If Dinah Washington’s classic What a Difference a Day Makes were remixed/updated to What a Difference a Year Makes, it would be my theme song.
2011 was a pivotal year in my life. Most of whatever I have thought, done, said and believed got turned inside out and upside down to the point that I still don’t know quite how to deal with the new reality before me. A lot of doors that were closed to me opened this year and literally the vice versa occurred as well. 2011 presented me with incredible highs as well as some lows but I have persevered and will continue to do so.
Unlike past years, I had slight difficulty in compiling this year’s lists. Many factors could have been at play. Like I stated before, my perceptions of things, as well as tolerance level, changed this year. Perhaps my quality control was higher and less would impress me. Maybe there truly was less this year to impress me. Regardless, I squeezed out some 2011 standouts and setbacks for the lists below.
Top Hip Hop Singles 2011
- Shad – Flawless
It seems Shad can’t fail and the title of the song is apropos.
- Jay Z & Kanye West – Otis
I admit to not knowing one lyric or line of Otis and I don’t intend to anytime soon. What I do know is that Otis’ beat is banging and anyone rhyming on it could get overshadowed by the raw, soulful Redding sample. The idea that it was necessary for juggernauts Jigga and West to team up is up for debate but I won’t argue about Otis’ finished product.
- Pusha T – Trouble on my Mind
If The Clipse didn’t do so much of what they’re known for, I might like them more than I do. Even though I’ve taken them in small doses over the years, I always acknowledged and respected the two rhyme rippers’ talents. Trouble on my Mind has me wanting more Pusha T solo music now.
- Evidence – You
Dilated Peoples emerged as somewhat last hopes for hip hop in the early 2000s for me.
I followed their individual careers to learn that Evidence was not only an MC but a producer as well. You, the Premier-produced track, is a standout on his Cats & Dogs full-length release.
- Beastie Boys – Make Some Noise
Speaking of music videos being nuts, this special guest-heavy video made me realize how iconic the Beastie Boys are.
- L.E.S. – Lion's Den feat. Loss One, SRH & DJ Crowd
Like D-Shade, Montreal hip hop needs a full-length L.E.S. release as soon as possible.
Best Albums 2011
- Charles Bradley – No Time For Dreaming
- Jill Scott – The Light of the Sun
I was relieved and surprised Jill Scott returned with a new album in 2011. My love for her and her talent has her any list I compile at any time of the year.
- Miguel Migs – Outside the Skyline
I always meant to study more Miguel Migs music. When I learned he was dropping a new album this year and it landed in my hands, I knew it was my time to finally get familiar. Outside the Skyline is a party waiting to happen.
- Flying Down Thunder & Rise Ashen – One Nation
Rise Ashen’s album with Ammoye was my introduction and I would later learn he has been producing quality electronic music for years. Although the Ammoye album was more dancehall to cater to her culture, Ashen is very versatile at making beats as this album proves.
- Introducing Slim Moore & The Mar-Kays
With the exception of The Souljazz Orchestra and a very few others, Canada is not necessarily known for present-day funk bands. When I learned that some SJO personnel were involved with this project, I was all the more convinced it was going to be good.
- Syleena Johnson – Chapter V: Underrated
I had been wondering what Syleena Johnson had been up to since her last album and found out she would have an album for 2011. Johnson is one of my favourite current R&B vocalists and just in time to find herself on this list.
- D-Shade – The Water Principle
I’ve been waiting years for Montreal’s unsung hip hop hero D-Shade to release a full-length album and he finally delivered.
- The Franco Proietti Morph-Tet – Like The Shore is to the Ocean
I promised the Bongo Beat Records head honcho that I would make good use of the latest Franco Proietti Morph-Tet album. I did not expect the bombastic blast which is Montreal. I’m always happy to hear Jonathan Emile but for him to be joined by D-Shade on the mic is a double dose of danger. That song makes me even more proud to be from Montreal.
