2011 Hip Hop in ONE POST

I know you've been anxiously waiting for this post for days, so I've waited for the absolute, last possible day to post it. I'm going to do my favorite 10 15 20 albums* of the year and 10 favorite songs of the year. The basic criteria for this list was what was played the most on my iPod/iTunes over the year and which ones stuck out in my mind. I love/hate making this list because a lot of good ish gets left out but I did my best to get a good look around. I also tried to stay away from the bigger, more well known artists to leave you with at least a couple artists you could start keeping an eye out for in the future.

We've seen a lot go down this year and are left with questions. Will we ever forgive Ray J? Will Chris Brown ever rebound and have a good single life? When will Hip Hop heads stop hating on the new direction of Hip Hop (ie: Sampling others genres outside the prototypical funk/boom bap feel)? Some are easier to answer and some are impossible. What we do know is 2012 promises to be just as crazy, especially with new talent breaking out everyday.
Is anyone else waiting for Oprah to start a rap career? Or at least a record label? Yup. Just me...

*I included mixtapes, albums, EP's, and LP's under this category because it'd be too damn tough to compile an actual list for each of those categories. This ain't no Holiday Inn. And in my mind they're all made for the same purpose: spread dope music. I don't consider the monetary motivation.

TOP ALBUMS (in no particular order):

 

Top bangers: http://soundcloud.com/bryanhahn/sets/2011-bangers

World Peace

As if Artest changing his name to Metta World Peace didn't get him enough publicity, Hip Hop's premier drama queen had to go and make it the--yes, I'm calling it--most popular name for babies born (male and female) in 2012.

btw:

Kanye = The Louis Vuitton Don = Kanyeezy = Yeezer Ebenezer  = Yeezy = Metta

Footage of Ye World Peace:

Hip Hop Ain't Dead

Every fan and hater of Hip Hop should read this. TiRon reposted it from about.com.

Mr. Motherfuckin. Exquire.

There are so many things right with this song, from the song name, to the beat, to the verses, to the name of the mixtape it's on.
Kiss my fist.

Also, I saw eXquire perform once at the Fool's Gold 4th anniversary party, and dude wears more chains than anyone can count. #multimaterialswag

Talib endorses Weezy

If you don't respect Talib, then don't read this blog. Or say you're fan of Hip Hop. He makes some good points about Lil Wayne, when he was Lil. I just hope Old Wayne comes back with some heat.

Of all the young MC's, Diggy has my vote

Get More: MTV Shows

I'll admit that I didn't like Diggy when he first came out. I fell into the trap of, "Oh it's some kid who's gonna ride his pop's coattails into stardom and fizzle out." BUT, I was wrong. His influence from Lupe Fiasco is apparent in his rhyming and production, and that's a good thing. Don't know Diggy? Get to know him above. He's gonna be around for a while.

Watch out!

These guys are gonna be a problem in the future! Be on the look out for them.

My man Kyle The Future from Chitown released this mixtape, Lightspeed, earlier this month. It's short, but damn is it sweet. I'm glad he went in on Bill Gates, after all those times I blasted that shit in the apartment. Can't wait for an album full of original production. Oh yeah, this kid PRODUCES TOO.

Next is New York's own Jus Hawke. Dude is starting his own label and is off to a strong start. I'm gonna post a couple songs and am anxiously waiting for a full project (looks at Jus Hawke). The first is a typical "i'm the best, fuck the rest" anthem. But the thing is, it has a dirty beat that feels like it's dragging you through a swamp of swagu. It's like Clams Casino did some a fuckton of drugs with Xaphoon and made it. The second is an honest track about making it big from nothing. Just listen.

Be ready you industry fools! Shots fired!

Misleading titles can be good

One of the last standing cornerstones of YMCMB, Cory Gunz, released the video on his song, YMCMB MMG. I'm so ok that both crews, in their entirety, are not rapping in this video, save Wale.

I hate officials

So Justise (hopefully pronounced Justice) Winslow got penalized (hard) for beasting a dunk on some punk in a basketball game. He got two technicals because of staring down the punk and saluting the crowd afterwards, causing him to be ejected. I think a little showmanship in sports is deserved and applauded. As long as it's not offensive, which in this case it was neither.
The high school small forward from Houston has a bright future, as long as officials don't get in his way. I hope he dunks on a ref next time and makes the old man cry from being lucky enough to be subjected to art of the highest degree.

fuck. yes.

