As 2011 comes to a close, it’s only right that we take a look back at the hit or miss records of the past year. Rather than draw any more attention to the misses of 2011, AllHipHop.com has compiled the “hits” – check out the remaining 25 picks for AllHipHop.com’s “Top 50 Hottest Songs of 2011.”
25. Killer Mike – “Ready, Set, Go (Remix)” ft. T.I. & Big Boi
“I know these streets/ ‘Bout tired of this weak s###/ Your style been ran through/ Like a freak b*tch.” These are the first two lines of Killer Mike’s verse, letting the listener know that what you’re used to is not what you’re about to get. Dressed with verses from both Tip and Antwan, this song has all the Southern bounce of a club song, while still maintaining the lyrical integrity and thoughtfulness that these artists are known for.
24. Beastie Boys – “Don’t Play No Game That I Can’t Win” ft. Santigold
Accompanied by one of the most innovative music videos ever created, the Beastie Boys returned with both a new album and one of the catchiest songs of the summer, thanks to a little help from new-wave, dub singer, Santigold.
23. J. Cole – “Mr. Nice Watch” ft. Jay-Z
The most sought out track on Cole World simply because of the feature Cole was trying to land for months. The hard bass thumps and electro-tinged, stop-and-start, sounds made Cole’s braggadocio flow even more appealing. Add a Jay-Z verse to the mix, and it’s like clockwork.
22. Busta Rhymes – “Why Stop Now” ft. Chris Brown
With the first single from Busta’s Cash Money debut hitting the airwaves, we think it’s safe to say that Busta has not lost a step in his delivery, creating what could very easily be called “Look At Me Now Pt. 2.”
21. Yelawolf – “Hard White” ft. Lil Jon
Yelawolf and Lil Jon created the perfect strip club song, and we’re not afraid to admit it. While “Hard White” did not get a ton of radio-play, there’s no denying that it was a great introduction of Yela to those who didn’t know him, and more importantly, it showcased some of what Eminem saw in the Alabama rapper that prompted him to sign to Shady Records.
20. Rick Ross – “9 Piece” ft. Lil Wayne
Rick Ross was everywhere this year. Don’t believe us? Look at this list! Rozay was literally inescapable from our ears. Luckily, he’s one of the most consistent artists in the game right now, and the irrefutably catchy hook alone makes this one of the hottest songs of the year, backed by a booming Lex Luger beat.
19. Nas – “Nasty”
First, the heavy drum kicks provided by Salaam Remi kick you around, then Nas decides to jab punch-lines at you for about three minutes. The single had Nasir fans salivating at the thought of the potential rhymes that could be in store on his new album. As he puts it, “Any rebuttal to what I utter/ Get box-cutter.”
18. Lupe Fiasco – “All Black Everything”
One of the more inspirational songs of 2011, it was also a standout from Lupe’s Lasers album. Conscious, fantasy-filled lyrics over great production – looks like you’ve done did it again, Lupe.
17. Big K.R.I.T. – “Country S### (Remix)” ft. T.I. & Bun B
Originally found on K.R.I.T. Wuz Here, the banging beat was a favorite of the Mississippi artist’s fans. Load the song up with two additional all-star talents, and the Dirty South anthem was able to receive some mainstream play. It’s safe to say that 2011 was the year that ultimately put Big K.R.I.T. on the map.
16. Pusha T – “Trouble On My Mind” ft. Tyler, the Creator
Pusha T branched out on this track and linked up with Odd Future member Tyler, the Creator for a mighty track that never stops pounding. Pusha dedicated this to the “critics who doubted the chemistry.” Mission accomplished.
15. Lil Wayne – “6 Foot 7 Foot” ft. Cory Gunz
It should come as no surprise that this song was one of the biggest of the year with Weezy’s crazy flow over huge bass thumps. The verbal assault never stops on this one, as YMCMB member Cory Gunz closes out the record with his speedy, witty delivery.
14. Kendrick Lamar – “A.D.H.D.”
California’s golden boy, Kendrick Lamar, goes in over the spacious production on the Section.80 track. A good enough beat not just ride to, but also with lyrics meant to be dissected and memorized with each listen. (Although that may be hard to do if you really have A.D.H.D.)
