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Before we kick off our Top 20 of the year, let us first state that such a task as to dilute a year in this way is actually impossible. However, we stayed away from the tune round up, that would have been a headache more painful than a New Year hangover and stuck with 20 or so artists that have in some way touched our ears and hearts this year. This should in no way be viewed as the definitive 20, well ok maybe it should seeing as we've said it is but before you go shouting and screaming about those we left behind, know one thing... we don't really give a shit. Nobody knows better than us the wealth of talent that should have made it's way into the chart type post but that's just the way the cookie has crumbled this time and these are the chocolate chips that fell out. It's also a great excuse to get up some tracks we never got round to and revisit some classics. So in no particular order let us begin...


Hudson Mohawke

Following up excellent definitive 2008 album releases from Harmonic 313 and Flying Lotus, Warp continued to invite post Hip-hop producers into their indie electronic world this year. But perhaps surprisingly it wasn't the album from the greater established Prefuse 73, good as it was, that got us most excited but rather the first offical solo album from HudMo, half of the Heralds Of Change with the equally as endearing Mike Slott, who would have joined his LuckyMe bredren with perhaps Rustie and Dema also if they had been just a touch more prolific this year or we could be bothered to do a top 30 instead.

Download: Crookers Feat. Kardinal Offishall And Carla Marie - Put Your Hands On Me (Hudson Mohawke Remix) / alt link


Foreign Beggars

After a good few years trying to drag the dying UK Hip-hop scene into the now, looks like Foreign Beggars became one of the few to finally make it to the other side, and we're so glad they did. With rhyme skills galore, a VIP guest list that includes the likes of Dubbledge, Kyza, Badness, Ben Sharpa and Guilty Simpson, plus a perfecty tuned ear for a quality beat their United Colours of Beggatron album was truly, in the words of Dead Prez, 'bigger than...'

Video: Foreign Beggars & Noisia - Contact


Stagga & Monkey

Yes we realise that we're highly biased in this what with them being family but we aren't giving them undue props, they've both earned more than enough stripes this year with some truly killer releases. Both have developed different styles and sounds with equal power in neighbouring arenas but we still can't seperate the two in our heads, even with them now residing in completely different countries. Luckily they have been working on new material together so watch out for that in the new year.

MONKEY & STAGGA - ORIGINAL MISTY by Chrome Kids


Bassnectar

Whilst there are now artists adding Dubstep elements to Hip-hop, Bassnectar kinda got it arse backwards, or perhaps visionarily forwards, he was making stomping bass heavy digital Hip-hop beats first then realised that his style was equally suited to making dirty jump up dubz. When we half jokingly refer to Hulk Hop, it's primarily his bulky, mean and bouncing beats that we have in mind.

Download: Groove Armada - Superstylin (Bassnectar's Superstylin Smashup) / alt link


Joker

When gypsy punk Gogol Bordello sang Start Wearing Purple, he was reffering to a certain crazy woman's choice of clothing, Prince is perhaps the most famous purple fanatic and as well as being a touch eccentric himself he does make some incredible funk, or did at least. So it seems only right that the crazy deep digital funk of Joker's dubz is reffered to as the 'purple sound' right? We're pretty sure that's not the reason, we're just rambling lyrical but either way, already with a heavy artillery of tunes under his belt, this year saw the young Bristollian step up yet another gear to become one of the scene's most wanted artists, and rightly so too.

Download: Sean Paul - So Fine (Joker Remix) / alt link


Spoek

Not so much an emcee as a beat seeking missile, Mr Mathambo has been on a round the world trip of dope producers sampling every bass heavy flavour out there. Already in our high esteems due to his groundbreaking work with Sibot as Playdoe, 'the post-apartheid, post-hip hop, poster boy' has truly helped to push forwards the African scene this year and has also been as prolific on his blog as he has on the mic.

