Here is some footage from Royce’s show last night in Toronto. Above, Royce does ‘Legendary’, ‘Where My Money’, ‘Writer’s Block’ and his verse in the BET Cypher. Click further (below) to watch Royce perform his verses from “Hell: The Sequel.”

Bad Meets Evil (Eminem & Royce Da 5’9) – Hell: The Sequel in stores now.

Previously: Royce Da 59 – Live In Boston (Video)

I checked around for songs that I liked (because it’s just a silly list I came up with after all) and the songs that the music community believed were some of the best of 2011.  In total, I came up with 35 songs.  There really is no true method here.  I just like all of the songs here.  Many are mainstream, and some are gems that some people may not be familiar with.  This is not a list of the best songs of the year, just songs we found ourselves playing nonstop.  The real challenge turned out to be trying to order the songs.  Yes, I included a joke song this year.  No, it isn’t as bad as “Pants on the Ground” last year.

Instead of building the 2011 mixtape using Playlist.com this year, I’ve chosen to use Spotify since this is more stable (Playlist.com tracks have a habit of disappearing on you).  For those of you who don’t have Spotify or don’t want it, good news!  I’ve also created a visual playlist on Youtube, so you have two options.  As usual, please don’t tell me I’ve left something out.  I can’t please everyone, but you’re more than welcome to comment with which songs you loved this year.

If a song doesn’t work on either Spotify or Youtube, please let me know.

Click here for the Spotify playlist

Click here for the Youtube music video playlist

The song list:

“Tonight Tonight” by Hot Chelle Rae

“Faster” by Matt Nathanson

“Never Gonna Leave This Bed” by Maroon 5

“Run the World (Girls)” by Beyoncé

“Rope” by the Foo Fighters

“E.T.” by Katy Perry feat. Kanye West

“I Might” by Wilco (Youtube is audio only)

“Lighters” by Bad Meets Evil feat. Bruno Mars

“Science & Faith” by the Script (Youtube is audio only)

“You Make Me Feel…” by Cobra Starship feat. Sabi

“Someone Like You” by Adele (Youtube only—21 and its tracks are not available on Spotify)

“Mr. Know It All” by Kelly Clarkson

“Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall” by Coldplay

“Otis” by Jay-Z and Kanye West

“Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster the People

“Stereo Hearts” by Gym Class Heroes feat. Adam Levine

“Price Tag” by Jesse J feat. B.o.B.

“Just a Kiss” by Lady Antebellum

“Countdown” by Beyoncé

“Brighter Than the Sun” by Colbie Caillat

“It Girl” by Jason Derulo

“Ni**as in Paris” by Jay-Z and Kanye West (Youtube is audio only)

“Super Bass” by Nicki Minaj

“Moves Like Jagger” by Maroon 5 feat. Christina Aguilera

“Ass Back Home” by Gym Class Heroes feat. Neon Hitch

“The Last Goodbye” by David Cook

“The Afterlife” by Paul Simon

“Lights” by Ellie Goulding

“The Edge of Glory” by Lady Gaga

“Bad as Me” by Tom Waits (Youtube is audio only)

“Not Over You” by Gavin DeGraw

“This City” by Patrick Stump feat. Lupe Fiasco

“The Lazy Song” by Bruno Mars

“Uncharted” by Sara Bareilles

“Jack Sparrow” by the Lonely Island feat. Michael Bolton (Sorry, guys, I couldn’t help myself.)

Everybody brought their A-game in 2011, so complying a list of my favorite albums/mixtapes/eps was a difficult thing to do, but after much debate (among myself) I think I have it all figured out.

So let’s begin.

#10 Young Darias – I’m in the Buildin’

Make sure y’all check out my review I did for this mixtape, but let me  just say why I’m In The buildin’ made my end-of-the-year list: Young D’s project remind me of the good-old mixtape days where you take’s someone else’s beat and make it your own. Overall, it was a well polished (and improved) mixtape from the up-and-comer.

#9 Bad Meets Evil – Hell: The Sequel

While I was a little disappointed that it wasn’t a little better (production-wise), this EP still knocks in the whip. Eminem and Royce Da 5′ 9″ make one helluva combo, going bar for bar in every other track, but somehow this felt like a rushed kind-of-project. Don’t get me wrong, ‘A Kiss’ is a gutta gutta type of song, but ‘Lighters’ with Bruno Mars still took me awhile to get used to. Maybe next time guys.

#8 Common – The Dreamer / The Believer

Common’s The Dreamer/The Believer kinda just snuck into my top 10 list, but I’m really glad it did. I’ve been thinking about doing this list about a month ago, and when I was thinking about which projects made the cut, Common’s album was not on my radar. But then I heard “Sweet”, it was game over. I peep this album out, and yes, it is legit! In my eyes, one of Common’s top albums he’s ever put out. The production, the lyrics, the flow, its all on point here. The reason why its not higher on my list is b/c I still have listen to it more, to like it more. Does that make sense? I think so. We can only dare to dream.

#7 Add-2 – One Missed Call

Although I like A Tale of Two Cities: Vol. 4 a little bit more, the one man duo, Add-2, still manages to delivered a well-made solid project. Taking it back to the more soulful days of yesterday, this project see Add-2 clever punch lines and lyrics over some smooth ass beats and instrumentals. This is the type of music that requires a careful listen b/c there is soo much packed in every line. This dude must not be slept on anymore. When his next project drops, its going to be serious problem.

#6 The Game – The R.E.D. album

The R.E.D. album was a bit underwhelming at first (I guess that’s what happens when you drop a mixtape before your album), but after a careful listen, you can tell its top shelf quality. From an audio stand point alone, you can tell that Game was in his zone, from sampling movies to recording his baby mama in the delivery room. Keeping it g’d up with tha Boyz in the Hood theme, Game takes his flow over range of different beats. The Compton MC still proves he’s a monster a martian on the mic, and for that, I give him props.

#5 Childish Gambino – EP

Wow! This right here is a monster. This little short EP proves that there’s no kidding around when it comes to Childish Gambino’s music. There’s so many quotables up in here that I use on a daily biases, that has become a classic in my eyes.  Production, lyrics, swagg, it can all be found in this 6 track EP. This project delivers the best of what is Childish Gambino. In other words, this shit goes hard in the paint like I fucked her on her period. Childish Gambino is a force to be wreaken with, and he’s coming.

#4 The-Dream – 1977

The MOST UNDERRATED R&B PROJECT of 2011, hands down. This album is so amazing that its no wonder the record company got mad that Dream put it out for free. Haha. Moreover, this right here shows us how to do contemporary R&B cuts in a hip-hop dominant era. Its a musical/soulful experience from the first track till the end. When it comes to the current rhythm and blues, it gets no better than this (sorry Trey Songz). My only advice with this is, if you haven’t heard it, please do yourself a favor and go listen this. Like right now.

