Rap-Up.com || Sean Garrett’s Top 5 Albums of 2011

Sean Garrett has a big year ahead working on new music for Chris Brown, T.I., Brandy, and Nicole Scherzinger, but the platinum hitmaker took a few moments out of his busy schedule to reflect on the past year in music. Garrett shared his five favorite albums of the year with Rap-Up.com. Find out which fellow singer-songwriter made his list, the Young Money rapper who landed at #4, and his “hands down” choice for best album of 2011.

1. Adele – 21
2. Jay-Z and Kanye West – Watch the Throne
3. Frank Ocean – Nostalgia, Ultra
4. Drake – Take Care
5. Beyoncé – 4

Do you agree with Sean’s picks? Let us know below!

Posted in Sean Garrett | Permalink

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90 Comments

myke
December 28th, 2011 at 2:13 pm
he is right on point!!!

[Reply]
Millie Reply:
December 29th, 2011 at 5:01 pm
@myke,
Sure is!

[Reply]
Aza
December 28th, 2011 at 2:14 pm
pretty much, yeah

[Reply]
Stephen Dacres
December 28th, 2011 at 2:14 pm
Almost perfect list! But he needs The Weeknd on there!!

[Reply]
Quan Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 2:23 pm
@Stephen Dacres, seat down…

[Reply]
Not Needed Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 3:32 pm
No@Stephen Dacres Stand Up I would Either put the HOB or EOS

[Reply]
Replay Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 2:29 pm
@Stephen Dacres, Are you kidding???

[Reply]
Will Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 2:48 pm
@Replay, Yeah The Weeknd House Of Balloons should definately be on that list it was considered a mixtape more than an album though thats why.

[Reply]
W
December 28th, 2011 at 2:17 pm
Agree 100%
All of those albums are unique and show artistic development.

[Reply]
Triniti
December 28th, 2011 at 2:39 pm
LMAO at “Take Care” being on the list while “Cole World” is nowhere to be found.

[Reply]
Anthony Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 7:10 pm
@Triniti, Amen!! COLE WORLD WAS A MASTERPIECE!

[Reply]
da fan Reply:
December 29th, 2011 at 12:37 am
@Anthony, oh!!!!!!! please Cole world my ass…name any 3 hits from it

[Reply]
Lioness Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 7:58 pm
@Triniti, agreed! kinda disappointed..i expected a better list from him

[Reply]
Lauryn
December 28th, 2011 at 2:40 pm
Bey for me needs to be higher! #1. The ONly album that gave you mixed genres with incredible vocals and a true music!!! I think she defo beat The Throne aswell…

[Reply]
Cranberry Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 8:55 pm
@Lauryn, what? 4 was typical, generic, Beyonce R&B. :deadbanana:

[Reply]
KaramelKisses Reply:
December 29th, 2011 at 6:37 am
@Cranberry, What? Maybe you should listen to the album again because B showed her ass w/ 4. She gave love, sex, living & life on that album w/ strong, amazing vocals … definitely can put it in & just ride to it from beginning to end.

[Reply]
Real Issh Reply:
December 29th, 2011 at 8:52 am
@Cranberry, Typical ? U must not have heard it .

[Reply]
H-Town
December 28th, 2011 at 2:55 pm
Similar to JoJo’s Top 5 list, minus GaGa for Adele.

[Reply]
hate revolver
December 28th, 2011 at 3:00 pm
Instead of watch the throne, l would put my beautiful dark fantasy.

[Reply]
LOKO Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 5:14 pm
@hate revolver, that album was released in 2010 you stupid idiot

[Reply]
KillBill
December 28th, 2011 at 3:13 pm
1. 4
2. Watch The Throne
3. Cole World
4. Take Care
5. Frank Ocean – Nostalgia, Ultra

[Reply]
Lauryn Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 4:16 pm
@KillBill, Thank You, I’m not too sure about Cole World Tho!!!

[Reply]
Real Issh Reply:
December 29th, 2011 at 8:54 am
@KillBill, WTF – I think me & u were seperated at birth . Same list, same order .

[Reply]
Coolio
December 28th, 2011 at 3:14 pm
Frank Ocean is the only one I care about

[Reply]
meme
December 28th, 2011 at 3:15 pm
Beyonce 4 was def not one of the best albums of 2011. No way. To be a great album you need to have great songs and only 2 great songs on that album. Bandwagoner.

[Reply]
Not Needed Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 3:41 pm
@meme, Let me name all of the great songs, I was Here, Miss You, Party, COuntdown, Run the World, I care, Best Thing, 1+1, Love on Top, End Of Time

[Reply]
U.R. WRONG, I.M. RIGHT Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 8:27 pm
@Not Needed,

Um, I don’t think so. every song on the album was pure shit.

