No other picture will do.

As the year comes to a close, I bring you the Best Hip Hop Projects of 2011. The Hip Hop community has had a very interesting boom this year with a lot of NEW artists making a name for themselves. You may have noticed a couple from XXL’s Freshman 10 list. Also expect to see a few other artists who are vets in this league. Overall, 2011 was a good year, especially with the hipster explosion in the 2010-2011 time frame. Artists have evolved in creativity, literary usage, and overall skill to compile their lives and experiences over dope musicianship. The list compiled below includes both mixtape and album alike, requiring much contemplation and effort pondering which project is better than the other. The rating scale considered skill, the ratio of good tracks to the total amount per project, the content, delivery, and originality that each artist exemplified. So without further hesitation, here it is.

10.) Pac Div – The Div

Talk about slept on artists, these three guys are one of the most slept on groups out. Pac Div (Pacific Division) is a southern Cali trio of two brothers (Like & Mibbs) and a long time friend (Be Young). Since their first release in ’06, Sealed for Freshness: The Blendtape, these guys have crafted a unique sound aiming at the young adult “hipsters” around the globe. With a theme they like to call “grown kid syndrome” these guys are like your average mid-twenty black males who still live with their parents who happen to rap pretty well and refuse the 9-5 lifestyle. So any experiences around that time in your life, whether it be women problems (Chaos: The Recipe), to coolin’ with the homies feeling yourself and your team (Posted), to the dream of being the greatest at whatever you do (The Greatness), the group covers it. Nevertheless, Pac Div also is known for their hyped and unique ad-libs, and their producer Swiff D keeps them laced with incredible production. Take a hint of some ever before heard Cali sounds from Pac Div.

9.) Mac Miller –Blue Slide Park

Now I won’t say he’s the next Em but, this white boy has amazing talent! Mac Miller is a young artist fresh out of high school making a name for himself in this industry. Miller made history as being the second artist to be number one on Billboard charts from their album from an indie label. This hasn’t happened since The Dogg Pound’s Dogg Food in ’95. Get familiar with Wiz Khalifa’s label mate’s feel good and party music. When life’s feeling great, turn on a track of his and I dare you to act as if your experience doesn’t elevate to new heights. You can put his songs in rotation at the frat-parties like Party on 5th Ave, or you can either chill, or mellow out to songs like, Of the Soul. nevertheless, Miller’s rhyme patterns are to die for as shown with the latter of the two songs aforesaid. This 19 year-old MC is destined to be one of the greats, you can quote me on that.

8.) Young Jeezy – TM 103 (Thug Motivation 103): Hustlaz Ambition

Jeezy is finally back! The much anticipated album is here along with a DVD (The Real is Back) and gives us the same hard-hitting beats and hood classic sound he trademarked way back when TM 101 first dropped. Jeezy’s fifth album comes to us in similar form with a couple of nice yet unusual features such as Jill Scott; you’ll be much appreciative of what she has to offer on Trapped just like I. Some features consist of vets like Jay-Z, his new signee Freddie Gibbs, and the legendary 3 Stacks (Andre 3000) on the hit single, I Do. The story of Jizzle’s rize to fame and fortune continues with completion of the Thug Motivation trilogy. So just as you did before, turn the speakers all the way up, and ride to this!

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