Tech N9ne - Screen
The independent star has been fairly quiet this year, only releasing a couple of singles and collaborations, but this new song could hint at a new project coming soon. For fans of the Kansas City artist, “Screen” will come as a welcomed delight. The 51-year-old emcee is in top shape as he raps about the people trying to come into our lives for the wrong reasons. His delivery is precise and the hook is catchy as hell.
Released 18/11/2022
38 Spesh, Harry Fraud, Benny the Butcher & Ransom - Band of Brothers
Teasing the release of his collaborative project with Harry Fraud, the respected underground artist 38 Spesh lets his fans eat with this masterful single featuring Benny the Butcher and Ransom. The three artists are skilled rappers when it comes to spitting powerful lyrics and creating these vivid images within their verses. “Band of Brothers” is a great example of the actual Rap Renaissance, showing that good lyrics are still important in today’s musical landscape.
Released 09/11/2022
Mike Shabb - K.D Stats
The Montreal producer and rapper is back with a slick song called “K.D Stats”. After helping Nicholas Craven and Boldy James craft their excellent project “Fair Exchange No Robbery”, he releases this solo track that reminds us why he has the potential to gain momentum within the underground rap scene. The vocal sample looping with minimalistic drums is still a good formula to lay quality verses and Mike Shabb does it well.
Released 16/11/2022
Busta Rhymes & Swizz Beatz - Break This Bitch Up
Busta Rhymes is preparing for the release of his next studio album, so he creates the hype with “The Fuse Is Lit”, a quick EP that brings some hard-hitting tracks like “Break This Bitch Up”. Produced by Swizz Beatz, the instrumental’s high energy is undeniable as the veteran rapper easily spits his aggressive lyrics.
Released 18/11/2022
Kevin Na$h – Lovin Strangers
With “Lovin Strangers”, Kevin Na$h releases a trap ballad full of bass and distorted vocals. Recalling the moody sound and bounce of Travis Scott, the Montreal artist keeps on being steady creatively. After the release of his September EP “Hope It Was Worth It”, this song could be included in a future full-length project, but it could also stand on its own as an excellent single.
Released 21/11/2022