#3 Drake – Take Care

I’m going to compare this album similar to a Hollywood movie, follow along with this thought. So the first album (i.e. like a movie) was okay. In other words, Drake’s first project looked like it was going to be a great first album, according to the previews (i.e. mixtapes), but it was just okay – the previews were better. Now this second album (just a like many sequels of movies) was much better. Don’t get it twisted, this is a GREAT album. Hands down. The production, the lyrics, melodies, hooks, features – you name it, Drake came correct with this one. Take Care is over the top, and it works. A much better sounding and polished album than its predecessor, Drake just did a “Slim Shady to Marshall Matter LP” style of leap. This will be, for years to come, arguably Drake’s best album. Mark my words.

#2 Kendrick Lamar – Section 80

Here’s what makes Kendrick Lamar’s Section 80 great: Every song, at the beginning, sounds like its going to suck, BUT just a give a second, and it hits you. Every track is great. This IS QUALITY music. This is RAP in its truest form. Kendrick Lamar has just paved the way for many new artist to developed their own music in the way he has. In my opinion, Kendrick Lamar has tapped into the late/great Tupac Shakur’s musical rap soul and displayed his talent on the mic, track for track in Section 80 (something we haven’t seen in a long time).  Simply put, Kendrick Lamar is a legend in the making, and this project here will cement that argument.

#1 Jay-Z & Kanye West – Watch the Throne

The best album of 2011. Quote me on that. If rap is a subculture, then hip hop is the culture. Jay-Z and Kanye West make one of the best duo’s to ever to make music, period. This right here is HIP HOP at its truest form. When people think of what is Hip-Hop in 2011, all one has to do is listen to Watch the Throne track for track. Although Watch the Throne dropped late in this summer, it still gets constant play from me on a daily biases and that’s why it deserves the top spot. The production, the lyrics, the “it” factor – Watch the Throne has it. And if you think about the album title, we should watch it, because right now, Jay-Z and Kanye West are the Kings of Hip Hop.

Well, there’s my list and I hope people don’t go gorillas over it. But I know its provocative and it’ll get the people going.

-ezb14 outz.

Props to 2dopeboyz for the design inspiration.

There are no melodies sweeter than ScienZe’s project from 2011. The man has songs that make your emotions flutter and your mood relax. His beats are consistently smooth with a jazzy feel to them. His lyrics are filled with positivity. He’s vastly different than the egotistical screams that most hip-hop listeners are more-than well familiar with. The EP does remind me of the old Kanye West tracks he used to help get him signed to a major record label back in the early 2000′s. “Song In A Glass“ is an anthem that any man or woman can relate to,

I guess life be givin’ lemons when you got a pitcher. Now I only sip Corona down to taste the liquor. And I know it ain’t the same thing as lemonade. For every sour there’s a sweet, sweet getaway.

ScienZe is a refreshing artist with a view that is different but not unfamiliar.

2. Section.80 – Kendrick Lamar

I think everyone knows about Mr. Lamar by now. I don’t think people really understand what Section.80 is about. If you watch every interview he does about the album, he describes his debut independent-album as a very lukewarm and ambiguous concept. Some call “HiiiPower” a movement. I think Section.80 is a message described as a movement, but it not a movement. It is a movement disguised as a message. The message is to be an independent being. Stop being someone you are not, and start describing to others who you are and what your emotions are and be proud of who you are. Kendrick describes this anecdote best in “Ab-Soul’s Outro,”

I’m not on the outside looking in
I’m not on the inside looking out
I’m in the dead f*cking center, looking around
You ever seen a newborn baby kill a grown man
That’s an analogy for the way the world make me react.

I’m not the next pop star
I’m not the next socially aware rapper
I am a human motherf*cking being, over dope ass instrumentation

Everyone knows that Kendrick is beyond dope. I can’t wait to see him out here in SATX.

3. XV – Zero Heroes

XV’s my main-man. I’ve seen this brother twice in South Texas and met him. He’s actually a humble dude, with some fierce lyricism. Everybody’s Nobody is probably my favorite mixtape of all time. I admit, he came out weak in the overly-anticipated Vizzy Zone. He made up a lot of ground for Zero Heroes.

This is probably the darkest we’ve ever seen Vizzy. The mixtape starts as a humbling introduction with an ode to his hometown “Wichita.” The album has a dark shadow with tracks like “Smallville” “Swervin’” and “When We’re Done.” However, the break-out tracks are definitely breakthroughs for XV. The Kendrick Lamar-assisted joint “Textbook Stuff” blows your mind with insightful metaphors over a melodramatic chorus “Hey there baby, it’s just Textbook Stuff. It’s in the ABC’s of growing up.” Kendrick goes hard like usual that brings this mixtape to the top. The heavily emotional narrative “Pictures on my Wall” can help anyone relate to their childhood struggle to find themselves with the pressures of adults trying to influence you. The project is not all growing pains, it’s got some bangers from porn star Kristina Rose on “UFC”. “Foreign Exchange Student” and “All For Me” are also feel-good happy tracks that are reminiscent of some old Vizzy tunes.

4. Childish Gambino – Camp

Pitchfork is just mad because CG is blowing up with his Community/stand-up/live show/rapper fame as he raps “I’d give you MTV if I could man, but Pitchfork only like rappers that are crazy or hood man.” Camp is a theatrically brilliant album with a melodramatic theme. Childish Gambino raps about his childhood growing up and his growing pains then and now. Everyone has complaints that it’s all about how he was the gay-kid getting picked on, and that the album is a bit whiney. Last time I checked, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy was mostly about the break-up pains Kanye West went through with Amber Rose. Camp is a bit darker than most, but he undeniably has hardcore rhyming skills with “Bonfire” and “You See Me.” I’d love to see CG in an 8-Mile rap battle. This brother kills with one-liners and word play.

She’s an over-achiever, because all she do is SUCK SEED.

…Yeah. That’s more than decent Pitchfork.

I made the beat and murdered it, CASEY ANTHONY.

Eat that Supa-Dupa Flow, Big Sean & Drake!

I got a girl around my arm, show some respect. Something crazy & Asian, VIRGINIA TECH.

…Okay, I’m done now. You get the point. It’s  just a fun album, period.

4. Gift Raps – Chip Tha Ripper

Just see my Mixtape Review as to why I LOVE this joint. Chip Tha Ripper was fun in San Marcos with his live band. He’s got some sick-ass beats and quotable lyrics. Who can’t love “Plural”? WHO CAN’T?!

5. Omen – Afraid of Heights

I’ve been following this cat since last year’s Cole Tape: Friday Night Lights. His verse on “Enchanted” is probably one of my favorite verses in a while. This album is organic. He put his soul and anguish into this tape in a way that cleanses your senses. “Answers” and “Fighting The Feeling” are songs that every man can relate to. Every man has his those low-points at least once in their lifetime, and Omen hits them on que. “Wow” is probably one of the funniest tracks I’ve ever heard in my life, and it all comes from J. Cole’s DreamVillains crew.  He also has beautiful up-and-coming singers like Shalonda and Ari Lourdes. This is such a great tape. Oh…Kendrick’s flow also goes hard in “Look Of Lust.”

