Top 11 of 2011-That I Heard (5-1)

Top 5 here they go. Before you read remember, this MY list. These albums were not ranked on just quality but how they sum up my 2011 and how i related to each one. An album on this list well be herald a classic no doubt and maybe a few others in time. But 2011 was a great year for me, and the albums helped me through it.

Wanna wish you all a happy New Year. Let the past be the past, and your future's bright. Remember, life is what you make it, never make it hard. Love. Laugh. Live.

5. Cole World: The Sideline Story

J. Cole has to be one of the hungriest MC’s in the game. Every mixtape (3 sick ass joints) every feature, my mans go h.a.m. No different here, from the opening a Dollar and a Dream III adds to the legacy. He has embraced the commercial scene staying the same; dropping some club joints but still releasing the realness that we need to cope with similar circumstances. Cole World is a drug to those going through the pain of not having any substance in the muzik they hear today. Versatility is one of the strong suits on this album, but his hunger is forever priceless. The bar is set extremely high for his next release, but for some reason I think he will surpass it with flying colors. Congratz on the Grammy nod.

Favorite Tracks:

Lost Ones
I ain’t too prod to say that I sing along to this joint as loud as I can sometimes.

Daddy’s Little Girl
Powerful song and a problem that I see everyday, Cole’s versatility to relay a message is demonstrated to perfection on this track.

Work Out
I tried to avoid it but this song is genius. Ye on the beat and Cole killing it, he gave us a banger. I can’t help but to think of this big head girl when this one play, smh.

Nobody’s Perfect ft. Missy Elliot
Missy at her best, and Cole lyrically cutting up the track, perfect for me.



4. Return of 4eva –Big K.R.I.T.

My nigga Big K.R.I.T. does it again. After K.R.I.T. Wuz Here, the 2010 release that open my eyes to this talented lyricist. This album just spoke motivation, wisdom, and dealing with adversity into my ears and my heart grasped ahold of every word. The stories on certain songs are so vivid, and some tracks can make a bum get up and try to find work if only for a second. The versatile MC goes deep, club music, and rotating tires muzik on this album. Just as solid as last years production but nevertheless K.R.I.T. has only gotten better and I hate to say he is becoming more industry, but hopefully he never changes. I’m only expecting the best in the future from this promising MC.

Favorite Tracks:

Dreamin’
Probably one of my favorite songs this year with myself being a dreamer, and wanting to make it a reality, K.R.I.T. says hello to all his naysayers on the perfect beat. The message-follow your dreams, I guess his grandma pulled some strings on the low, but again, we wont ever know.

Rise and Shine
If you need a song to wake up to in the AM that actually motivates you with a useful message, rise and shine to this.

Free My Soul
“Momma I made it.” Oh how I’m trying my hardest to say that line one day… One of the deepest tracks on Return of 4eva.

The Vent
Just Listen.


3. Camp-Childish Gambino

Who the f*** is Danny Glover!? That’s the question I asked after and before hearing this album. Whoever he is, he has my utter and highest respect. This album was a present surprise. You ever put a record on thinking you were going to skip through it and even wanting too, but you couldn’t? Camp is an album that’s hard to ignore if you listen to the lyrical assassin over haunting beats. Real stories of a black sheep in a world that he thought he didn’t belong but finally found his way and realized that he was never the black sheep to begin with, we are. Camp is a powerful album with chilling tales to leave you thinking and second-guessing your every day observations.

Favorite Tracks:

All the Shine
As if Childish Gambino was in the mirror speaking to his self without disclosure and we were in the room eavesdropping.

Letter Home
I don’t think this is even a song, but its so beautiful I damned near cried, lbs.

Hold You Down
Terrors from growing up being different turned into a musical release of forgiveness and lending a helping hand.

You See Me
A lyrical onslaught from a comedian! Wasn’t shit funny on this.



2. Watch the Throne¬-Jay-Z & Kanye West

Sick. If I had to describe this album in one word; sick. From beginning to end its hungry and ambitious from two of the most successful rappers in the game, so there passion bleeds on each track. From the opening Frank Ocean chant you know you were in to witness a piece of hip-hop history. How it feel? Ye and Jay trading blows back and forth, with Ye showing the world his growth and elite status in pop culture-the boy from Chicago, that ish “cray!” Jay still reigns supreme with verses I’m still decoding even as I write this sentence. Classic album and hard to put second, must own piece of history. No need to watch the throne because when it comes to hip-hop the game is on lock as long as these two are producing music. So even if on my list Jay and Ye take shotgun in 2011, this album has rewritten history and raised the bar for hip-hop collaborations.

