Epic Contention: A Year in Review – Hip-Hop in 2011
Charting the ascendancy of Drake and the persistent reign of Kanye in 2011. #HipHop50
In an unforgettable interlude from 2008 to 2011, the basketball world witnessed a thrilling contest between Kobe and LeBron, each contending for the title of Best Basketball Player Alive. LeBron, his career at its apex, boasted superior stats and athleticism. Kobe, older but also wiser, carried the weight of experience, tactical nous, and multiple championship rings.
The consensus was that LeBron shone brighter during the regular season, but Kobe was the preferred commander in the crucible of playoffs. The back-to-back MVP trophies LeBron hoisted couldn't dislodge Kobe from his perch as the prime player, a position solidified by Kobe's consecutive championship victories. Only when LeBron seized the 2012 NBA Finals did the scepter pass.
A similar rivalry played out in rap from 2009 to 2011. Drake claimed the title of Hottest Rapper Alive, amassing a trophy cabinet full of regular season accolades, and frequently topped Billboard's Hot Rap Songs chart. Yet, like Kobe, Kanye reserved his finest performances for critical moments. His stellar 2010 offering, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, overshadowed Drake's contender for rap album of the year, Thank Me Later, reasserting Kanye's supremacy.
By 2011, the only question was when, not if, Drake would ascend to hip-hop's highest peak, but his official crowning was deferred until he could topple the reigning king. Unlike their basketball counterparts, the hip-hop sphere enjoyed a head-to-head showdown as both rappers announced their forthcoming projects (Watch the Throne and Take Care) to kick off the year.
The gauntlet was thrown. Drake challenged hip-hop's hierarchy with his opening verse on DJ Khaled’s posse cut “I'm On One” in May and followed up with more veiled jabs on “Dreams Money Can Buy.” Come June, he delivered the instantly classic “Marvins Room.” The sense of an inevitable victory hung in the air as Kanye and JAY-Z lay dormant, not having announced any projects since Watch the Throne's underwhelming first single, “H•A•M,” debuted in January.
However, the succession proved premature. The unveiling of Watch the Throne in August was a reminder that Kanye and JAY-Z weren't ready to surrender their positions atop the hip-hop hierarchy. The album exceeded its lofty expectations, showcasing Kanye's best production work (“Otis”) and some of JAY-Z's most compelling verses in years (“No Church in the Wild,” “Welcome to the Jungle,” and “Why I Love You”).
Nonetheless, Drake's moment in the spotlight was imminent. On the sidelines, Drake's gaze was steadily on the players that were unable to exceed the strong impression made by Watch the Throne, a time marked by notable debuts albums from Kendrick Lamar, Tyler, The Creator, and J. Cole, groundbreaking mixtapes from A$AP Rocky, along with the long-awaited Tha Carter IV from Lil Wayne since his release from jail. In November, Drake broke his silence with his sophomore album, Take Care. Upon opening their eyes, it was evident: Drake had indeed kept his promise. He hadn't just crafted a classic. He'd seized the throne for himself.
Certified Classics of 2011
Watch the Throne — JAY-Z & Kanye West
This collaboration, steeped in the rarefied charisma of its creators, sparkles with the high gloss of opulence. It surges with the undercurrents of unapologetic ego and a luxury rap sensibility, backed by a mix of sample-based and cinematic-infused production. Together, the two cultural heavyweights sketch vivid portraits of the unvarnished excesses and occasional burdens of success. Their tales, amplified by vibrant samples and infectious hooks, convey a hedonistic spectacle. A grand exhibition of rap affluence, it ultimately offers a candid glance into the minds of its architect-lyricists.
LIVE.LOVE.A$AP — A$AP Rocky
This A$AP Rocky mixtape blew up unexpectedly in such overcast East Coast rap. Its novel stylistic compound based on Houston's syrupy sonics and Memphis's lo-fi beats loudly asserts the exhilarating symbiosis of regional influences. A$AP Rocky’s knack for interlacing introspective bars with a laconic, syrup-soaked delivery provides an intoxicating flavor to this auditory feast. His ambient sound is imbued with a hazy, trancelike mood. A rich fusion of distinct rap heritages propels listeners into its creator's well-curated world of atmospheric hip-hop.
Take Care — Drake
This work, a delicate threading of Drake's introspection and knack for catchy melodies, captures his unique musical aesthetic. Pensive, self-referential lyrics blend seamlessly with an underlay of down-tempo R&B and minimalistic production. Lamentations on fame, relationships, and personal anxieties echo the moody yet accessible soundscape. The album's atmospheric and introspective nature marks a paradigm shift in hip-hop, redefining its emotional bandwidth. A showcase of Drake's talent for expressing universal sentiments personally makes it an influential contribution to his discography.
Essential Albums of 2011
Section.80 — Kendrick Lamar
Lamar's debut release ascends to the top echelon in an era of forgettable releases. It features a lyrical intricacy and rich audial array that takes listeners on a rollercoaster of emotions, emphasizing raw truths and deftly shedding light on sociopolitical issues that continue to echo in our consciousness.