Download: Ed Orable feat Spoek - Dance No More (Monkey Safari Remix) / alt link


Mumdance

After catching our ear with his B'more style Evil 9 remix, Jack Adams proceeded to kill it on every level. With a slew of remixes that largely featured Jammer and / or Badness on extra vocals he went on to become the collaboration king sharing the boards with Brodinski, AC Slater, Toy Selectah and Drums Of Death amongst others, adding a touch of Grime soaked South East UK Tropical flavour to everything in his reach.


High Rankin

Known to us for his big, dark and brutal remixes that not so much rocked dancefloors as picked them up and shook the living shit out of them, yet his No Money For Guns EP on Hervé's Cheap Thrills label showed a refreshing diversity that we believe is set to spread out even further. Although everything he does is still pretty huge, mind you he is a big lad.

Download: Daedelus - For Withered Friends (Mumdance & High Rankin Remix) / alt link


Mochipet

Arguably the king of crunked up digitally mutated music, yet shockingly overlooked on MAH's West Coast Rocks programme, the Godzilla suited don of Daly City has also helped to pave the way for such Chrome Kids favourites as Flying Skulls and...


Th' Mole

Made up the bulk of the year's Fre-Releases along with his alter ego DJ 0.000001 (one millionth) and produced some monstrous beats in the process. His DIY ethos, nursery rhyme style delivery and madcap musical adventures make him difficult to fit into the accepted boxes but that's just why we love him so much.

Download: Narch - Chained Up (Mochipet Remix feat Eazy E) / alt link

Download: Th' Mole feat Warrior Queen - Jump Jack / alt link


Robot Koch

The chirpy Berlin based beat freak has always been light years ahead of his time it seems, his crew Jahcoozi were making 'now' music a good few years back and his work with RQM and Cerebral Vortex helped to prove that at least some emcees weren't being left behind. With a fantastic full length release in the shape of Death Star Droid and large selection of singles, mixtapes, remixes and exclusives all assaulting our eardrums from every direction in such an enlightening way, it has most definitely been good to have Robot Koch firmly on our radar this year.

Download: Robot Koch - Gotom Sen (Shlomo Remix) via XLR8R / alt link


Raffertie

Another big lad who doesn't exactly make small and subtle music, infact his tracks are possibly as large as it gets with skull ripping basslines, the kind of drops that would give an acrophobiac a heart attack and enough dirt to keep an allotment going for a year. We've had a taste of his leanings towards the Hip-hop side too with his Foamo remix and we are eager beavers gnawing at our nutsacks waiting for more.

Download: Foamo - Wardance (Raffertie Remix feat Shiftee Moova) / alt link


Mix N Blend

South Africa and Cape Town in particular has given us some of our favourite music of the year and Mix N Blend are a shining example of how their scene have got it so right. Dubstep without a hint of pretension that still manages to drop as heavy as anything else, plus their album on African Dope showcased a variety of styles that certainly do the name justice yet never gets lost amongst the madness.

Download: Mix n Blend feat. EJ Von Lyrik & SFR - Tantrum / alt link


George Lenton

It kind of feels like Mr Lenton has came out of nowhere and with a noticeably low number of 'official' releases to his name his inclusion here might seem a tad premature but regardless he has still managed to unleash some of the best tracks of the year. Although Troll carried the same Network sample as a few other tunes his version seeme to be the definitive summing up of the mood of the nation and kicked off our Pimp My Tour Bus mix perfectly. His blurring of boundaries between Dubstep and 'Hulk Hop' or even pop and underground sits perfectly with our point of view also.

Download: Erik Hassle - Hurtful (George Lenton Remix) / alt link


Troublemaker

One of those artists who manages to keep a big profile whilst remaining just under the radar. Some might say this is a perfect position for an artist but we can't help but feel the whole world needs to recognise the skills of Hollyrock's finest. Tracks ranging from 130bpm Dubstep style tracks (why aren't even more artists doing this?) to big and beefy Hip-hop via the occasional Electro Pop tune. His diversity might be confusing to some but it's certainly endearing to us here.

