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
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
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
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
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
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….
15) Ghetto - Terius Nash feat. Big Sean
In 2011, singer/songwriter The-Dream decided to go by his real name, Terius Nash and release a Mixtape EP titled 1977. It was his first piece of music released since 2010′s Love King and was darker and more personal than his previous releases. On Ghetto, which he also released a video for, Terius sings about an Ex who still wants some of his good Love. The song opens with the ominous line, “She wants that old thing back/That ride it like up on it/That “get up in the morning and put it on me”/She’s so horny, she wants that old thing back” The song has that ATL bounce energy and that crass kind of sexual honesty that makes The-Dream so popular with is fans.
14) Marvin’s Room - Drake
Although when it was released, one could barely go anywhere without hearing the familiar base of Marvin’s Room on the radio, by the year’s end, it has become the most over-heard song of the year. Drake released Marvin’s Room as a promotional single for his sophomore album, Take Care. The song follows Drake’s train of thought as he takes to liquor to help ease the pain of an ex who has moved on. The chorus’ main line, “F*ck that n*gga that you love so bad/I know you still think about the times we had” struck a chord in many listeners. So much that Artists flocked to the studios to create their own versions of Marvin’s Room. Singers Jojo, Chris Brown, Teyana Taylor and rapper Lil Wayne are just a few who made successful covers of the song. Marvin’s Room was reportedly named after the studio owned by famed Soul Singer Marvin Gaye. And thankfully, Marvin’s Room does not lack soul.
13) Hear My Call - Jill Scott
Jill Scott emerged from the ashes of her failed marriage in 2011 to release her acclaimed fourth studio album, Light of the Sun. Also fresh off of a successful TV and film career and a new Label home, Light of the Sun debuted at number one on the Billboard charts – Scott’s highest debut of her career. She released Hear my Call as her fourth single from the album. The song features Scott’s haunted vocals over a somber backing track of pianos and violins. She sings about going through a heartache, starting over and asking soberly for God’s guidance through the rough times. Women everywhere embraced the humanity of the song.
12) Fool for You - Cee-lo Green & Melanie Fiona
Fool For You was hands down my favourite track from Cee-lo’s breakout album, The Lady Killer. To help give the song some much-needed wings, Melanie Fiona added vocals in the form of the cake’s icing. In the song, Cee-Lo laments on just how far gone one can go when they are in love with that special person. Melanie chimes in on the second verse, echoing Cee-Lo’s feelings. The end result is some effortlessly timeless music that garnered a Grammy nod for both artists. Well-deserved.
11) Still Getting Younger - Wynter Gordon
Now that the year has passed, some people still are not familiar with Wynter Gordon. Even though she had a hit dance record called Dirty Talk earlier this year (the song went 3 times platinum in Australia). Still Getting Younger is another song Wynter released in Australia, while it also appeared on Wynter’s EP With The Music I Die. The song has an airy, danceable, hopeful vibe to it and Wynter sounds perfect. Her voice is soothing over the thumping dance beat. Definitely a favourite for 2011.
10) Moving Down the Line - Raphael Saadiq
The timeless Raphael Saadiq released his fourth studio album, Stone Rollin’ this year to critical praise. As talented a musician/Artist as Rapahel is, his music never seems to do well on the charts. But fans alike still adore the man. Moving Down the Line is one of the bet songs released in 2011. It combines hand claps, a rock tinge with live instruments and drums. Saadiq’s sweetly-tinged voice echoes perfectly over the music, while its lyrics are reminiscent of something Stevie would have written back in the day. The video is beautiful as well, showing Saadiq coming home after months on the road to his lady love.
9) Sure Thing - Miguel
Miguel ushered in 2011, singing that this love was a Sure Thing. His biggest single to date, originally leaked to YouTube in 2009, but found national acclaim once it was released to radio in mid-January. The song was produced by Happy Perez and written by Miguel and his younger brother Jamaal. ”Love you like a Brother/Treat you like a friend/ Respect you like a Love” It is very Prince-like. Topping the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop songs chart, Sure Thing’s video was released online within the first few days of the new year. The video was directed by the famed Hype Williams and was filmed in Honolulu, Hawaii.
8 ) We Found Love – Rihanna
Rihanna has had quite the whirlwind year, living in the media’s spotlight. She broke up with her boyfriend earlier this year and since has been Single and troublesome. But she has also been touring the world, promoting her last hit album, LOUD and gearing up for her sixth album, Talk that Talk that was released at the end of 2011. We Found Love is the album’s ambitious, hopeful introduction. Produced and written by UK DJ Calvin Harris, the song was released in September of 2011. The video, released a few weeks later portrayed Rihanna in a tumultuous relationship with a Lover where their times together became addictive, much like a drug. The controversial video was praised by fans, while panned by religious and conservative group. The negative press propelled the single even higher up the charts. It became Rihanna’s biggest hit of 2011 and broke records for the Barbadian singer.
