Continued from 2:

#1: Jay-z & Kanye West – Watch the Throne

Come on son, like you thought it would be any other album . I’m sure you could go to a million different sites on the internet and find a million different opinions about this album, ranging from the highest of praise all the way to calling it a sell out. Whatever your opinion you can’t argue that this was hands down the most anticipated and scrutinized album to be released during 2011, and for good reason. Whenever arguably the two biggest artists in the world come together to make an album the expectations are understandably high, and it is my humble opinion that they have met and exceeded every expectation out there. Let me tell you why. Not only did they manage to perfectly blend a perfect mix of commercial and “hardcore” songs, but they were able to do so without sacrificing lyrics or concept. When you can play an album from beginning to end and find a noteworthy verse in each and every song, then ladies & gentlemen you have a monster on your hands. The only real fault that anyone ever had against the album was the claim that it was too commercial, and I ask how? Their lead single was “Otis”, a song using those signature soul samples that Kanye is known for, all the while they go back and forth spitting verbal flames, all without a real hook. About as far from commercial as you can get. If you are one of the 5 people on this planet who haven’t heard this album, then I suggest you immediately go out and get it.

Lyricism √

Production √

Concept √

Balance √

Bangers √

What more could you want?

 “No Church in the Wild”

The intro and my personal favorite off the entire album. Kanye has been on a tear since MBDTF (My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy for the uninitiated), and he continues that trend with this monster production. The verses are dope and it features one of the rare guest appearances of the album in the form of Frank Ocean, double dope.

Sunglasses and Advil
Last night was mad real
Sun comin’ up, 5 a.m.
I wonder if they got cabs still
Thinkin’ ’bout the girl in all-leopard
Who was rubbin’ the wood like Kiki Shepard
Two tattoos, one read “No Apologies”
The other said “Love is cursed by monogamy”
That’s somethin’ that the pastor don’t preach
That’s somethin’ that a teacher can’t teach
When we die, the money we can’t keep
But we probably spend it all ’cause the pain ain’t cheap
Preach

“Niggas In Paris”

Just from the title you can probably tell what type of stuff this track is gonna be on. It one of those tracks that I’d like to call “ignorant bliss.” This is a straight up banger aimed for the clubs and it has been played to death, but for good reason. This ish CRAY! Oh and did I mention Will Ferrell is on the track? I know.

Ball so hard, this shit crazy
Y’all don’t know that don’t shit phase me
The Nets could go 0-82 and I look at you like this shit gravy
Ball so hard, this shit weird
We ain’t even s’pose to be here,
Ball so hard, since we here
It’s only right that we be fair
Psycho, I’m liable to go Michael
Take your pick, Jackson, Tyson, Jordan, Game 6
Ball so hard, got a broke clock, Rolleys that don’t tick tock
Audemars that’s losing time, hidden behind all these big rocks
Ball so hard, I’m shocked too, I’m supposed to be locked up too
If you escaped what I’ve escaped
You’d be in Paris getting fucked up too

“Murder to Excellence”

More killer production by Kanye, sounding very similar to a track that would’ve made My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, and that is a very very good thing. Dope lyrics + dope production = 1 very dope song. I have to put Ye’s full verse on here, IT’S THAT REAL.

And I’m from the murder capital, where they murder for capital
Heard about at least 3 killings this afternoon
Lookin’ at the news like damn I was just with him after school,
No shop class but half the school got a tool,
And I could die any day type attitude
Plus his little brother got shot reppin’ his avenue
It’s time for us to stop and re-define black power
41 souls murdered in 50 hours

The paper read murder, black on black murder,
The paper read murder, black on black murder again
Murder again…

Is it genocide?
Cause I can still hear his momma cry, know the family traumatized
Shots left holes in his face, bout piranha-size
The old pastor closed the cold casket
And said the church ain’t got enough room for all the tombs
It’s a war going on outside, we ain’t safe from
I feel the pain in my city wherever I go
314 soldiers died in Iraq
509 died in Chicago

“Gotta Have It”

Yet another smash that has Jay & Ye rapping about extravagant things over a hard knocking, uptempo beat. Expect to hear this in the clubs in the very near future.

Hello, hello, hello, White America, assassinate my character
Money matrimony, yeah, they tryna break the marriage up
Who gon’ act phonier? Who gon’ try to embarrass ya?
I’ma need a day off, I think I’ll call Ferris up

Bueller had a Mueller, but I switched it for a Miele
‘Cause I’m richer, and prior to this shit was movin’ freebase

Had a conference with the DJs (Yeah), Puerto Rico three-days
(Parlay with them GDs, now they got our shit on replay)
Sorry I’m in pajamas, but I just got off the PJ
And last party we had, they shut down Prive
(Ain’t that where the Heat play?) Yep (Niggas hate ballers these days)
Ain’t that like LeBron James? (Ain’t that just like D-Wade)
(Wait)

“New Day”

One of the more introspective tracks on the album. This somber, soulful tack has Jay & Ye speaking to their unborn children about life and putting them down the right paths. Seems real relevant now that Jay is officially a father.

Sorry junior, I already ruined ya
‘Cause you ain’t even alive, paparazzi pursuin’ ya
Sins of a father make yo’ life ten times harder
I just wanna take ya to a barber
Bondin’ on charters, all the shit that I never did
Teach ya good values, so you cherish it
Took me 26 years to find my path
My only job is cuttin’ the time in half
So at 13 we’ll have our first drink together
Black bar mitzvahs, mazel tov, mogul talk
Look a man dead in his eyes
So he know you talk truth when you speak it, give your word, keep it
And if the day comes I only see him on the weekend
I just pray we was in love on the night that we conceived him
Promise to never leave him even if his mama tweakin’
Cause my dad left me and I promise never repeat him
Never repeat him, never repeat him

That concludes our list for the top albums of 2011, thanks for checking it out and hope you enjoyed it. We already can’t wait to do another one for 2012, and we promise it won’t take so long to get out next time lol. As always keeping checking back here for some dope posts and if you’re an athlete, artist, musician, entrepreneur, uniformed service member, or fit any of those molds then this is the site for you and we would love to have you be a part of our growing community. One. SIGN UP!

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