Download: Big B - Sinner (Troublemaker Remix)


Akira Kiteshi

Originally a duo of Steven Hyslop and Tommy Forrest (still alive under the name AK Kids) Akira Kiteshi stomped many a speaker with their no holds barred beats, and as a solo warrior Forrest has in no way lost any of the projects power, infact he goes from strength to strength. With so much hype surrounding Glasgow it's good to see somebody holding the corner for the Scottish capital of Edinburgh hard and with a number of releases on labels such as Black Acre and Muti Music cementing credibility there's no sign of this ronin needing to commit seppuku anytime soon. For more information check out his interview over at BwompBeats.

Download: DZ - Just Rollin' (Akira Kiteshi Remix) via BwompBeats


Elucid

When we first caught him rhyming over a Kode 9 beat it was so refreshing to hear a New York rapper approaching Dubstep in a different way, and then we discovered his Police and Thieves album. What one of the best albums of the year was doing just sitting there as a free download on his MySpace is anybody's guess but we're so glad it was. The follow up Sub Bass Diet gave Elucid a firm spot on this Top 20 and a VIP pass card to the Chrome Mansions stereo. The fact that he included our good friend Metabeats (don't worry he'll certainly be in next years chart!) on the album was extra icing for a hella tasty cake indeed.

Download: Elucid - By The Block (Child Of The Sun) / alt link


The xx

Undoubtedly an inclusion on many a blog round up this year and not without reason. There were many pretenders to the coolest band crown this year but none quite got the level of straight up sonic sexual healing that oozed out of their self produced debut album. Inspired some fantastic remixes from the likes of Lunice and Nosaj Thing as well.


Renaissance Man

We have to thank Pelski above all other blogs for properly introducing us to the new wave of minimal tech artists that have a decidedly tropical leaning. We could have picked any one of the Sound Pellegrino roster to represent but as Renaissance Man was our first proper hit, we'll include them as the definitive door to our new addiction.

Download: Florence & The Machine - You've Got The Love (The xx Remix / Renaissance Man Edit) / alt link


Don Diablo / Chew Fu

It may be cheating to have a joint place but we honestly can't choose between these two Saturday night dancefloor favourites. Don Diablo not only makes the best all out new skool Disco about but has managed to help turn Example from a Hip-hop try hard to a rallying voice for the party generation. Chew Fu on the other hand has been relentlessly adding his golden touch to a number of bootleg hits this year that have gradually seen him move further into the official arena and up in the size of dancefloors he fills. They've perhaps got a little too big for our tastes lately but there's no doubting his latest hit with Wiley is a beast that isn't just tearing up the charts but ripping it a new hole that Chew Fu will be more than capable of filling.

Download: Don Diablo feat Example - Pussycat / alt link

Download: Chew Fu & Steve Clisby - Purple Rain / alt link

And to help us round up the year completely, here's the MP3 of that Mystro track we posted as a video yesterday.

Download: Mystro - 2009 UK Rap Up / alt link

That's it for us this year, we shall be out and about New Years Eve so hopefully catch you then, otherwise see you in 2010 mofos.

Sway just 'leaked' this track he's done with Toddla T, Benga and JLS. Sitting close to the wrong side of the 1Xtra tracks at times still but it sounds like Mr Dasafo is finally getting back to a form we know and love. Just wish he'd take his eye of the chart, he works so much better underground.