I guess I like projects that have a lot of depressing thoughts? I’m not sure. Anyways, here’s my picks for the best songs of 2011:

• “When I Die” – Sound FX
• “Who’s That Brooown!” – Das Racist
• “Out” – Pac DIV
• “The Vent” – Big K.R.I.T.
• “A Kiss” – Bad Meets Evil
• “Champions Anthem” – Donny Goines, Bun B, Pill, XV
• “Jordan v. Bird” – Maffew Ragazino (feat. Action Bronson)
• “B.A.N.ned” – Freddie Gibbs
• “Textbook Stuff” – XV (feat. Kendrick Lamar)
• “Poe Man’s Dreams (His Vice)” – Kendrick Lamar

Yes, I’m a white kid that listens to too much Rap music. Get over it.

And now, after surveying the vast scene, we unload our top rankings of all of the great music we’ve listened to and loved over the course of 2011 – a strange yet wonderful year. Take a look and weigh in on “AllHipHop.com’s Top 40 Albums of 2011″ – and be sure to peep their equally impressive cover artwork:

#40 The Cool Kids – When Fish Ride Bicycles

2011 saw the duo of Sir Michael Rocks and Chuck Inglish finally deliver their long in-the-making, and overdue, debut album to positive acclaim. A concern of most fans who had been riding with the Kids since the beginning was how much their sound would change over the years it took to create When Fish Ride Bicycles. In July, all doubts were smashed as the album delivered what fans had been anxiously waiting for. Slick production from Chuck, dope appearances from the likes of Bun B, Ghostface Killah, Asher Roth and Pharell, and the lyrics and subjects that made them “cool” in the first place.

#39 Pac Div – The Div

The Palmdale, California, trio show once again why they are a breath of fresh air in the rap industry. Pulling influences from the past like the West Coast’s eclectic Pharcyde, the MCs represent the new hipster movement that has invaded Cali and beyond. On The Div, the group displays great chemistry, rhyme skills and a knack for dope beats. What more can you really ask for?

#38 Childish Gambino – Camp

When he’s not making cameo appearances in Muppet movies or co-starring on popular TV shows, Childish Gambino is a rapper, and a good one at that. Throughout CAMP, Gambino addresses criticism from his haters on topics ranging from not being “Black” enough or “’hood” enough to being called “gay” and “soft,” stemming from his career as an actor and comedian. He wins by going from topic to topic in a versatile lyrical manner, and he demonstrates his ability to come hard on a track with clever wordplay and punchlines. Check “You See Me” and “Hold You Down” if you need more convincing.

#37 Statik Selektah – Population Control

Statik Selektah has built his name over time with two main things – dope DJ’ing skills and sought-after production. These two forces combine on his near-epic Population Control, which, hands down, wins the award for the album assisted by some of the best MCs of the day. Seriously, it has tracks from Big K.R.I.T., Freddie Gibbs, Christian newcomer LeCrae, Bun B, Action Bronson, Saigon, Styles P, Termanology, and the list goes on. “Play The Game” against Statik, and you’ll probably lose.

#36 Curren$y and Alchemist – Covert Coup

When the Jet Life rapper meets the genius of Alchemist, it’s a strong showing on Covert Coup, a continuation of Curren$y’s good collaborations from 2011. He teams up with Mobb Deep’s Prodigy on “The Time,” and though most of the other tracks are fast and furious in run time, Curren$y Spitta is up to the task. Songs like “Double 07” show off his metaphorical skills when laced by Alchemist’s beats, and he pays homage to his Smokers Club lifestyle on lighthearted selects like “Smoke Break.” Coup accomplished.

#35 Snoop Dogg – Doggumentary

West Coast veteran Snoop Dogg keeps pressing on in the rap game as he released his 11th album this past spring. Doggumentary saw a reunion between The Doggfather and longtime producing pals Battlecat, Fredwreck, and Meech Wells – and it’s no surprise that those collaborations produced the album’s highlights. On “Wonder What It Do,” Battlecat resurrects the smooth soulful Boz Scaggs song, “Low Down,” and gives it a slight funky twist. Longtime fans desire more of that kind of music from Snoop, as opposed to the dreadful Superman collaboration with country legend Willie Nelson.

#34 DJ Khaled – We the Best Forever

DJ Khaled’s We the Best Forever produced some of the best rap collaborations of the year. Pairing up Rick Ross, Drake, and Lil’ Wayne for “ I’m On One” proved to be radio gold, while “Welcome to My Hood” dominated the club scene and featured a bevy of some of the hottest artists around, including Ludacris, Birdman, Fat Joe, Busta Rhymes, T-Pain, Twista, and Mavado. Though some of the tracks slowed the monster momentum, Khaled proved on this album that he just might be the best at assembling awesome collabos.

#33 Trae Tha Truth – Street King

Houston’s Trae Tha Truth is surrounded by friends on his 2011 offering, Street King. Heavy with featured guests, it may be the way he’s choosing to show off his industry muscle – by pulling in some major names, including Outkast vet Big Boi, Lil Wayne (on a dope track called “That’s Not Luv”), Wiz Khalifa, and Wale, literally just to name a few. With all of the talent, and some great production, Trae bullied his way onto our streets looking as if his kingdom is here to stay.

#32 Random Axe – Random Axe

Random Axe marks the first release from the group of the same name. The single, “The Hex,” paid homage to the album’s executive producer, artist manager, and AllHipHop.com contributor, Hexmurda, who suffered a massive stroke in 2009 and is still recovering. URB Magazine commented that Guilty Simpson and Sean Price are “blessed with two of the best voices in Hip-Hop.” All tracks on the album were produced by Black Milk, who has yet to gain the critical-acclaim that his production deserves.

#31 Mac Miller – Blue Slide Park

The debut album from Mac Miller sold an impressive 145,000 copies in its opening week, but even more impressive was the fact that it was done independently. This also set a record for the highest selling release for an indie artist. While the production is a bit lacking at times, the wide-eyed, young Mac does a good enough job on the mic to make it one of the more interesting, worth-listening-to albums of the year.

#30 Curren$y – Weekend at Burnies

Curren$y delivered a solid Warner Bros. debut with Weekend at Burnies by sticking with the formula that helped him rise from independent artist to major label darling. Weekend at Burnies features Curren$y’s descriptive word play, comical one liners, and visually-stimulating storytelling – and, although the album only clocks in at just a little over 40 minutes, Curren$y makes the most of his time by rhyming effortlessly over Monsta Beatz.

#29 Freddie Gibbs – Cold Day in Hell

Now one of CTE’s finest, Freddie Gibbs is bringing gangsta music back to Hip-Hop. Despite the Internet, backpack, snapback rapper trends going on in the genre today, Freddie keeps it G on this project and speaks exactly how he feels. Taking you on a trip through the rough Gary, Indiana, streets, this seems to be Freddie’s most significant and well put together project to date. Highlights on the project include the tracks, “Rob Me a Ni**a” ft. Alley Boy, “187 Proof,” “Twos and Fews” ft. Young Jeezy, “My Homeboys Girlfriend,” “St8 Slammin’ “ ft. Juicy J, “Menace II Society” ft. Dom Kennedy and Polyester, “Neighborhood Hoez” ft. 2 Chainz…. Yeah, you get it. This project is simply bangin’.

