
I should preface this list with a warning: I hate these things. End of year lists can sometimes bring out the worst in us as music lovers, with comparisons, rigidity, judgement and hollow merits. That said, I've compiled a list of my top five favorite things about hip hop in 2011 very much tailored around what I privilege and prefer in my rap music. I don't have the time or will to engross myself in all the different types of rap music that are created in a given year. I like my rap to be somewhat [...]

The album is quietly winding down, but that doesn't mean 2011 doesn't have a few surprises left in it. For example, Blu & Exile just quietly dropped a full length album that they recorded back in 2009 titled Give Me My Flowers While I Can Smell Them . Sure it is unmixed and unmastered, but I don't know about you but this is the type of hip hop album that to me, reaches out with both hands firmly grabbing ahold of a man's heart. I could get used to these pleasant end of the year surprises like this. [...]