As ever, 2013 has been a big year for hip hop with releases from Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Lil Wayne and J Cole (to name a few) showing the music world how it's done. It's not been easy, but we've picked the 20 tracks we'll still be loving when 2014 hits.
1. Kanye West - 'Bound 2'
It was accompanied by possibly the most talked about music video of 2013, but it didn't take Kim Kardashian for 'Bound 2' to get the music world's attention. The song was a runaway hit and it's still a favourite.
2. J Cole - 'Crooked Smile'
When we found out J Cole and TLC were hooking up we knew to expect big things, what we got was an uplifting, summer-vibe R&B favourite.
3. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - 'Can't Hold Us'
Following on from their blow away debut with 'Thrift Shop,' Macklemore and Ryan Lewis came back with a second banger. No wonder they've got all those Grammy nominations.
4. Drake - 'Hold On'
Its been a killer year for Drake with hit after hit - 'Hold On' wont be the first time you see Drizzy on this list.
5. Jay Z Feat. Justin Timberlake - 'Holy Grail'
It wasn't the first collaboration we heard from Jay Z and JT this year and we're sure it wont be the last in their careers, but it is one of the best.
6. 2 Chainz feat. Wiz Khalifa - 'We Own It'
Made for the opening and closing credits for 'Fast And The Furious 6,' the song was only released as a bonus track on 2 Chainz album but peaked in the top 10 around the globe.
7. Eminem - 'Bezerk'
The lead single from Eminem's comeback album 'The Marshall Mathers LP 2' blew everyone away, and the video, featuring Rick Rubin, didn't disappoint either.
8. J. Cole - 'She Knows'
The fourth single off J Cole's 'Born Sinner' album, 'She Knows,' has been a favourite on the XTRA playlist since its release.
9. Kid Ink And Chris Brown - 'Show Me'
Kid Ink and Chris Brown together = a hip hop track to be grateful for in 2013. 'Show Me' has set the standard for Kid Ink's second studio album 'My Own Lane,' released in January.
10. Fuse ODG - 'Million Pound Girl'
Afrobeats pioneer Fuse ODG came back big this year after the release of his collab with Wyclef Jean on 'Antenna,' 'Million Pound Girl' is a dancefloor filler.
11. Wretch 32 Feat. Jacob Banks - 'Doing OK'
The second single from Wretch 32's upcoming third album 'Growing Over Life,' 'Doing OK' didn't achieve massive chart success, but that wont keep it from our top 20.
12. Kendrick Lamar Feat. Drake - 'Poetic Justice'
'Poetic Justice' was released as the third single from Kendrick's 'Good Kid M.A.A.D City' album because of the overwhelming response it recieved.
13. Eminem - 'Rap God'
The "Rap God" of hip hop doesn't do comebacks quietly, the third single from his album went in at No. 1 on the UK R&B official charts.
14. Drake - 'Started From The Bottom'
The third entry from Drake in our top 20 (what can we say, its been a big year for the Toronto rapper) - 'Started From The Bottom' has become somewhat of a catchphrase for everyone this year. When a track makes that much impact, you can't ignore it.
15. Chris Brown - 'Fine China'
It seems like a lifetime ago Chris Brown released 'Fine China,' with that ever so smooth music video, but it was in fact this year, so it has made the cut.
16. Dizzee Rascal - 'Love This Town'
East London lad Dizzee has never shied away from rapping about his roots, this year he dedicated an entire song the town he grew up in, and we loved it.
17. Miguel - 'Adorn'
Miguel's most successful single ever, its sold more than a million singles in the US so far and spent several weeks in the singles chart.
18. Kendrick Lamar - 'B***ch Don't Kill My Vibe'
Could team XTRA pick our favourite between this track and 'Poetic Justice?' Not unanimously. You tell us what one did it for you?
19. Miguel - 'How Many Drinks'
Both the original and the Kendrick Lamar remix are 2013 favourites, and it seems the people over at the Grammys agree, as it got Miguel a nomination in the 2014 awards.
20. Lil Wayne feat. Drake & Future - 'Love Me'
Although it leaked last year 'Love Me' was officially released in January 2013. With Drake, Lil Wayne and Future on one track, it was a winner.
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