Best 2011 Album?

Some years in music are always better than others. It's almost like the artist or corporations sit down together and say "ok this year will be the good music year." The year 2011 was definitely one of those years for hip hop. So I asked myself, if I could only buy 1 of these albums which would it be? After carefully deliberating for a few days, going back and forth from album to album, I chose Section 80. Here's why: Section 80 was the debut album for Kendrick Lamar, and if that album would've been any other Kendrick album I would not care for him too much. As a first album Section 80 instantly grabbed my attention and forced me to place Kendrick in an above standard category. Section 80 was different from the music we we're currently listening to, and was flawless in my eyes. After choosing Section 80 would be Take Care, then WTT, and finally Ambition. 

Watch The Throne (WTT) is easily the best collaborative album of the generation. People who weren’t fans of the two artists became listeners. "Niggas in Paris" had everyone saying "that shit cray." The album appealed to all audiences; having the perfect versatile production that included samples from the golden oldies, to dub step and trap beats. With this album HOV solidified another 10 years of relevancy, adding to both of their collections of platinum selling hit albums. Watch the Throne was complete in lyrics and overall song selection; the album flowed together from beginning to end. Insinuating political issues and "rich" people problems in songs like "Otis" and "New Day." I still listen to this album, it's a guaranteed classic.

Wale is probably the most overlooked rapper to this date. The year 2011 was the mainstream debut for several artist; J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar (kinda), A$AP Rocky. Big Sean, Wiz Khalifa, Tyler the Creator, however who everyone typically forget is Wale. This is awful, because Ambition was a great album, which outshines many albums released in that same year. Am I saying I would choose Ambition over Section 80? Hell No, but I do understand how someone else could. Ambition showed me that Wale can be a mainstream diverse artist. As an early Wale listener I know that his songs are more poetic than rap, but with Ambition he created a complete album, that was easily one of the best albums in 2011.

Section 80 took my breath away from start to finish. "Hol' Up" is one of my favorite songs ever created. As technically Kendrick Lamar's debut album, Section 80 had me hooked on Kendrick. He was so in tune with every word and sound on that album, and "Rigamortis" demonstrated one of hip hop's most unique flows since 2008 Lil Wayne's "A Milli." TDE overall added a new chapter to hip hop that we're still excited to hear. I can't wait to see what they have for us in 2016. 

Drake Drake Drake, is all I can say, because he's become such a dynamic influence in entertainment at such a fast pace, it's scary to see what happens next. Take Care Drake's sophomore album is easily his best piece of work to this date, and no one can disagree with this statement. The sophomore albums are like the make or break moments for an artist; this is the album that solidifies a reoccurring fan base. The first album grads the ears, the second album keeps the ears, and the third album audiences crave changes. Drake grew his audience with Take Care, he became the man. Take Care provided enough tracks and versatility that you could keep the album on replay, successfully blending pop, r&b and hip hop. 

More Hip Hop albums released in 2011:

J. Cole - Cole World 

Tyler the Creator - Goblin

A$AP Rocky - Long.Live.A$AP

Lil Wayne - Tha Carter 4

Wiz Khalifa - Rolling Papers

Big Sean - Finally Famous

Common - The Dreamer, the Believer

The Roots - Undun

Lupe Fiasco - Lasers

Pusha T - Fear of God II

Childish Gambino - Camp