#28 Yelawolf – Radioactive

Shady signee and Alabama’s self proclaimed, trailer-park raised “slumerican,” Yelawolf dropped a bomb this past year on the rap game, emerging as one of the more interesting characters on the scene. With his skateboard influenced style and Southern twang, Yela has become a staple for Internet blogs and websites. Featuring a host of artists, including Eminem, Kid Rock, Lil Jon, Killer Mike, and Mystikal, this debut effort by Yelawolf sold 41,826 copies in its first week, debuting at a respectable #25 on the Billboard Charts.

#27 Pharoahe Monch – We.Are.Renegades. (W.A.R.)

You just may need a gas mask to breathe through the lyrical assault that longtime rapper Pharoahe Monch brought this year on the album, We.Are.Renegades (W.A.R.). Always known for his intelligence and propensity for hanging out with other smartypants (think Jean Grae and Talib Kweli), Monch didn’t disappoint on his third solo album in 10 years. He brings the words again on songs like “Calculated Amalgamation” and “Assassins” featuring Grae and Royce Da 5’9”, then trips fantastically into Jill Scott on “Still Standing.” If this is W.A.R., we don’t want peace.

#26 Murs x Ski Beatz – Love & Rockets Vol. 1: The Transformation

Murs had a good year, combining his talents with people like Ski Beatz and D.C.’s Tabi Bonney, and finding himself on AllHipHop.com’s “Top 25 Underground Artists of 2011” list. Still, he didn’t spend much of the year underground with Love & Rockets Vol. 1: The Transformation, an album chock full of Ski Beatz goodness. “Trevor An Them” is a storyteller’s dream, if Murs’ title doesn’t already get you, and “Hip Hop and Love” and “Eazy E” pay respects to the game. This is a rap rocketship ride if we’ve ever seen one.

#25 Tyler the Creator – Goblin

Cast aside all of Odd Future’s headline-stealing antics and tabloid tantrums, and Tyler the Creator has a definite something on his solo effort, Goblin. From videos that visually push the limits of our imaginations, to lyrics that make us gasp, Tyler’s Goblin was one of the year’s best – even if we don’t all know what he’s really about. He couples up with Frank Ocean on “She,” a strange love ballad of sorts, and then lets us really know he’s some sort of genius on tracks like “Tron Cat.” We don’t get it, but we like it anyway.

#24 Pusha T – Fear of God

In what many are regarding as a contender for “mixtape of the year,” G.O.O.D. Music’s Pusha T elevates his game as a solo artist and spits crack. Literally. You know how the Clipse, VA’s finest, does it. Weighing it up and shipping out the “EGHCK” on new and classic instrumentals, Pusha T uses his words to cut through the tracks with an uncanny vigilance that screams a new level of status and elevation. Taking European trips, eating exotic foods, wearing designer clothing, and in general, living the G.O.O.D. life., Pusha T gives other rappers the “Fear of God.”

#23 A$AP Rocky – Live.Love.A$AP

Harlem’s boisterous boy, A$AP Rocky, leader of the growing A$AP movement, seemed to bust out of nowhere in 2011. The New York resident is oddly Southern in both his look and delivery, but it works for him on tracks like “Trilla” and the popular “Purple Swag.” Living and Loving A$AP Rocky is a hard thing to do – he seems to want nothing more than for us to like his music and then leave him alone. But we won’t go, Rocky, and songs like “Pesos” is one of the reasons why.

#22 Tabi Bonney – The Summer Years

Believe it or not, the “Chocolate City” has another strong rap talent by the name of Tabi Bonney, who has recently been associated with Roc-A-Fella’s Dame Dash. Another African import, Bonney displays a smoother more musical side of his city than Wale, leaving behind the negative themes and rising on just good beats and lyrics. “Hip Hop and Love” finds its way over from Murs’ album, and gems like “On Jupiter” sample his famous musician father to add a special touch.

#21 9th Wonder – The Wonder Years

Producer extraordinaire 9^th Wonder should make amateurs want to pack up their studio equipment and go home. On The Wonder Years, he displays his gift again and again. Wu-Tang vets make an appearance, along with rapper Phonte from his Little Brother past. Then he gets all orchestral on “Enjoy,” an enjoyable mixture of his beats holding up heavyweights Kendrick Lamar, Murs, and the O.G., Warren G. In our book, and probably yours, too, 9^th Wonder can do no wrong.

#20 Drake – Take Care

The first buzz single from Take Care was “Marvin’s Room,” a melo-dramatic ode to ex-girlfriends that Drake has become synonymous with. Following was “Headlines,” a braggadocio favorite that has been certified Gold, and pretty much let us all know what the album had in store – a lot of Drake’s singing voice. Take Care features production by 40, Boi-1da, Just Blaze and Toronto crooner, The Weeknd, and entered the charts at a boss #1 and was recently certified Platinum.

#19 Raekwon – Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang

Raekwon served up a perfect slice of Wu-Tang pie with Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang. Sticking with Kung Fu inspired tracks and cinematic samples, the Chef worked with longtime Wu affiliates, Bronze Nazareth, Cilvaringz, and Wu-Tang bat logo designer Mathematics, as well as a bevy of unknown producers, to perfect this masterpiece from the Staten Island great.

#18 Tech N9ne – Welcome To Strangeland

Tech N9ne continued to dominate the underground with the fourth release of his Collabos series, Welcome To Strangeland. With perfectly-placed guest spots from Jay Rock, Krizz Kalliko, and Brotha Lynch Hung to name a few, Welcome to Strangeland oozes raw emotion, soul, lyrical dexterity, and spirituality, making it a standout from everything else that was released this year.

#17 Wiz Khalifa – Rolling Papers

Rolling Papers debuted at unbelievable #2 on the Billboard 200 chart – unbelievable if you’re a tattoed kid named Wiz Khalifa from the Steel City. The album kicked off with the monster hit single, “Black and Yellow,” a tribute to Khalifa’s native Pittsburgh, which spawned countless remixes, remakes, and spoofs. Rolling Papers followed up with pop and herb-infused tracks like “Roll Up,” and the super slow and G’d up “On My Level,” featuring West Coast legend Too Short.

#16 Wale – Ambition

He may have switched up the sound from his go-go infused past just a bit, but from all indications, D.C. rapper Wale’s star is on the rise. “Lotus Flower Bomb” with Miguel’s beautiful begging on the hook is still dominating radio, and “Legendary” proves that he’s just as braggy as ever on Ambition, his first album on the MMG imprint. “Double M Genius” and “Don’t Hold Your Applause” follow suit, and of course, there are a ton on MMG features here. Wale may come slightly new with this one, but his appeal comes from a familiar place that feels good and possibly, “Legendary.”

