The Best Hip Hop Music of 2011

Byjoseph

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Contents

The Best Hip Hop Music of 2011

Best Rap Albums

There were a lot of good rap albums in 2011. Here are the 10 best, according to XXL.

1. Kendrick Lamar – good kid, m.A.A.d city
2. J. Cole – Cole World: The Sideline Story
3. Drake – Take Care
4. ASAP Rocky –Long. Live. ASAP
5. Big K.R.I.T. – Live from the Underground
6. Meek Mill – Dreams and Nightmares
7. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib – Piñata
8. Ghostface Killah & Adrian Younge – Twelve Reasons to Die
9.”The Roots” undun
10.[ Macklemore & Ryan Lewis] The Heist

Best Hip Hop Songs

In a year where Drake, Lil Wayne and Rick Ross reigned supreme, it was easy to forget that there were plenty of other rappers out there making great music. Here are 10 of the best hip hop songs of 2011 that didn’t get as much attention as they deserved.

10. “Ridin’ Around” by Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar’s Section.80 was one of the most slept-on albums of 2011, but “Ridin’ Around” was one of its standout tracks. Over a hypnotic piano loop, Lamar tells the story of growing up in Compton and dreaming of a better life.

9. “I Do It for Hip Hop” by Kenna
Kenna’s Land 2 Air Chronicles II: Imitation Is Survival EP didn’t make much of a splash when it was released in October, but “I Do It for Hip Hop” is a standout track. Over a soulful sample, Kenna pays tribute to the genre that’s given him so much.

8. “Fly Away” by Theophilus London feat. Devonte Hynes
Theophilus London’s Timez Are Weird These Days was one of the most eclectic hip hop albums of 2011, and “Fly Away” was one its highlights. Featuring guest vocals from Blood Orange’s Devonte Hynes, the track is a summery ode to escapism.

7. “Lifestyles” by Mac Miller feat. Schoolboy Q
Mac Miller’s debut album Blue Slide Park received mixed reviews upon its release, but there were plenty of stand-out tracks, including “Lifestyles.” On the track, Miller teams up with Schoolboy Q for a laid-back anthem about living the good life.

6. “A Milli” by A$AP Rocky
A$AP Rocky’s Live Love A$AP mixtape was one of the year’s most buzzed-about releases, and “A Milli” was its stand-out track. Produced by Clams Casino, the track samples Lil Wayne’s 2008 song of the same name and finds Rocky flowing effortlessly over the ethereal beat.

Best Hip Hop Videos

The best hip hop videos of 2011 featured a mix of big budget productions and gritty underground films. From Jay-Z and Kanye West’s “Otis” to Mac Miller’s “Donald Trump,” these are the videos that defined the year in hip hop.

Best Hip Hop Artists

There are many great hip hop artists out there today. But who are the best of the best? Here is a list of the top 10 hip hop artists of 2011.

1. Kendrick Lamar
2. J. Cole
3. Big K.R.I.T.
4. Chance the Rapper
5.Danny Brown
6. A$AP Rocky
7. Logic
8. Joey Bada$$
9. Freddie Gibbs
10Action Bronson

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