2011 is coming to a close, and with it, the annual round-up lists are pouring in. You know Kids Wasting Time isn't gonna sit this shit out. And so, your boy TS presents "30 Songs You Shouldn't Leave 2011 Without", a list of songs that were integral to hip-hop this year, got heavy burn, and strike me as necessary listens that define 2011. Or something. It's NOT a list of the best songs of 2011, and I tried to avoid songs done by the same principal artist. If you don't fuck with my list, head to the comments. Hit the jump and check it out.
1.) Big K.R.I.T - Dreamin' (Return of 4eva)
My favorite song off one of the best albums of the year, courtesy of a 2011 breakout star. KRIT spits that real, and that sample? Fire.
My favorite song off one of the best albums of the year, courtesy of a 2011 breakout star. KRIT spits that real, and that sample? Fire.
2.) Pusha T - "My God" (Fear of God)
I hopped in an elevator holding a big athletic bag, on the way to write an exam, and as floors zipped by through the glass wall, I realized what this song is. It is perfect heist music. Put it on, and imagine the next four minutes as a montage leading to you using high-powered assault rifles to steal millions of dollars.
I hopped in an elevator holding a big athletic bag, on the way to write an exam, and as floors zipped by through the glass wall, I realized what this song is. It is perfect heist music. Put it on, and imagine the next four minutes as a montage leading to you using high-powered assault rifles to steal millions of dollars.
3.) Kanye West & Jay-Z - "Otis" (Watch the Throne)
Yeezy and Hov going back and forth set off the hype machine for the biggest project of the year in epic fashion. I've listened to the 30 minute debut of this song on Flex's radio show multiple times. You should too.
Yeezy and Hov going back and forth set off the hype machine for the biggest project of the year in epic fashion. I've listened to the 30 minute debut of this song on Flex's radio show multiple times. You should too.
4.) Game - "The Good, The Bad and the Ugly" (The R.E.D Album)
Despite all his personal bullshit, Game always drops excellent LPs designed to be played over and over again. Over a banger from the hottest producer of the moment, Game does a magnificent Biggie impersonation.
Despite all his personal bullshit, Game always drops excellent LPs designed to be played over and over again. Over a banger from the hottest producer of the moment, Game does a magnificent Biggie impersonation.
5.) Drake - "Underground Kings" (Take Care)
The beat, the imagery ("bridge over troubled water, ice in my muddy water" or his description of Yo Gotti and E-Mack) and the triumph of Drake's rise combine to form one of his best tracks to date. Drake told us Take Care was a story. This is the beginning.
The beat, the imagery ("bridge over troubled water, ice in my muddy water" or his description of Yo Gotti and E-Mack) and the triumph of Drake's rise combine to form one of his best tracks to date. Drake told us Take Care was a story. This is the beginning.
6.) Common (feat. Nas) - "Ghetto Dreams" (The Dreamer/The Believer)
"I want a bitch that look good and cook good, Cinderalla fancy but she still look hood, butt naked in the kitchen flipping pancakes..." That entire first verse is committed to memory from now until my cremation. Now that's sweet.
"I want a bitch that look good and cook good, Cinderalla fancy but she still look hood, butt naked in the kitchen flipping pancakes..." That entire first verse is committed to memory from now until my cremation. Now that's sweet.
7.) Tyga - "Rack City" (Careless World: The Last King)
Tyga isn't YM's second coming of Drake or Nicki, either in talent or superstar potential. But that's okay. As long as he continues to make impossibly catchy records like this, I'm in.
8.) Nas - "Nasty" (Life Is Good)
The resurrection of a hip-hop god. Pay homage now, or wait until he's dead. Either way you will.
9.) Young Jeezy (feat. Lil Wayne) - "Ballin'" (TM 103)
Jeezy brings the rough, in the form of a streets-approved banger, but when the beat falls away, you are primed for the arrival of Wayne. Fresh out of jail, Weezy comes through with an icy flow, and quotable after quotable. Anticipation for C4 was sky-high. We all know how that played out, but during this song, one can close their eyes and imagine what could have been.