#15 Talib Kweli – Gutter Rainbows

Brooklyn MC Talib Kweli puts together some of his best music to date on the Blacksmith label with this effort. Encompassing finely tuned production, live instrumentation, and quality, well-written songs, Kweli has fun with this project and keeps it up date and informative as always. Cunning, edgy, and refusing to sacrifice quality by dumbing himself down, Kweli offers fans a neo-soul/Rawkus sounding project that solidifies his well known ability to drop solid solo projects. And while many people are waiting for the next Blackstar album, we want to hear what Kweli brings on Prisoner of Conscious, his next project which he calls a departure from what fans may expect.

#14 Cee Lo Green – The Lady Killer

Cee Lo Green brought back that signature, soulful Motown sound with his third studio album, Lady Killer. With bonafide hits like the edgy, “F*ck You,” “Fool For You,” and “Old Fashioned,” Cee Lo’s Lady Killer is a timeless album from a timeless, eccentric Hip-Hop entertainer. With his gender-bending styles and otherworldly voice (and don’t forget the rap skills), we can hardly stand the wait until Green’s next musical adventure unfolds.

#13 The Game – The R.E.D. Album

Maybe it was the fact that he’s fallen in love, or maybe it’s the grown-man evolution we can see him going through, but The Game’s R.E.D. Album didn’t get nearly the attention it should have in 2011. Still, critics recognized it for what it was – one of the Cali rappers strongest releases to date. Producers Cool and Dre kick things off just right with “The City,” “Good Girls Gone Bad” makes us think, and “Born In The Trap” reminds us where he’s from. There are a lot of features and even Dr. Dre, but there are also a lot tracks (over 20) and The Game can easily stand on his own.

#12 Maybach Music Group Presents: Self Made Vol. 1

It was hard to move an inch this year without being run down by the dominance of Rick Ross and his Maybach Music Group family. One of the best collaborative projects of the year found the Ross dominating the airwaves with songs like “Tupac Back” and “I’ma Bawse,” featuring himself and Philly hot boy/MMG signee Meek Mill. Thrown in Wale, Pill, and hella R&B musicality over lofty lyrics and bravado for days, and MMG was an unstoppable force in 2012.

#11 Phonte – Charity Starts At Home

Charity Starts At Home is the first solo album by former Little Brother/Foreign Exchange member, Phonte. A gumbo of great lyricism and production, the album features four tracks from the master, 9th Wonder, who once served as the main producer for Little Brother. Charity also boasts worthy appearances by comedian Affion Crockett, Eric Roberson, Zo!, Pharoahe Monch, Evidence, and Big K.R.I.T., on “The Life of Kings.”

#10 Big K.R.I.T. – The Return of 4eva

From intro to outro, Def Jam’s Big K.R.IT. gives fans an introspective look at the world of candy paint, wood grain, Southern fried beats, and epic swangin’ tracks, all while remaining humble, cool, and collected. Featuring his counterpart Big Sant, fellow Mississippian David Banner, Chamillionaire, Raheem Devaughn, Ludacris, and Bun B, this project brings every Hip-Hop fan back to the sounds of Outkast’s Aquemeni and UGK’s Ridin’ Dirty, mixed in with a little Three 6 Mafia, and 8 Ball & MJG. Return of 4eva makes you want to ride around in your glass house on the way to go eat some steak, skrimp, and lobster, and will be regarded as a classic someday – if it’s not already.

#9 Big Sean – Finally Famous

There is no denying the success that Big Sean has had in 2011, and it’s well-deserved. In June, Kanye’s G.O.O.D. Music imprint released Sean’s debut, Finally Famous, one of the most thorough and well-reviewed albums of the year. When your first single features Chris Brown, and your next single features your mentor and boss Yeezy, where do you go from there? The answer was one of the year’s biggest songs which had new life breathed into it by Billboard’s Rising Star, Nicki Minaj. Simply put, Finally Famous had some of the year’s biggest hits.

#8 Lupe Fiasco – Lasers

How do you top your first two critically-acclaimed albums: Food & Liquor and The Cool? Easy – you don’t. So, on Lupe’s third studio offering, he didn’t try too. Instead he provided fans and listeners with a much more broad and eclectic sounding album that included the conscious lyrics and subject matter he’s now for, all while providing a musical landscape of electronic beats, guitar riffs, and everything in between. Those who didn’t get everything they wanted can sleep easy – Lupe’s currently in the studio cooking up Food & Liquor 2.

#7 Kendrick Lamar – Section.80

In all of time, there may have never been a young MC to receive so many positive co-signs so fast as Kendrick Lamar. His Section.80 left us wondering why it took us any time at all to discover his talents, since he must have been rhyming from the womb. “Fuck Your Ethnicity” has all of the things you might expect from a Compton-based rapper, but with all of the uniqueness that makes Lamar stand out in the crowd. If that doesn’t serve as proof, the track “Ronald Reagan Era” might. After all, Lamar is the very best of what you get when you mix “Reaganomics” with Black ‘80s babies raised on Hip-Hop.

#6 Bad Meets Evil (Eminem & Royce da 5’9”) – Hell: The Sequel EP

What better way to show the world that whatever “beef” existed between two artists was squashed, then to release one of the most purely lyrical albums of the year. Backed by production from the industry’s top hit makers like Jim Jonsin, Bangladesh, Mr. Porter, and more, Em and Royce delivered an album packed 99.9% to the brim with what fans had been clamoring for since “Bad Meets Evil” first played on The Slim Shady LP. Of course, the album had to provide something for the mainstream, and who can fault Em and Royce; the album went Gold in no time and even earned Royce his first radio single, the Bruno Mars-assisted “Lighters.”

#5 Common – The Dreamer, The Believer

We dreamt that good Hip-Hop still existed, and we believed that Common could deliver it if he ever took a break from his active acting schedule. The Chi-Town spitter didn’t disappoint on The Dreamer, The Believer, which boasts No I.D. production, appearances from the likes of poet/goddess Dr. Maya Angelou on “The Dreamer” and the standard wisdom from “Pops,” along with slick-tongued tracks like “Sweet,” apparently aimed at the softness of a certain Young Money MC. Gimmicks aren’t needed, though, if you’re as good as Common, and this album is G.O.O.D music at its best.

#4 J. Cole – Cole World: The Sideline Story

This is the album fans have been anxiously awaiting since Cole’s critically acclaimed mixtape, The Warm Up, dropped and news broke that Jay-Z had signed the North Carolina native to his RocNation imprint. How do you debut at #1 on the sales charts without having a smash record? Through hard work, dedication, humility, and a strong fan base from the beginning. If sold-out shows nationwide, a feature from not just Jay-Z but from the reclusive Missy Elliott as well, and a #1 album don’t show you what this guy’s got in his arsenal, then you need to listen again.

#3 Lil’ Wayne – Tha Carter IV

One of the most talked about singles from Tha Carter IV was “6 Foot, 7 Foot” featuring Cory Gunz. And, followed strongly by “John,” featuring Rick Ross and “How to Love,” which found Weezy singing, it was apparent that Lil’ Wayne was finalizing his place somewhere high in rap history. His fourth single, the seductive and wishful “She Will,” featured frequent label collaborator, Drake, and was near perfection in terms of its word play (“Go on, pop that for a real n*gga). Deservedly, Tha Carter IV is up for a Grammy in the Best Rap Album category.

