HONORABLE MENTION
Random Axe - Random Axe
Key Tracks: Random Call, Another One
It’s a promising debut from the hip-hop trio, but not quite good enough to be among the top 10 albums of 2011. Rappers Sean Price & Guilty Simpson do little to distinguish themselves as anything other than average, though Black Milk’s skilled production is worth a closer listen. His choice of warm, analog drum sounds forms a welcome foundation.
Travis Barker - Give The Drummer Some
Key Tracks:
Can A Drummer Get Some, Beat Goes On
For his debut solo album, producer and former Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker recruited a diverse and respectable bullpen of collaborators ranging from Raekwon to Lupe Fiasco to Busta Rhymes. For the most part, he succeeds in meeting two considerable challenges: 1) creating a good rap/rock record without insulting either genre, 2) building appropriate soundscapes to accommodate the different rappers’ individual styles.
TOP 10 HIP-HOP ALBUMS OF 2011
10. Wugazi - 13 Chambers
…
Random Axe - Random Axe
Key Tracks: Random Call, Another One
It’s a promising debut from the hip-hop trio, but not quite good enough to be among the top 10 albums of 2011. Rappers Sean Price & Guilty Simpson do little to distinguish themselves as anything other than average, though Black Milk’s skilled production is worth a closer listen. His choice of warm, analog drum sounds forms a welcome foundation.
Travis Barker - Give The Drummer Some
Key Tracks:
Can A Drummer Get Some, Beat Goes OnFor his debut solo album, producer and former Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker recruited a diverse and respectable bullpen of collaborators ranging from Raekwon to Lupe Fiasco to Busta Rhymes. For the most part, he succeeds in meeting two considerable challenges: 1) creating a good rap/rock record without insulting either genre, 2) building appropriate soundscapes to accommodate the different rappers’ individual styles.
TOP 10 HIP-HOP ALBUMS OF 2011
10. Wugazi - 13 Chambers
…
