The Top 10 Most Popular Hip Hop Singles The Week Of 11/14/2011

Yes, it’s true. Take Care finally dropped (check out the review), so maybe we can move onto another conversation…or maybe not. The week before Thanksgiving has little to be thankful for, as we learned Rick Ross would be moving his album God Forgives, I Don’t to 2012 (yet another disappointing pushback), Dr. Dre announced he’d be taking a break (so Detox will never happen), and now new beef is starting (we’ll get to that in a second). So in a way this week is one of endings, and new beginnings – both good and bad. As the holidays are right around the corner, check out what happened on the Singles front the week before the turkey roasts.

Ludacris Takes Shots At Drake, Gangsta Boo Gets a Second Shot

Ludacris took a break from acting to pick up the mic, and the result was an entire mixtape titled “1.21 Gigawatts: Back To The First Time.” The mixtape is a clear nod to the film Back to the Future, as Luda returns to his Rap roots and reminds us of why he’s one of Hip Hop’s favorites (check out the review). Two tracks are on the mixtape that appear pretty pointed toward some special people – “Bada Boom” and “Say It To My Face.” Both songs have lyrics that clearly imply Luda is speaking directly to someone. In the interest of the former, we believe it to be Drake and Big Sean, as a baby beef sparked between Luda and the young rappers over who stole whose flow. Are we still having these kinds of conversations? Apparently yes, and songs are being made about it. “Bada Boom” made #1 this week because that. Bada bing, bada boom, guess we’ll never get that Ludacris and Drake collaboration. Speaking of Luda’s muses, Drake still circulated some Take Care tracks, the topper being a bonus cut called “Hate Sleeping Alone.” Is Drake every happy? In other news, Yelawolf’s “Throw It Up” made its way back on the list. The Eminem and Gangsta Boo featured cut is off Wolf’s Radioactive out next week. Haven’t had enough of Gangsta Boo? Read her controversial interview with HipHopDX here.

Joe Budden Puts NJ Back On the Map, Busta Rhymes Turns Young Money

Joe Budden is a Twitter professional. He is one of the few rappers in Hip Hop who mans his own Twitter feed consistently, replies, and speaks up for himself in 140 characters or less. Thankfully, he also releases new music to the fans. The NJ-native and Slaughterhouse frontman dropped the track “Quality Of Life” this week, and it was met with rave reviews. Like most Mouse cuts, the Klasix-produced song is introspective and proves we need more solo Budden music at least by early 2012. As Joe Budden aligned with Shady (old news), we got some new news that was, well, interesting. The rumor mill has been churning out bits that Busta Rhymes would be joining Young Money. Then the rumors fell quiet and everyone thought that it was over. However, this week it was announced that yes, Mr. Busta Rhymes would be joining Young Money Cash Money Billionaires, along with former No Limit Soldier Mystikal. To celebrate, Busta dropped a track called “Why Stop Now” featuring Chris Brown. Actually, the song didn’t really celebrate YMCMB. It was in celebration of the start of Google Music. It was at the Google Music launch that the news of Busta’s Young Money signing was announced. Talk about perfect timing, Busta. Want some further information on that? Google it.