With the site having been up for over a year and a half now, I’m finding myself having to write my second end of year list. After such a great output of records in 2011 I’ve extended my list from my top ten to top twenty five, and even then it’s been difficult; with some great records having (regretably) missed off- but I had to stop somewhere!
My list aims to demonstrate the diversity of the records that I’ve enjoyed and connected with and that I’ve listened to a lot over the year. There were plenty of other records in 2011 that were been outstanding but for whatever reason I haven’t listened to and enjoyed as much as the 25 records below. (Note to angry commenters: If there are records you feel are missing from this list then quite frankly you’re wrong, not me, as this is my list! And I’m glad you enjoyed whatever album it was so much!)
That being said I’d hope that there is something here for everyone as it is a very diverse list; but if you are particularly alergic to a certain Canadian rapper, who shares his name with the word for a male duck, then I’d suggest skipping this article, as you’re only going to get angry/ dissapointed/ confused/ upset (delete as appropriate).
To end this intro I also wanted to shout out a couple of people; neither 9th Wonder or Ski Beatz made the list, despite how much I enjoyed their albums, purely because I think it’s harder to make the connection with a compilation, and I want to shout them both out for the great interviews we did earlier in the year about their respective projects.
I’d also like to shout out some up and coming rappers who have put out great breakthrough projects this year, who I’m expecting huge things from this new year and have worked with me and supported me over the past year, Actual Proof, Hollywood FLOSS, Chuuwee, ScienZe, Kenan Bell, Dom O Briggs, Half Amazin, Rarest Element, Noah Caine, Lyriciss, L.A., Doomtree, Prince Golden, G.o.D Jewels, Chane, Hosse, League Of Extraordinary G’z and LuRock (my apologies if I forgot anyone).
Finally thank you to everyone I’ve interviewed over the past year; 9th Wonder, Ski Beatz, Thurzday, TiRon & Ayomari, Evidence, Stalley, Hollywood FLOSS, Yelawolf, Chuuwee, Scroobius Pip, The Ting Tings, Sims, Lazerbeak and HOPE Wright.
So without further ado, hit the jump and check out my favourite albums of 2011…
Kendrick Lamar – Section 80
Tracing back the faults of a generation to Reaganomics over jazz fuelled instrumental with impeccable skill and technical flow patterns; Kendrick Lamar’s Section 80 continued where Overly Dedicated left off as one of my favourite projects of it’s year. Kendrick is the kind of artist who manages to surprise you on every listen. No matter how thoroughly I listen through Section 80 I feel like I learn something new; about rap, about Kendrick, about the entire generation, every time I press play. The album also contains one of my favourite singles of the year (and most played track in my Itunes) ‘HiiiPoWeR’; one of the most inspiring and thought provoking songs I’ve heard in a long time.
Jay-Z & Kanye West – Watch The Throne
(Number one album of 2011 in our Facebook reader’s poll)
Despite all of the hype and controversy surrounding this monstrous release from two of hip-hop’s biggest superstars, in most cases the hate (or love) was surrounding the hype itself and the concept of two huge names getting together to talk about how rich they are, rather than the actual music.
However when looking past all of this at the music itself, you still have some of the best production I’ve heard in a long time on an album of back to back hits (whilst remaining cohesive at the same time) with arguably the best rapper alive and his controversial but brilliant producer cohort both on point with their rhymes. Whilst this was neither’s best work as an individual, the whole package is outstanding, and with Jay and Kanye setting the trend, it is already planned that a lot of other big mainstream stars will follow their blueprint and have started working on collaborative LPs. This is arguably the most influential record of 2011, and will be the one we remember when we look back on the year in the future.
Danny Brown – XXX
The love/ hate flow and unashamedly zany and hard-hitting bars kick in from the outset “Colder than them grits they fed slaves/ Me to rap is like water to raves/ AK’s with Bayonets on deck/ Rep my set/ Sorta like Squidward and his clarinet/ I’m in your bitch mouth/ But she fantasising/ Staring at the skinnys said it’s so tantalising”; bringing to mind Lil Wayne’s success back in the mid-to-late-2000′s with his mixtape series’ Dedication and Da Drought in that it’s not afraid to say the things that others wouldn’t. Danny Brown has marmite delivery and bags of #STYLE and doesn’t care what you think of him. His balance of personality and skills are honed on XXX more so than on any of his previous releases, making this his best project so far, and the one to listen to if you’re new to Brown’a work.
