Woody Black's Top 10 Emcees of 2011

So what it's early? I couldn't help it! 2011 has been an interesting year for emceeing. Many people believe that the art of emceeing has died back in 1995, but I say that they didn't look at these ones here who's been keeping hip-hop alive. Emcees who have been authentic, lyrical miracle spiritual individual blah blah blah swimming-pool. Y'all just wanna see the list, don't you? Well here it is.

Let me get one thing clear though, this list is different from the previous Best Rapper Alive list . The emcees on this list are the ones who have been making steady noise for 2011, rather than being underrated beyond 2011. So herrrre we go!

10. Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar once said that Tupac Shakur appeared in a dream and told him, "Keep doing what you're doing, don't let my music die." Maybe that's what motivated him to become one of the most memorable emcees of an era of unmemorable emcees. Those who slept on Lamar recieved a rude awakening when his album Section.80 dropped, which included his big J. Cole-produced hit known as "HiiiPoWeR." Throughout the record, Lamar proved why he wasn't some new swagger jack with crazy lyrics that can only be described as his own style. The craziest part about Lamar is the fact that he's just getting started.



9. Big K.R.I.T.

It always vexes me whenever I hear folks say that the Dirty South is the reason hip-hop is wack. Really?! You never heard an OutKast or Geto Boys album? Or if you want to focus on today, you never heard of CunninLynguists, Little Brother, or Big K.R.I.T.? The latter definitely proves that he keeps the spirit of Dungeon Family, Rap-A-Lot, etc. alive. K.R.I.T. doesn't move with the trends, but doesn't hide his Southern pride. In fact, he wears the pride like a badge of honor. K.R.I.T. comes from the muddy waters of Mississippi to ironically bring you hip-hop that's so fresh and so clean (clean), Lysol couldn't even touch it. Return of 4Eva isn't even an album, but it was so dope, it might as well have been. It put him on our list, right?



8. Saigon

Although The Greatest Story Never Told was lived up to its title, Saigon still managed to have the album dropped. Yet many fans questioned if the album lost its luster or value since it was supposed to be released back in 2005. Thankfully, it did NOT! Saigon gave us the record with no façade or front, instead he gave us the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. To top it off, his lyrics were definitely on point, as it was backed up strongly by the beats of Just Blaze. It looks like the Story was told after all.



7. Elzhi

One word: Elmatic. If youve slept on it, then I suggest you wake up and hear it soon. You'll see why he earned his place on this list after checking out the mixtape that pays proper homage to Illmatic. I wouldn't call Elzhi the next Nas, because 'Zhi's got dope skills on his own. It's funny how ten years ago he was viewed as "some kid" who replaced Jay Dee on Slum Village to much disapproval to many heads. Ten years later, he's one of the top spitters of this generation. If Dilla could talk down from heaven, he'll probably say, "I told you so."



6. J-Live

J-Live stays representing the hip-hop's triple threat: an emcee, a DJ, and a producer. It may be apt to note that the name of his own label is "Triple Threat." Regardless if he sells triple platinum or double wood, J-Live brigns it in every record he has ever created. The latest, S.P.T.A. (Said Person of That Ability) (pronounced "spitta), proves no different, except the latest reason why he should be paid attention to and not slept on so hard that it seems like we're only hearing him in our dreams. Yet it's reality and he's right there waiting for you all to hear his words anytime and anywhere. That's a true "spitta" for ya.



5. Pharoahe Monch

There are a lot of things that I can say about W.A.R. (We Are Renegades). But if I can say one word about Monch's career as a rapper, it'll be "DawgMonchisoneoftheillestrappersevaandyoushouldstopsleepingonhimifyouareposthaste!" F'real though, Monch been in the rap business for over 20 years, yet he doesn't sound dated by one bit. Pharoahe keeps the other wack rappers' mummified.



4. Phonte

New Tigallo New Tigallo New Tigallo. Phonte had plenty of new beginnings this year. First, he reunited with his friend-turned-enemy-and-back-to-friend-again 9th Wonder. Second, he managed to release his first solo album Charity Starts at Home to much approval to rap heads who's been waiting on a rappin' Tay (no "4"-o) album. Thirdly, Tay and his Foreign Exchange crew have been tapped to create the soundtrack for the upcoming film, The Last Fall, inspired by their 2010 song. To say this year has been a blessing for Phontigallo would be an understatement, because the blessings came to him tenfolds. Also, he never lost his step as an emcee, proving that he's still the rap's big dog and his saingin' time doesn't mean he's soft one bit. Only time will tell how 2012 will treat him...before the world ends and all.



