The 25 Best Albums of 2011 (So Far)
By Insanul Ahmed, Andre Grant, Julian Pereira, Mark Iraheta | Jun 20, 2011 | 1:08 pm | Permalink
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So here we are, almost six months into 2011. The weather’s getting warm, the days are getting longer, and most of us are spending a lot more time indoors than we thought we would be when we signed up for those spring beach body workouts (you know you did). In the summer months we all need a little something extra to get us through cubicle confinement, not to mention those dreadful commutes in which your skin becomes practically bound to the seat upholstery.
The solution? As always, it’s good music. We’re not talking about the stop-and-play of surfing YouTube or your favorite blogs. We’re talking long players that you can bump from start to finish. That’s why after taking into consideration every album, mixtape, and EP that has dropped since the year began, we’ve carefully chosen The 25 Best Albums Of 2011 (So Far). Whether you’re a fan of the indie scene or like to vibe out to the mainstream stuff, we’ve got you covered.
Written by Insanul Ahmed (@Incilin), Julian Pereira (@Broadway_Jay), Andre Grant (@drejones), and Mark Iraheta (@thekidLEGEND).
The solution? As always, it’s good music. We’re not talking about the stop-and-play of surfing YouTube or your favorite blogs. We’re talking long players that you can bump from start to finish. That’s why after taking into consideration every album, mixtape, and EP that has dropped since the year began, we’ve carefully chosen The 25 Best Albums Of 2011 (So Far). Whether you’re a fan of the indie scene or like to vibe out to the mainstream stuff, we’ve got you covered.
Written by Insanul Ahmed (@Incilin), Julian Pereira (@Broadway_Jay), Andre Grant (@drejones), and Mark Iraheta (@thekidLEGEND).
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Cameron Harrison June 20th, 2011 at 01:41 PM
This is in no specific order, right? ....it doesn't feel like it.
TE June 20th, 2011 at 01:52 PM
Lasers was a massive dissapointment.
Izzy Hilton June 20th, 2011 at 01:54 PM
Really, it's sad to see that Lupe's worse album is his best selling :(
Roy L. Owens III June 24th, 2011 at 07:29 PM
Agreed. A major disappointment!!! and all of his new fanbase will stand toe to toe with those that can appreciate his earlier work and claim that it's better than the rest. he sold out. A HORRIBLE FOLLOW-UP TO "DUMB IT DOWN" (THE COOL)!!! He sold out. Lupe, once my fav, has dropped in my standings. he has one more album to prove his worth to me, and then i'm done with him. i'm not buying inot that corporate cornering he's chopping it up to be... he wanted to bridge, and sold his sold his soul/craft for the chance. damn shame! now he's tryna be Kanye controversial just to get spotlight. bad way to lead, bro. bad way to lead.
coz June 25th, 2011 at 01:16 AM
you cant say lupes last album was shitty. it was more mainstream and yeah he may have somewhat sold out, but his wordplay and lyrics are still genious and intelligent as ever. you may not agree with the path he took but he continued to show how hes a great wordsmith.
Tre September 6th, 2011 at 01:21 PM
He was actually forced too release alot of the album only 2 or 3 tracks were really his..and he was pretty upset about it him self but the EXECTS took over he has no say
Paul November 26th, 2011 at 09:05 AM
I LOVED THE COOL!!! But lasers i never ever see my self playing any song off of it on my ipod. Maybe he is a one hit wonder?
Alex December 11th, 2011 at 01:50 PM
Nah food & liquor was fantastic
Dante June 20th, 2011 at 02:07 PM
Destroyer - Kaputt >>> every one of these albums
what! June 20th, 2011 at 02:21 PM
how is tech n9ne's album not in top 10. but this stupid wiz khalifa and maybech shit is in top 10. those albums were awful
Tyler June 20th, 2011 at 07:28 PM
You're fucking crazy dude. Wiz Khalifa is the best thing to happen to the rap game in the last decade. Get real.
coleworld June 21st, 2011 at 12:15 AM
when wiz started he was average but now he straight sucks
beanski June 21st, 2011 at 12:03 PM
theres really no way you can say rolling papers is ne where close to kush and oj oh yeah lasers was terrible too fuckin emo rap(not lupes fault still fire)
whatsgood June 26th, 2011 at 04:55 PM
WHat??Wiz can suck my dick this nigga is radio rapper...all his shit sucks aint got nothing to do with real rap or hip hop wtf u on boy?he only talks about weed cars and money, thats what 99% of pple hating on..lol i bet u listenin to soulja too..
Realet July 14th, 2011 at 12:45 AM
haha. Im not a Wiz hater. Im a big fan. But dog, come on...
STOP IT July 30th, 2011 at 09:55 PM
stop it Wiz aint all that good fuckboy
Ali G November 8th, 2011 at 11:39 AM
Whiz is shite mate
Rocio June 20th, 2011 at 02:30 PM
No "Smoother" from Wild Beasts?
space cadet August 15th, 2011 at 05:52 AM
Smother is TOO GOOD!
hipsters June 20th, 2011 at 02:53 PM
Hmm lets see, hipster crooner The Weekend #1, Eminem at his most embarrassing #2, Frank ocean instead of Tyler, the Creator #3, and the worst piece of shit sellout album of the year, yes even above Lupe Fiasco's Lasers at #4. Yep, this is a hipster publication alright. And you are a joke if you even have Lasers on the list at all. He didn't even want to release it.