[Reply]
mnm Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 3:48 pm
@meme, girlll you ALWAYS hating on Bey. “only 2 great songs” that’s your opinion, not anyone else’s.

[Reply]
_E_ Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 4:02 pm
@meme, I understand that that is what you mean, but you have to agree that vocally, it is one of the best albums of the year.
Personally, I think that “4″ is a well produced album, with great lyrics, mix of genres and most of all, flawless vocal with strength, power and emotion by Beyoncé.
I would not say that it has been THE best this year, but c´mon!!! It was better than “Born This Way”, that was okay with a few good tracks. But compared to the sales, ofcourse GaGa won… but the amount of sales does not decide either it is good or bad!

NB: I am NOT a Lady GaGa hater!

[Reply]
LOKO Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 5:15 pm
@meme, sit back and cry you deluded hoe.

[Reply]
KaramelKisses Reply:
December 29th, 2011 at 6:41 am
@meme, Not sure why you are commenting on good music … you’re a Rihanna stan so you wouldn’t know good music if it slapped you in your face. How is Talk that Talk doing … still struggling I hear.

[Reply]
ICYMFAH Reply:
December 29th, 2011 at 10:56 am
@KaramelKisses, Talk that Talk is doing just fine. Hoes like you are still talking about it, so everything’s good. BTW We Found Love just broke a records atop the Billboard 100. Where the hell were Bey’s singles this year? Oh that’s right, that piece of shit album 4 didn’t have any number ones. Let alone any Top Ten Charting Singles, so get to the back of line where all the other hoes are, thanks.

[Reply]
Real Issh Reply:
December 29th, 2011 at 8:55 am
@meme, u have rihanna as your Icon tho ..

[Reply]
KillBill Reply:
December 29th, 2011 at 10:08 am
@meme, Are you mad Talk That Talk isn’t on that list? It’s okay! ;)

[Reply]
ICYMFAH Reply:
December 29th, 2011 at 11:00 am
@KillBill, WFL stayed at number one on Billboards Hot 100 for weeks on end and Rihanna has 11 number one singles. So in essence, Rihanna charts on the lists that count (like Billboard) while Bey lingers on the lower ends of the list (around #’s 40-100). So if you want to talk about what’s not on a list, I would say the entire 4 album.

[Reply]
me
December 28th, 2011 at 3:15 pm
Way better albums came out this year. Music isn’t just rap & rnb… Just sayin

[Reply]
SMH Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 4:16 pm
@me, I agree that better albums came out but this is an Urban music site so what did you expect? Country? Jazz? Heavy Metal? LOL

His list is terrible btw. 5 overrated duds.

Where is Jagged Edge?
Lloyd?
Mary J Blige?

[Reply]
me Reply:
December 29th, 2011 at 6:38 am
@SMH, Yeah, I know what Rap-Up is about ;) I meant Sean Garrett doesn’t just make urban music, he does pop and dance music too, so I guess he couldn’t have expended his horizons…

Plus what annoys me is that some albums are seriously overrated such “Born This Way”. Her first album was better if you ask me. I think Adele’s album is boring. The girl is true talent but I only love her singles, the rest of her album doesn’t do anything for me. The joke of the year has to be Beyoncé’s album. I don’t get how folks mention it this much. To me, the album’s straight garbage. I saved the 2 first singles and “I miss you” but that’s all. It’s a shame cause she’s talented and could do so much better.

Anyway, here’s my 2011 favorite albums:

Rihanna – Talk That Talk
Nero – Welcome Reality
Pitbull – Planet Pit
Kanye West & Jay-Z – Watch The Trone
Joe Jonas – Fastlife
Gym Class Heroes – The Papercut Chronicles II
The Game – The R.E.D. Album
Example – Playing In The Shadows
Ed Sheeran – +
Dev – The Night The Sun Came Up
Chris Brown – F.A.M.E.
Chase & Status – No More Idols
Britney Spears – Femme Fatale
Avril Lavigne – Goodbye Lullaby

[Reply]
Real Issh Reply:
December 29th, 2011 at 8:57 am
@me, U have NO fuckinnn credibility . Your list is a disaster.com .. I’m proud that u don’t like 4 .

[Reply]
KimIsTheQueen Reply:
December 29th, 2011 at 4:38 pm
@me, Wait! You said “4″ was garbage, “21″ is boring, and “Born This Way” was overrated but you put albums like “F.A.M.E.” and “Femme Fatale” over those three?????? Yeah I’m with @REal Issh, you have noooooooo credibility!

[Reply]
Ok... Reply:
December 29th, 2011 at 5:39 pm
@KimIsTheQueen, STFU! those two albums were good they just got overlooked! Both of them made brilliant comebacks. YOU have no credibility. Your opinion isn’t the best, music is universal and appeals differently to everyone.