Download: Toddla T x Sway x Benga x JLS - Chart Attack / alt link

01. Foreign Beggars – United Colours Of Beggatron (Album)
02. 808 State – Pacific State (Lazarus Project Remix)
03. Malente & Dex – Lions (Bassnectar & Ill Gates remix)
04. Riton and Primary 1 - Who's There? (Doorly Remix) / alt link
05. Hovatron – Let’s Get Wet
06. Monkey – Ninth Life
07. Doshy – Space Attack
08. Raekwon – House Of Flying Daggers
09. Schlachthofbronx - Belly Full Of Pills
10. Joe Blow – Hour Glass (Stagga Remix) / alt link
11. Uzul - Rumble Inna Station (Skream Remix)
12. George Lenton – Troll / alt link
11. Diversion Tactics – Can’t Swim
12. Old Money – Ackee & Saltfish / alt link
13. Robot Koch vs Addiquit - Killa / alt link
14. Father Abraham – HIAFC / alt link
15. 16 Bit - Jump
16. DJ 0.000001 & Mochipet - Eazy E On Atari
17. Spox – We Have Supreme Weapons / alt link
18. Willie Isz - Gosohaurd (Milky Way Mix by Dr Who Dat?)

image from Rough Cut Nation @ Edinburgh Portrait Gallery

1. Robot Koch & Cerebral Vortex - Aftershocks (Robots Don't Sleep)
2. Don Diablo & Example - Hooligans (Doorly's Dubstep Remix) (Sony)
3. DJ Vadim ft 5Nizza & Big Red - Soldier (BBE)
4. Dizzee Rascal & Armand Van Helden - Bonkers (Doorly Remix)/ YSI
5. PANTyRAID - Beba (Marine Parade)
6. High Rankin - No Money For Guns (Cheap Thrills)
Stagga ft Juakali - Science Of Skank (Chrome Kids)
7. Monkey - Draw (Promo)
8. George Lenton - Island In The Sun (Promo) / YSI
9. Bassnectar - Superstylin'(Promo) / YSI
10. Akira Kiteshi - Lorraine Kelly (Black Acre)
11. Kyza - Go (Dented)
12. Bretzel Zoo - Don't Let The Rain Come In Your Ass (Eat Concrete)
13. Harmonic 313 feat Phat Kat and Elzhi - Battlestar (Remix) (Warp)
14. Paul White - Alien Nature / YSI
15. Slugabed - Gritsalt (RAMP)
16. Major Lazer ft Mr Lexx & Santigold - Hold The Line (an-ten-nae Remix) / YSI
18. DJ Zinc - SuperSharpShooter(Biscope Dubstep Remix) (Promo) / YSI
19. Jantsen - gLitchez & hoeZ (Promo) / Direct Link
20. Sub-Versive - Vive La Punk (Promo)/ YSI

image by Mudwig

01. Peter Bjorn and John - Nothing to Worry About (Troublemaker Remix feat. Adam Tensta, U-N-I and The 87 Stick Up Kids) (White) (YSI)
02. Little Boots - Meddle (Old Money Edit) (White) (YSI)
03. Spank Rock - Bump (Liv£r Remix) (White) (YSI)
04. Marina and the Diamonds - Mowgli's Road (The Last Skeptik Remix) (White)
05. Kyza – Dirty (Dented)
06. Rye Rye feat. M.I.A. - Bang (White) (YSI)
07. Horace Andy & Ashley Beedle - Rasta Don't (Toddla T Remix)
08. Xrabit + DMG$ - Follow The Leader (MWG Remix) (Big Dada)
09. Th' Mole - How 2 B Cool (Robot Koch Rmx) (Daly City / Chrome Kids)
10. La Roux - In For The Kill (Skream's Let's Get Ravey Mix) (White) (YSI)
11. DJ 0.000001 - We All Fall Down (Daly City / Chrome Kids)
12. George Lenton – Jungle Whomp (White)
13. EVS - Let It Go (Studio Rockers)
14. Ghosttown ft Smasha - What Goes Around (Senseless)
15. Blackout Sands - Blackout (Clocktower Collective)
16. Stagga – Bad Dance (White)
17. Gouseion - We're In High School (Run Riot)
18. Monkey and Don Leisure – Shit 4 Brains (White)
19. Mr. Scruff feat. Roots Manuva - Nice Up The Function (Remix) (Ninja Tune)
20. King Cannibal feat Face A Face – Virgo (Ninja Tune)

Image is from Paris Photographer JR's latest project in Nairobi.