Jeezy brings the rough, in the form of a streets-approved banger, but when the beat falls away, you are primed for the arrival of Wayne. Fresh out of jail, Weezy comes through with an icy flow, and quotable after quotable. Anticipation for C4 was sky-high. We all know how that played out, but during this song, one can close their eyes and imagine what could have been.
10.) 2 Chainz (feat. Meek Mill) - "Stunt" (T.R.U. REALigion)
2 Chainz had one of those years, and this one goes. Get this one out of your head, I dare you.
2 Chainz had one of those years, and this one goes. Get this one out of your head, I dare you.
11.) Kendrick Lamar - "ADHD" (Section.80)
I wasn't sold on the incessant Kendrick hype this year, but this record is undeniable.
I wasn't sold on the incessant Kendrick hype this year, but this record is undeniable.
12.) 50 Cent - "Body On It" (The Big 10)
People (including yours truly) have been preaching about 50's musical excellence all year, but the mainstream paid little attention. This tape, and this banger of an opener, looks it might just change that.
People (including yours truly) have been preaching about 50's musical excellence all year, but the mainstream paid little attention. This tape, and this banger of an opener, looks it might just change that.
13.) Wooh Da Kid - "King of Da Jungle" (Krown the King)
Ear-shattering ad-libs, banging beats and that innate ability to craft catchy hooks. That's that Brick Squad shit.
14.) Main Attrakionz - "Perfect Skies" (808s and Dark Grapes II)
The beat is perfection, and then Mondre and Squadda come through to talk that talk. These two are killing it right now.
15.) Gucci Mane - "Tragedy" (Writings on the Wall 2)
I've said it more times than I can count, but Mr. Zone 6 is easily some of Gucci's greatest work, and would've been an undeniable classic if it existed in the world of jewel cases and Best Buys. Whatever, we (me and my friends, I know it's not Twaan and LT's thing) gave it enough burn a couple summers ago to make up for it. Gucci has made some awful decisions in the last little while, but as long as he keeps putting out tracks like these, I will never forget just how great he can be.
I've said it more times than I can count, but Mr. Zone 6 is easily some of Gucci's greatest work, and would've been an undeniable classic if it existed in the world of jewel cases and Best Buys. Whatever, we (me and my friends, I know it's not Twaan and LT's thing) gave it enough burn a couple summers ago to make up for it. Gucci has made some awful decisions in the last little while, but as long as he keeps putting out tracks like these, I will never forget just how great he can be.
16.) GhostWridah (feat. Freeway) - "Window Cracked" (American Alien)
Ghost put out a lot of music this year (and just blessed us with a new EP two days ago), so picking a favorite is ridiculously tough. Truly. Ask me an hour from now and I'd probably pick a different record. But for now, this bombastic duo with a fiery Freeway is my selection. Get up on Ghost now, because he's about to destroy 2012. You heard it here first.
17.) Ace Hood - "#uknowuacehood"
"#uknowuacehood y'all remember that trend?" There might not have been a phrase said all year with more aggression and pure menace (and this year had all sorts of phrases of that nature). What you thought was harmless Twitter fun was simply motivation for this young man. Mr. Hood showed everybody this year that he's no fucking punchline. "Hustle Hard"? Ace is winning. People are still writing him off but he keeps getting better. Remember that run when Wayne was unstoppable? Ace's time is coming. Believe me.
18.) Lil Wayne - "Sorry 4 the Wait" (Sorry 4 the Wait)
Everybody wanted Sorry 4 the Wait to be a true successor to No Ceilings. It simply wasn't. But over Adele's "Rolling in the Deep", Wayne went crazy. Let's hope 2011 was just a down year, and that YM's Prez has much more to give us.
