15 Rap Album Cuts That Should Have Been Singles [LISTEN] - Page 2

Rappers come, rappers go, and so do their albums. But let’s revisit a few projects, or at least the tracks with single potential that got treated like a red-headed step child for one reason or another.

We’ll limit our selection to popular LPs from within the last five years, give or take, since this is a conversation that could span back decades if we let it.

Music is totally subjective. That we understand. But, some of your favorite rappers dropped the ball on potential Billboard accolades because they (or the label) ignored the obvious. Follow us, as we list some tracks that were certainly worthy of regular radio rotation.

What other album cuts should have been singles? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.

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Photo: Instagram

T.I. ft. Common & Pharrell – “Goodlife”

King, 2006

This is The Kang at the top of his game and Com’ Sense post-Be. Pair that with Skateboard P’s smooth crooning, and the song’s potential to make a major is apparent.

Mos Def – “Twilite Speedball”

The Ecstatic, 2009

With Chad Hugo on the production, the artist now known as Yaasin Bey got funky with the rhymes. The track don’s perhaps one of the filthiest horns we’ve ever heard, too. Pair that with a catchy chorus, and this is a solid single on a highly slept on LP.

Big K.R.I.T – “R4 Theme Song”

Return of 4Eva, 2011

Yes, this is a mixtape. We know and we don’t care. Krizzle’s soulful production and melodic bars should have gotten a true visual and a proper push.

Kendrick Lamar ft. Dr. Dre – “The Recipe”

good kid, m.A.A.d city, 2012

This was K. Dot’s first commercial release after aligning with the legendary Dr. Dre, but the push the record received inferred otherwise. And that’s prior to mentioning how the original visual never saw the light of day. Instead, Interscope released one featuring of the rappers performing the track at Coachella. Unacceptable.

Big Sean – “Mula”

Detroit, 2012

Had the G.O.O.D. Music affiliate just rode the natural wave of this popular jam, maybe he wouldn’t have had to reach for a single on Hall of Fame.

Q-Tip ft. Raphael Saadiq – “We Fight/We Love”

The Renaissance, 2008

This one has a bit of personal preference attached to it, but we honestly think people would have gravitated to this sleeper. “We Fight/We Love” has all of those components of the Queens rapper’s smooth persona, and could have been a worthy two-step groove. And let’s not get into the Kanye West and Consequence-assisted remix.

Pharrell ft. Pusha T – “Stay With Me (Dim The Lights)”

In My Mind, 2006

Skateboard P had the falsetto and Pusha Ton had the dope boy savvy language for the ladies. The track had lush piano keys and smooth percussion. All the duo needed were some linen and a few scenes in Miami’s Fountainebleau and on a yacht, waterside on South Beach for a proper visual.

The Throne ft. Frank Ocean – “Made In America”

Watch The Throne, 2011

Jay Z and Kanye West were a prime topic in Hip-Hop conversations. Meanwhile, Franky O. had many intrigued, because he’d yet to release channel ORANGE. We guess “No Church In The Wild” was enough.

Clipse – “Doorman”

Til The Casket Drops, 2009

Sure, there was a visual for Pusha T and Malice’s hard hitting, stunt-heavy Til The Casket Drops track, but that’s not saying much. This was the next likely single from the duo’s third studio album. We actually think it could have made a bigger wave than the Kanye West-assisted “Kinda Like A Big Deal.”

The Game ft. Lil Wayne, Big Sean, Jeremih, and Fabolous – “All That (Lady)”

Jesus Piece, 2012

Upon hearing the Compton rapper’s new album, it was clear that the track featuring the D’Angelo “Lady” sample was a hit in the making. Word that he shot a visual for a record only reaffirmed our assumptions. But for reasons unknown, the song never full materialized.

Fabolous ft. Lil Wayne – “Salute”

Loso’s Way, 2009

Let’s start by saying the “My Time,” featuring Jeremih was street single on Fab’s fifth album. Yes, he had a song with Weezy, yet the aforementioned tune was the street single. This could be a result of label restrictions on Tunechi’s part, but if not, Loso was tripping.

Kanye West – “Dark Fantasy”

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, 2010

The cinematic intro on the G.O.O.D. Music general’s fifth studio album had all of makings of being dominant on the airwaves. Yea, we know that it doesn’t sound radio friendly by any means, but neither did “Power.” See what we mean now?

Rick Ross ft. Elijah Blake – “Presidential”

God Forgives, I Don’t, 2012

Maybe this was a single, because, you know, MMG drops visuals for damn near every song. But on God Forgives, I Don’t — a lukewarm LP in comparison to 2010’s Teflon Don — The Bawse desperately needed a unquestionable hit, one that he had dead in his face.

Drake ft. Rick Ross – “Lord Knows”

Take Care, 2011

Do you remember the day the Internets heard this Take Care standout for the first time? Of course you do; we all do. And even with the people’s vote and a host of ways Drizzy could have created a grandiose visual for the cut, this was still omitted from the fold. Come on, bro.