The Grammy’s are wack. This is the best of the best from 2011, in no particular order.
The Roots — Undun
What more can I say. It’s Black Thought. It’s ?uestlove. It’s The Roots. BUY this. Support real music. Enjoy the ride.
Common — The Dreamer/The Believer
Common and No I.D.? Yes, please. Beautiful and soulful beats by No I.D. are some of the best jams of ’11. This is the direction hip hop should be going. I think we’d all be better off without the Drake drama, though. Who cares?
Cunninlynguists — Oneirology
You could argue that Kno is the best producer in hip hop right now, and this album does everything it can to back up that statement. Cunninlynguists come focused and precise as always.
Madlib & Freddie Gibbs — Thuggin’
Sweet, but short. Hopefully a taste of what’s to come from this dream collab. Madlib, maybe the best producer in hip hop history and Freddie Gibbs, one of the few emcee’s who’s giving hope for a bigger and brighter future.
Adele — 21
In a world of chew-it-up, spit-em-out bubblegum pop songs, this is a breakthrough. I can picture myself singing these songs 30 years from now. I can picture kids singing these songs 30 years from now. It’s timeless pop music. A rarity. Adele deserves all the praise, money and fame. And anyone who says this stuff doesn’t make them want to curl up in a ball and weep is full of it.
And the #1 album of 2011 is…
Kendrick Lamar — Section.80
Kendrick Lamar has arrived and Section.80 shows that he’s here to stay. There’s a reason this guy raps like Kanye and flashes “So Appalled” in the J-Cole produced closing anthem “HiiPower”. He’s got the focus. This crazy focus and wisdom beyond his years will take him to the top, and I can’t wait to follow along the entire way. His next album is being produced by Just Blaze and Pete Rock, yeah, this guy is next and everyone know’s it.
