« What's Slappin' In My Trunk - 2011 In Review »

This week I'm going to take a look back at some of the hardest slappin' albums of 2011...

What a year, what a year! 2011 was full of dope mixtapes, albums, and callabos by some of the Bay's legends and a whole gang of new and up coming artists. Lets take a look back at the five best projects of the year coming out the bay. 

#5-Trippin 4 Life: Philthy Rich

Philthy Rich dropped Trippin 4 Life his sophomore album in early 2011, and it hasn't left my CD changer yet. Philthy Rich gives us a gritty no nonsense, street take on SEM CITY, which paints a vivid picture of what street life can be on the streets of Oakland. With features from Messy Marv, Noble, E-40, Mobb Figgaz, and more Trippin 4 Life is hands down the best work that Philthy Rich has put out yet. On a side note Trippin 4 Life is heavily influenced by 2pac, now who doesn't love that. 

Tracks to look out for: Feelin' Like Pac, and  So Much Pain.

#4-Heroes In The Healing Of The Nation: Zion I and The Grouch

Zion I (Zumbi & Amp Live) and The Grouch team up once again to bring us the highly anticipated follow up to their 2006 smash hit Heroes In The City Of Dope. Heroes In The Healing Of The Nation which dropped in March is full of uplifting, and positive vibes that gives the kids in the Bay a sense of pride. With features from Casual, Los Rakas, Freeway, and Del The Funky Homosapien Heroes In The Healing Of The Nation draws from a wide variety of Hip Hop styles and attitudes. One of the best feel good albums in 2011 for Hip Hop period.

Tracks to look out for: Leader, Used To Be a Vegan, and Goin' Down.

#3-Bitch I'm A Player: Roach Gigz

FREE DOWNLOAD: Roach Gigz - Bitch I'm A Player

Roach Gigz has been on the scene for a while now, and no other project by Roach has gotten my attention more than Bitch I'm A Player. Being only a 12 track EP, Roach takes complete advantage of every C-Loz created beat (C-Loz did them all) ripping them down with his own unique post hyphy flow. Guest appearance include, Husalah, Lil B, Lil 4 Tay, DB The General, and many more. My only negative on Bitch I'm A Player is that its only 12 tracks long.

Tracks to look out for: Drugs, Stupid (Remix), and Gina. 

#2-Revenue Retrievin': Graveyard Shift & Overtime Shift:E-40

E-40 returns with ANOTHER double album in his Revenue Retrivin' series with over 43 tracks,Graveyard Shift & Overtime Shift are two goliaths of albums. E-40 is no stranger to pushin' out bangers and Graveyard Shift & Overtime Shift are no different; each track is better than the last. The features on Graveyard Shift & Overtime Shift read like a whose who of the rap game and include: T-Pain, Tech N9ne, Beeda Weeda, Bun B, Droop-E, Laroo T.H.H., Slim Thug and so many more. E-40 had nothing to prove, being a Bay legend and all, but Graveyard Shift & Overtime Shift have given E-40 new life with his return to Mobb Music. 

Tracks to look out for: Serious, 43, Click About It, and My Money 

#1-I Found My Backpack 2: The Lost Notebook: Mistah F.A.B.

I chose Mistah F.A.B.'s I Found My Backpack 2: The Lost Notebook for my Bay album of the year not because it has the dopest features, or best beats, but because it is the most well rounded album coming out the Bay in 2011. There is a little bit of everything for anybody on I Found My Backpack2. If you want Hyphy you got it, if you want Slick Rick esq storytelling you got it, if you want dope callabos you got it. Speaking of callabos I Found My Backpack 2 includes Talib Kweli, Royce Da 5'9, Freeway, Nio Tha Gift, Big Pooh, and many more. If you are looking for an album with incredible soul and replay value than I Found My Backpack 2 is the album for you. It is nice to see a Bay artist like Mistah F.A.B. evolve into a more progressive artist and that's why I Found My Backpack 2 is my Bay album of the year.

Tracks to look out for: In My City, Yearbook, Get Away, and I'm A Legend.