1. STV SLV: "Fallin" (1993)  -  De La Soul & Teenage Fanclub (from Judgment Night soundtrack) 

There are a handful of interviews where I've referenced this soundtrack. It was really unique for the early 90s, a forward-thinking collection of hip hop + rock and roll collaborations, sort of the next step after "Walk This Way" happened in '86. Run-DMC were actually part of the record, on a track with Living Colour. Del & Dinosaur Jr, Sonic Youth & Cypress Hill, etc. But this song was the standout. So smooth. Not to mention a well-placed sample of Tom Petty's "Free Fallin," though Pimp C's "Free" deserves similar recognition.

2. ABX: "King Night" (2010) - Salem (from King Night)

One of my favorite songs of the past year. Definitely the best use of a Christmas song sample in 2010, and better than anything off the Christmas on Death Row record that Snoop Dogg and friends put out years ago. I don't think there is an official video for this but if there was, I imagine that it wouldn't be that far off from this fan made video using a bunch of creepy clips from old films.

3. STV SLV: "93 'Til Infinity" (prod. A-Plus) (1993) - Souls Of Mischief (from 93 'Til Infinity)

Another joint from 1993. I didn't really know about it until one of my friends hipped me to Hiero when 3rd Eye Vision dropped. This track is flawless. A-Plus makes an incredible beat from a Billy Cobham sample and snaps on trading verses with Opio, Tajai and Phesto. My favorite posse cut from the Hiero fam, "You Never Knew" ranks a very close second.

4. ABX: "Tin Man" (2010) - Future Islands (from In Evening Air)

I wore the MP3s of this record out the past year. I'm still not sure why I love it. It's a really simple formula, but it works really well. One of the best concert surprises of 2010 was walking up to loft party in Baltimore after a Hood Internet show and catching Future Islands taking the stage. 

5. STV SLV: "Baby Blue" - Badfinger (live, Kenny Rogers Show, 1972)
One of my favorite classic rock songs. Really just one of my favorite songs. Todd Rundgren produced the studio version, but a while back my friend Matt Spinner came across this live version on Youtube; really shows how solid of a band they were. Kenny Rogers should bring back his show seeing as Kenny Rogers Roasters is more or less over in the States.

6. ABX: "ALL CAPS" (2004) - Madvillain (from Madvillainy)
Great album from top to bottom, so it is kind of strange to choose a single song from it, because it's one of those things you listen to all the way through. But this one has a comic book-style video that fits really well with the sound of the track and MF DOOM's whole visual aesthetic.

7. STV SLV: B.G. "Help" (1999) - B.G. (prod. Mannie Fresh) (from Guerilla Warfare)

Had to include some New Orleans ish on this playlist. The first Cash Money Records release I heard was 400 Degreez. This was right around the time that Napster hit, so it was relatively easy to digest a decent majority of the CMR catalog. Wayne is a monster, Juvie is a legend, but B.G. was always my favorite of the Hot Boys (Turk is still in jail, follow @freehotboyturk on Twitter). "Help" is from their Guerilla Warfare record, a B.G. solo track paired with a ridiculous Mannie Fresh beat.

8. ABX: "Letter From An Occupant" (2000) - The New Pornographers (from Mass Romantic)

This song for me undid years of distrust of Canadian music that had been built up by the likes of Bryan Adams, Snow, and Celine Dion. It's really a testament to the song and Neko Case singing her ass off, because that was a lot of damage to undo. 

9. STV SLV: "All My Friends" - John Cale (LCD Soundsystem cover, 2007)

Love the LCD Soundsytem version, no doubt, but this John Cale version is gratifying in a different way. Sonically: the droney strings, the galloping toms and percussion, the choppy guitars that freak out. Cale's voice itself (and the vocal arrangements at the end) really complement this thoughtful re-imagining of the song that completely retains the original's emotional outpour. 

10. ABX: "Mind Playing Tricks On Me" (1991) - Geto Boys (from We Can't Be Stopped)

The video for this song is kind of redundant because the verses really tell the story, but I love how literal it is. People don't do that in songs or music videos much these days. Bushwick Bill's verse at the end really puts it over the top for me and makes it so I always have to listen through the whole thing. He really sells it and makes me believe this this is a true story for him.