Favorite Tracks:
Gotta Have it
If you don’t like this song, um I don’t like you.

Niggas in Paris
Its provocative, it gets the people going!

Murder To Excellence
Addresses the problems that faces us all, the violence happening on our doorsteps and asks the question why can’t us as Black Americans be on top.


New Day
Rza. Jay. Ye. Asking for forgiveness and letting it go, once and for all.


1. Take Care-Drake

From the moment after hitting play on my iPod and hearing “Over My Dead Body” I said to myself this is going to be special. Take Care is the perfect collection to my year in a nutshell. Love; the ups and downs of it, and just being a sucker for it is Drake’s message in many of the songs. Overall this album is life after the rise to success and surprisingly how down to earth he still is and dealing with problems we all can relate too. From sweet revenge in “Shot for Me” and letting love go in “Doing it Wrong” with the craziest solo on a harmonica I have ever heard by the legend Stevie Wonder are only a few highlights on this sophomore classic. Honest and open Drizzy has delivered and slowly but surely he is becoming the crown holder in Young Money.

Favorite Tracks:
Crew Love
The Weeknd-need I say more? Get to know him.

Buried Alive Interlude
Probably the sickest interlude I have ever heard and a low-key missed gem on this album by many. Kendrick Lamar-rising star.

Doing it Wrong
All I can say is that this song came into my life at exactly the right time.

The Ride
Hunger over a soulful beat with all the challenges of life, when will the ride end…take care.

Top 11 of 2011-That I Heard (11-6)

11. ALL THE HONORABLE MENTIONS

Break of Dawn – Goapele
Favorite Tracks: Hush, Right Here

The Dreamer, The Believer – Common
Favorite Tracks: Celebrate, Blue Sky

House of Balloons- The Weeknd

Late Nights, Early Mornings- Marsha Ambrosius

Lasers – Lupe Fiasco

10. 21- Adele

Looking forward to 23. What list hasn’t she been on? Adele shut it down this year, via headphones and live-swag.

Favorite Tracks:

Set Fire To The Rain
Probably my favorite.

Someone Like You
Probably my favorite.

Rolling in the Deep
Rolling in deep cash-the remix.

Turning Tables
Actually in its right placement, (4th favorite).

9. 4- Beyoncé

Yes, Beyoncé is on the list. Probably her best album released because it’s the only one I couldn’t but help but listen to and not give a damn of what anybody said. She actually sings on this album and love is on every note, and what was my theme of the year? Love bastards.

I Miss You
Quickly climbed to one of my favorite songs of 2011.

Dance For You
Video popped but I will forever cherish this song; I just need a woman to do the shit in the song, smh.

Love On Top
People who hate Beyoncé so they say was still bangin’ this. Lying asses.
I Was Here
B trusts, your footprints are firmly imprinted.

8. Section.80¬- Kendrick Lamar

If you don’t know who Kendrick Lamar is, I got a stack saying you will know soon. This album was deep. Some of these tracks got me still thinking. If you’re an 80’s baby you can relate hence this album is for you. Underrated assassin aka Kendrick Lamar.

Favorite Tracks:

No Make-Up (Her Vice) Ft. Colin Munroe
Please just listen to this creative beautifully produced vice of so many women. But who really knows there reasoning behind it?

Keisha’s Song (Her Pain) Ft. Ashtro Bot
The powerful conclusion to the track listed above. One of the most powerful songs that I may have heard in my life; listeners beware.

Fuck Your Ethnicity
Title should say it all.

HiiiiPower
Lyrical genius at work! Quiet on the set.


7. Nostalgia, Ultra-Frank Ocean

Man if Thinking About You was on this album it would of jumped a couple slots. Frank Ocean had a hell of a year, the features on Watch The Throne, his group receiving world-renowned recognition, and him releasing a mini soul soothing remedy. This album is so mf soulful man! Frank Ocean is an extraordinary talent, and 2011 was his coming out party, I am just glad I attended. It’s hard to explain the feeling of this album, its something you have to feel for yourself, enjoy one of the great new artists of this decade.

Favorite Tracks:

There Will Be Tears
I love the story on this track! The way it switches up is unorthodox but so is Frank Ocean. A F***’n masterpiece!