3. Tech N9ne

It's been a long time coming for this rapid Kansas City spitter to be noticed by the masses. After making much noise in the underground for years, Tech Ninna got the taste of being above ground in 2011. Folks who never heard of Tech N9ne got a rude awakening when they accidentally heard him on Lil Wayne's "Interlude" (which I do give Weezy props for, although Tech was capable for murderin' him on his own ish). But don't get it twisted, Tech N9ne and Strange Music are getting their well-deserved recognition. But don't think that equals N9ne selling out, unless you mean that's when he's selling out shows. He still represents being strange, being wild, and being himself, now matter how famous he gets. It's like the words of De La Soul, "He might blow up, but he won't go..."



2. Busta Rhymes

Is it me or does it seem like every year that ends with "1" Busta Rhymes drops something tht ends up being very memorable, yet murderous. Like in 1991, Busta was RAWWWWR RAWWWR'ing his classic verse into A Tribe Called Quest's "Scenario." Ten years later, Busta dropped "Breck Ya Neck" where he was spitting at neckbreaking speeds that even the Closed Captions couldn't catch. 2011 brought Busta into new legendary heights (in a Chris Brown song, mind you) when he spit his ridiculous verse on "Look at Me Now." Don't believe the verse made an impact, go to YouTube right now and try to find how many people are attempting to spit Busta's verse. I bet it won't be hard to find, huh? Busta Rhymes played the role as THE rap's guest appearance guy and he killed every song he appeared on. It's so unfair, Busta Bus!



1. Royce Da 5'9"

It was almost like Royce Da 5'9" wasn't meant to be famous. From facing obscurity from the labels to being put in jail for DUI charges to alcohol abuse to the beefs and the lost of his friend, Proof, Royce Da 5'9" was on his way to be one of the topics of, "Hey! You remember what happened to that one rapper...?" But Royce ended up like a rubber ball, because lower his career got to the ground, the higher it bounced back up. In fact, it bounced even higher than anyone expected. Because he since then reunited with his lyrical buddy Eminem to create one of the best superduos of hip-hop, Bad Meets Evil, that propelled him to mainstream status like no one thought. Never a day I thought I'll hear him on the radio with "Lighters" (Sure, it's most likely because Eminem and Bruno Mars are in the song, but still...). And of course, his solo album Success Is Certain, a sequel to his 2004's Death is Certain album, shows Royce in his lyrical prime. To top it off, his upcoming Shady Records debut album with Slaughterhouse is one of the most anticipated upcoming albums of next year. Royce has conquered all and this year, he gets his just due. Anyone who wonder what it's like for an emcee to make it to the top without compromising self, look to the last line of his "Shady 2.0 Cypher" rhyme:

Yeah, this what two millions singles sold
and the album that's gold look like, without having to sell your soul.

Honorable Mentions:
Reks - Definitely one of the top spitters of 2011, Reks continues to rep for true Boston hip-hop that can be enjoyed by real hip-hop heads.

Lil Wayne - Contrary to popular beliefs, Tha Carter IV wasn't a bad album ("BOOOOOOOOO!") {*dodges tomatoes*}. Well it wasn't his best, but it wasn't his worst, to me. However Weezy gave us many highlights for this year off of the record alone.

Tyler, the Creator - OFWGKTA. If you know what those jumbled-up letters mean, thank Tyler. GOLF WANG!

Game - Game came a long way from his former G-Unit years and he's still here and relevant. The R.E.D. Album was dope, too.

QuESt - This song is the reason peopel should stop sleepin' on this cat. He gon' do big things soon.

Apathy - Honkey Kong remains one of the truest hip-hop records of this year, if not the one with the most humorous title.

Yelawolf - Eminem did the right thing by thaking this Alabama rapper under his wing. Yela is no Shady clone though. His twisted, trailer park style of his own got him widely noticed this year.

Drake - My family been blastin' Take Care like it was The Chronic back in '92. And seeing how Drake went out on this record more than his last year's, I don't blame them.

LeCrae - Nuff respect to LaCrae, a Christian rapper who professes The Lord as his main influence, for getting major notice in 2011. Even through the BET Cyphers and crossover features from Statik Selektah, LaCrae keeps the spotlight focuses on the name of Jesus. Amen.

Danny Brown - Danny Brown may be one of the most eccentric and strangest rappers of 2011. I'm not even speaking on his outfits, although those are out of the world, also. Brown represnts being true to oneself and never holding anything back when it comes down to that. Who knows what Brown has in store for 2012...

Rapper Big Pooh - Props to Big Pooh, who have held it down on his own post-LB with his bangin' two LPs Fat Boy Fresh, Vol. 1 and long-awaited Dirty Pretty Things. Big Pooh keeps it hip-hop on every release, that we'll never have to worry about what direction he goes to next.

J. Cole - This Rock Nation artist rep North Carolina an d hip-hop well. Knwon as a emcee AND producer, J. Cole made this year majorly as he dropped his debut album to many approvals and even earned the respect (although a prior random diss) from Canibus as he calls him the "new champ."

Mac Miller - This kid gets instant respect for rhyming over beats from 9th Wonder and DJ Premier. Miller's been called the "next Eminem" by Donald Trump himself, but I think he's going to do well on being himself in the future.