The Clipse are coming out with a new album come 2013. My resolution? Patiently wait, think of something to distract myself with until then, and (not) commit felonies out of anxiety. Ok, fine, Danny Trejo, I'll watch you do that last part.

sidenote: Jerome Simpson got arrested for what? Then did what?! And landed it like how?!

Just in time for the holidays

I hope this mixtape finds you well. Merry Christmas and a happy new year! And if you don't celebrate Christmas, happy whatever! This is just a collection of more dope music that's been hitting my ears as of late, and I thought you'd enjoy it as well. Hopefully I'll post a list of the best songs and projects this year before the end of December. Till then, pop this baby into your iPod or Zune (do they even make those still?), and try to forget about the day you have to go back to work/school/sobriety.

http://www.2shared.com/file/2eFgI6zO/not_yo_average_stocking_stuffe.html
(scroll down and click on the blue download button near the bottom, not the green one)

1. bonus-que b.i.l.l.a.h.: seems like everybody's got a damn acronym in their name now. at least this dude makes good music to distract you from trying to figure it out. this track is off Bird Shit (and if you're a good person you have this already). i mainly put it on because of the madness that went down over the new jordans countrywide due to sneakerheads that just had to have them at ALL COSTS.
2. rack city freestyle-wale + black cobain: i literally waited for wale to jump on this when i heard tyga ruin the crazy beat. i'm pretty sure i like beatjacking wale way more than album wale. kinda like weezy... i just hope he doesn't end up in the same sad state... fast forward on cobain's verse and you won't miss much.
3. all of the above-notes to self: canadia represents with this hip hop/art collective. definitely excited to hear more from these guys.
4. mobb shhh-cam'ron + vado: damn boss of all bosses 3 is that good. i always thought vado was gonna be solid. and cam'ron delivers as well. harlem nigg* with more sponsors than a rutgers court... ignorant but militant.
5. play the part-leedz edutainment, torae, al-j, akrobatik: boston label put a very dope free album together and this is definitely a stand out track.
6. sinister kids freestyle-mayday!: track off of the black keys new album + mayday? sign me up.
7. piece-blu, choice 37: blu + a korean producer? double sign me up.
8. hoodlums and crooks-sav killz, spit supreme: bought this mixtape off the man himself (sav killz) in union square for $5. definitely worth more though.
9. champion of life-jon connor: connor continues to convince me that he is the truth. something about his delivery makes me believe the struggle that is his life. oh, and his flow is ridiculous.
10. on my own-consequence + kid cudi: i know cons has his haters but i focus on the music. and so does he apparently because of tracks like this. i'm curious to see what mescudi's next album, wzrd, is gonna be like. please, oh please, don't let it be like wayne's rock album (whatever it's called) and half of yeezy's 808's and hearbreaks.
11. paraphernalia (get away from the radio)-the kid daytona + iFFy the badman: ok so ALL white girls may not break your heart but NY spitter kid daytona will break you in half if you step to him. lyrically that is. or maybe with fists. i don't know the dude. but i know his skills.
12. ghetto dope-aleon craft + george clinton: if you don't know who george clinton is, it's because you actually do. off the remix project of aleon craft's past songs.
13. masonic vocals-planet asia + madlib: can you go wrong with these two? cracks in the vinyl is definitely a chiller album but very smooth. like scotch that comes in a fancy box and you can't pronounce the name without feeling pretentious in all the right ways.
14. set me free-tito lopez: i love when mc's sample old songs with the right feel to it. this is no exception.

F7ST F7R7OUS

According to the director, screenwriter, AND producer, they just couldn't fit in all the character and plot developments in the last SIX Fast and Furious films. So, they're doing what any other logical person would do: MAKE A GODDAMN SEVENTH ONE.

Really?

Drake = some goofnugget R&B dude

Drake is just looking for a fight. After getting into beef with Common, now he's talking mad smack about the tattoo artist who tattooed 'DRAKE' on some chick's forehead.
1. Face tattoos are rarely cool.
2. Please read this interview with the tattoo artist before you make any judgments.
3. Bitches be crazy.