13. Game – “Red Nation” ft. Lil Wayne
We all know about Game’s past and his gang affiliations, but here the Compton rapper takes a more introspective approach and uses “red” as a metaphor to cover a number of topics, including the current rap climate: “N*ggas’ll trade they soul to be Drake or J. Cole/ Live and die for this s###/ Word to Tupac Shakur’s halo.”
12. Lloyd Banks – “Start It Up” ft. Ryan Leslie, Kanye West & Fabolous
Vroom-vrooom! One of the summer’s bangers, “Start It Up” was laced with lyrical adrenaline by its all-star cast, and then injected with a dose of the ever-catchy Ryan Leslie. It’s like drinking three Red Bulls and then riding your motorcycle. Really fast. With the cops chasing you.
11. Lil Wayne – “She Will” ft. Drake
Just when you thought the stripper anthems had run their course, Young Money majors, Drake and Lil Wayne, hit us with this one, and we were in love all over again. With a beat ready-made for “the pole,” we can’t imagine how many working girls “popped that for real n*gga.”
10. Drake – “Marvin’s Room”
Drinking and texting never mix. This semi-stalker song finds a regretful, inebriated Drake lamenting (possibly at the level of harassment) over his ex moving on with a new guy. This is hater music, but somehow, we all loved him for it.
9. Big Sean – “Marvin Gaye & Chardonnay” ft. Kanye West & Roscoe Dash
Upon its release, this single may have been more hyped up than the Big Sean’s debut album itself. Dripping with good vibes and charisma, the G.O.O.D. music pairing of Big Sean and Kanye West accused all the haters of “ripping their swag off.” We’d say a good amount of people did, and will continue to.
8. Meek Mill – “I’m A Boss” ft. Rick Ross
Ross is a “bawse,” so it was just a matter of time before someone else from his MMG roster – namely Philadelphia’s Meek Mill – decided to proclaim himself as one, too. “Yeah I’m the king/ Now where’s my motherf*cking crown?” the cocky Mill raps on the hook over a Jahlil Beats production. Rozay must be proud of middle management!
7. J. Cole – “Can’t Get Enough” ft. Trey Songz
If this was J. Cole’s attempt at securing a radio smash, indeed this was the record that got him a ton of mainstream attention in 2011. With hook-happy Trey Songz assisting, we couldn’t get enough of this song, and neither could you.
6. The Throne – “Otis”
If being the first single off the most anticipated album wasn’t enough, the fun-loving, seemingly impromptu, Maybach-murdering video propelled “Otis” to sky-high levels. A chopped up soul-sample hasn’t appealed to the masses this well in quite some time, and a few of you kiddies even learned who Otis Redding is in the process!
5. Tyler, the Creator – “Yonkers”
This is the song that turned Tyler and Odd Future into household names. OFWGKTA went from having a steady following and morphed into a nationwide fascination this year. The excellent production matched with brash lyrics either disgusted you, or turned you into an instant fan.
4. Big Sean – “Dance (A$$) (Remix)” ft. Nicki Minaj
When this song dropped, it was everywhere, setting clubs ablaze. Then as time went on, it declined to a steady buzz. Then the Nicki Minaj-featured remix came out, and the song found new life. If we recall, Nicki’s verse was a valuable contrib….well, OK. Actually, we just like the video. Can you blame us?
3. Chris Brown – “Look At Me Now” ft. Busta Rhymes & Lil Wayne
The 2010 smash ends up on our list because of the life it had for months well into 2011. It’s nice to know that when he needs to, Breezy can actually spit. And, with contributing verses from Bussa Buss and Wayne, how could this not have been one of the biggest records of the year?
2. DJ Khaled – “I’m On One” ft. Drake, Lil Wayne & Rick Ross
The #1 song on both satellite and FM radio all summer long helped Khaled and his “We The Best” imprint’s stock rise astronomically. It’s no surprise that the track was just certified triple platinum. What else really needs to be said about “I’m On One”? Except, what does that really mean anyway?
And, last but certainly not least, the #1 Hottest Song of 2011…
1. The Throne – “N*ggas In Paris”
One of the most self-absorbed songs in recent memory, the braggy Watch The Throne cut became the ‘just-got-my-paycheck’ anthem of the summer, with Jay and ‘Ye show-boating line after glorious show-boating line. For real, “this sh*t cray,” especially when they’re performing it six, seven, and even eight times a night on tour! Congratulations to The Throne for a stellar year and song. We wholeheartedly embrace the idea of n*ggas balling out in Paris.