Swim Good
I done about played this track out this year, probably the closest I will ever come to swimming good.

We All Try
On this album its either love or hate for each track, guess which one this is?

Novacane
How can I forget this track? Had damn near everybody high off this one, and also everybody asking who is Frank Ocean, I guess we know now-a genius.

6. Undun-The Roots

First and foremost The Roots always find some way to switch some shit up. This album start off with straight up instrumentals, they had me thinking damn did I cop the wrong album? But if you open your ear your in store for a deep and beautiful narrative of a fictional character who succumbs to an artful demise. The way this album was delivered is crazy and it works. Black Thoughts and Questlove are at their best, and The Roots continue to complete their stack of underrated genius productions among the general public. Smh, I guess it’s the general public loss huh?

Favorite Tracks:

The Otherside Ft. Bilal & P.O.R.N
Black Thoughts and Questlove…these mf’s were born together, and we know Bilal not human. Pay attention on this track and learn something. Flu like symptoms lyrically.

Make My Ft. Big K.R.I.T.
Sound so beautiful don’t you agree!!! “Everything that wasn’t for me, I had to chase.” –Put that on my tombstone, naw I mean my urn.

Tip The Scale
Are there other drummers other than Questlove? Do they matter? LOL.
Slowed down so you shouldn’t get lost.

I Remember
“Its the flight of my fall and its right on the wall”- Perfect blend of the total feel of this album, beautifully produced. A lyrical movie in HD.

Prelude

2011 was a year of love gained and love lost, new ventures, doors opening and closing, my entrance into the real world and corporate America. This list helped me embrace all of it musically. So in a sense, it’s my soundtrack for 2011.

I'm taking all the emotions, lyrics, ability to relate to a wide audience, and delivery, and finally how I could relate into accord. A wise man once said its better to ask for forgiveness sometimes than for permission, so please forgive if I missed a diamond in the rough. With that being said here are my top 11 of 2011 that I heard, enjoy.

Top 11 of 2011-WarmUp

No one person can listen to every album that comes out each year. It’s impossible. So giving the title of album of the year is unfair to the artists who puts a piece of their soul out and never get a fair playing field for all to critique. That’s the difference with my list, I am not here to criticize but to pay homage to the albums that helped me make it through 2011.

Music is your soundtrack and finding the perfect song to match an event is priceless.

So my list is formed from a few different factors than others.
First it’s the music that I'm attracted to, you either feeling the track or your not. I will be honest, I'm growing everyday and that includes musically. I am slowly but surely getting more acquainted with artist like Shabazz Palaces, Kendrick Lamar, the unsigned and independent talent, and leaving the mainstream - rap about it now hope you get it later music behind. Why? Because it leaves me empty afterwards. No lesson learned, no story, just words in one ear out the other.
So this list is for the readers who can relate with me, and if your reading this then you must be, I mean you've read this far.

Song of the Week 12/18/11-Letter Home

Title: Letter Home

Artist: Childish Gambino

Album/Mixtape: Camp

Genre: Hip-Hop/Reminiscent/Love Lost

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Favorite Part: The ending, most def one of the most underrated albums of 2011.

Coming Soon: Top 11 Albums of 2011 That I Heard

Everybody tries to do a countdown at the end of the year before the end of the year actually happens…we just had 2 of the most influential artist in hip-hop drop could be classics, um not fair. Stay tuned to see if they make my list though, because I’m go keep it trill. I’m open to all types of music, if I like it; I bump it, no fame discrimination. Stay tuned, coming 12.31.11...

Christmas Must PlayList

Its that time of year again where the music can be the bearer of Christmas cheer! You know those songs that no matter how bad of a mood you’re in that you have to hum along to? The following songs are must play for me every Christmas, hope you can relate, if not kick bricks! Lol, jk, Happy Holidays to you and yours!

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays- N’Sync
Don’t even trip, I know its N’Sync, this my ish, #dontjudgeme

Silent Night-The Temptations
Friday After Next reminiscent , but its just something to get you geeked for Christmas the day before, but helps put you to sleep at the same time. Smh, sneaky bastards.

All I Want For Christmas- Mariah Carey
Just hearing this song come on gets me right, back when MC was bad and single-good ole days, well she still bad.


This Christmas- Donnie Hathaway
This song right here! This song right here! CLASSICK.

Smile

"Never let em see you frown child"
Her mother said.
She took it to heart.
Enough said.

