Top 15 Albums of 2011: 6-4

January 24, 2012 in Music by iamdhunt

Continued from 9-7:

#6: The Weeknd – House of Balloons/Thursday/Echoes of Silence

As you may have noticed this isn’t a single album but instead a trilogy of albums. When I was considering which one The Weeknd’s albums to place on this list I honestly couldn’t decide so I decided to throw the entire trilogy on here. Cop out? Probably, but I am afforded that luxury since it’s my site ha. In truth all three of these tapes are phenomenal but this post is more about him as an artist as this is the first year the world was formally introduced to the OVO (Drake) affiliate known as the Weeknd; and man did he leave an impression. His style is so unique and different from most R&B artists you here nowadays that you have to take notice almost immediatley. If I were to compare him to anybody it’d probably be Prince, because he is that unique and he has that much talent to be just as big of a star. Trust me when I say download these albums immediately.

“The Morning”

My favorite song off of his first album in the trilogy, House of Balloons. He sings about women who do less than favorable things all for the sake of money. “All that money, the money is the motive.”

“The Birds Part 1″

My favorite track off of his second album in the trilogy, Thursday. The percussion on here is amazing and sets the backdrop while he warns girls about falling in love with someone like him.

“Same Old Song”

This track off the final album in the trilogy, Echoes of Silence, might just be my favorite song he has released thus far. The guitar riffs on here are sick and the electronic effects he’s got going on in the background combined with the thumping kicks make this song amazing. He flows with this slow beat perfectly as he croons about the opposite sex being all the same.

#5: Drake – Take Care

Next up on my list is the man who can do no wrong. Everything he touches turns to gold, every rhyme he kicks is hot, and the scary thing is that he seems to be getting better with time. Take Care is his second offering and apparently he’s never heard of the sophomore slump because he is able to surpass his highly successful debut album in almost every category. Drake has taken a lot of criticism for what others characterize as being “soft” or even “sweet”, but the fact of the matter is that he writes his best material when he is writing about his emotions, so if that’s not your cup of tea then there are plenty of “gangsta” rappers out there to listen to. If you’re one of the two people in the world who haven’t listened to this album, then I strongly suggest that you do.

“Underground Kings”

One of the few tracks on the album you’ll be able to find straight spitting from R&B/Rapper hybrid machine. If you ever had any concerns that he lost his touch with his rapping ability, this track puts those worries to rest. “Do it for the city.”

“Over My Dead Body”

The intro track sets the bar extremely high for the rest of the album. Very reminiscent of “Fireworks” off of his first album, which was also one of my favorites, he raps about living the life and everything else that comes with it, while a female handles the hook. The piano heavy production sets the scene perfectly. “I think maybe I was numb to it last year, but you know I feel it now more than ever.”

“The Motto”

You didn’t think I wasn’t going to mention this song did you? Technically a “bonus” track but who cares, it’s a certified banger and Drizzy and Weezy absolutely dismantle the beat. “YOLO”

#4: Kendrick Lamar – Section.80

I have been dying to write about Kendrick Lamar the most out of anybody on this list as he is currently my favorite artist hands down. I have been a huge fan of his since back in the day in high school when he was known as K.Dot. For years he has been releasing and appearing on a multitude of mixtapes and this is his first crack at releasing an album and it is a monster. I haven’t heard such raw, socially and politically charged lyrics since early Tupac, and he is able to pull it off with so much style. He lyrically dismantles each and every beat he is presented with, all the while leaving a message and story about growing up in the projects. This album was such a hit that Dr. Dre himself signed him, I can finally say I told you so to all those I told that he was the next up after he dropped C4.

“Rigamortus”

The title says it all. He bodies this track as jazz horns and snares blare in the background. Just press play and try to keep up. “Don’t ask who your favorite rapper, I rapped him and made him Casper.”

“Ronald Reagan Era”

This a straight anthem right here, as he raps for the offsprings of the crack era who just don’t seem to give a damn about anything. The beat is mean and his lyrics are vicious, what more do you want. “1987, the children of Ronald Reagan raked the leaves off
your front porch with a machine blowtorch.”

“Hiiipower”

The lead single from the album, produced by J. Cole himself. Nothing more than an extra dope beat with extra raw lyrics. In other words, Hip-Hop. “I’m standing on a field full of landmines doing the moonwalk hoping I blow up in time.” Ew