Here at Yaheard.com We Decide What’s Cool, and 2011 produced many cool albums, mixtapes, songs, artists, events and moments in general. We are honoring, all of the artists, that make the website hot, by staying true to their art, and making top quality product for the world to enjoy! We wish everyone a happy new year, and a prosperous 2012!

ALBUM OF THE YEAR: DJ QUIK THE BOOK OF DAVID

Veteran Compton producer/ rapper extraordinaire Dj Quik returned with The Book of David  on 4/20/11. He took his signature production to a whole new level, updating his sounds, innovating his rhythms, and keeping the nod factor in effect. He called in a cast of characters that included Korrupt, Jon B, Gift Reynolds, Bizzy Bone, and Bun B to name a few. Listening to the album is like taking a ride through the sunny streets of Los Angeles, while possessing a medical Marijuanna license, but then you realize, you haven’t even left your house. Grammy worthy, and definitely Yaheard award worthy, this could be Quik’s best work and that’s saying a whole lot.

VIDEO OF THE YEAR-  TRIBECA and Dj COSLA “The Worlds Best”

This song could’ve easily been called “The worlds best damn video”. The Bronx Bomber Tribeca, kept it 100% Hip-Hop with this one, as Dj Cosla provided the toughest sound bed, from overseas to complete it all. If you slept on this one, someone should hit you in the head with an alarm clock.

ARTISTS OF THE YEAR- Sean Henry and Kosha Dillz.

2011, was a good year for visual artist Sean Henry. His breakout art show was the talk of the art world, and his signature water color portraits, that range from Krs-one to Bin Laden spread across the internet like he dipped his brush in 4 g.

Kosha Dillz proved in 2011, that he was still “Everywhere”. Not only did he entertain us with “The Sweat Pants Song”, he toured the whole country collecting canned goods along the way for the less fortunate (which shows he hasn’t forgotten the true spirit of Hip-Hop which is to uplift the people). The grind that defines, him is still going strong, and the music is still creative!

DJ OF THE YEAR- DJ KAZABON- If you were anywhere in London in 2011, you must’ve seen the slogan Hipsters Don’t Dance. Dj Kazabon, and her Hipsters Don’t Dance movement, had the clubs rocking, the t shirt shops buzzin, the internet searching, and even ended up on a B Star Productions documentary. This Lady Spinster, is one to watch in 2012, and definitely did her thing in 2011

SONG OF THE YEAR- KOOL KEITH- “DR PHILADELPHIA”

“Allow me to re-introduce myself…” are the first words on the Dr Philadelphia track, and that’s exactly what Kool Keith did. The self produced track, features his trademarked rumbling bassline, and off the wall flow. This time Keith returns as Dr Philadelphia, the self proclaimed “Creator of Swag”. Packed with too many classic lines, to mention you will find yourself listening to this dark, yet light hearted song on repeat. Is he taking a jab at the current chart topping rappers? That’s for you to decide

Kool Keith – Dr. Philadelphia kid by yaheard

MIXTAPES OF THE YEAR- London Wilson -Bad Habits 2 / Money Makin Jam Boys Prestige

London Wilson, did more than his thing in 2011, he actually lived up to the hype. Coming from Fort Worth, he is redefining the sound of Dallas Hip-Hop. He’s got music for the “Metroplex”, and with co-signs from industry insiders like Allhiphop.com’s Jake Crates, London Wilson, is going to hit the world hard in 2012.

The Money Makin Jam Boys- This group is almost unfair to the competition. Consisting of Black Thought, Dice Raw, P.O.R.N, Truck North, and StS, The Jam Boys, might be the most lyrical group in all of Hip-Hop. Their Prestige mixtape, kept a lyrical foot on a wack emcees neck. They even worked in production from Jazzy Jeff, to keep it extra Philly. If you want about an hour of the best Hip-Hop you can ever imagine, download this mixtape asap!

BEST GROUP- THE 49ERS

The 49ers turned it up another notch in 2011. They released a full-length album MUSAIC which flew off of the record store racks in Japan, and had the internet blogs buzzing from their music video “Reminisce”. Before you could even blink, they followed the album up with the collaboration with production collective ZDW SOULSTICE. While Musaic, features the boom bap you would expect from producers like Soul Chef, and Marchitect, Soulstice, incorporates live instruments, jazzy grooves, and one of the most expansive sounds in all of Hip-Hop. Both albums could easily sustain you musically for a whole year.