Every year I list my Top 3 albums of the year like any normal music listener. Started it back in 2005, though I didn’t listen to that much to even justify a “Top 3.” But every year, I find myself listening to more and more music from different genre’s: R&B, Rock, Alternative, but there will always be a prevalent amount of Hip-Hop/Rap. Everyone has favorite artists, that’s a given; however, sometimes you find yourself acting like your favorite artist’s attorney in some ways, defending them at whatever cost (The cost would be putting out endless music you love). Example: The Kanye-Swigftgate thing, some Kanye fans (Excluding me) defended him solely cause they love him and his music. I defended him though I knew it was wrong how he did it, but what he said is more than likely what most people was thinking. Most times, your affection for an artist can go beyond the music, and it’s natural.
You’ll tend to favor the artist more than you think cause you’re too blind to see it. Example #2: Nicki Minaj fans/barbies (Whatever the hell she call’s them); they love her (and I don’t blame them, I mean look at her) but some of her music is.. uhh, ridiculous. She released that new song, and all them loved it. Excuse me!? I like Nicki, too, and I bought Pink Friday, but no. I can play that for a tone deaf Kangaroo and I’m sure it wouldn’t want to hear it either. Fans can be blind to what their favorite artist’s material sometimes, but especially if the music is subpar. Music is more times than not, perhaps 90% of the time (And yes I made that percentage up), to relate. Most fans rather have music to relate to in their everyday lives than anything else. They want music to groove to, but know someone else who has gone through it too. Reason why people in my age bracket loved Section.80 (My Mixtape of the Year). Kendrick told stories us of this generation can relate to, which was his main goal.
So that brings me to my main point: 2011′s Album of the year. There have been lots of great music [mixtapes and albums] to come out, and for me to decide 3 Top albums as I traditionally do is difficult, though I’ll do it. However, I’m torn. Torn from the top tier, the following can take coveted number 1: The Roots’ Undun, Common’s The Dreamer, The Believer, Charity Starts At Home from Phonte, Take Care by Drake and of course, Jay-Z & Kanye’s Watch The Throne.
First thought is The Throne, not just because I witnessed the entire WTT movement — From anticipation while they made it, to the concert — but of course, cause of my obvious infatuation with Kanye. Though WTT wasn’t what we all thought it should have been — the supposed album of the decade — it was still a great album, though it did get some negative feedback– mainly for their braggadocious lyrics. I didn’t believe that could be the reason, until recently hearing someone say, people don’t want others to come off as their better than you are. And with Ye-Z talking about their wealth and these brands us regualr folk would have to Google to know so much, it’s seems they threw it in our face. And the fact that, most music fans rather have music to relate to than anything played crucial part to some people’s thoughts on it. Why the head-to-head of WTT & Section.80 led by 9th Wonder night it was released was so intense and interesting. Not many people can relate to WTT, but most of us relate to Section.80, and the other albums on the top tier, Phontigga’s, Lonnie’s, & The Legendary Roots Crew, and even Aubrey’s, they made records to relate to the typical, everyday fan.
But yet, I still want to give it to Ye and his Big Brother. In my Top 25 Most Played on iTunes, 64%, 16 of the 25 songs are Kanye songs. That tells a lot, even to me. I favor Ye, everyone who remotely knows me knows this, that guy is my damn idol. I’ll camp out, line up for his signature Nike shoes and pay (If I need to) a freakish amount for them, but I can never wrap my mind around doing the same for Jordans. Since starting this Top 3 thing, out of all the years he’s released an album, I gave him Album of the Year, every year except 2008, (2005, 2007, 2010) and that’s cause it wasn’t a traditional Kanye album as we all know. Not just cause he deserved them for those great albums, but cause I favored him a little bit more, too. Do WTT truly deserve it? Maybe, maybe not, but I think I’m putting it up there cause of my Kanye bias. Similar to basketball, I love the Lakers, die-hard fan, but even I know they’re not the best team and most likely won’t win the title this year. So to choose between WTT and one of the others, it’s like using Twitter for us iPhone users: Twitter for iPhone is the class (WTT) Twitter app and the others either learn from its success or try to take it down. It has so many cool features looks great, but yet Echofone (The rest of the top tier albums) has everything the typical user needs, more rugged, gets things done, straight to the point, has little flaws Twitter for iPhone don’t have, but overall is great too.
So.. as for my rankings…. well after all, it is my list… Ahhh:
- Watch The Throne – Jay-Z & Kanye West
- Take Care – Drake
- The Dreamer, The Believer – Common
- Undun – The Roots
- Charity Starts At Home – Phonte
- Cole World: The Sideline Story – J. Cole
- Finally Famous – Big Sean
- All 6′s And 7′s – Tech N9ne
- 1977 – Terius Nash (The-Dream)
- Cats & Dogs – Evidence
- No York! – Blu
- Camp – Childish Gambino
- The Wonder Years – 9th Wonder
- Ambition – Wale
- Love & Rockets Vol.1 – Murs