#2 The Roots – undun

Building a concept album isn’t easy – finding a way to weave a story through an entire project while remembering to be clever, stylistic, and melodic is a major feat – unless you’re a band called The Roots. The Philadelphia natives return with another winner on this, their 13^th studio album, and they’re more convincingly good than ever, with shine from songs like “Make My” featuring Big K.R.I.T. and Dice Raw. “Tip The Scale” with a welcome Wu-Tang-like feel to it, but the real star here is Black Thought, who brings words upon words no matter what the track – see “Stomp” for signs of his greatness.

#1 The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West) – Watch The Throne

This mega-star collaboration remarkably avoided an early Internet leak and sold 436,000 copies in its first week. In today’s music sales, that’s an impressive number that should have been higher, given the star magnitude and hype surrounding the album. Watch The Throne is a solid, musical odyssey that, at times, seems like an extension of last year’s #1 Album of the Year, Kanye’ West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, with Jay-Z added into the mix. The giants mostly have fun throughout their opus, especially on standout tracks including “Otis,” “N*ggas In Paris,” and “Who Gon Stop Me,” while “Lift Off” featuring Beyonce’ was the low (but still good) point.

Here are some other worthy mentions – our KNOCKOUT NOTABLES OF 2011:

2 Chainz – T.R.U. Realigion

Beastie Boys – Hot Sauce Committee 2

Black Milk and Danny Brown, DJ Drama – Third Power

Elzhi – eLmatic

Jean Grae – Cookies or Comas

Juicy J and Lex Lugar – Rubberband Business 2

Smoke DZA – Rolling Stoned

Torae – For The Record

Z-Ro – Meth

Webbie – Savage Life 3

Em and Roy’ce dropped this album  on June 14, 2011, which debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200 charts. Selling 171,000 records. With hit singles Lighters which reached #4 on the billboard charts. Im pretty sure you here this a million times on the radio. Also Fast Lane which got as high as 32 on the billboard charts.

Bad Meets Evil – Fast Lane ft. Eminem & Royce Da 5’9″

Word…til the next episode…

Peace.

The dubstep remix of “Cinema” by Skrillex drops that nasty wobble during Flipside ‘s set. Listen to Flipside at Five powered by Chevy Sonic feat. Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown, David Guetta, LMFAO, Pitbull, Rihanna, Bad Meets Evil, Selena Gomez, Afrojack, and more!

Jay-Z & Kanye West, Watch The Throne

Wiz Khalifa, Rolling Papers

Drake, Take Care

Game, The R.E.D. Album

Lady Gaga, Born This Way

 Adele, 21

Bon Iver, Bon Iver

Bassnectar, Divergent Spectrum

Bad Meets Evil, Hell: The Sequel

LMFAO, Sorry For Party Rocking

]]> http://thegospelaccordingtoricharderic.wordpress.com/2011/12/24/the-100-best-songs-of-2011-70-61the-100-best-songs-of-2011-70-61/ Sat, 24 Dec 2011 03:23:30 +0000 Richard Eric http://thegospelaccordingtoricharderic.wordpress.com/2011/12/24/the-100-best-songs-of-2011-70-61the-100-best-songs-of-2011-70-61/

70. BAD MEETS EVIL ft. BRUNO MARS ‘Lighters’

Credit where credit is due: the usually okay-at-best-but-not-The-Lazy-Song-that’s-just-horrific Bruno Mars is great here, as the nearly anonymous chorus-vocalist in this, the big hit single from Bad Meets Evil’s 2011 mini-album/EP/whatever. Eminem and Royce Da 5’9″ reunited this year for Hell: The Sequel, which just missed out on being in my top albums of the year, and ‘Lighters’ is a big cry-along melodrama which reminds me of past Eminem classics like ‘Sing For The Moment’ and ‘Like Toy Soldiers’. The glory of ‘Lighters’ is in the anxiety of the verses giving way to the chorus, and producers The Smeezingtons (which means Bruno again) bring the pop sensibility they brought to past triumphs ‘Fuck You’ and ‘Grenade’.

69. JAY-Z & KANYE WEST ‘H•A•M’

Another one of those apparent “disappointments” I cannot fathom – ‘H•A•M’ is fucking awesome, was the perfect lead-in for Watch The Throne, and deserved to be on the main tracklist. That cascading choir during the chorus (all this alliteration, I feel like Courtney Stodden) makes this feel like some ancient epic sent to us through the power of time travel, and while Kanye is weaker than usual, Jay-Z is at his best here. That “really half a milli” section is one of my favourite bits of any song released this year.

68. COLDPLAY ‘Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall’

I love the lyrics in this, which copped a bit of flack for being “cheesy”. Cheesy is fine by me when it sounds this good, and lines like “cathedrals in my heart” are so beautiful and ridiculous that I can’t help but fall in love. ‘Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall’ is, yes, built for stadiums and crowd participation, but it’s also a song about having a personal, one-on-one relationship with music. Sound sugary and saccharine? You bet, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

67. FLORENCE + THE MACHINE ‘Shake It Out’

I don’t think Flo is that much like Kate Bush, they’re just both English and have red hair, but ‘Shake It Out’ feels like her ‘Running Up That Hill’. It’s a shout-it-from-the-mountain anthem that feels like a bomb dropping in slow motion, and now that I’m listening to it again I feel like it is the female version of the Coldplay epics we’ve been discussing previously. With some of the best lyrics of the year, this is a summation of everything Florence is about, and it very nearly tops her best song, ‘Rabbit Heart’. Nearly.

66. LADY GAGA ‘Yoü And I’

Shania lives! Like ‘Marry The Night’, ‘Yoü And I’ is not the right choice for a single and the video was boring but it is a great track in its own right. It has already proven itself as a rousing live anthem and whether you’re a fan of ballad Gaga or not, it’s hard to deny that ‘Yoü And I’ has some great lyrics and a surprisingly authentic classic rock feel. “Muscle cars drove a truck right through my heart” is one of my favourite lines on Born This Way, and while the video and the drag king stupidity left a bad taste in my mouth, it still didn’t ruin this excellent song.

65. ALEXANDRA STAN ‘Mr. Saxobeat’

I’m so happy The Cheeky Girls are still influencing pop all these years later. This piece of European trash gloriousness is straight from the nineties and I couldn’t be more pleased. It even cracked America! Alexandra Stan rides this 1995 beat with her nonsensical ode to the titular Mr. Saxobeat, who could really be anyone or anything – who cares. The melody and the throwback vibe is the star here, and I hope Alexandra continues to revive Alice Deejay and doesn’t become a one-hit wonder.

64. KATE BUSH ‘Snowflake’

The opening track on 50 Words For Snow is one of the slowest and most atmospheric Kate songs ever. With lead vocal taken by Kate’s son Bertie, who sounds almost creepily like the choirboy on 1982′s ‘All The Love’, ‘Snowflake’ drifts along very gently, with Kate dropping in every now and then. Of course, she is playing the beautifully simply piano during the song, and the mix of voices and sounds are deceptively straightforward. This uncomplicated track is the important introduction into the world Kate has built for this remarkable album.

