Following on from 'The Hip Hop World News' documentary we posted earlier in the month, this weeks Dark Sound will feature some of Dark Circle's favourite ever Hip Hop tracks. As said before, Hip Hop is at the heart of Dark Circle, so why not share with you some of our most listened to and cherished songs from the culture and our reasons behind the choices.

Aaron:

Nas - NY State of Mind, because it reminds me of living in NYC. It's like a story setting the scene. It sounds like a creepy old school mob movie and it really painted a vivid image of 80's/90's Queens, which is where I was living. 

Jay Z - Dead Presidents, it's just raw. It showcases Jay and his skill set so early in his career. How he was really on a different level with his flow and metaphors, in ways that even today it still gives me goosebumps when I listen to it.

Kendrick Lamar - Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe, because it marks a personal achievement. As much as its a monster track and the production is next level, the lyric content is something else, with 2 or even 3 levels to everything he says. Metaphors and sub context coming from every angle. It just struck a cord that has resonated with me. I loved deciphering what he was trying to get across. I also got to see him perform this in Holland in front of thousands at Lowland Festival, while he was wearing Dark.

Jonny:

Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek - The Blast, this is an office classic that is played a lot.

Isaiah Rashad - Free Lunch, my personal favourite from his new album 'The Sun's Tirade'. Hoping to meet up again with Isaiah on the ScHoolboy Q tour in November.

2pac - Me Against The World, Pac is the greatest to have ever done it.

Liam:

Wu Tang Clan - Protect Ya Neck, one of the first Hip Hop songs I heard that properly stood out to me and made me fall in love with the genre. I wasn't even born when this was released so it's not like I can relate to the music, it just sounded sick and was different to other things i'd be listening to.

Lord Finesse - Hip 2 Da Game, I first learnt of this song after listening to Mac Miler's track Kool Aid & Frozen Pizza and reading about Finesse suing Mac for stealing his instrumental. Finesse's original version was obviously better and always in my head, a big big tune.

Big L - Put It On, the second line alone 'L keep rappers' hearts pumping like Reeboks' makes this song stand out for me as an all time favourite matched with L's sweet as outfit choices in the music video.