The Roots – Undun
Whilst many artists with a legacy as extensive as the Roots hit a point where they no longer strive to better themselves, falling into a formulaic record-making process in which their aim is to sound like a former fan-favourite LP, the Philadelphia based hip-hop band continue to reinvent themselves (without ever flopping) even on album number thirteen which was in my opinion the perfect concept album: the story of a young man named Redford Stephens trying to escape the ghetto via drug dealing, which starts from his death and moves in reverse.
Drake – Take Care
Getting fellow Toronto native, The Weeknd, on board alongside 40 was a great move in crafting a cohesive Drake LP that provided us with a great album-listening experience, over the “singles collection” feel of last year’s Thank Me Later. Take Care took everything I loved about So Far Gone, polished it up, and packaged it as one of the most sincere albums of the year; and potentially Drake’s definitive project (plus Kendrick had my favourite verse of the year on this LP, with his ‘Buried Alive Interlude’).
Ab-Soul – Longterm Mentality
The Top Dawg underdog was the second of three fantastic LP’s to make my list from the TDE camp this year. The crazy flow and down to earth subject matter that centers around being one move away from acheiving ones goals, but not quite being able to reach them, gives Ab-Soul an ‘every-man’ appeal resulting in a relatable album which follows on from where his excellent mixtape Longterm 2 left off, is a great and inspiring listen.
TiRon & Ayomari – A Sucker For Pumps
TiRon and Ayomari’s ‘honest project for females’ was a very well structured and carefully thought out piece, which disregarded all trends and ideals floating around hip-hop, and resulted in one of the finest hip-hop LP’s of the year.
Click here To check out my TiRon & Ayomari interview from earlier in the year…
Click here to stream/ download the album..
Tech N9ne – All 6′s and 7′s
It really was difficult choosing between the two great records that Tech put out in 2011 for this list. Both were outstanding and showcased Tech’s impeccable skill and originality but for slightly different reasons. Welcome To Strangeland showcased his own personal movement and all contribution was limited to his close friends and affiliates which is in many cases where Tech comes across best. However, when looking back at 2011 in the future it’ll be All 6’s and 7’s that comes to mind, demonstrating how a completely independant artist can pull together a huge line-up of stars purely out of respect for his craft, and then hit number 4 on the Billboard charts with no compromise and very little radio/ video channel play. All 6’s and 7’s marks an acheivement not just for Tecca Nina, but also independant hip-hop music in general.
Stalley – Lincoln Way Nights (Intelligent Trunk Music)
This was a project that honestly didn’t capture me on first listen, but as many great records do, grew on me over the year after further listens. Now this gets constant rotation on my Itunes and I can’t wait to hear what 2012 has in store for the (now) Maybach Music emcee.
ASAP Rocky – LiveLoveASAP
ASAP Rocky managed to take the hip-hop world by storm toward the second half of this year by creating an original, yet simple, sound; a Harlem rapper with a down south flow, rapping over lush ethereal instrumentals. Originally I wasn’t that excited about the tape, but after downloading it on Halloween, I’ve found it to be one of the most addictive releases of the year, and it’s managed to rack up a lot of play time on my Itunes.
Thurz – L.A Riot
A brilliantly planned and executed concept album that tells the story of the 1992 L.A. Riots. The music is outstanding and speaks for itself via edgy and non-traditional production, and fantastic rhyming and storytelling skills from King Thurz; however what also drew me into the project further was the #92Crew blog and movement that accompanied the record and added an extra layer of art and substance to the already immersive project.
Click here to read my interview with Thurz from earlier in the year…
SchoolBoy Q – SetBacks
Unlike his peers Kendrick and Ab-Soul (and lets not forget Jay Rock, who despite not quite making my list, put out a brilliant album this year) it’s harder to put my finger on exactly what it is I love about SchoolBoy Q’s music. Setbacks really does demonstrate that SchoolBoy Q’s diversity and incorporates all of the elements that I have enjoyed across all of the Top Dawg albums, the thoughtfulness of Kendrick, the rawness of Ab-Soul and the gangsterisms of Jay Rock.
