2011 Rap Album recap

 So 2011 was 10 years ago. I thought it would be fun to go through my top 10 rap albums of that year and give new perspective on them. I'll give what I said about the album 10 years ago as well as new commentary. I had alot of these albums ranked numerically about the same at the time.

10) Drake- Take Care

What I Said Then- Coming back 1 year after last year’s Thank Me Later, this album isn’t quite as good, but it’s more cohesive than his debut. Drake also seems more comfortable this time around. I really liked about every song, especially Headlines and Take Care. Either you like this because of the singing, or you’ll hate it. Drizzy rounds my top 10.

What I think Now- Well to be honest I still don't really love this album more than Thank Me Later...but I have to admit its a better album. There's just not many skips on it all. It probably should of been ranked a little higher than 10th. Drake was in his lane on this album. Songs like "Headlines" and "Take Care" are excellent. The production is also pretty damn good too. Honestly it was great to see Drizzy escape the sophomore slump on this one.

9) Kendrick Lamar-Section 80

Then-endrick’s album is very dope, and is certainly a good debut album. He raps about a lot of different topics like the late great Tupac would. The album has a lot of good songs on it. I can’t wait to hear more from this talented West Coast mc.

Now-Back then I had no idea that Kendrick's best material was ahead of him. But yeah Section 80 is a really interesting listen. K dot tells stories with relative ease. This is a pretty solid album but pales in comparison to Good Kid Maad City or To Pimp a Butterfly.

8) J. Cole-Cole World: The Sideline Story

Then- Arguably the hardest album to review. It’s constructed in a unique way, and I had to listen to it a few times to really let it soak in. Cole’s lyrics are on point, yet his subject matter is kind of stale on some songs, while on others he paints a picture perfectly. I also feel he should have used more guest spots. Other than that great album.

Now- This album actually really grew on me since 2011. Unlike Kendrick I wasn't so sure J. Cole would have  long run in rap but I was definitely wrong about that. The album has a little bit of everything. Good cohesive production, storytelling, and good rhymes from Cole. I do still think he could have used another guest spot or two but hey this album is a W. 

7) Raekwon- Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang

Then-Raekwon is a new favorite rapper of mine (since 09). This album is raw, and showcases storytelling. There’s some well used guest spots and lots of depth. Some that stand out are Nas and Black Thought, and Busta Rhymes.

Now-I didn't have a lot to say about this album back then. Raekwon is a really dope MC and this album was just more fire after his 2009 outing. The guest spots are well used and these songs showcase a really sharp flow of the Chef. Overall tho this one might fall back a few spots but this is a great album.

6) The Roots- Undun

Then-A terrific album that is just a tad bit short. The concept album has some very nice tracks on it though. This makes up for the John Legend collabo album they released in 2010. This album is very soulful, which I’ve come to expect from the Roots.

Now- I gotta admit I haven't listened to this album that much in recent years. However this is, like I said, a terrific album. It may even be a bit too low here. I really enjoy the way Black Thought paints pictures with his rhymes. 

5) Tech N9ne- All 6s and 7s

Then-I had never heard a Tech album before but this album is really good. Tech has a lot of guests on the album, and the spots are well used. Tech’s flow is really good, my only real complaint about the album is that it’s a bit too long.

Now-Well like one could assume, this album made me a Tech fan....although I haven't really been checking for him much in recent years. This album is just straight fire tho. Tech spits really well too. There's good features too like B.o.B., Lil Wayne, and Kendrick Lamar. Overall I think this could be bumped up a spot.

4) Young Jeezy-TM103

Then-This is one album that I thought would be a little bit better, but as you can see from its spot, it’s a dope album. Every song is good, but some really stand out. Jeezy flows just as well as he did on Recession which is good, but the beats on this album aren’t quite as good as those were.

Now-This is a solid album from Jeezy but I feel like it hasn't stood the test of time like some of his other albums have. It's got some solid hits on it tho like "Leave You Alone" and "I Do". The production is good but could have used a little more variation. This one would likely be a couple spots back if I redid this list.

3) Jay-Z and Kanye West-Watch the Throne

Then-Perhaps the most anticipated album of the year. The album is varied, and has good songs throughout. I didn’t really feel some of the rhymes were all that, but this a really good album make no mistake about it. My favorite songs are Who Gon Stop Me and N****s in Paris

Now- This album I remember I rated it maybe a little low at the time. The rhymes and production aren't top tier but the songs are still really catchy. Jay and Kanye have great chemistry. I really don't get why alot of Kanye fans don't hold this album in high esteem. It's one of my personal favorite albums. Despite  this I dont think I would rank it above the top 2 spots.

2) Common-The Dreamer, The Believer

Then-Coming at the end of the year is tough, especially for this awesome album. Common disappointed me in 2008 with Universal Mind Control. However this album makes up for it. It’s filled with bangers, despite having a short guest list.

Now- Wow now I actually had this album tied for the top spot...and for good reason. Common's Rhymes are sharp as hell. The beats are really fresh too. The few guest spots are well used too. This album more than made up for his 2008 outing which I mentioned. Common would continue to release great albums after this too.

1) The Game-The R.E.D. Album 

Then-

I had to wait about 3 years for Game’s Red Album, but it was worth the wait. Lots of lyrical consistency, and interesting and varied songs barely put this album above the #2 album. The album is just filled front to back with bangers like Red Nation, Speakers On Blast, Paremedics, Born in the Trap, The City….My only complaint with the album is the length of the last song…the beats could have been a little better, but those are minor complaints.


Now-I really like this album but I can kind of see why some fans don't hold it in such high esteem like I do. However its a great album lyrically and there's lots great songs. What I didnt know is that The Game would only make signicantly better albums just a few years later. I really feel he's one of rap's most elite rappers. I wouldn't put this any lower on the list even though its not really better than #2.