Sugar Tongue Slim up in the clubs

I hope you're not too tired of Marvin Gaye and Chardonnay just yet. Because STS and Dosage put their thing down, flip it, and reverse it. Kinda.
Mad props to Damien who put me on STS way back when in the first place.

Action Bronson is probably my favorite all around MC

Boylston Trading Co Presents 'Action on Fashion' from Boylston Trading Co on Vimeo.

Who else is so knowledgeable on fine cuisine, fashion, and hip hop culture? Listen up guys, leave your red lobster suits at home, and save your drugs for Action Bronson bonding time. And Juicy J.

2012 is full of second chances

I have a feeling 2012 is gonna be huge for new artists. This is completely unfounded and based on my gut feeling. Hell, every year is huge for new artists.
I am especially giving Hopsin a second chance (not so much SwizZz). He has consistency in his rhymes but the complexity of the flow and rhyme scheme leave me asking for more. Only time will tell. Going for some shock value in his rhymes and appearance, Hopsin (from L.A.), was meh at best. But this time he links up with Dizzy Wright and SwizZz. Dizzy is gonna be a problem if he keeps up these rhyme abilities.

G.R.E.A.T. Music

Somebody sign this Chicago MC, Que B.I.L.L.A.H. Or don't and just let him keep making Hip Hop music the way it should be made. His mixtape is a mix of going in on some popular beats and very dope original production. Of course there are some throwaway tracks on here (in my opinion), but most of it is iPod worthy. If you don't like this music, you don't like the good things in life. Especially when they're free. Support!

No? Yes? Necessary.

This is happening. Damn R. Kelly must be hurting real bad in the wallet if he's coming out with music AND more of this wild drama unfit for tv.

Asher to the people

http://www.freeonsmash.com/videos/watch/qj7jwiz7umgpiw46/
Pabst and Jazz is now available. Very chill mixtape with some bangers. Blended Babies is quickly becoming one of my favorite producers in the game, aside from the Cool Kids, Clams Casino, Snowgoons, practically everyone on Stones Throw Records, and Preemo.

UPDATE: And just like that, Clams Casino remixes a Big K.R.I.T. joint.

Little known fact

...Juicy J is actually the next Messiah, according to this video and the lyrics at least.
You say no to drugs. Juicy J can't. Amen.
Sidenote: Send Juicy J to fight the war on drugs. He'll sniff, smoke, take all them nasty drugs off your hands.

Jimmy Kimmel is great

Behold Oprah in all her glory at 1:45. This whole bit is great though.

OK OK OK

This is the season of forgiving right? I think.
Anyway, if you watched any of the Bieber (idgaf how you spell his name) freestyle, quick, watch this.
And then listen to the audio for part 2.
Slaaaauuuughterhooouuuuse.

Guess what? JBeebz still can't rap

In what seems like a legit freestyle this time, the Beebster proves that he still can't rap. I hesitated putting this up since you'll probably end up watching some of it and hate me after. But this kid has the simplest of rhyme schemes and says "minute" way too many times for it to be a new thing. Minute was never a cool word. Ok, the kid has talent as a singer. Talent I will never seek out. But talent, nonetheless. As a rapper? Thumbs down. Write at home and practice the trade. Then start spitting publicly when you have actual skills. Please.
Also, are you wearing an art smock from the 2nd grade? Beiber swag? No words for you smug mofo.

MTV has morals?

Or maybe they had morals when they used to show music videos more than trashy television shows. Anyway, be safe because you never know when you'll be getting some, or giving some. And MTV cared at some point.

Timmy the Blessed?

Thoughts on Teabag:

1. Does this dude not try until the 4th quarter and when the game is on the line? And after he prays for divine intervention in a regular season sports game that matters arguably in the 48 contiguous states?

2. I feel like he doesn't even know how to play football until the last couple minutes of the game. Maybe I should be impressed by this? He seems to be comforting himself, as the leader, when he comforts his teammates. Not very convincing.

