For the first time in about two, maybe three years, I’m truly excited about hip-hop in 2011. The culture is shifting again, we’re seeing more and more lyricist emerge from the new school and these artists are making it fun to listen to the music again. Everyone is coming with something different and it’s beginning to get easier to differentiate between artists and their styles. Here are just a few of the specific reasons why I’m loving where the music is heading in 2011.
Eminem:
He’s back and in full force. Recovery was a superb album and with his recent signing of Slaughterhouse, onslaught of collaborations and Detox on the way, it’s easy to say Shady will be having a very impressive 2011.
Lupe Fiasco:
A lot of people around me are still hating on LASERS and whether it will be released but I’m confident. I can’t wait to hear the new album and see what else Lupe has in store for the fans.
G.O.O.D. Music
2009-2010 was Young Money, or really it was Lil Wayne, Drake and Nicki Minaj. 2011 is all about the G.O.O.D. Music family. Cudi was first out the gate with his new album, Kanye is next followed by Pusha T’s mixtape, Big Sean’s debut (which has hopefully picked up steam because of his stand out appearances on the GOOD Fridays’ tracks). Lets not forget, newcomer Cyhi, and hip-hop rhyme-gods, Common and Mos Def. It’s going to be a G.O.O.D. year for new Music.
It’s a Wonderful World Music Group
9th Wonder’s camp is set to blow in 2011 and with a carefully planned set of mini-documentaries, and a recent onslaught of EPs, videos, singles and mixtapes, 9th has set his students up for a nice introduction to the world. More specifically, veteran Skyzoo, NC Newcomers, Thee Tom Hardy, Rapsody, Actual Proof, Halo; songbird, Heather Victoria and a slew of others are being primed to take over the game.
ROC Nation
J. Cole & Jay Electronica…Need I say more. I’ve been following both of their careers for over a year and with two of the best newcomers being mentored by one of the best to ever do it…all I can say is how ironic is it that Jay Z picked up two dope emcees with J and Jay as their names.
Well, those are a few reasons why I’m excited for hip-hop in 2011.
