My Top Songs for 2011, Part 1

1. Afroman, I’ve Been Hustlin’

Afroman has a sense of humor that most rappers lack. The story is the same rags-to-riches as others have told, but he puts more emphasis on the poverty and struggle of life in the ghetto, without much sentimentality. Cute and cartoony, yet somehow still inspiring. Many of his other songs are actually quite pornographic, comparing his penis to an enchilada, among other things.

2. Jay-Z, I Just Wanna Love You (Give It 2 Me)

As a black man from the projects of Brooklyn, Jay-Z is still dealing with the idea that women would probably not be having sex with him if he weren’t a multimillionaire. However, through hard work and dedication, he has reached “the top” and he now finds that models want to fuck him for his money. While he claims to be “Stingy with dinero,” he also offers to buy them bottles of Cristal, and possibly marry them if they give him excellent oral. High quality problems. 

3. Bob Dylan, You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere

This song makes absolutely no sense. “Genghis Khan and his brother Don couldn’t keep on keepin on.” Whatever, Mr Dylan. But sensical or non-, it creates this ridiculous nostalgia for the 1960s in anyone who listens to it, as well as a yearning for long American highways. Quite an accomplishment.

4. Weezer, Surf Wax USA

Weezer’s wall of sound is one of the greatest things to have happened in the 90s. The theme of the song—surfing as a rejection of the rat-race and middle-class values—is not particularly original, but then again, I’ve never been surfing. Maybe I don’t know what I’m talking about. This song is great to listen to on the Metro, to occupy my mind and keep me from going crazy.

5. Ben Folds, Bitches Ain’t Shit

Ben Folds, whiny white guy par excellence, does Dr Dre, Eazy-E and Snoop Dogg. The juxtaposition of sexually explicit lyrics with Folds’ breathy singing style and piano arrangement is brilliant! “Tighter than a motherfuckin’ gangsta beats, ballin’ on these motherfuckin’ Compton streets.”