3. CanNOT contain myself at the pregame hymns dude sings to get in the right mindset.

4. Nothing against religion, but everything against people misusing religion. God doesn't want you to win football games, Tim. He wants you to lead by example and be a good person on and off the field. That's all.

Way back when

Some of the greats in Hip Hop remember their first music purchase with their own money. Am I one of the very few who still buy cd's and vinyl? Please reply with a resounding no. My first purchase?
Part 3 by 112. Fucks wit me.

On some RocknRolla shiii

1. Watch RocknRolla.
2. Listen to all of Mellowhype's music.
3. Watch this video (especially around 1:42).
4. Be glad you're not the dude who gets sat down.

Triple OG aka Tarantula Leg aka GETRIPPED

That is the craziest joint I've heard of (barring a spliff dipped in Robitussen...). Oh, and the track is pretty gangsta.

Bittersweet news

http://www.facebook.com/wutangclan/posts/10150469872004812

Even though this may be Methodman's last album with RZA, let's all hope he jumps on a bunch of singles for other artists.

If you don't know

...now you know.

The Whooliganz (Mad Skillz aka Scott Caan x Mudfoot aka Alchemist) was actually a legit hip hop group with legit songs. Yes, I get down with them. It's never too late to catch up on good music.

And yes, I said Scott Caan, as in the Oceans series and Hawaii Five-O.

I'm so glad they made this video

Murs' album, Love and Rockets Vol. 1: The Transformation, is very dope and well worth your attention. And who said rap lost its story telling abilities?

A Hustlerz Ambition: The Film? The Film.

On top of dropping an album, Young Jeezy releases a documentary on his crazy life. I have yet to watch it (currently watching it throughout the work day), but I'm sure it'll be worth 42 minutes of your time. This dude phenomenon has quite the history.

Common vs. Maya Angelou

Forget the Common and Drake beef, this shit just got real. Don't believe the hype? I predict a track/poem from each attacking the other followed by hands thrown. I, for one, see through the "agreeing to disagreeing" and the general confusion between the two over the N bomb in Paris (which Jay and Ye continue to perform so many times--11 times in L.A. now is the record), straight to the underlying beef they've needed to settle since forever.
Or I'm just full of it.

Also, Drake, sit your ass down when grown folks is talking. Who cares if Common directed that line in "Sweet" at you? Maybe it was directed at all the other fools doing it all wrong in Hip Hop.

Blu is that kid

This is one mean freestyle.

For those going to church today, wake up to this.
For those not going to church today, wake up to this.

It's about the message

Although there are some lines in this song that ruffle my swagged out feathers, I'm gonna say I agree with the overall wake up call Scroobius Pip delivers to the (hip hop) world.

Yeezy is a Mad Man

Things discussed in this behind the scenes look at Kanye: Big Sean and his admiration for Kanye's work ethic, kinda popping bottles, IF I WAS HIM I'D MARY'd KATE AND ASHLEY, too many producers.

I'm forever lost on art

A monkey could make this stuff?

Well, damn.

(un)Related Sidenote: Just saw a Ciroc commercial. Whatever happened to Dirty Money? LOL.

Christmas: 1 vs. Everything Else: 0

One of the best battle MC's does everything right in this video if you were to be Santa Claus for a day. Off his album, Pursuance. Oh, and the lyrics are very tight butthole. (Watch Workaholics if you don't. Gosh.)

Apple Employees

... you're on Slime Watch.

Now don't mess with the bosses, ever again. And you! Go cop that album.

Music Inspires

So Justice and their label, Ed Banger, decided to reward their favorite cover of a track off their album, Audio, Video, Disco, with tickets to their first show in Australia on NYE. Here's the winner, Zakka from Brazil. And damn, is it worthy.

Come on TSA

...and let this one slide. Permanently.

After finding (the dankest of) bud in Gangsta Gibb's luggage, a TSA officer left a little note saying, "C'mon Son." But now the TSA put out an official announcement saying that they're gonna investigate further. Let's all applaud the TSA officer who left the note and move on. Weed doesn't kill. Politicians do.

HOLY TITS

Don't speak. Just watch. This movie will save ALL of the country's economic problems.

Do's and Don't's

So music to stay away from: Rich Hil and Lex Luger on 500 Grams.
Music to download: El Prez' Feature Prezentation Part II. Doppelgangaz' Lone Sharks.