- Toro Y Moi – Freaking Out EP
I’ve known the name Toro Y Moi for about 2 years but perceived his music as more alternative than I would be prepared to explore. The Onomatopoeia Show’s Cartoon Gal told me about him covering Cherrelle’s classic Saturday Love and I chucked those preconceived notions out the window. If an alternative artist knew and interpreted that track, then I was going to give it a go.
- Katy Perry – Teenage Dream
E.T. is one of my favourite songs of 2011 and of Katy Perry’s music to date. I’m a bit surprised to list her album but considering that almost a half-dozen singles from the album were supremely successful, it would be folly to omit her.
Top Singles 2011
- Duck Sauce – Barbra Streisand
Duck Sauce’s Anyway is a great track. Their Barbra Streisand is even better. It is one of the best dance tracks I’ve heard in years. It is perfection.
- Flo-Rida – Good Feeling
Every time I hear that song, I get a good feeling. Not too many songs can make one break out into dance at their desk. The Etta James sample is superb.
- Sarah Linhares – Step Up
This groovy tune finally found its way onto the accompanying Messages from the Future album this year.
- Austra – Lose It
After my first listen of this song and its remixes, I knew I was listening to an entry on my Best of 2011 list.
- Deep Street Soul – Masterpiece
Deep Street Soul once again replicates the raw, soulful sound of the 1970s. This time they do a brilliant cover of the classic Clarence Reid song.
- Sarah MK – Think Dat
I believe it was a newsletter from Jonathan Emile prior to the release of her debut that first made me aware of Sarah MK. The Limelight & I had the brilliant idea of requesting Sarah MK’s debut album be added to Concordia University's radio station’s rotation. The album has since found itself in the top 10 of the station’s charts and even my guest Perpall Jr. squeezed Think Dat into his first Suite Delight guest DJ set.
- Adele – Rolling in the Deep
Rolling in the Deep was unbelievably escapable and simply the song of the year. I would otherwise not have listed it but I admit the part of the song leading to the chorus, and even the chorus, could make me erupt in singing.
Top Moments 2011
- Prince – Metropolis
- Meeting Mark Ronson
- Ghostface Killah – Club Soda
- Finally DJing at Under Pressure 2011
- Shopping in New York during CMJ 2011
I love New York and even more shopping in the city. Be it records, CDs, DVDs or clothes, New York was good to me this year and I was good to its local economy that week.
- X-Men: First Class
X-Men: First Class is my movie of the year.
- Thor
- Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest
As much as I love ATCQ and enjoyed watching the documentary, I didn’t quite enjoy knowing why they broke up. I would have preferred that they stayed together and continue to produce hip hop’s greatest music. I was happy to have had the opportunity to learn why it happened and revisit their hip hop glory days.
Top Disappointments 2011
- R.I.P. Jack Layton
News of Jack Layton’s death was unfortunate. I was at work and the same co-worker that made me see his sickly press conference photos told me the sad news. I, like a great number of Canadians, wish he could have been with us to be our Prime Minister one day.
- R.I.P. Bad News Brown
- R.I.P. Amy Winehouse
- R.I.P. Heavy D
- R.I.P. Nate Dogg
I was saddened to hear Nate Dogg passed away this year and that no more will we hear him on hooks or choruses.- Montreal radio
- CMJ 2011
On many levels, CMJ 2010 was the best of my three years attending the festival. Therefore, this year’s CMJ had a lot to live up to and deliver for me. It did neither. The showcases were of artists I barely knew or heard of. As open as I am to music, the whole week’s choices of showcases were a real toss-up and I was forced to choose the best of the bunch each night. The one panel discussion I sat in on told me very little of what I didn’t already know or do. I did get some good shopping out of my time there though.
- Green Lantern
I was reluctant to see the movie from the moment I heard about it. I went against my instincts and lost nearly 2 hours and $20 in the process.- Horrible Bosses
Kevin Spacey is one of my favourite actors and Jason Bateman’s work on Arrested Development still makes me laugh now when I think about it. I was hoping I’d have some laughs during the movie but it was not to be.- Sucker Punch
Vanessa Hudgens is a cutie and the main reason I went to see Sucker Punch. The combined girl power, explosions and ass-kickings provided little entertainment.
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