Ghost put out a lot of music this year (and just blessed us with a new EP two days ago), so picking a favorite is ridiculously tough. Truly. Ask me an hour from now and I'd probably pick a different record. But for now, this bombastic duo with a fiery Freeway is my selection. Get up on Ghost now, because he's about to destroy 2012. You heard it here first.
17.) Ace Hood - "#uknowuacehood"
"#uknowuacehood y'all remember that trend?" There might not have been a phrase said all year with more aggression and pure menace (and this year had all sorts of phrases of that nature). What you thought was harmless Twitter fun was simply motivation for this young man. Mr. Hood showed everybody this year that he's no fucking punchline. "Hustle Hard"? Ace is winning. People are still writing him off but he keeps getting better. Remember that run when Wayne was unstoppable? Ace's time is coming. Believe me.
18.) Lil Wayne - "Sorry 4 the Wait" (Sorry 4 the Wait)
Everybody wanted Sorry 4 the Wait to be a true successor to No Ceilings. It simply wasn't. But over Adele's "Rolling in the Deep", Wayne went crazy. Let's hope 2011 was just a down year, and that YM's Prez has much more to give us.
19.) Rick Ross - "I Love My Bitches" (God Forgives, I Don't)
Name a bad verse Ross had all year. If you can, then I'm gonna go ahead and label you as one of those people who doesn't understand that at numerous times this year, Rick Ross was the best rapper alive. "You the Boss", with its Nicki Minaj assisted hook, was the A-Side, but "I Love My Bitches" outstrips it easily. Ross and Just Blaze is a combination conceived in heaven.
20.) Big Sean (feat. Lupe Fiasco) - "Wait for Me" (Finally Famous: The Album)
Say what you want about Big Sean. Hedonistic, sexist, substance-less. It's kinda hard to dispute. But Finally Famous was a strong debut, and an excellent pop-rap album. Let's see what he does with it.
Name a bad verse Ross had all year. If you can, then I'm gonna go ahead and label you as one of those people who doesn't understand that at numerous times this year, Rick Ross was the best rapper alive. "You the Boss", with its Nicki Minaj assisted hook, was the A-Side, but "I Love My Bitches" outstrips it easily. Ross and Just Blaze is a combination conceived in heaven.
20.) Big Sean (feat. Lupe Fiasco) - "Wait for Me" (Finally Famous: The Album)
Say what you want about Big Sean. Hedonistic, sexist, substance-less. It's kinda hard to dispute. But Finally Famous was a strong debut, and an excellent pop-rap album. Let's see what he does with it.
21.) Danny Brown - "Pac Blood" (XXX)
Danny Brown's music reeks of the four D's: destitution, depression, desperation, and Detroit. He wants a taste of that good life. With the fantastic, insular and terrifying XXX, Danny Brown fucked around and blew up this year. This foul and twisted record is the perfect example of Brown's manic genius.
22.) DJ Paul (feat. Ya Boy & Lil Lody) - "Still Gettin My Dick Sucked" (Pray for Forgiveness)
This song is brilliant. Humorous, catchy, banging. If you still haven't downloaded Pray For Forgiveness yet, you clearly have never robbed an art gallery with a bazooka.
This song is brilliant. Humorous, catchy, banging. If you still haven't downloaded Pray For Forgiveness yet, you clearly have never robbed an art gallery with a bazooka.
23.) Donnis - "Me & My Boo" (Southern Lights)
Donnis is not different enough from his class of MCs to ever blow up, and he probably missed his opportunity. But that's okay. I love his catchy flow, his general demeanor and the fact that unless something unexpected happens, he's basically operating in a vacuum. Artists can reach those who want to be reached through the internet. Donnis will continue to do that, with a jam that won't leave your head once you click the play button. You've been warned.
24.) Frank Ocean - "Thinking About You"
It's fairly cliché at this point to include Frank Ocean on your best rap songs of 2011 list. But fuck it. This had great writing, and once the emotional connection was made, I couldn't stop playing this. If it's relateable, odds are you're gonna like it.