Btw, hellyea that's a double apostrophe in the post name. idgaf if it's not allowed in the English language because I speak American.

Ghostface Killer explains all

Just when you thought the most interesting character in the Wu was ODB or RZA, this dude just opens his mouth. Whateva whateva.

Quit Hating

...and give Asher Roth a chance into your lyrical heart. I mean, if Action Bronson can, why can't you?

http://soundcloud.com/asherpaulroth/choices-ft-action-bronson (Off the hipsterly titled Pabst and Jazz, December 20th)
Correction: soundcloud seems to have deleted the track. Here it is on youtube though.

And if you still hate him, listen to this and then hate yourself for not being as talented.

Unfreakingfortunate

Borat was clever and ridiculously entertaining. Bruno? Pretty much a collection of everything wrong about making fun of gay people, in the worst possible way. So what about this new Cohen + Charles creation, Dictator? Doesn't look too good either.
I just want this to come out already.

On My Steez

Whatchu kNow bout steEz

Aside from the dope track name, this beat goes. Fontaine's mixtape drops New Year's Eve, just in case you're not overly shwahsted and interested that night.

LISTEN

CLICK ME FOR THAT GOOD SHIII

Common is letting everyone who can, stream his new album. Trust me, you should stream it. Then buy it. Then listen to it so many times.

Favorite tracks thus far: Raw, Celebrate, Sweet, and of course, Ghetto Dreams.

This is a very dirty dirty dirty track

But what else would you expect from this dude. Stephe Aokay? Am I saying that right? But who would you want to see spit over this? P Money? Yeezy? Mickey Factz? Fashawn? Metta World Peace?

In the words of Yeezy

Wash the brain, don't brainwash.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xmy261_the-chi_music?start=289#from=embediframe

Finally found one reason I'm glad I wasn't raised in the 80's

...besides more racism. The Cold War. John Lennon's death.

Anyway, check these fools out. It's pretty painful in the beginning but it picks up towards the second half--as in the montage becomes faster pace.

Are you the goddess?

Homeboy. Sandman.

You should know this--Sandman recently signed to Stones Throw. You should also know that he is coming out with a collaboration with Peanut Butter Wolf in January. These are things you should know. Here's his first track with the new label (pour scotch and paint sunset before playing):

http://soundcloud.com/stonesthrow/homeboy-sandman-new-york-nights

btw: buy this. now.

It was sent from above

So remember that killer mixtape I made a few days back? Me neither. Already working on the next one.

Anyway, here's the new video for Hear Ye, Hear Ye by T.I. and Pharrell.

UPGRADE

My very official technological consultant, Mr. Penny, has showed me the way of flavors.me. He has changed my life, and yours. I will be using this bad boy from now on in conjunction with this blog and either soundcloud, 8track, or simply mediafire. If you actually care about which outlet I use for the music, comment and let me know. Otherwise head over to the flavors page from now on.

Music is great. Clever music is better.

Hip Hop artist and musical smart ass, El-P, loves free music. And so do you. Admit it. It's ok.

I do too. So to help you El-P polled who the "most anti downloading/digital music musicians" are and got Metallica and Prince. He then mashed them together. Listen to it and appreciate why this was created. More importantly, think about how sick the Knicks would've been with Chris Paul.

Full story: http://consequenceofsound.net/2011/12/check-out-el-p-mashes-up-metallica-and-prince-cos-premiere/

Watch The Throne... Sequel?

Definitely late on this one, but hell yes.

http://www.mtv.com/videos/news/717997/new-jay-z-album-and-a-second-wtt-might-drop-in-2012.jhtml

"Excess" Gets Redefined

This is simply absurd. It's a mofo 700 lb speaker. 700. pounds. It must house a small army of midgets that reproduces any song you play through it live. And I say midgets in the most endearing way.

No! No! Stop!

Please go back to what you were good at--everything else but using your words. DJ's trying to rap... RnB singers trying to rap... I'm sorry but is there a shortage of good MC's that I'm unaware of?

