2011 Hip-hop Everyone Should Check Out
Out of all the hip-hop releases this year so far, these are the ones
I'd recommend to anyone. They are more or less in order from
favorite to less favorite (they're not ranked per se, but I like
albums at the top of the list more than the ones at the bottom of
the list).
I only included the albums I myself enjoyed very much, this isn't
supposed to be objective at all (Which is why there's no
Section.80 on the list). |
| 1 |  | CunninLynguists
Oneirology
4.5/5 - The CunninLynguists are at it once again, continuing their trend of
consistently putting out quality albums. This one centers around the theme
of dreams, and is a must-listen for every Hip-Hop and non-Hip-Hop fans
alike.
Hard as They Come - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCDg0KqGJ_c |
| 2 |  | Phonte
Charity Starts at Home
4/5 - the Little Brother and Foreign Connection member, known for his
abilities as an MC as well as a singer, reunites with 9th Wonder and
doesn't disppoint. Whether he raps or sings, this is top-notch, and the
beats complement him to perfection.
Dance in the Reign - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3EWnjYjcO4 |
| 3 | | Main Attrakionz
808s & Dark Grapes II
4/5 - The Green Ova Boys make cloud rap sound so good : minimalistic
production along with laid back flows make for a perfect herb-puffin' album.
Diamond of God - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pljm_pNr-no |
| 4 |  | Jay-Z and Kanye West
Watch the Throne
4/5 - What can I say about this that hasn't already been said ? Two of the
most popular rappers unite to produce an epic album full of head-bangers.
Who Gon Stop Me - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQVPWx1wRnE |
| 5 |  | Clams Casino
Rainforest
4/5 - The up-and-coming producer for the likes of Main Attrakionz and Lil B
shows that he also has the ability to make great instrumental tracks. Very
trippy and cloudy EP.
Gorilla - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqzvHoSdH18 |
| 6 |  | Random Axe
Random Axe
4/5 - Detroit Producer/MC Black Milk unites with fellow Detroiter Guilty
Simpson and New Yorker Sean Price to deliver one of the strongest
collaboration album in recent memory.
Random Call - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-xUs4rHLro&ob=av2e |
| 7 |  | Warm Brew
Warm Brew
4/5 - By far the lest known band on this list, this LA-based underground
duo takes it back to the old school values and come up with a great and
very fresh album. Absolutely everyone should at least check out this song
as it is probably my favorite song this year :
Go To School - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=to5gJaZtgXE |
| 8 |  | Tyler, The Creator
Goblin
4/5 - No comment, everyone has at least heard about this
Transylvania - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7Xo4FVr79Q |
| 9 |  | Big K.R.I.T
ReturnOf4eva
4/5 -The new king of the south seems to be constantly improving and will
be a force to reckon for the next decade. This is probably the best you can
ever get from a free album, absolutely amazing
Rotation - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9Ur78wKTS8 |
| 10 |  | Pharoahe Monch
W.A.R.
4/5 - The 20-year veteran follows-up the critically acclaimes Desire with his
third solo album, We Are Renegades (W.A.R.). Militant and Revolutionary,
hard-hitting as well as soulful beats, this one has it all.
We Are Renegades - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEk4HAdMUgA |
| 11 |  | Raekwon
Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang
4/5 - The Wu-Clan swordsmith follows up OB4CL2 with another Wu-Banger.
While not as good as its predecessor, Rae still proves to any doubters that
the Wu-Tang is far from dead.
From the Hills - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GkAcYu0aqo |
| 12 |  | Reks
R.E.K.S. (Rhythmatic Eternal King Supreme)
4/5 - Your typical underground rapper delivers your typical underground
album : rapid deliveries, wack MCs destroying, and reflection on the state of
Hip-Hop. Reks manages to make this stand out thanks to his very confident
release and great lyrics.
This or That - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhBMcBrLUBA |
| 13 |  | Saigon
The Greatest Story Never Told
4/5 - After multiple delays, this seemed like it would never see the light of
the day, but was finally released earlier this year. And guess what, the wait
was well worth it. This is a very intelligent album, seeing Saigon talk about
his experiences in the streets and use them to teach the youth to avoid the
mistakes he made. One of the strongest albums this year for sure. Be
careful when listening to this : the second half is way better than the first
imo.
The Greates Story Never Told - http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=2ArfGK31w-g |
| 14 |  | IMAKEMADBEATS
IMAKEMADBEATS
4/5 - The mysterious beatmaker shows of his skills to the world, inviting a
whole bunch of MCs to rap on his magnificient (although not
groundbreaking) beats.
Twisted Heart/Congratulations - http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=EziWDLIJ1BA |
| 15 |  | Hassaan Mackey & Apollo Brown
Daily Bread
3.5/5 Apollo Brown continues to prove he is one of the best producers
around (after the mindblowing LP Gas Mask as a part of The Left, which you
should all check out btw). This time he unites with rapper Hassaan Mackey.
While not as good as Gas Mask, this still has some gems, and the beats are
still top-notch
Something - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaUYd-XJb-o |
| 16 |  | 9th Wonder
The Wonder Years
3.5/5 - The former Little Brother producer shows that he still has a couple of
tricks up his sleeve. A cool producer's album with nice guest spots, nothing
spectacular though.
Hearing the Melody -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuF-73FYHzM |
| 17 |  | Illogic and Walter Rocktight
Year 8076
3.5/5 - This was supposed to be released some years ago, but got shelved.
It finally gets shown to the world, and it's pretty great. Nothing outstanding
but amateurs of Rhymesayers-style Hip-Hop should still take a listen.
How You Want It - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfvVA1jfZ2g |
| 18 |  | Game
The R.E.D. Album
3.5/5 - After the disappointing LAX Files, the once-multiplatinum selling west
coast rapper comes back hatd with the RED Album. While far too long for my
tastes, this has some of the rappers best songs to date, and if yu take the
best half of the album, this isn't so far off from a serious contendor for
AOTY.
The City - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WC53fokyM8w |
| 19 |  | Das Racist
Relax
3.5/5 - You can't get a less conventional rap group than Das Racist.
Extremely laid-back flows where the delivery tops the lyrical content in its
importance and bizarre beats make them one of the most interesting rap
groups around. Relax is no exception, taking the usual formula and
expanding it.
Michael Jackson - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nc__3nsfxwA |
| 20 |  | Lil B
I'm Gay (I'm Happy)
3.5 - Lil B, you love or you hate them. That is, most of the time, but not
here. This is less ou-of-here than the rest of his work, and is definitely the
most accessible thing he has done yet. Thought-provoking, and a great
counter-balance to the extremely materialistic apporach most rappers have.
Game - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YI3RlBkB0rM |
| 21 |  | Curren$y
Weekend at Burnie's
3.5/5 Spitta is one of the most prolific rappers nowadays, with 3 or 4
releases every year. It's a wonder how he can still maintain the same
quality with so many releases, especially since his subject matter ranges
from weed to bitched and back to weed again. However, his still manages
to do it, and it's pleasing all the fans. YEEEE-UUUGGHHH.
Televised - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l57rLWJSoUc |
| 22 |  | Astronote
Weapon Of The Future
3.5/5 Not going to attempt describing this when kingsoby made a great
review - go read it, it's short and great.
All - can't find a link |
| 23 |  | Elzhi
Elmatic
3.5/5 - The Detroit MC offers his take on the undisputable classic Illmatic,
remixing the beats and putting new bars on top. Surprisingly very good,
this does not dishonor the original at all, Nas himself has aknowledged that
Elzhi did a great job in recreating the masterful album's atmosphere.
Detroit State of Mind - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78Mtwi8MzEE |
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