WQHS-The Blog — The Best and (Unfortunately) Worst Rap Albums of 2011

The Best and (Unfortunately) Worst Rap Albums of 2011

Wiz Khalifa, Lupe Fiasco, J.Cole , Lil Wayne, Jay-Z & Kanye West, Drake, Big Sean, Wale, The Weeknd

In 2011, rap music evolved and went to new heights and also some incredible lows. This was the year of the mixtape come-up, as many underground artists released official studio albums. While many already mainstream artists disappointed, some represented well and maintained their place in the genre.

Starting in early spring, Wiz Khalifa released Rolling Papers, which was a success primarily because of his Billboard topping “Black and Yellow” and the popular track “Roll Up.” The album was pretty solid, and even though I found his mixtapes, especially Kush and Orange Juice, to be better, I still have faith that the new Snoop Dogg of our generation shows promise. In the same spring season, Lupe Fiasco released his third studio album, Lasers. I hated it, and so did Lupe according to Complex magazine. This record was too commercialized for a non-Hollywood artist. Although “The Show Goes On” remains his most successful single to date, that does not replace the “Kick, Push” days his loyal friends miss. Comeback Lupe, seriously.

The summer had its batch of uproar as well. Big Sean finally released Finally Famous…but that was the problem: he already did, or the same title at least. Personally, Finally Famous was neither bad nor good- it was indifferent. It did not move me, it was just there. The singles on the album, “Dance” and “Marvin Gaye & Chardonnay” make great club bangers, but that is it. It was a party record, not much depth compared to his early Kanye-esque days.

And then in August came the absolute best and worst of 2011. In the early half, Jay-Z and Kanye West released the best rap album of the year and perhaps one of the best rap album collaborations of all time. Watch the Throne was brilliance. Some argue that it was too flashy and cocky (blame “Otis” and “Who Gon Stop Me”) but that was the point. Whether you loved it or hated it, you felt some way about it, and you probably were a passionate fan or hater. Then in late August came that disappointment or tragedy known as Tha Carter IV. Lil Wayne was not there in this one, and the huge high (over 975,000 units in the first week) and drop of this album in sales and continuum shows. Who still talks about this album now? Exactly.

Fall had a more fair balance of interest and talent. J. Cole released The Sideline Story and it was phenomenal. For a debut studio release, J. Cole lived up to the hype and really brought the fire. I even dare to argue that the record was more impressive than Drake’s Thank Me Later. The record hit #1 on the Billboard charts without a chart topping single or widely mass promotion. If it was not for Cash Money, who knows if Drake’s album would have been as stellar. Speaking of not so great albums, Wale’s Ambition annoyed me. It was redundant and got played out faster than a Rebecca Black single. I still question Wale’s fan base, but I suppose he is just a local East Coast phenomenon…and most likely will stay that way. And then there was Drake. Take Care, the widely successful rap album wowed millions. I was not one of them. I found it very slow and overrated and lacked the balance of intensity and smoothness of his debut album. I feel as if it was a slow jam record that mirrored his old mixtape styles. Perhaps that was the point, and although I do compliment him on his level of depth and creative risk, I feel this gimmick should be re-evaluated.

As the winter arrives, it reminds me of who I felt was this year’s breakout rap artist. If you heard House of Balloons,there is no doubt that The Weeknd was the surprise hit act of 2011. Releasing three incredible mixtapes this year (House of Balloons, Thursday, and most recently Echoes of Silence) the entire trilogy collectively rivals the work of many of these mainstream studio artists. At just 21, Abel Tesfaye shows more than just promise, put potential to be one of the most artistic rap lyricists around. Shortly after its online debut, the highly anticipated Echoes of Silence mixtape downloading caused his fan site to crash, which shows how much the world is waiting for his studio release.

As for 2012 predictions…who will dominate? Hopefully not Nicki Minaj, but I feel it coming with this sophomore album. Perhaps, Tyler the Creator, or T.I. or the rumored releases of more Jay-Z and Kanye albums. But one things for sure, if Outkast actually comes out with their speculated comeback record…it is over, even for The Throne.

- Ernest Owens, Ernestly Speaking! (Saturdays from 8-10pm @ WQHS.org)