Bad Meets Evil – Hell: The Sequel
It was great to hear Eminem and Royce Da 5’9” back together in 2011. Despite officially being an EP, the extra bonus tracks pushed it into album territory for me; and I enjoyed hearing the two incredible emcees going back and forth just having fun rapping, without particularly worrying about radio play or sales (aside from a certain Bruno Mars assisted track, which I always skip).
Tyler, The Creator – Goblin
When looking back on 2011 in hip-hop it’s going to be inevitable that Odd Future’s explosion into the mainstream comes to mind. Although I know Goblin disappointed a lot of fans, I think it was a great progression from Bastard toward the more commercial realm that Tyler plans to inhabit. Aside from which, ‘Yonkers’ is one of the only tracks I can think of in the past ten years that is liked by the underground scene, the mainstream crowd, the indie rock fans, hipsters and everyone else in between.
Mr. Muthafuckin’ eXquire – Lost In Translation
It’s been refreshing to hear the New York sound making a comeback this year, and none have embodied that more than breakthrough artist Mr Muthafuckin’ eXquire whose music reeks of the grimy streets of Brooklyn. Lost In Translation sounds like a pre-Puffy Biggie indulging in a little too many comic books, cartoons and porn films then hopping on El-P’s crazy subway ride to the future. Huzzah!
Saigon -The Greatest Story Never Told
Although this was recorded back in 2005 and held until 2011 due to label issues, the entirely Just Blaze produced LP brought back memories of the music (particularly Just Blaze’s Roc-A-Fella work) that was out when I was a teen, and therefore resonated with me greatly on a nostalgic level. Some of Just’s best work is on this album too, so if you haven’t heard it yet stop sleeping!
Evidence – Cats and Dogs
One of my best CD purchasing memories (sorry, I’m too young for vinyl) was heading out of school during a free period to go and buy Ev’s Weatherman LP and El-P’s I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead on the same day, and then spending the rest of the day with my walkman headphones glued to my ears. So to cut a long story short, I couldn’t wait for this album, and it didn’t disappoint!
Check out my interview with Evidence…
Sims – Bad Time Zoo
Sims and (producer) Lazerbeak, of Doomtree, teamed up in early 2011 to release a hugely slept on record which balances style and substance almost perfectly. Sims raps about the troubles of the human condition over some animalistic production courtesy of ‘Beak, providing an output that lives up to it’s title; comparing society to a zoo.
Check out my interview with Sims and Lazerbeak…
Atmosphere – The Family Sign
If you’d have asked me in my late teens who my favourite rapper was I’d have said Slug; therefore an Atmosphere release is always exciting for me. This album delivered more great storytelling, delving into the human emotions of ordinary people and lifestyles, but there was definitely an added maturity towards this project, both lyrically and sonically.
Scroobius Pip – Distraction Pieces
I rarely listen to ‘hip-hop’ music from the UK, so it’s surprising that I ended up listening to this album, but I definitely wasn’t expecting this LP to be as great as it is when I pressed play. For the first time since Plan B’s Who Needs Action When You Got Words and Example’s What We Made (yes, both great hip-hop albums, nothing like their current work) have I been able to really get into a record by a UK based hip-hop artist, and didn’t feel for a second that Pip was attempting to replicate anything from across the pond. Scroobius Pip’s blend of poetry, rap, hardcore, language play (a bit deeper than you’re average wordplay) and character provides a compelling album which is unlike anything else that I can think of. I’d suggest this one for fans of Sage Francis, Doomtree, and other alternative hip-hop acts along those lines…
Killer Mike – Pl3dge
I had slept on pretty much every other Killer Mike release since his ‘A.D.I.D.A.S’ single back in 2003, so when I decided to check out his Pl3dge album I was blown away. Mike manages to blend politics, southern trap music, club records, style and basically whatever else you’d like from an honest rap album from a hungry, thoughtful emcee.
