danthrax, the first wop to escape the matrix.

1. Tyler the Creator - Yonkers

2. Frank Ocean - Novacane

3. Mr. Mothafuckin eXquire - The Last Huzzah

4. Beastie Boys - Make Some Noise

5. The Weeknd - The Knowing

6. Das Racist - Michael Jackson

7. SBTRKT - Wildfire

8. Nas - Nasty

9. Radiohead - Lotus Flower

10. Random Axe - Random Call

1. Frank Ocean - Novacane

2. Kanye West and Jay-Z - Paris

3. The Weeknd - The Knowing

4. Big K.R.I.T. - American Rapstar

5. Danny Brown - Scrap or Die

6. Shabazz Palaces - Are You… Can You… Were You

7. SBTRKT - Wildfire

8. Nas - Nasty

9. Adele - Rolling in the Deep

10. James Blake - The Wilhelm Scream

11. Tyler the Creator - Yonkers

12. Kendrick Lamar - Rigamortus

13. Lil Wayne - 6 foot 7

14. A$AP Rocky - Peso

15. College featuring Electric Youth - A Real Hero

16. Mr. Mothafuckin Exquire - The Last Huzzah

17. Common - Ghetto Dreams

18. Drake - Headlines

19. Das Racist - Shut Up, Man

20. Ghostpoet - Us Against Whatever Ever

I’m excited to take a break from touring and writing to blog again, if only long enough to cover 2011’s best music. This year was a turning point as far as I’m concerned. It’s hard to pick a top ten. So I expect a lot of “what?! you left off that?!”, and you can expect a lot of “yeah, that was #11 or #12”. 

1. Shabazz Palaces - Black Up

If you said this year’s best album would come from the MC from Digable Planets… I’d say you’re living in the past. But in a year with tons of buzz for new artists, this album sounds even more futuristic than the new generation. Pulling together jazz, kalimbas, spacey stanzas, and glitchy drums/bass… “Black Up” is a full experience that boldly goes where no rap album has gone before. Just listen.

2. The Weeknd - House of Balloons

Across all genres, 2011 saw a lot of artists become more introspective, emotional, and dark. In that vein, The Weeknd stands out as the best. House of Balloons flips modern pop-R&B with shoegazing gloom, and finds an new type of soulfulness that artists are already trying to duplicate. …And no one has been able to match this album thus far.

3. SBTRKT - SBTRKT

SBTRKT hid behind a mask because he wanted his tracks to speak for themselves. The result is an album that can rock a dancefloor and still sound like nothing else on your headphones. It’s like a bunch of mediocre beatmakers decided to turn dubstep into a formula, so this kid went ahead and jumped to the next level. Innovation never sleeps.

4. Frank Ocean - nostalgia, Ultra.

When Odd Future began grabbing headlines, this underhyped debut became an unlikely radio crossover. It sounded humble. Stripped. Honest. Natural. … I guess the audience was starved for authenticity, because they just found their champion in Frank Ocean. He’s risen up fast. I’m just interested to see what he does next.

5. Jay-Z and Kanye West - Watch the Throne

These two obviously motivate each other. Working as a team, Kanye became more focused than he’s been in a while, while Jay became more progressive. There’s rumors that this one-time project might become a thing. Considering this album features some of this year’s best production and illest flows… who can blame fans for wanting a follow-up?

6. Danny Brown - XXX

When I first heard Danny Brown on the track “Black and Brown”, I wanted to see what he could do on a whole album. And Mr. Brown didn’t disappoint… He shocked. That’s a big complement when a lot of rappers are now trying to do the “shock rap” thing. All the way down to the beat selection, this album slays all the competition in rap’s leftfield.

7. James Blake - James Blake

This album was a real surprise. The downtempo and lo-fi beats are refreshing on their own. Next add some bent-up vocal samples… and finally the gravy on top, the soulful vocals belong to Blake himself. It’s a hell of a debut that showcases this man’s talents as a producer, a singer, and both at the same time.

8. Big K.R.I.T. - Return of 4eva

Big K.R.I.T’s production is his own. It’s a breath of fresh air to hear southern hiphop go back to its natural soulful roots. But where KRIT really shines is as a lyricist. There aren’t a lot of rappers who can write anthems about cars and still offer insights about the industry, the government, and himself. This dude might be my favorite new MC.

9. Kendrick Lamar - Section.80

Kendrick Lamar’s ambition is to fill those big shoes on the west coast. There’s a lot of rappers trying to be ‘Pac… but Lamar stands out cuz he strives for his intelligence, instead of his image. That’s why Lamar is able to jump between crime and politics, from being a playboy to being a protector. Section.80 is easily one of the most versatile rap records of the year.

10. Ghostpoet - Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam

A few years ago, Kanye pioneered the whole “sad self-reflection rap” thing. But what makes this album different from the imitators is that Ghostpoet probably owes less to 808s and Heartbreaks than he does to trip hop and spoken-word. That’s probably why his audience isn’t your typical hip hop aficionado. But regardless, these flows and beats are some of the most interesting I’ve heard all year.

The album release date is TODAY.

http://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/neon-black/id447066920

thanks for all your support…

It’s been a great year for music so far. Can you believe it’s half over? If you been reading me or following me on twitter then you already know about these. If not… take some time to check em out. (Many are free mixtapes.)

Here are some of my picks, in no particular order… What are your favorites?

• Big K.R.I.T. - “Return of 4Eva”

Choice cut: American Rapstar

• Random Axe - “Random Axe”

Choice cut: Black Ops

• Frank Ocean - “Nostalgia, Ultra”

Choice cut: Novacane

• Skyzoo - “The Great Debater”

Choice cut: Inheritance

• The Weeknd - “House of Balloons”

Choice cut: The Knowing

Honorable Mentions: Adele, Fucked Up, Bad Meets Evil, Pusha T