2011 has come and gone like the wind. The changing face of Music has snuck up on us as well. Dance/Electronic music has become the new popular music. This change has perhaps been ushered in by the popularity of the Jersey Shore folk and their penchant for dance music. Party-boy acts like LMFAO now have top 5 hits on the Billboard charts. And former struggling acts like Pitbull found new life by releasing dance hits while pairing with R&B singers.
Popular singing competitions The Voice and The X-Factor showed us that perhaps we still wanted singing competitions in our lives, even as American Idol dwindled in popularity. While popular dancehall acts like Sean Paul used to be able to find success on the charts, these days, only Barbadian princess Rihanna can successfully pull off an island-tinged single. Former group singer, Kelly Rowland re-emerged from behind Beyonce’s shadow with a hit record meant to motivate. Kanye West reclaimed his popularity with the release of his game-changing Twisted Fantasy last year, and in 2011, he cleverly teamed up with Rapper Jay-Z to release the wildly popular Watch the Throne album and tour. Beyonce Knowles released the album of her career (thus far), but her efforts were overshadowed by the loss of her father/manager and the growing baby bump underneath her clothes. Rapper/Singer Drake helped further blur the line with his release of Take Care in the fourth quarter. The more exciting talk of 2011 thankfully included newcomers to the scene. Singer/Songwriters The Weekend and Frank Ocean captivated Music fans alike with their boundry-less music offerings. And while things change, they will always stay the same. Lady Gaga continued to keep our attention in 2011 with the release of Born This Way and pop Princess Katy Perry continued her hot streak, releasing hit after hit from her 2010 album, Teenage Dream.
We hope to see what 2012 has to offer and I am hoping for more genre-busting music. But because everyone likes a good List (and 2010′s List was sorely missed), we bring you The ChokLit Factory’s Top 25 songs of 2011. Read, discuss and disagree. Let’s run it!
25) Moves Like Jagger – Maroon 5 feat. Christina Aguilera
Singing competition The Voice judges Adam Levine and Christina Aguilera enjoyed a boost to both their images with this sinfully catchy ode to the dance moves of The Rolling Stones frontman, Mick Jagger. The song is the fourth single from Maroon 5′s third studio album, Hands All Over, also released in 2011. The song debuted on an episode of the The Voice back in June, and soon made its entry onto the Billboard charts, entering at number 8. The song would remain in the Top 10 on the Billboard charts for 26 consecutive weeks, selling over 3 million copies in the US alone. More importantly, Moves is such a damn, catchy song! Led by Levine’s slinky vocals, Aguilera’s booming vocals compliment them perfectly.
24) Gone and Never Coming Back - Melanie Fiona
Although Canadian-bred Fiona has yet to find much success on the charts, the singer is well-respected by her peers and is looking to make a big name for herself in the new year. Fiona released Gone and Never Coming Back to very little promotion, though it fared somewhat well on the charts, reaching number 37 on the Hot R&B/HIp Hop charts. I remember when I first heard the song and was really moved by its lyrics, the lonely piano and Fiona’s emotional delivery. The song is a pop ballad with heart that never received much of the press and exposure it deserved. Even its predecessor, 4AM did not bring the level of emotion. Nevertheless, it remains of one the year’s best!
23) Love Angel Riddim - Vybez Kartel, Tommy Lee, Popcaan
This is the first time I have felt compelled to add a Dancehall Riddim to the Best of List, but I think in this case, my choice is warranted. Released in August, The Love Angel Riddim inspired some of Dancehalls’ finest to drop their own versions to the upbeat music. Vybez Kartel , Gaza Slim, Tommy Lee, Black Diamon, Dheba and Stylysh all released their own versions, but it was newcomer Popcaan who stole the show with his version, Only Man She Want. His tale of a woman who only has eyes for him is one of Dancehall’s best offerings this year. Popcaan’s vocals ride the beat and command the song. Honorable mentions go to Vybez Kartel’s Luv You Enuf and Tommy Lee’s A Million.
22) Lotus Flower Bomb - Wale feat. Miguel
I first heard Lotus Flower Bomb at the night’s end while at a club in Atlanta. My first reaction was: “WHO is singing the hook? Is this Miguel?” Released as the first single of Wale’s sophomore album, Ambition. Although the subject matter has been said and done a thousand times: a thugged-out gentleman tries to woo a sweet young thang as she offers up some resistance (also see the video for Lotus Flower Bomb that stars ANTM alum Bre Scullark). But the delivery; the collaborative effort between the two artist is one of the year’s best.
21) Only Wanna Give it To You – Elle Varner feat. J.Cole
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Newcomer Elle Varner brought a much welcome year end surprise with her debut single, Only Wanna Give it To You. The retro, hip hop beat blends nicely with Elle’s raspy, sweet vocals. The main star of the song are the lyrics which are smart, witty and sweet. Elle is adorable. At 22, she is poised to be the next big thing, if her label handles her right. Judging from her next leaked song, Sound-Proof Room, this girl is Ready.
20) Hater - Miranda Brooke
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Since R&B is not the most popular genres out right now, I happen to enjoy when an Artist comes around who still wants to represent the genre right. Def Jam’s new artist Miranda Brooke fit perfectly into my sorely missed 90s R&B craving with her debut single, Hater. The song follows a girl who can admit her ego is bruised once her ex has moved on to the next girl and is able to treat her much better. Relatable lyrics, decent vocal performance from Brooke and easy-going pop R&B made this song a favourite of the ChokLit Factory for 2011.
19) Novacane - Frank Ocean
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Frank Ocean reached notoriety with the release of his Mixtape, Nostalgia Ultra back in February and there were plans for his label Def Jam to re-release the EP in July. Novacane was the breakout song from the Mixtape that received heavy play during the Summer. The Tricky Stewart-produced track was a simple enough backdrop for the lyrics that followed. Ocean paints a vivid picture of him meeting a young lady who used to do porn to support herself through dental school. Oddly enough, it all works.
18) 1+1 - Beyonce
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Beyonce released 1+1 to radio as a promotional single for her forthcoming album 4, back in May. The song served as the opening track to her album and sets the tone for music made in love. 1+1 describes a deep, emotional kind of love that is shared between two people. Originally recorded by The-Dream and meant to appear on his 2009 album, Love vs Money, Beyonce re-recorded the song with lyrics that mirrored the love she feels for a man. The song is emotional and beautiful, yet still very simplistic and toned down. Beyonce later recorded a sweaty, sexy video for the song, which helped evoke the timelessness of the record.
17) Lift Off – Jay-Z, Kanye West and Beyonce
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If ever there was an inspirational, greater-than-life anthem for 2011, Life Off was it. The song was originally meant to be the lead single from Kanye West and Jay-Z’s Watch the Throne album, but it was later replaced by Otis. The song begins with regal, triumphant sounding horns that leads into Beyonce energetically singing the song’s hook. Kanye West jumps in, followed by Jay-Z, both rapping about taking the Game to the next level. Sonically, the song is in a league of its own. The song ends with a mission control broadcast that was first heard in Frank Ocean’s Rocket Love. Near the song’s end, it switches gears with a new beat and screws and chops Beyonce’s vocals. Good shit.
16) Wicked Games - The Weeknd
“I left my girl back home/I don’t love her no more” Those two lines set off the year of the Weeknd. The Toronto native released his first Mixtape, House of Balloons in March. The Mixtape boasts somber tracks, drug and party-fueled subject matter and Weeknd’s high-pitched vocals. Wicked Games is important because it helped set the mood for the Weeknd and collaborator Drake to usher in a more moody, dark genre of urban music.
Keep Reading for the Top 15 of the List….