Foul words, blows thrown at her head.
Trickery, lies, many played her for fool.
The times countless, but yet-she smiled.

Cheated, mistreated, defied, YES!
But only at night she cried.
Sun arouse tears dried.
Off bended knee
She went to face the world.
Wickedness she thought face her at every turn
But yet-she smiled.

Why? When will this end?
Happily ever after I bet soon huh?
No.
That is where it only began.

See God knows his, and never fret
Because he has claimed his.

See God foresees and knows with each soul
The amount or toll that one can withhold.
Her blessings and riches are safe,
Her days on earth were heavy spent
But soon, yes soon
People will realize that she was truly Heaven sent!

While they grieve and regress
Thinking of how she struggled to progress,
She will be in Heaven,
Right hand of the Father.
No need for rest and so free.
With her wings spread so amazingly,
That she can’t do nothing but-
Smile.

The Fact...

The Fact…

That I told her she could do it

That it even came up in our heads

Contemplate it every day, did I really?

Don’t matter now- its dead

We dead

Tried but always fail

Look at us today

You career path

Me still always just Kidd

Wonder how, if ever, we could’ve been

Only God knows, only him

It’s in my past, I won’t and can't

Let it linger

It hurts but I know he always forgives

Never again will it happen

I know my karma is probably already in action

God knows my soul

He knows my actions

I am not a murderer, but got damn

I feel like I pulled the trigger

On I go letting go

Memories please fade

Lord just let her be her happy self again

Let me suffer her pain

Sorry baby a love lost indeed

Nothing was to gain, but now

We have to proceed…

Forgive me baby

Forgive me baby.

Advertiser's Pain

In my head I swear is where amazing happens.

Trick is getting it out on paper, that right there can be priceless.

My thoughts are like diamonds, they are forever, they just keep going-and-going.

I bring things to life and make em snap, crackle, pop.

See we advertisers don’t see the world like y'all,

All I see is lines and dots and all I gotta do is connect em, dot-to-dot.

Put my name on em once they connected,

So like my real life at the moment they boxed in;

Advertisers turned into salesmen, can’t complain it’s a check.

But these unwanted burdens are bearing down hard on my neck.

All I need is my canvas to paint these stories

that are gift wrapped and given.

Everything else will come with the territory.

So give me my target audience, the competition and my objectives.

Do we have a budget? Are there any particulars on demographics?

Brand awareness-I milks that, down to the last drop.

When these ideas come about let them end up being money,

That melts in my hand and not in my mouth.

Advertisers pain, like a rock, that I can’t seem to get rolling.

My skills are getting keen though.

I’m eating snickers-I'm hungry why should I wait?

My heart and mind are focused and telling me that I am now free to move about the country.

Call my plane Advertisers United.

My plan of action by most will seem sick.

I need my night time dreaming, fiening, patiently waiting, head scratching, plotting,

Soon to be dream obtained medicine, for this pain.

This pain that only a true advertiser can understand and maintain.

Love, Let Me Die

Dear Love,

Fuck You. I hate You. WTF no I don’t.

I just can’t stand You!

Why the fuck You leave me hanging!?

Leave me bruised and leave me wandering!?

And at the same time make me feel so good!

Why are you legal? Why aren’t you regulated?

This shit is crazy.

You love me, You love me not.

One day You here and the other I don’t want You nowhere near

this spot. This spot in my chest that pumps your oil.

I think so much with it, I depend too much on it.

Love,

Can You just let me die where I first met You?

So innocent and pure,

I would do anything to stay there.

You had such a beautiful décor.

Touch unlike one I have felt on this earth so that be angelic,

a God given gift from Heaven.

As if I just seen the gates for the first time.

Love do You remember?

Back when we first met,

the innocence that was felt.

No games, no motives,

You led me and I followed.

Never thinking of or worrying about tomorrow.

You erased my sorrows,

even if it was just for that time being.

It was pure as that as of Esther.

I guess You were my Queen.

Now I write to You with remorse,

tired and depleted.

Love, let me die.

Here where I stand.

Love, I’m tired.

My heart dreary and it has such built up fear.

Scared to love true, because I love hard.

Scared to love blind, because I might fall.

Scared to love, because what if I won’t be loved back?

So Love,

Will You please just let me die?

Send my reef and your condolences.

Card with memorable moments.

There I go again.

Love, never mind at all.

After reading this please just disregard.

That would truly be me getting rid of You Love.

Once and for all.

Insincerely with unloving regards.