With the end of Best of 2011 week upon us, it’s time to start getting into the good shit. Each one of these beats held something special for me this year, whether they highlighted a completely different side of a rapper we all thought we knew, whether they knocked particularly hard, whether they put on a brand-new producer that the world hadn’t heard before or whether they just proved that some beat-makers really never lose it. Though 2011 was dominated by knockoff Lex Luger beats, these 10 tracks all shined heavy.
I just want y’all to understand that this list is completely separate than Mr. Rager’s Top 10 Side Mirror Rattling Tracks of 2011. These aren’t beats that will necessarily blow out ya bass, but in some way or another, they fit one of the aforementioned criteria.
Without further ado, the Best Beats of 2011:
10. The Invitation – Saigon (Produced by Just Blaze)
No better way to start your list off, than with some booming bass from Justin Smith aka Just Blaze. 2011 finally saw Saigon releasing Greatest Story Never Told, a project that had been sitting on the shelf (tied up in industry BS) since 2007. This beat is nothing but fire, with Fatman Scoop and Q-Tip on hypeman duties, Just produced the entire album (which I absolutely loved), so it was hard picking out just one track. But the hard-hitting bass line and the gospel feel make this one of my favorites of the year. Just Blaze on the beat, and you don’t stop
09. Self Made – Wale, Meek Mill, Pill, Rick Ross (Produced by Just Blaze)
The horns, the bass, and those mothafucking drums… You can recognize a Just Blaze beat from a mile away but that doesn’t make it any less dope. Easily one of my favorite tracks on one of the years hottest MMG releases, Rosay and his cronies do more than just keep up with the beat.Firestarter, put me anywhere and I Just Blaze
08. Not Enough Words – Action Bronson (produced by DJ Statik Selektah)
Though you may not recognize Statik Selektah’s name, he’s been behind the boards working with some of Rap’s greatest, including Bun B, Freeway, Saigon and more. Statik linked up with my favorite new artist/ chef of last year, Action Bronson, producing the entirety of his Well Done album. If you fuck with real lyrical NY rap, get this album immediately. My skill set is very serious in fact, spit a wild rap, carve a steak right off the cows back
07. Peso – A$AP Rocky (Produced by A$AP Ty Beats)
One of the few tracks on LiveLoveA$AP not produced by Clams Casino, Rocky decides to keep in the A$AP family with one of his biggest hits. As always, the production on this A$AP track stays extra drugged out and light, and for some reason reminds of Tracy Morgan’s Angel-Dust dance.Couple ABC’s, bad bitch double D’s, poppin E, I don’t give an F, told you I’m a G
06. Ghetto Dreams – Common ft. Nas (Produced by No I.D.)
Who doesn’t want a bitch who look good and cook good? Dion (aka No I.D.) brings it back to the 90’s boom-bap era, with this fonky-fresh beat. A throwback type track featuring three of Hip Hop’s legends, this track is nothing short of great. Whether fuckin or fightin, we gettin it on
05. No Church in the Wild – Jay-Z and Kanye West (Produced by 88 keys and Kanye West)
The first track off of the most talked-about album of 2011. Ominous, dark, foreboding, chilly, this track just gives you a feeling that something epic is about to go down. Aided by Odd Future’s Frank Ocean and his smooth, yet offbeat crooning, this is hands down one of the best tracks on Watch The Throne. Sunglasses and Advil…Last night was mad real
04. Lord Knows – Drake ft. Rick Ross (Produced by Just Blaze)
Aight, I’ll admit this list is heavy on the Just Blaze, but the man made some great fucking music this year! Once again, the producer who was behind the boards during Roc-a-fella’s epic dynasty, proves that he still has what it takes to be a top producer a decade later. Even Drizzy’s lines about going through chick’s purses (really Drake?), can’t ruin this absolutely epic track, easily the best cut on Take Care. Rumor has it, Just even got an entire choir in the studio to sing the hook live. And needless to say, Ross gets extra grimy on this one. Villa on the water with wonderful views, only fat nigga in a sauna with Jews
03. Ricky – The Game (Produced by DJ Khalil)
DJ Khalil’s discography speaks volumes. From Dr. Dre’s “Kush”, to Eminem’s “Won’t back down” to the Clipse’s “Kind of like a big deal” to T.I.’s “This is Detox”, Khalil is easily becoming one of the go-to producers in the game (no pun intended). Ricky, a beat that allegedly took 6 months to make, is The Game’s take on John Singleton’s ghetto classic, “Boyz n the Hood”. Just like the movie, the depth of this track hits you hard. Khalil’s soulful beat goes exceedingly well with Game’s natural ghetto-storytelling abilities, creating one of the highlights of not only the R.E.D. album, but Game’s entire catalog. Too many niggas locked in, dig up Cochran and defend all my niggas with they faces under stockings, rather face God then 25 with no options
02. Gotta Have It – Jay-Z and Kanye West (Produced by the Neptunes)
I’m not sure people really understand how soulful Watch The Throne really is. Perfect example: Pharrell chops up a sample from James Brown’s 1974 hit “My Thang”, adds some Middle-Eastern flute melodies, and comes out with a certified club banger. Man I love this Hip-Hop shit. Though the HitBoy-produced“Niggas in Paris” might be the most memorable track of 2011, this beat allowed HovYe’ to float all over this fun Neptunes track. I can only hope this represents a return to form for Pharrell and Chad. Wassup wassup wassup wassup Wassup mothafucka where my money at?
01. G-Side – Pictures / A$AP Rocky – Demons (Produced by Clams Casino)
Clams Casino might be one of the greatest things to happen to rap in a while. Along with producers like Burn One, Block Beattaz, Squadda B and others, Clams Casino has brought “Cloud Rap” to the forefront of the rap game. These light, ethereal beats are definitely geared towards stoners, but employ female vocals from singers like Adele and Imogene Heap. This seamless mix of pop vocals and hazy beats creates tracks that literally sound like drugs. In fact, these almost sound like an evolution of the patented DJ Screw “chopped and screwed” sounds.
This beat introduced me and a whole lot of other NY/East Coast based bloggers/writers/critic, to a genre of rap I never even knew existed. This beat (entitled Numb) got me into what ultimately became two of my favorite releases of the year, G-Side’s “The ONE…Cohesive” and A$AP Rocky’s “LiveLoveA$AP”. Really want to enjoy this beat? Chop some, roll one, light one, sit the fuck back and get Numb.
TeeFizz