Tha Carter IV — Lil Wayne
Embodying an unparalleled lyrical wit, Wayne's album provokes a unique introspective perspective. Tha Carter IV coalesces energy with commercialism, crazy metaphors, and hard-hitting bars, drawing fans into an insightful revelation and striking originality that remains Weezy’s most underrated effort.
Black Up — Shabazz Palaces
This album is a cerebral plunge into experimental hip-hop, daringly subverting the status quo. It's a compelling blend of eclectic sounds and introspective lyrics, perfectly embodying the unpredictability and complexity of the human condition.
Exmilitary — Death Grips
The year 2011 saw the arrival of a distinct sonic force in the music landscape with the release of Death Grips’ Exmilitary. This debut mixtape challenged conventional boundaries, offering an intoxicating blend of industrial, punk, and hip-hop elements. The raw energy embodied beautifully encapsulated the group’s aggressive spirit and subversive appeal. With its innovative production techniques and MC Ride’s visceral lyrical delivery, Exmilitary documents Death Grips’ pioneering spirit. Ultimately, it remains an indispensable piece within the 2011 musical chronicle for its bold odyssey of genre-blurring soundscapes.
Oneirology — CunninLynguists
CunninLynguists deliver an ambitious project that transgresses the constraints of typical rap. With haunting melodies intertwined with introspective and vivid lyrics, Oneirology meticulously crafts intricacies of dream-like soundscapes, thanks to the production from Kno.
XXX — Danny Brown
Brown’s XXX offers an unflinching inquiry into his life's tribulations, utilizing an array of unusual beats and unconventional flows. His blend of vulnerability and braggadocio creates a distinct, captivating intimacy.
The Dreamer/The Believer — Common
Common’s album radiates authentic, soulful, intense, and thought-provoking energy. The lyrics of Common bear a particular ability to evoke concrete imagery, infused with a sense of hope and belief that runs through each song.
Goblin — Tyler, The Creator
Unabashedly rebellious, Tyler's Goblin thrives on controversy and audaciousness. It's an unfiltered immersion into his inner psyche, with his gritty delivery and polarizing lyrics creating a profound, uneasy intimacy that leaves a lingering impact.
Undun — The Roots
Undun unfolds like a riveting novel with a potent mix of raw, gritty storytelling, captivating beats, and deft lyricism. The Roots deliver an inventive concept album that deftly explores the human condition through the lens of its ill-fated protagonist.
Cats & Dogs — Evidence
With Cats & Dogs, Evidence artfully exhibits potent rhymes, meticulous production, and introspective musings. His adept lyricism draws the listener into a world that reflects life's gritty realities and subtle beauty.
L.A. Riot — Thurz
Thurz's L.A. Riot portrays the socio-political turmoil of Los Angeles with hard-hitting lyrics and stark, vivid imagery. It's a poignant reflection of urban life's struggles, triumphs, and complexities, delivered sincerely and potently.
Pinnacle Rappers in 2011
JAY-Z & Kanye West
When it comes to JAY-Z & Kanye West, what else is there to say about them? A complex intertwining of bold ego displays and introspective revelations underscored their works. A subtle yet profound interplay of their distinctive styles made Watch the Throne one of the most anticipated releases in recent memory that did not disappoint.
Lil Wayne
Fresh out of jail, Lil Wayne amplifies his influence in rap with a unique inflection of lyrical humor and thought-provoking metaphors. Straddling a line between comic relief and introspection, he presented a refreshing and perplexing dichotomy. His ability to effortlessly fuse various references brought a sense to his unconventional style.
Drake
Drake evolved his unique blend of introspection and braggadocio, pulling back the curtain on the emotional toll of fame and success. His verses were etched with revelations, and each word was saturated with an intoxicating mix of vulnerability and confidence. The fluidity with which he moved between singing and rapping blurred the lines between genres, painting a novel soundscape in hip-hop. His work was distinctive, cementing his place in the hip-hop narrative.
Breakout Stars of 2011
Kendrick Lamar
With the release of his album Section.80 in 2011, Kendrick Lamar emerged as a lyrical craftsman with a thought-provoking perspective. His conceptual and vivid imagery allowed him to delve into the social complexities of his life revolving around him. Lamar showcased his ability to seamlessly blend introspection with social commentary, demonstrating for painting sonic portraits that resonate with a wide range of hip-hop fans.
J. Cole
J. Cole, despite a somewhat underwhelming debut album, made a significant impact in 2010 with his mixtape Friday Night Lights. This project showcased his lyricism and his ability to explore various themes, including personal introspection and the pursuit of success. Despite his debut album not meeting the high expectations set by his mixtapes, Cole's artistic potential was still evident.
A$AP Rocky
A$AP Rocky's LIVE.LOVE.A$AP mixtape displayed his style, combining the best of Harlem's fashion, cutting-edge production techniques, and a charming persona. A unique fusion of mainstream rap and underground influences characterizes Rocky's style. His distinctive aesthetic and unflinching lyricism established him as a dynamic presence in hip-hop.