Another year has passed us by again. For the thrird time we’re gonna end the year with our very own ‘Best of 2011′. Together with Nevill and Deluge, I’ve picked out some of the finest music that was released this year. Many thanks to all our visitors and of course the artists out there making music that matters. We wish you a blessed 2012 with loads of great music and make sure you go out with a blast!!

Now on to the Best of 2011..

Best Album 2011
1. Thundercat – The Golden Age of Apocalypse
2. Amalia – Art Slave
3. Brandon Coleman – Self-Taught
4. Elzhi – Elmatic
5. Osunlade – Pyrography
6. Evil Needle – Cirrostratus
7. Mark de Clive-Lowe – Renegades
8. Teeko – Light Up The Darkness
9.  Phonte – Charity Starts At Home
10. Kan Sano – Fantastic Farewell

Best EP 2011
1. KING – The Story EP
2. Dirg Gerner – Preface EP
3. Terrace Martin – The Sex EP
4. fLako – Carving Away The Clay EP
5. Hazel – Playground EP

Best Compilation 2011
1. Soulection
2. The Heart Vol. 2
3. Starship 27 Vol. 2: Take Off
4. LA♥JPN♥LA Vol. 2
5. Label Love Pt.3

Best Videos 2011
1. Erykah Badu – Gone Baby, Don’t Be Long
2. J*DaVeY – Raincheck
3. Jay Electronica Dimethyltryptamine
4. Overdoz – Pasadena
5. Amalia – Freeze That!

Best Remixes 2011
1. Daedelus – Tailor Made with Milosh (Floating Points Remix)
2. Salva – Wake Ups (B. Bravo Remix)
3. Meemee Nelzy – Comme Un Lotus (Buscrates 16​-​bit Remix)
4. Leon King – More Than A Crush (Opolopo Remix)
5. Architeq – Into The Cosmos (Mr Beatnick Dub)

Best Documentaries
1. Real Scenes: Detroit
2. Still Shining
3. Planet Rock: The Story of Hip Hop and the Crack Generation

Best New Musical Talents Spotted 2011
1. ERIMAJ – Conflict Of A Man
2. Brandon Coleman – Self Taught
3. Ayanna – Truthfully
4. Greg Spero – Acoustic
5. Manuals – MPG

Best Collaboration 2011
1. Martyn Slott – Pointing Fingers
2. Zebrahim – In My Heart I Am
3. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib – Thuggin EP
4. Onrazel – Two for the P (Bonus)
5. Bun B & 14KT – The Life

Best Record Labels 2011
1. Tokyo Dawn
2. Tru Thoughts
3. Plug Research

Most Slept On Artist 2011
Christoph El Truento

Ones to watch in 2012
1. Dirg Gerner
2. Union
3. Derrick Hodge
4. KING
5. East Liberty Quarters

It Was Your Time To Go 2011 (R.I.P.)
1. J-1
2. Fonce Mizell
3. Sylvia Robinson

written by nilez \\ tags: 14kt, amalia, ayanna, b. bravo, best of 2011, brandon coleman, buscrates 16-bit ensemble, christoph el truento, daedelus, derrick hodge, dirg gerner, east liberty quarters, elzhi, erimaj, erykah badu, evil needle, flako, floating points, fonce mizell, greg spero, hazel, j'davey, j-1, jay electronica, kan sano, king, label love, leon king, madlb, manuals, mark de clive-lowe, martyn slott, moovmnt, mr beatnick, onrazel, opolopo, osunlade, overdoz, phonte, plug research, salva, soulection, staff pick 2011, sylvia robinson, teeko, terrace martin, the heart vol. 2, thundercat, tokyo dawn records, tru thoughts, union, zebrahim

Tomorrow 9th Wonder‘s album drops worldwide. To celebrate the coming of “The Wonder Years” he’s giving away a banging joint called “One Night” for free featuring Terrace Martin, Phonte & Bird And The Midnight Falcons. Be sure to cop that shit when it drops…more info soon!