63. RUPAUL ‘Glamazon’

The extravaganza of this song! ‘Glamazon’ is a monstrous werqout that sashays and shantés all over the place. With OTT lyrics like “SASHAY! SHANTÉ! PANTHER ON THE RUNWAY!” and a huge, catchy chorus, this is simply a boatload of fun. Keeping in with Ru’s key theme of being yourself and being fabulous, this tale of a “female phenomenon” is presented as being about one person, but it’s really about anybody who has confidence in themselves and isn’t afraid to show a bit of realness in the way they carry themselves.

62. BRITNEY SPEARS ‘I Wanna Go’

‘I Wanna Go’ is one of my most played songs of the year but I’m putting it a little bit low on this list because it really does sound a lot like the single that directly preceded it, ‘Till The World Ends’. But the track has its own unique charms, including Britney’s not entirely convincing claim that she hasn’t already shown us all the dirt she’s got running through her mind. We remember ‘Touch Of My Hand’, girl! Such filth. But the pure pop rush of the chorus and the awesome video made sure ‘I Wanna Go’ was a huge hit (in America at least) and one of the clear standouts on the defining Femme Fatale.

61. BEYONCÉ ft. ANDRE 3000 ‘Party’

This is so old school (old school for me = late nineties). I feel like TLC are about to pop up on guest vocals, or at least Missy Elliott. And we do get a star from yesteryear as a guest in Andre 3000 – when Outkast get another album out I’ll call him current again – whose precise, laid-back flow fits this beat perfectly. Meanwhile, Beyoncé gets her swagu (I don’t know what that is) on and rolls around in the four-poster-bed that is the ‘Party’ instrumental. The “we like to partayyy” hook is infectious and this trip back in time is a centrepiece of the uneven 4.

Ladies, bring extra underwear (four to be exact!) so you can make sure to throw them up on stage at each performance, showing your appreciation to these phenomenal rappers/emcee’s.

Bad Meets Evil Album Cover

Artist: Bad Meets Evil

Album: Hell: The Sequel

Guess who’s back and with much more energy than before! Royce Da 5’9” (Bad) and Eminem (Evil) reunite once more to make a comeback so remarkable, their latest album Hell: The Sequel debuted at #1 in the Billboard 200 charts!

I have personally been a fan of Royce and Eminem since back in the 2000s, and their album did not disappoint, even by a single beat. All the charisma, energy and so much oomph in one album; definitely not enough to satisfy ears craving for more awesome lyrics and beats! More, more, more!

As 2011 comes to a close, it’s only right that we take a look back at what records have been hits and misses in the past year. Rather than draw any more attention to the misses of 2011, AllHipHop.com has chosen to award the “hits” by compiling a list of the “Top 50 Hottest Songs of 2011.”

You may or may not agree with the choices we’ve made, but in this day and age, if it’s worth discussing, then we’ve done our job! It’s no coincidence that a number of repeat artists appear on this list, both with their own songs as well as with features on others. There’s no denying that in 2011, some rappers made it a point to keep the fans talking and talking by putting out hit record after hit record.

But before we countdown from #50 to #26, let’s take a look at a number of songs that were without a doubt some of the year’s hottest songs, but just missed the list by a hair. Here are our “Honorable Mentions” of 2011:

Wale – “600 Benz” ft. Rick Ross & Jadakiss; B.O.B – “Strange Clouds” ft. Lil Wayne; Future – “Tony Montana” ft. Drake; A$AP Rocky – “Purple Swag;” YC – “Racks” ft. Future; Childish Gambino – “Bonfire;” Wiz Khalifa – “No Sleep;” Common – “Blue Sky;” J. Cole – “Lost Ones;” Kreayshawn – “Gucci Gucci;” and Meek Mill – “Tupac Back” ft. Rick Ross

And now, without further ado, here is AllHipHop.com’s “Top 50 Hottest Songs of 2011″ – Part 1:

50. Bad Meets Evil – “I’m On Everything”

“Syrup, painkillers, cigarettes, weed, Hennessy, vodka, I’m on everything!” It’s no surprise that during a year when artists were bragging about being on one or even two illegal products, Bad and Evil glorify the use of everything they can get their hands on and have no shame in doing so. The production from Mr. Porter, along with the Mike Epps sample, made this one of 2011′s most fun and talked about records.

49. French Montana – “Shot Caller (Remix)” ft. Rick Ross & Diddy

French Montana has been one of the more buzzed about artists of 2011, with rumored offers coming in from the likes of Kanye, Diddy, Rick Ross, and many others. With a few records that could be considered hits or misses depending on your musical tastes, there is no denying that “Shot Caller” was and will be the record that put French on the map. Add in a dash of Rozay and a pinch of Diddy, and you’ve got yourself a hit, Mr. Montana!

48. The Cool Kids – “Penny Hardaway” ft. Ghostface Killah

2011 finally saw Sir Michael Rocks and Chuck Inglish release their major-label debut, and despite the time it took to drop, The Cool Kids did not sacrifice nor falter in their sound. Catchy production and cool lyrics justify the smooth title, and being able to grab Ghostface for a nasty verse is the musical equivalent of an “And-1.”

47. Nicki Minaj – “Moment 4 Life” ft. Drake

Billboard’s Rising Star of 2011 had more than her fair share of radio hits this past year, and there is no denying that this was the biggest of them all. Ms. Minaj’s song came out early in the year and is still getting daily play on radio stations across the country. That is a feat unto itself, and this is why “Moment 4 Life” earned the #47 spot on our list.

46. Talib Kweli – “Uh Oh” ft. Jean Grae

This track was so dope it was featured on both artist’s albums in 2011. There is something special that happens when two wordsmiths play verbal volleyball with each other, and longtime friends and collaborators Jean Grae and Talib Kweli do it oh-so-well on this “who did that?” track.

45. A$AP Rocky – “Peso”

We think it’s safe to call A$AP Rocky one of, if not, thee rookie of the year, who “blew the f*ck up” with trill-tinged, Harlem music. This song was his biggest of the year, and even had people in California singing: “I be that pretty m*thaf*cker, Harlem’s what I’m reppin’…”

44. Drake – “Make Me Proud” ft. Nicki Minaj

Don’t front, guys – you memorized Drake’s part, and we know a “bazillion” girls memorized Nicki’s. The appeal these two have when they link up is uncanny – like a modern-day Donny and Marie, without the creepy sibling love. We’re proud of what the two standout stars of the YMCMB brand have accomplished in 2011. We wonder what they have in store for 2012!

43. Wale – “Tats On My Arm” ft. Rick Ross

Wale may very well have been one of the hardest working men in Hip-Hop this year, and it’s no surprise that his boss, MMG founder Rick Ross is, too. Flaunty production brought braggadocios lyrics, and not many are keeping up with the D.C. rep in the clever lyrics category these days. This song makes you want to run to the closest tattoo parlor.