7) Soul is Heavy - Nneka
Nneka is one of those rare politically-driven, outspoken, highly talented artists who receive very little promotion from their labels and gains fanfare mostly by work-of-mouth. Back in July, Nneka released a single and accompanying video for the firestorm Soul is Heavy. In the song, Nneka raps, sings and philosophies about the political injustices that plague her home country, Nigeria. The beat is part hip hop and part rock as it builds into a strong, catchy chorus. A great track that should not be overlooked.
6) Moon and the Sky Remix - Sade feat. Jay-Z
When legendary band Sade released their second compilation album, The Ultimate Collection in 2011, this remix featuring Jay-Z was leaked to create some buzz. Producer Noah “40″ Shebib takes a cue from the original song’s yearning tone and creates depressing, bass-heavy music for the remixed version. Jay-Z adds a somber 16 bars which the song could have done without, but it adds a nice feel to the track. One of 2011′s best.
5) N*ggas in Paris – Jay-Z and Kanye West
Aside from recording one of the best albums of 20111, good friends Kanye West and Jay-Z enjoyed a successful tour for their duo album, Watch the Throne and crafted one of the year’s hottest songs. N*ggas in Paris is that kind of crossover song that you are guaranteed to hear at hot club in Brooklyn, New York or a house party in London, UK. Despite its controversial title name, it became one of 2011′s more memorable songs and is guaranteed to get a party started. The single has sold over 500,000 copies to date in the US and has reached the Top 5 on the Billboard 200 charts.
4) Dance For You – Beyonce
Dance For You opens with church-like organs, having the listener believer what they will hear next is religious. Next, Beyonce’s vocals ooze over the music, with an honest yearning in her voice, Beyonce sings, “I just wanna/Show you how much I appreciate you” Once known, for “male-bashing” Independent woman anthems, Beyonce takes the time to explain her love for her man and the many ways she wants to show him. The song is sexual, but classy and resonates with anyone who has felt the need to show somebody “it’s real”.
3) Motivation - Kelly Rowland feat. Lil Wayne
Kelly Rowland enjoyed her biggest year as a solo artist on the strength of this one single alone. The Rico Love-penned and Jim Jonsin produced song was one of the biggest in Urban radio this year as well. Motivation oozes sexuality; a first for Kelly. The lyrics have Kelly singing about how she wants to motivate her partner to please her into ecstasy. The beat is slinky and seductive and Lil Wayne’s provides some much-welcome thuggery with his 16 bars. Let’s not forget the seductive video shot in black light. Hot like fiyah.
2) Someone Like You - Adele
Adele is undeniably 2011′s Artist of the Year. The British songstress defied all logic, selling over 6 million copies of her sophomore album 21 in the US alone and staying within the top ten on the Billboard charts for most of the year. The second single released from the album, Someone like you, was written by Adele and Dan Wilson, one of the last songs they wrote for 21. Over a piano melody, Adele sings about the pain of losing her ex-boyfriend (who inspired most of the songs on 21). She sings:
“Never mind, I’ll find someone like you
I wish nothing but the best for you too
Don’t forget me, I begged
I remember you said,
“Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead,”
1) Thinkin’ About You - Frank Ocean/Bridget Kelly
Original Post 2 (Bridget Kelly)
In late July of this year, Frank Ocean leaked a reference track for a new Artist he was working with, Bridget Kelly. The song was called Thinkin’ About You (later re-named, (Thinkin’ About Forever). The song soon spread across the Internet like wildfire. Listeners fell in love with Ocean’s sincerity and heartfelt nature when he sang “Or do you not think so far/Ahead?/Cuz I been thinking ’bout forever” in his highest falsetto. After gaining millions of listens on YouTube, RocNation Artist Bridget Kelly released her version, later followed by an a cappella one. Upon the release of her free online EP, Every Girl, the song had been re-recorded to reflect a different vocal range by Bridget. Bridget brings the song to life, but Ocean’s original version laid the blueprint. For sounding unlike anything on the radio at the time, Thinkin’ About You is the year’s best song despite its lack of chart presence.
That’s the LIST, Choklits! Leave your thoughts about our list in the comments! Until 2012….
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Lola this is great. Soon you will be promoted
top 10 songs chart…
[...]The Top 25 Songs of 2011 | The ChokLit Factory[...]…
[...] from his appearance atop our Top 25 songs of 2011 List, Singer/songwriter Frank Ocean debuted a new song to his Tumblr page, titled Voodoo. The 1:38 min [...]
[...] release the video to their hit record, N*ggas in Paris before the end of this week. Paris was one of 2011′s biggest songs and charted well for the Watch the Throne Duo. Let’s seen how eager fans will be to see the [...]