Hip Hop Will Never Die

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3hOaQtQqRnI

Stick Up Muzik Vol.1

so whether it's the cold weather making me feel raw as fuck or the new roots album undun (buy NOW), i decided to make a concept mixtape. but the concept is not about some imaginary character in my head. it's a character in your head. since obviously the same artist didn't do all of these songs you make up the story! anyway, i've wanted to make a mixtape for a while that you could literally play throughout a night of mayhem, whether it's robbing someone or straight up murking someone (yeah, i'm on my kid cudi maniac tip). this mix focuses around a robbery. it's starts off slow to get the night going. i imagine encourage some drinking and a spliff. then it gets your blood pumping right up to the robbery (track 14). then from there it's easy riding to pretend like nothing happened and straight balling out if you want at the clubs. take it how you want. i hope the story makes sense in your heads because it did in mine. and for you technologically challenged ones: the download link is right below this paragraph. everything you could possibly want is in that folder. after you unzip that mofo.

http://mediafire.com/?y6os373bu8an00e

1. riley-juicy j: produced by none other than lex luger (i swear this guy has beats coming out his ass). off that new blue dream and lean mixtape which is some grimey shit. i have to say this shit right here=guilty pleasure and idgaf if you hate.
2. hey dj-juan deuce + falside: perfect way to get in the mischief mode a la kubrick swag.
3. manute bol-the black opera: the mysterious black opera strikes again. and this time with news of a mixtape coming out soon. i don't care how broke you are. you will buy it when it comes out. i want to commit unspeakable crimes whenever i listen to the black opera.
4. off with their heads-chuuwee: off chuuwee's watching the throne mixtape. very dope mixtape.
5. spit game-big remo + skyzoo: some amazing word play right cheeeer.
6. tornado-stevie crooks: west coast continues to produce amazing hip hop. his VLNS NVR DIE mixtape is definitely worth a peep.
7. wait for it-los: as tired as i am of the whole crown/throne metaphor in hip hop, los pumps some life into it with his the crown aint safe mixtape. it's like shawn chrystopher's beat got amped off crank and the lyrics doubled in number and depth.
8. still flexin'-pac div: reminds me of nas' flyest angels beat. this single came out before their latest album.
9. count em'-fam-lay: i really want fam-lay to come out with more material. he has so much potential and i don't know why def jam didn't keep him on their roster.
10. township rebellion-rage against the machine: how can you have a mixtape about going buckwild without rage? this is found off their self-titled demos album, filled with some classic hits and earlier shit found nowhere else. the quality isn't great but in my mind, it matches the rawness that is rage.
11. black aura-the glitch mob + theophilus london: dirty dirty beats meets pretty boy fashion. doesn't make sense to me either but london does the beat justice.
12. bonfire (dirty danny remix)-childish gambino: yo fuck you pitchfork for giving glover's album a 1.6 out of 10. contrived ass no good punks who think they know music. dirty danny makes me appreciate childish all over again. in a filthy way.
13. city star (skratch bastid blend)-rustie + wiz khalifa: i don't like wiz very much (again, mad props to signing juicy j the other day), but this song goes. rustie's city star was dope and then skratch bastid had to go and make it doper.
14. robbery-rza: by now your heart rate should be off the charts. let rza calm your nerves and keep you chilled out as you get what's yours.
15. ill figures (remix)-raekwon, m.o.p., kool g rap: what an amazing roster for this track. i'll shut up now.
16. really raw-tyga, pharrell, game, snoop dogg: this is a cheers to the spoils you've robbed in the night. also, if you know me, you know how long i've had lil b as my ringtone. the chorus of this song is now my new ringtone. nuff said.
17. cirque du soleil-action bronson + statik selektah: statik's production is always on point. and add the mastermind of bronson and you're good to go. off the album well-done (which is also well worth your money)
18. i know now-saigon: never forget about saigon. ever.
19. here ye, here ye-t.i., pharrell: one of my favorite tracks from post prison t.i.
20. mayday & chardonnay freestyle-wrekonize: as the night winds down, so is your adrenaline level. pop bottles! sidenote: i will always put a wrekonize freestyle on a mixtape. always. he has a knack to destroy beats that were not his. i was over this beat but then wrekonize reminds me why i wasn't.
21. demigodz is back-the demigodz: epic outro to an epic night. till next time.