Photo courtesy of Dark Time Sunshine

Last week, Hive premiered the new single from Dark Time Sunshine, the hip-hop team-up of rapper Onry Ozzborn and producer Zavela. With the duo’s new album, ANX, dropping next week, it seemed like a fine opportunity to get them to throw a spotlight on their five favorite current rap anthems. Happily, they obliged.

1. Aesop Rock, “Gopher Guts”

Zavala: The beat and vibe is great. The lyrics are open and have a certain sense of self awareness and acknowledgment that is relevant to me right now. There are a bunch of other songs on the Aesop album [Skelethon] that are great and, to be honest, it’s the only rap album I’ve been listening to recently besides our own.

2. Killer Mike, “JoJo’s Chillin’”

Onry Ozzborn: This Killer Mike joint reminds me of the stuff I grew up on, but with a bit of a new twist to it.

http://youtu.be/6wpvpclGJ9k

3. Danny Brown, “Monopoly”

Onry Ozzborn: “Monopoly” is just a great energetic, I-don’t-give-a-damn song that I thoroughly enjoy.

4. Lupe Fiasco, “Bitch Bad”

Onry Ozzborn: This Lupe Fiasco song is just written very well, and it has outstanding wordplay and cadence to me.

5. Clams Casino, “Gorilla”

Zavala: I like Clams Casino’s production. It’s simple and minimal, but the sound and feel of his style are great. I think this specific track has an energy that is introspective, in that its meditative. However, it’s still very extroverted and physical and bangs.