Here's our latest official chart, we've put some up for download but you can catch more in our Hulk Hop Vs Crunk Rock Mix which we've just finished and will be posting up on here in a couple of weeks.

1. Xrabit & DMG$ - Damaged Good$ (Big Dada)
2. Scarlet Harlots – Backlash (Raffertie's Bigger Bass Remake ft. Shiftee Moova) (White)
3. The King Blues - Come Fi Di Youth (George Lenton Remix) (White)
4. Missy Elliott - Best Best (Two Fingers remix) (White)
5. DJ Zinc - Move ft Foreign Beggars (White)
6. The Lazarus Project - Aftermath (Bootleg Remix) (Cease & Desist)
7. Mr Scruff - Zen feat Skuff & Inja (Ninja Tune)
8. Th’ Mole ft Warrior Queen – Jump Jack (Mochipet Remix) (Daly City)
9. RQM – Bloody Sunday (Robot Koch Vs RQM Version) (White)
10. Shuttle - Rotten Guts ft Cadence Weapon (Ninja Tune)
11. Deekline & Wizard -Back Up (AC Slater Remix) (Against The Grain)
12. Magnetic Man - The Cyberman (White)
13. Stagga Vs Busta Rhymes - I Got Bass (White)
14. Playdoe – The Bombs (White)
15. Andy H – Serious (Tipping Point)
16. Mix n Blend - Tantrum feat SFR & Ej von Lyrik (White)
17. Killa Queenz - Bitches (South Rakkas Crew Remix) (Sweat It Out)
18. DJ POL Style – My Level (White)
19. Herrmutt Lobby – Vampire Remix (Eat Concrete)
20. Two Fingers - What You Know ft Sway (Big Dada)

Not sure why we hadn't posted this up before but here's the last chart we compiled. As with all charts it changes each second but hopefully it gives a general idea of what we're really feeling hard at the moment. Have put links to each artist's page on Myspace so check them all out for yourself.


1. KillaQueenz – Bitches (South Rakkas Crew Remix) (Sweat It Out)

2. Qemists – Dem Na Like We (King Cannibal Remix) (Ninja Tune)

3. Food For Animals – Mutumbo (Raffertie’s Bigger Bass Remix) (Cock Rock Disco)

4. Playdoe – The Bombs (White)

5. The Lazarus Project - Aftermath (Bootleg Remix) (Cease & Desist)

6. Akira Kiteshi – ‘Pinball’ (Black Acre)

7. El Guincho ft. Kid Ice & Jammer – Kalise (Mumdance Remix) (Mad Decent / Young Turks)

8. Lowkey ft Jon McClure & Faith SFX – Revolution (So Empire)

9. Ben Sharpa – Hegemony Remix (DPlanet Remix) (Pioneer Unit)

10. Stagga ft Skamma – Sick As Sin (Rag & Bone)

11. Harmonic 313 ft Phat Kat & Elzhi - Battlestar(Warp)

12. Wiley – Cash In My Pocket (Chew Fu Small Room Fix) (White)

13. Monkey – Emanuelle I (White)

14. Flying Lotus & Declaime ft Pattie Blingh - A Whole Wide World (Ramp)

15. Herrmutt Lobby – Vampire Remix (Eat Concrete)

16. PPP – On A Cloud (Ubiquity)

17. Th’ Mole ft Warrior Queen – Jump Jack (Daly City)

18. Troublemaker – Follow The Leader (White)

19. Mos Def – Quiet Dog (Downtown Records)

20. Alien Entertainment ft. Black Canvas - Full Speed Ahead (Wellness Tunes/Alien Entertainment Recs)