Top 20 Hip Hop Albums of 2011

2011 is officially over, but it wouldn't be right to leave another year behind us and not reflect on the highlights of the year. And as January 2012 comes to a close, we here at Cole Miners Music would like to take some time and highlight the albums from 2011 that are worthy of the hip hop genre. 20 albums. 4 honorable mentions. One crazy year behind us. Although there is a lot to say about the list, I can some up everything in one sentence: I hope for a more productive 2012 year in hip hop music because this past year wasn't a very exciting year for hip hop. Nevertheless, enjoy these staff picks that caught our attention and kept our ipods busy. And now without further ado in no particular order, we present the....

 Top 20 Hip Hop Albums of 2011

      1)   Kanye West-My Beautiful Twisted Dark Fantasy

One of the best albums of the year by far. Kanye West is truly a genius when it comes to creating great songs. Now if we could just get him to work on that humbleness part...

      2)   Miguel - All I Want is You 

     This album was a nice surprise, especially for a new R&B artist. With an appearance from rap artist J Cole, this album has just the right touch of pop without being overbearing.

      3)   Lupe -Lasers

      Okay, so I'll be honest: this album isn't the greatest as a whole, especially for an artist on the level of Lupe Fiasco. But for the few gems of songs that are on the album, this album can still hold its own. Not the best, but worth a listen.

  

     4)   Phonte - Charity Starts at Home

     New Tigelo new Tigelo new Tigelo! Yes, rapper Phonte is truly a prodigy of the rap game and this cd is another great piece of work. With production from 9th Wonder and Khrysis to name a few, it's only a matter of time before Phonte makes his way into the mainstream.  

      5)   Jay-Z and Kanye West - Watch The Throne

     This is my pick for 2011 Album of the Year! I won't lie: I wasn't a fan of this album at first. But several listens in I realized I couldn't skip past one track. This is a great album, production-wise and lyrically. It's rare these days to hear a complete album, and with Jay-Z and Kanye West teaming up, the quality of the work reflects the brilliance of these artists. Guest appearances include Beyonce Knowles and Frank Ocean of rap group Odd Future. Truly a work of art. Watch the throne indeed.

  

     6)   Big Krit - Return of 4eva

     Dirty south rap done right, period. Bass-thumpin beats and clever rhyme schemes give this album/mixtape an appeal all its own.

      7)   Common - The Dreamer/The Believer

      Common is back with another classic installment of quality tracks, great production and a great message of following your dreams. Emcees take notice: this is how you make an album.

    

     8)   Bad Meets Evil - Hell: The Sequel

     Eminem teams up with Royce the 5'9. What else is there to consider? This album plays like a competition of who has the better lyrical ability with fast witty rhyme schemes and a guest appearance by rap group Slaughterhouse. Detroit stand up.

      9)   XV - Zero Heroes

      Sooo yeah XV may need a little polish as an emcee (lyrics are a little corny sometimes), but as an artist he definitely can make a decent track. This album is a great mix of beats and definitely has potential to launch this new emcee.

    

     10) Random Axe - Random Axe

     Black Milk teams up with rappers Guilty Simpson and Sean Price. The beats knock, the rhymes are on point and did I mention Black Milk produced the album. Go buy it right this second....I'll wait.....

    

      11) Pac Div - The Div

      Pac Div is by far on the rise as one of the newest and most polished rap groups to date. Every time I hear a track from them, I smile a little more for the future of hip hop. Pay close attention 'cause this cd is severely underrated.

     12) Das Racist - Relax

     Corky songs, funny and witty rhymes and a whole lot of crazy beats to go around. Take it with a grain of salt and enjoy something fun and decent at the same time.

      13) Sir Michael Rocks – The Rocks Report

      One of my favorite albums/mixtapes of the year, this is a classic from start to finish. Ok, well he could cut a few tracks but this level of emceeing and production has not been matched this year, period. Did I mention the album is free online? Yeah, get it ASAP.

 

      14) Drake – Take Care

      Drake is at it again and no matter how you feel about this album, it is still a standout among many mediocre albums this past year. Give it a listen and see for yourself.

      15) Kooley High - David Thompson

      I was pleasantly surprised how good this album is. Jazzy, mellow beats matched with witty lyricism. As for the album title, this quote I found in an interview with the group sums it up perfectly:

      "This new project pays tribute to Kooley High's NC roots as they try to reach the astronomical heights David "Skywalker" Thompson did when he lead the N.C. State University basketball team to their national championship win in 1974."

     16) J Cole – Cole World: The Sideline Story

      What can't you say about J Cole? He raps his ass off, he gave us a collection of quality tracks with honest lyrics and some great singles. It'll be great to see where he goes from here on the next album.

 

    17) People Under The Stairs – Stepfather (Remastered)

    If you enjoy your beats funky and your rhymes classic, you need to be a fan of this group ASAP. Greatly underrated, this album is a great blend of jazzy beats and is easily a classic album for hip hop.

     18) The Roots – Undun

      It's the Roots. You should expect an album that will stay in rotation in your car for a majority of the year. Undun is definitely a more jazz-like album, complete with violin instrumental bonus tracks. But it's clear that the Roots will continue to rock for hip hop with a unique sounds all their own.

 

     19) Yelawolf – Radioactive

      Yelawolf proves with his debut album of Shady Records that he is no beginner and has an honest story to tell. This album was a nice surprise and definitely deserves a listen.

    

      20) The Cool Kids – When Fish Ride Bicycles 
      A classic Cool Kids record: heavy bass beats, witty rhymes and a classic track or two. Worth a listen, but definitely not their best album yet.

Honorable mentions:

       1)   Median – The Sender 
       Great great production and a solid album for Median

2)   The Lonely Island – Turtleneck & Chain

   Honestly, it's worth listening to even if it is a comedy album.

3)   Danny Brown – XXX

     Sorry, great rhymes and beats but Danny Brown's voice can be like nails on a chalkboard.

     4)   Tyler the Creator - Goblin 
     Creative and unique: yes. A great album as a whole: no. It's nice to hear something new once in a while, but this album could have benefited from a little polish, production wise.