Royce Da 5’9″ – Success Is Certain
Detroit put out some great hip-hop this year, with Danny Brown, Random Axe (who weren’t included on this list due to a horrible 15 hour drive in which their self-titled effort was the only CD available, causing me to have never revisit it since), Eminem, Boldy James and more putting out music. One of my personal favourites, which I was surprised I didn’t hear more about, was Royce’s solo project, which continued on from his Slaughterhouse and Bad Meets Evil work, in just putting out great raps and punchlines that continue to entertain on further listens. A particular standout of this album for me was ‘Security’; an honest and introspective track about his relationship with Proof and how he was affected by his killing, leading into how he reconnected with the D12 camp.
Action Bronson – Dr. Lecter
Another rapper who dropped two great albums in 2011 and faced me with a tough choice was Action Bronson, who’s nostalgic feel brings back the spirit of 90’s hip-hop, and sounds like a partcular member of a certain Staten Island hip-hop collective (but I’m sure you’ve already been told that). He dropped Dr. Lecter in the first half of the year and followed up recently with the Statik Selektah produced Well Done. It’s been a strong year for Bronson, who really is doing his bit in bringing the New York sound back, but I eventually opted for Dr. Lecter as I found the production to be a bit more interesting on that one, and Statik’s production to be a little more obvious, however both are great records and come highly recommended.
Raekwon – Shaolin Vs. Wu-Tang
The Chef Raekwon made the contoversial decision to try and move away from the Wu-Tang sound and RZA production this year, due to musical disagreements on 8 Diagrams, and to give other producers a chance. Taking on board the likes of Scram Jones, Alchemist, Evidence, OhNo, DJ Khalil, Mathematics and more behind the boards proved to be a great musical direction for him, as he crafted one of the best hardcore hip-hop albums of the year.
J. Cole – Cole World: A Sideline Story
Although my personal preference is still his Friday Night Lights mixtape, J. Cole still came out with a great debut LP this year, which incorporated a few fan favourites from the mixtapes with a number of brand new tracks resulting in (as I said) an album which is great and will help him go a long way as far as building a fanbase, although I still think we’ve yet to see his finest work.
Best RnB
Until 2011, Drake’s So Far Gone and Kanye’s 808’s and Heartbreaks had been the closest I’ve ever gotten to really loving an RnB album (I’ve liked albums by RnB artists before, but never with the passion of a hip-hop album). Three artists in particular came to prominence this year who have released RnB albums that I felt a connection with and sparked some passion in me for the genre…
Frank Ocean – nostalgia/ Ultra
The sampling and references drawing from rock (Radiohead, The Eagles, MGMT, Van Halen etc) and an attitude more suited to festivals than the club; Frank Ocean’s nostalgia/ Ultra reinvented the RnB genre and repackaged it for a new generation. Ocean and his attitude toward writing RnB has a definite edge and credibility over other artists in the genre, and I can’t wait to hear more from him in the future.
The Weeknd – House Of Balloons/ Thursday/ Echoes Of Silence
Where Toronto’s The Weeknd could have played on an allegiance with a certain Aubrey Graham when launching his career, instead after releasing a couple of tracks randomly via a Youtube account singer Abel Tesfaye released an incredible album, with no word of who he was, no back story, press images, bio, just the music. Following up with a further two albums within the year The Weeknd’s trilogy was the second effort that got me interested in RnB this year, with real honesty, emotion and mystery invited listeners into a life of drug-abuse and girls in a way that no other RnB artist has.
Download
House Of Balloons
Thursday
Echoes Of Silence
Jhene Aiko – Sailing Soul(s)
I first heard about Jhene through her hooks on tracks by Kendrick Lamar. Ab-Soul, Hope Wright and SchoolBoy Q so was intrigued when her own solo project was released. Whilst Sailing Soul(s), with it’s copied and pasted Gucci Mane and Kanye West guest verses, doesn’t feel as polished as The Weeknd and Frank Ocean’s releases, that honesty and attitude to great songwriting and RnB with a genuine human element to it is all there, making Jhene’s album another RnB album that I really felt passionate about.