9th Wonder – One Night Ft. Terrace Martin, Phonte & Bird And The Midnight Falcons [160kbps]

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written by nilez \\ tags: 9th wonder, bird and the midnight falcons, free download, one night, phonte, terrace martin, the wonder years

Phonte‘s new album, “Charity Starts At Home”, is gonna be out next week on Foreign Exchange Music. I’m saving a full review for Tuesday, but couldn’t help but stream this little low bitrate sneak peak entitled “To Be Yours” produced by Zo! and Phonte.

Phonte – To Be Yours [112kbps]

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written by nilez \\ tags: charity starts at home, foreign exchange, phonte, to be yours, zo!

9th-9thMatic just released his latest “Band Practice” Pt 2 maxi-single in preparation of his “The Wonder Years” album dropping the 27th. Enjoy this free download and keep an eye out for the album!

9th Wonder – Band Practice Pt. II Ft. Phonte & Median [left click]

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9th Wonder – Make It Big (9th-9thMatic Remix) Ft. Big Remo [left click]

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written by nilez \\ tags: 9th wonder, band practice, big remo, free download, hiphop, little brother, maxi single, median, phonte, the wonder years

+FE music releases Phonte‘s first official single, “Not Here Anymore”, of of his upcoming solo album “Charity Starts At Home” (out 9/27). Enjoy this free download featuring Elzhi and produced by 9th Wonder..

Phonte – Not Here Anymore Ft. Elzhi

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written by nilez \\ tags: 9th wonder, charity starts at home, elzhi, foreign exchange music, free download, hiphop, little brother, not here anymore, phonte

A few days ago Median‘s “The Sender” album came out on Foreign Exchange Music. Production-wise it’s a great line up with 9th Wonder, Khrysis, Kev Brown, Black Milk, Astronote & S1. Vocally it features Phonte, Bahamadia, Sy Smith & YahZarah. All in all good recipe for a more than decent album. Personal two favorite picks would be “Special” and “Kiss The Sky”. Digital release only, so grab yours over at .

Median – Special Ft. Phonte, YahZarah & Bahamadia [112kbps]

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Median – Bright Individual [320kbps]

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written by nilez \\ tags: 9th wonder, astronote, bahamadia, black milk, bright individual, digital release, foreign exchange music, free download, itunes, kev brown, Khrysis, median, phonte, s1, special, sy smith, the sender, yahzarah

Out of nowhere Eric Roberson decided to upload a brand new song of his upcoming “Mr. Nice Guy” album onto his Soundcloud. The joint is called “Picture Perfect” and features Phonte. The album is set to drop early September, but you can pre-order via iTunes if you want.

Eric Roberson – Picture Perfect Ft. Phonte

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written by nilez \\ tags: eric roberson, itunes pre-order, mr nice guy, phonte, picture perfect, soundcloud

Trackademicks is bringing that LA summer vibe with their “Fresh Coastin’” album. Really nice free download with features from Phonte, Polyester the Saint & 1-O.A.K. Make sure you grab that DOWNLOAD here!

Trackademicks – Chill Ft. Freddie Gibbs, Phonte & 1-O.A.K.

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Trackademicks - Fresh Coast Ft. Polyester the Saint

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written by nilez \\ tags: 1-o.a.k, chill, freddie gibbs, free download, fresh coast, fresh coastin’, los angeles, phonte, polyester the saint, the honor roll, trackademicks

Brand new music from Trackademicks in the form of “Halfway” which features Phonte and Carlitta Durand. This is the second single from “The Champagne Room” album.

Trackademicks “Halfway” Ft. Phonte & Carlitta Durand

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written by nilez \\ tags: carlitta durand, halfway, little brother, phonte, the champagne room, trackademicks

In 2006 Zo! released the first of his ‘Just Visiting’ series. Today the third installment, “Just Visiting Three”, dropped and it features artists such as Phonte, Eric Roberson, Nicholas Ryan Gant, Anthony David and more. Lovely free cover EP for you to enjoy, so get your download on HERE.

Zo! – Marzipan Ft. Eric Roberson & Phonte

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written by nilez \\ tags: anthony david, eric roberson, foreign exchange, free download, just visiting three, marzipan, nicholas ryan gant, phonte, sunstar, zo!