My Top Ten Rap/Hip-Hop/R&B Albums/Mixtapes of the Year

By KEVIN JACOB
Staff Writer

I’ve decided to do a top ten of my favorite Rap and R&B albums/mixtapes this year. I know that parts of this list will probably get some flack. But, I will say that these albums are what I personally thought were the best pieces of music in 2011. And if your opinion differs? Good. It’s great for discussion. If you like my list? Even better. Let’s get started.

1. Watch the Throne
By Kanye West and Jay-Z

This was a really hard pick for me as my #1, but in the end I think it’s the right choice. “Watch the Throne” had great beats, great lyrics, and great style. Having songs such as “Murder to Excellence,” which was a bit more socially conscience to the banger of the year “N****s In Paris,” “Watch The Throne” had everything a hip-hop fan could ask for.

2. Goblin
By Tyler The Creator

I loved this album. It’s full of debauchery, angst, pain, passion, and as the Wolfgang would say, it has swag as well. When I first listened to the whole thing, I felt every emotion possible.
I could be laughing at how crazy the idea of “Transylvania” is (it’s about him being a vampire) or about how fame as affected him in “Window”. And of course it has in my opinion one of the best songs of the year—“Yonkers.”

3. Take Care
By Drake

As seen in my last review (which was this album) I said that this album was definitely one of the best ones I’ve heard this year. (If you want to read more about it take a look at the review).

4. House of Balloons
By The Weeknd

Drizzy’s friend The Weeknd (which you could probably hear all over Take Care) had a really crazy project earlier this year. Songs filled with pain, drinking, drugs, sex, and love culminated into one great piece of work.

5. LiveLoveA$AP
By ASAP Rocky

Along with having one of the best songs/music videos this year with “Peso”, going on a country wide tour, and signing a $3 million dollar deal (before the project was even out) ASAP Rocky had a pretty crazy project. Hazy and slowed, drugged out beats with lyrics about weed, lean, guns, fashion, and hustling kept me loving this one.
There are tracks that you can just chill and vibe to like “Wassup,” and tracks that have darker themes, such as “Demons,” and will keep you impressed with what Rocky has to offer. Be on the lookout for this Harlem kid because he’s about to blow up.

6. Camp
By Childish Gambino

In my first review of this album I had said it was one of the better projects that came out this year.  You can take my word for it here but if you’re not convinced about it you can check out the review I did of it earlier this year.

7. Nostalgia/Ultra
By Frank Ocean

The WolfGang crooner Frank Ocean showed that Odd Future has more talent than just Tyler The Creator. The album includes a variety of songs, including “Novacane”, a crazy Eagles sample on “American Wedding,” and an emotional rollercoaster on losing a loved one, “There will be Tears” shows that Mr. Ocean is R&B’s next rising star.

Note: even though this song wasn’t on Nostalgia/Ultra, “Thinking About You” by this guy is easily one of the best songs of the year, especially if you like R&B.

8. Lasers
By Lupe Fiasco

Even though Lupe Fiasco didn’t make the album that he wanted to make, he still has a solid piece of work on his hands. Beat production is pretty solid with songs like “Out of my Head”, “Letting Go”, and “I Don’t Wanna Care Right Now.”
If there are some who thought Lupe had sold out at all, they should go check out “State Run Radio,” “All Black Everything,” and, “Words I Never Said.”  These will definitely change your mind. Well done, Mr. Fiasco.

9. Return of 4eva
By Big K.R.I.T.

Big K.R.I.T. established himself last year with “K.R.I.T. Wuz Here” and has upped his status even more before the release of his debut album next year Live From The Underground but 4eva had great southern bangers such as “Rotation”, “Country S**t Remix”, and “Sookie Now.”
There are some great personal tracks as well, such as “The Vent.” This guy has been claimed as the next Andre 3000 and in some ways I can see why. I mean he even produced the whole thing himself. So is it too soon to crown the King Remembered In Time (K.R.I.T.)?

10. Self Made Vol. 1
By Maybach Music Group

Rozay shows off his label mates in a solid effort from MMG. Bangers such as “I’m a Boss,” “Tupac Back,” “600 Benz,” and, “Big Bank” are filled with gangsterism and braggadocio, leading this album to being better in the terms of just a riding around and letting your speakers bang album. Oh, and the title track by Just Blaze is also incredible.

So there it is: My Top Ten Rap/R&B Albums of 2011. There was so much great music this year that I’m highly anticipating 2012. If you want tell me if there was something that you thought should’ve been up there that I was missing, leave your own opinion. This right here though is a pretty solid list. Let the discussion begin.