42. Pusha T – “Feelin Myself” ft. Kevin Cossom

Rest assured, this will not be the Pusha man’s only record on this list. Commend him for crossing over to, not just the mainstream with this track, but still managing to maintain his signature bravado, poise, and lyricism. This was one of the most “feel-good” records of summer, whose life-span is far from over. 2011 was a very “G.O.O.D.” year in Hip-Hop for the Virginia native. The “feelin’ himself” is justified.

41. Lil Wayne – “John” ft. Rick Ross

“If I die today, remember me like John Lennon/ Buried in Louis, I’m talking all brown linen.” This was clearly one of the hottest songs of summer, and it turned out to be one of the standouts on Wayne’s Tha Carter IV as well. The two heavyweights’ sound meshes perfectly on this track, showcasing the dynamic collaborations that themed this year.

40. Red Cafe – “Fly Together” ft. Ryan Leslie & Rick Ross

Add Rick Ross’s swag-laced grunts to Ryan Leslie’s can’t-miss hooks and production, and Red Cafe’ has a recipe for success on this definite headbanger of late 2011. The accompanying video, with its dark, ballerific loftiness, cemented these three as having one of of the clear R&B-laced rap winners of the year.

39. Drake – “Headlines”

“Soap opera rappers/ All these n*ggas sound like all my children,” Drake raps on his sophomore album’s first single. Taking a break from relationship turmoil, Drake reminds the listeners that he is indeed a rapper, with one-liners for days.

38. Young Jeezy – “I Do” ft. Andre 3000 & Jay-Z

Honestly, just look at that lineup and then say this song doesn’t deserve to be on this list. Even if TM103 never sees the light of day, which seems unimaginable at this point, Jeezy managed to provide Hip-Hop fans with a “grown *ss man” record that will be talked about for years to come.

37. 9th Wonder – “Enjoy” ft. Warren G, Murs & Kendrick Lamar

Warren brings some of that O.G. flavor while Murs lays down a verse full with one-liners, but really, the show is stolen by Kendrick Lamar: “Call ‘Pac and resurrect ‘im/ For sure to cause a spectrum/ Especially when my mental telepathy/ Starts to F ‘em.” Oh yeah, and this was all over a 9^th Wonder beat. Son!

36. Common – “Sweet”

You know how in the beginning of the video to this song there’s a man twirling around a sword? That’s Common on this record. Over a deadly beat and throwing around an abundance of foul language, we felt like Common was mad at us, and we almost wish he’d get angry more often if this is the kind of product he delivers.

35. Kendrick Lamar – “Rigamortis”

Quite simply, this is Kendrick Lamar just unloading shot after shot after shot, over a racetrack-esque, horn stab. If this was a race, Kendrick just pulled a Usain Bolt. You might get tired singing along to this track, but never tired of hearing it!

34. Bad Meets Evil – “Fast Lane”

“Autobahn on auto-pilot”. Yep, that’s it right there. Royce and Em are going 150 MPH the whole damn time here, and with two of the best lyricists of the year behind the wheel, they could be ticketed for reckless rapping.

33. Killer Mike – “Burn”

After BET banned the video from playing, “Burn” caught even more fire and became a politically fueled, Hip-Hop anthem. Always known for speaking his mind, Killer Mike may have outdone himself on this one, and we hope that’s a trend that follows for many years to come. Ban or not.

32. Common – “Ghetto Dreams” ft. Nas

Remember when Common dropped “The Corner” as his first single for Be, and you couldn’t stop bobbing your head emphatically in approval? This is like that same soulful-goodness, but with Nas. Winning.

31. Ace Hood – “Hustle Hard (Remix)” ft. Rick Ross & Lil Wayne

In the hard work ethic spirit of “Grindin’”, this track’s grimy beat and viciously intoxicating hook had Ace Hood’s single rattling in trunks nationwide. Throw in a quality verse from Rick Ross and a superb effort by Lil’ Wayne, and you have a certified street banger, almost by formula.

30. Smoke DZA – “4 Loko” ft. A$AP Rocky

“I’m a loko, n*gga straight loko,/ So think twice ‘fore you cross my path/ ‘Cause frontin’ on DZA’s a no-go” raps the Kushed God who enlists fellow Harlem resident and current “it” rapper A$AP Rocky for this slowed down ode to all things “loko.” Rocky’s cadence and flow meshes perfectly with the Kushed God’s lyrics about weed, drank, “sittin high and tippin slow.”

29. Travis Barker – “Let’s Go” ft. Yelawolf, Lil Jon, Twista & Busta Rhymes

Some of the fastest rappers in the game unleash a lyrical onslaught over Travis Barker’s drums and production, which is sure to get you amped before a night out, a party at your buddy’s house, or even a street fight.

28. J. Cole – “Work Out”

The day the samples were cleared and this record came out, the world finally knew we’d be getting Cole World sooner rather than later. Although not the most lyrical J. Cole record by any means, “Work Out” helped the North Carolina native cement himself in the mainstream and propelled his debut to the #1 spot – all with no major radio hits in rotation at the time. Now, we just can’t get enough.

27. Big Sean – “My Last” ft. Chris Brown

Big Sean’s playful and optimistic lines are great, but how awesome is Chris Brown on the hook? The two linked up perfectly to make this jam, not only Sean’s first big single, but his first big summer smash. This was the appetizer for a number of Big Sean hits that would soon follow.

26. Pharoahe Monch – “Assassins” ft. Jean Grae & Royce Da 5’9″

The underground, backpack, conscious rapper – or whatever you like to call it – fans, loved this song. Pharoahe, Jean, and Royce each do verbal gymnastics over the attacking instrumental, making it, hands down, one of the best lyrical demonstrations of Summer 2011.

Stay Tuned for Part 2 of Our “Top 50 Hottest Songs of 2011,” Counting Down #25-#1…

Today I’d like to say that I’m thankful for music. In case you’ve not caught on yet, I really dig tunes.

This year has had many ups and downs, just like any other year. And in many ways I’m thankful for music. Here are some of the reasons why I’m glad music exists and some examples of what I mean.

.

.

Reason 1: Helping Me Forget What’s Stressing Me Out

Examples:

One of the Best Zeppelin Songs Ever

The Black Keys (I very much regret not going to their NYE show

when no one would go with me)

Red House

.

Reason 2: Letting Me Remember the Past

Examples:

Bonnaroo highlight

Crossroads highlight

Zac Brown Band – Toes

.

Reason 3: Reminding Me of the Important Things

Examples:

Gary Clark, Jr.  – If You Love Me Like You Say

Hallelujah

.

Reason 4: Getting Me Through Some Sticky Situations

Examples:

Foo Fighters – The Pretender

Cat Stevens – If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out

.

Reason 5: Teaching Me Important Lessons

Examples:

Don’t Write People Off

Get the Heck Over It, Already

.

Reason 6: Whipping Me Into Shape

Examples:

Pretty Lights – I Know the Truth

Incubus – Vitamin

…

.

I’m not a very musical person. I don’t know scales, I gave up on piano years ago, and I cannot master my harmonica. But music is my most important possession. If there were a fire I’d save my laptop just for the music. If I went deaf I’d lose my mind.

So thanks, music, for helping me express, understand, accept, forget, motivate, etc.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!