Top 50 Songs of 2008: Pt. 4

20. The Game featuring Lil Wayne "My Life" The Cool and Dre produced "My Life" sees the Game use his full range of lyrical ability. The Game has said the lyrical content is describing events that have shaped his life. My favorite stanza: "Sometimes I think about my life with my face down/ Then I see my sons and put on that Kanye smile/ Damn, I know his momma’s proud/ And since you helped me sell my dream, we can share my momma now" MP3: The Game feat. Lil Wayne "My Life" 19. Rick Ross featuring T-Pain "The Boss" "The Boss" is the JR Rotem produced second single from Rick Ross' second studio album, Trilla. The song samples Beastie Boys' classic "Paul Revere" and auto-tuned master, T-Pain sings the chorus. MP3: Rick Ross feat T-Pain "The Boss" 18. Shawty Lo "Dey Know" I have no idea what makes Shawty Lo's "Dey Know" so compelling. The song is produced by relatively unknown producer Balis Beats and it samples Mandrill's "Children of the Sun". Shawty Lo's wispy voice is so unique in hip hop that the endless chanting of "hello/dey know" in the song isn't annoying, it's just catchy and hammers the chorus into your head. MP3: Shawty Lo "Dey Know" 17. Estelle featuring Kanye West "American Boy" "American Boy" was the second single from Estelle's second album, but certainly it is the biggest thing she's done. Kanye West spits a hokey yet irresistible verse and Estelle's sexy voice makes the song one of the year's biggest singles. The song is nominated for Song of the Year at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards. MP3: Estelle feat. Kanye West "American Boy" 16. CSS "Rat is Dead (Rage)" The first single from CSS' second album, Donkey, introduced us to a different side of the Brazilian dance group. The song was described by CSS guitarist Adriano Cintra as a grunge song. I wouldn't go that far but the song combines elements of dance, rock, and pop so seemlessly that's its hard not to get stuck in your head for days on end. MP3: CSS "Rat is Dead (Rage)" 15. Black Kids "Look At Me (When I Rock Witchoo)" Black Kids' debut album, Partie Traumatic got less than stellar reviews. The most infamous of which was Pitchfork's infamous pug puppy review. Either way the closing track from the album was arguably one of the best from the album. While "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance with You" was the song that introduced the band to the world "Look At Me (When I Rock Witchoo)" was the keyboard-laden dance number that couldn't possibly be more catchy. The real key to the track's success is the dueling vocals between Reggie Youngblood and his kid sister Ali Youngblood. MP3: Black Kids "Look At Me (When I Rock Witchoo)" 14. Kano featuring Ghetto "Hunting We Will Go" One of grime's most promising emcee's delivers an unforgettable performance in "Hunting We Will Go". The track uses the tune from "the farmer in the dell" which isn't very hip hop, but the dark keyboards laid by producer Mikey J make the track as brooding a hip hop track as there is. MP3: Kano feat Ghetto "Hunting We Will Go" 13. Weezer "Pork n Beans" Weezer's Red Album was an unequivocal disaster, but it did prove that Rivers' can still write a hell of a lead single. The song was written by Rivers Cuomo as a reaction to a meeting with Geffen executives where the band was told they needed to record more commercial material. The song is marked irony and angst all while being formed around a simple yet catchy guitar riff. MP3: Weezer "Pork N Beans" 12. Jay-Z "Jockin Jay-Z (Dough Boy Fresh)" Jay-Z has long been considered the greatest rapper alive. Working again with the producer who took his career to a new level, Kanye West, Jay-Z outdoes himself on "Jockin Jay-Z". Sampling Run-DMC acts as an homage of taking what was done by previous kings of New York and solidifies Jay-Z as still the current king. MP3: Jay-Z "Jockin Jay-Z (Dough Boy Fresh)" 11. Madonna featuring Justin Timberlake and Timbaland "4 Minutes" There was not much to enjoy on Madonna's Hard Candy other than her picture (she is still a hot lady) and "4 Minutes". Although "4 Minutes" isn't much of a Madonna single. The song sounds like it is straight off of Justin Timberlake's FutureSex/LoveSounds. He once again proves he is the new king of pop while teaming up with hip hop's most lucrative producer and cultural icon Madonna. MP3: Madonna feat. Justin Timberlake and Timbaland "4 Minutes"