A year ago, very few people knew Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All. I knew them as those annoying kids chilling on Fairfax at the Supreme store. I cant blame them I was young and did the stupid thing they do; like Bambu says on "OLD MAN RAPS". Like Stacie Guillermo mentioned on her blog "I began the year being an ecstatic supporter of Odd Future (mainly due to Tyler & that Jimmy Fallon late night show performance); so when this album dropped I had to have it". I too began supporting them after watching their performance. The album did not disappoint and lived up to the hype. I still play it and see myself adding it to the classics in the future. Odd Future have a BIG BIG online presence and as you can tell a big stage presence as well! i think that's why i like them. i just hope they don't ruin their career online like Charles Hamilton.
i would love to hear a serious interview with Tyler on his music production.
Favorite Tracks: She, Her, Sandwitches, and Yonkers
#4. Frank Ocean-Nostalgia,Ultra
2011 marked the first time that R&B made a comeback since the late 90's/early 00's. Frank Ocean was like a breath of fresh air on the radio waves. i love how in "Novacane" he is able to describe passionately about his lack of passion. The lyrics and production is on point from song to song. In "Swim Good", you get a taste of what the whole album is about and also what R&B music is missing. Frank Ocean can be heard in "No Church in the Wild" off the Watch the Throne.
Favorite Tracks: Novacane, We All Try, American Wedding, and Nature Feel"
# 3. Charles Bradley – No Time for Dreaming
No Time For Dreaming opens up with "The World (Is Going Up In Flames)" and you automatically get a taste of what you're in for in this album. Just listen the emotions pouring into his songs and his delivery that well can evocative delivery of Otis Redding. Charles is 62 year-old and has walked a LONG path chasing his dream and lays a lot of this out for the listener in "Why Is It So Hard". In "Loving You Baby" you can feel the emotion that he has for his women and makes it clear that home is where the heart is. Major respect for Thomas Brenneck for working/discovering Charles's talent.
Favorite Songs: THE WHOLE ALBUM!
# 2. The Weeknd - House of Balloons/Thursday/Echos of Silence
I knew The Weeknd was going to be included in my list but couldn't decided which album; so ALL 3 albums released this year are my # 2 pick. The first release off the 3 is House of Balloons and boy what an album! from begining to end it is a banger/panty dropin' of an album. This is a perfect album to start or end your night with. Abel Tesfaye a.k.a. The Weeknd is a very talented signer/writer. This was the song that introduced me to his music, and still my favorite. He can be heard on Drake's Take Care album in the song "Crew Love". You’ll be hearing a lot from this guy in 2012. I have no doubt more than a few babies were made to his music in 2011. "High For This" can summarize their sound and you will understand my love for these 3 albums.
Favorite tracks: Wicked Games, D.D., Gone, High For This, and What You Need.
(Drum roll please)
AND MY PICK FOR ALBUM OF THE YEAR IS...
# 1. Jay-Z and Kanye West - Watch the Throne
I love this album as a DJ because any song you play; everyone will know the lyrics. This is a great album, but not a classic. This is our generation's Doggystyle. The beats are on point and it features two (3 if you count Kanye) of my favorite producers 88-keys (No Church in the Wild) and RZA (New Day. I feel like kanye could of done better on some tracks and that Jay-Z sounded like he was not in his comfort zone. However, this album made me a Jay-Z fan.
sorry but Amy Winehouse's album was good but didnt made it to my top 5.
SONGS OF THE YEAR:
M.E.D. - Blaxican
Pusha T ft. Tyler, The Creator - Trouble On My Mind
thank you for reading this!!!
While everyone is making New Years resolutions, I will make a promise to myself to be the same person at 12:01 that I was at 11:59. 2012 will be for me another 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days, 8,736 hours, 524,160 minutes, 31,449,600 seconds of growth and experience...also a second chance to eat right :D
- DJ MehOne