Donnis is not different enough from his class of MCs to ever blow up, and he probably missed his opportunity. But that's okay. I love his catchy flow, his general demeanor and the fact that unless something unexpected happens, he's basically operating in a vacuum. Artists can reach those who want to be reached through the internet. Donnis will continue to do that, with a jam that won't leave your head once you click the play button. You've been warned.
24.) Frank Ocean - "Thinking About You"
It's fairly cliché at this point to include Frank Ocean on your best rap songs of 2011 list. But fuck it. This had great writing, and once the emotional connection was made, I couldn't stop playing this. If it's relateable, odds are you're gonna like it.
25.) J. Cole - "Return of Simba"
J. Cole had a year. He has arrived. Erase all the question marks, and pencil him in for future Billboard hits, Grammy nominations and Number 1 albums. There are a lot of songs to pick off of Cole World, but this track was brutal. Gruesome. Filthy. Nasty. "But me, I want Jordan numbers, LeBron foot in, can’t guard me, Vince Lombardi, John Wooden,"
J. Cole had a year. He has arrived. Erase all the question marks, and pencil him in for future Billboard hits, Grammy nominations and Number 1 albums. There are a lot of songs to pick off of Cole World, but this track was brutal. Gruesome. Filthy. Nasty. "But me, I want Jordan numbers, LeBron foot in, can’t guard me, Vince Lombardi, John Wooden,"
26.) Meek Mill (feat. TI, Rick Ross, Swizz Beatz*, Lil Wayne, Birdman* & DJ Khaled*)
*Verses not included. You have to stomach a lot of shit on this song to hear that good good, but it's worth it. I'm referring of course to Rozay's comeback verse. That shit is classic. Ross is on this list a lot, and it's not a coincidence.
*Verses not included. You have to stomach a lot of shit on this song to hear that good good, but it's worth it. I'm referring of course to Rozay's comeback verse. That shit is classic. Ross is on this list a lot, and it's not a coincidence.
27.) DJ Khaled (feat. Drake, Lil Wayne & Rick Ross) - "I'm On One" (We the Best Forever)
This summer gave me a lot of great memories, and this song was playing during a lot of it.
28.) Tyler, The Creator - "Tron Cat" (Goblin)
Yonkers was more important for young Ty, but the second most rappity-rap track off his retail debut gets inclusion because "Yonkers" got overplayed to shit.
Yonkers was more important for young Ty, but the second most rappity-rap track off his retail debut gets inclusion because "Yonkers" got overplayed to shit.
29.) Z-Ro - "Southside Groovin'" (5200)
You already know.
30.) Wale (feat. Meek Mill & Rick Ross) - "Ambition" (Ambition)
Meek and Wale shine, but neither had much of a chance against the monstrous and heartfelt autobiographical verse from Ross. MMG killed it this year. You didn't know?
Alot of these I wouldn't of picked, but still an alright list. "R4 theme song" is def. my fave off Return of 4eva. And where's Freddie Gibbs' "Rob Me a N*gga" produced by KRIT? That shit is dope as fuck. haha
ReplyDeleteCRAP
ReplyDeleteNice list, but honestly there are more than a couple tracks on your list I don't plan ever listening again.
ReplyDeleteSome tracks I think should have deserved being on the list are:
Trouble - Bussin / Bussin remix
Frank Ocean - Swim Good
Juicy J - Who Da Neighbors
French Montana & Juicy J - You Need Haters
The Throne - N**** In Paris
Check-out my lists if you have the time:
Best Album (Paid Release); http://thatdopemusic.blogspot.com/2011/12/thatdopeawards-best-of-2011-best-album.html
Best Album (Free Release); http://thatdopemusic.blogspot.com/2011/12/thatdopeawards-best-of-2011-best-free.html