Moses June 20th, 2011 at 05:00 PM
THANK YOU!
Skyler June 20th, 2011 at 03:08 PM
this list is A JOKE. really, Rolling Papers at number 4? really? that album SUCKED. listen to hopes & dreams and tell me you don't want to kill yourself after. garbage, 3/4 of the album had already been released anyways. GARBAGE. Tech nine, really? not even gonna bother to spell his name in his ridiculous fashion. Tech Nine... ROFL. AND SELF MADE? REALLY, SELF MADE? tahahahahahahah, yeah, that album was gold. GOOD CALL. AND THEY PUT LASERS AT 21ST, REALLY? ONE OF THE BEST HIP HOP ALBUMS OF ALLLLLLL TIMMEEEE AT 21ST? wow. Real hip-hop such as lasers gets no appreciation while Wiz's garbage pop singing soft sellout weed obsessed ass gets 4th. Bad Meets Evil is about the only spot they got right as far as Hip-Hop. complex magazine must not have ever heard the following... "Elmatic" by Elzhi. "Zero Heroes" by XV. "The Drive-In" by The Dean's List. And if they're going with anticipated albums like Finally Famous, then where's Watch the Throne, Tha Carter 4, Take Care, and J. Coles upcoming album? list=joke
TECHFAN June 20th, 2011 at 03:27 PM
YOU ARE THE JOKE DUDE...YOU OBVIOUSLY HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO CLUE WHATS GOOD AND NOT..WHATS REAL MUSIC..AND WHATS NOT...HOW OLD ARE YOU 20? GROW THE FUCK UP.
ahl June 20th, 2011 at 03:32 PM
the deans list? real hip hop? comical. I actually thought maybach self made was on point. Pill and Wale killed it and thats undeniable
David Germélus June 20th, 2011 at 03:59 PM
Man, laser is far from one of the best hip hop album of all times. Lupe went mainstream with pop beats, thats far from his real style. The Cool was dope, but not laser. I agree wqith the #1 position. The Weekndd is putting Canada on the map, just like drake
yup June 20th, 2011 at 05:14 PM
you are stupid, and gay.
JC June 20th, 2011 at 05:27 PM
I can understand your frustration with rolling papers being placed at #4, but for you to even consider insulting tech n9ne and not thinking he should be #11 is ridiculous. All 6's and 7's was one of the best albums I've ever heard, and I don't like rap very much. It's obvious complex doesn't know much music outside of hip-hop, although I guess it was nice to see Travis Barker on there... Regardless, Lupe's Lasers was AWFUL and Nina kills every album he makes, don't dare coming back to this website and insulting Tech N9ne ever again.
IHateIgnoramuses June 20th, 2011 at 05:29 PM
You're really dumb.
Antoine June 20th, 2011 at 07:19 PM
You are so dumb, you are really dumb, for real.
Lucky13 June 22nd, 2011 at 04:10 PM
You're comment started out making sense, then it descended into pure fucktardedness. All 6s and 7s is not Tech N9NE's best album, but it still is a very impressive piece of work, and as far as lyricism and true passion goes, Tech is unmatched by any other rapper out there. I agree that Lasers should have been higher than 21, but it is in no way the greatest album of all time. Its about half good and half sellout crap. Listen to the Cool instead, its a much more consistently good album.
AJ October 2nd, 2011 at 12:32 AM
"Tech is unmatched by any other rapper out there." Uh how about no. Royce is top notch. Some of the guys in the neighborhood tried to turn me on to Tech. I'm not impressed. But we all bump Royce. King of Detroit!
Ldub October 7th, 2011 at 06:12 PM
i agree, royce is deff on a level higher than tech...eminem will forever be eminem, even tho he isnt as good as he used to be, he was way better on BME than recovery...but royce, he's just got the flames comin right now...tech nine is good, but his style i cant dig, its different...lyrically he cant fuck with royce tho!
SuckIT January 11th, 2012 at 09:30 PM
While 6s and 7s was great, it wasnt quite his best... In both lyricism and poetic progression tech n9ne is head and shoulders above the rest. I know those are big words, look em up if you're stumped. If you actually listened to his music and didnt just hate on real shit you would know it. Beyond that, watch the throne belonged here big time, possibly higher than 6s and 7s. Tha carter IV should be here as well. And jay sean could have been higher.
Will Ward June 20th, 2011 at 03:09 PM
Wheres MOOD MUZIK 4.5 ?!?!?!?!
bigghouse June 20th, 2011 at 03:11 PM
A few good uns on the list. Most of the top 10 is WHACK tho. Wiz at 4? Goddaam that album is FULL BLOWN FUCKING GAY
funnyman June 20th, 2011 at 03:17 PM
Rolling papers at 4? lolololol