[Reply]
zania
December 28th, 2011 at 3:53 pm
And with that list, only ADele was nominated for a grammy, so I guess its just his opinion.

[Reply]
KaramelKisses Reply:
December 29th, 2011 at 6:44 am
@zania, Actually, all of those artists have been nominated for multiple (or more)grammys so your whole statement is an “opinion”.

[Reply]
Jaymalls Reply:
December 29th, 2011 at 12:55 pm
@KaramelKisses, OUCHHH!!! **Puts index finger in mouth and jumps around**

[Reply]
DrakeTakeCare
December 28th, 2011 at 3:59 pm
take care was so muche better than wtt but heyy i know what the fukking haters wanna tell me ..BUT NO, TAKE CARE IS KING!

[Reply]
cece
December 28th, 2011 at 4:02 pm
smh @ his list, i hope bey reads the shit out of him and don’t put him on her upcoming 5th album. #wtt wasn’t even that hott just hype

[Reply]
uhuh Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 4:06 pm
@cece, shut up!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Reply]
lll
December 28th, 2011 at 4:07 pm
take care wouldnt be on my list sorry

[Reply]
aaliyah Reply:
December 29th, 2011 at 10:11 am
@lll, I know, right? Take Care was garbage..

[Reply]
Music
December 28th, 2011 at 4:26 pm
Almost perfect, my top 5
1. Beyoncé – 4
2. Jay-Z and Kanye West – Watch the Throne
3. Frank Ocean – Nostalgia, Ultra
4. Adele – 21
5. Lady Gaga – Born This Way

[Reply]
LOKO Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 5:17 pm
@Music, scratch out the last two, add Drake’s Take Care and Big Sean’s FFOE, ant it will be perfect…

[Reply]
a die hard bey stan Reply:
December 29th, 2011 at 3:21 am
@Music, i agree with u r list buh i wud take off lady gaga nd put lil wayne carter 4 labum, switch it with frank ocean nd its all good

[Reply]
KingDro
December 28th, 2011 at 5:15 pm
Kendrick Lamar topped my list

[Reply]
TRA
December 28th, 2011 at 5:17 pm
The music industry is full of bullshit, mainstream music is nothing more than popularity, and politics. There are a few mainstream albums that came out this year that were really great, but 9O percent of mainstream music is garbage. I respect Sean Garrett’s list of top albums of 2O11, but I totally disagree with his list. It should be list that contains other genres of music, not just only hip hop and. R and B. 1. Bon Iver-Bon Iver (Alternative rock). 2. Drake-Take Care (Mainstream Hip-Hop). 3. Kanye West and Jay-Z-Watch The Throne (Mainstream Hip Hop). 4. Adele-21 (Mainstream Pop). 5. Common-The Dreamer/The Believer (Underground Hip Hop). 6. Jill Scott-The Light of The Sun (Underground R and B). 7. Foo Fighters-Wasting Light-(Mainstream Rock and Roll). Those are the best seven albums of 2O11, in my unbiased opinion. I know that a lot of people may disagree with me, but these are the albums that stuck out to me the most in 2O11.

[Reply]
Wow Reply:
December 29th, 2011 at 3:53 am
@TRA, While I don’t entirely agree with your list, you do have valid points! This is why I seldomly listen to mainstream acts. I prefer underground acts so the Common and Jill Scott addition is understood. For the past year or so, my iPod has had the following in heavy rotation: Jhene Aiko “Sailing Souls” plus her track In Love We Trust is great. JoistaRR “Broccoli & Noodles” plus all of her Music Monday tracks, The Weeknd “House of Balloons” “Thursday” and “Echoes of Silence”, Frank Ocean “Nostalgia Ultra” plus his leaked tracks, Jill Scott “Who is Jill Scott”, Erykah Badu “Mama’s Gun”, Miguel “Sure Thing”, Marsha Ambrosius “Late Nights & Early Mornings” plus all of her mixtapes. Oh and I can’t forget about Teedra Moses “Complex Simplicity”, “Luxurious Undergrind”, and “Royal Patience”. For Hip Hop I’ve taken a liking to Kendrick Lamar. I love love love Nas, Lil Kim, Lauryn Hill, and Kanye.

[Reply]
Moe Reply:
December 29th, 2011 at 10:46 pm
@TRA, When you mention Bon Iver, man i was so relieved that there was someone with a good taste in music on this website !

[Reply]
KB
December 28th, 2011 at 5:18 pm
Like does he even matter tho

[Reply]
No no no no!
December 28th, 2011 at 5:30 pm
Its his opinion but I have mine

1.Adele – 21
2.Beyonce – 4
3.Drake – Take Care
4.Jayz and Khanye west – WTT
5.Chris Brown – F.A.M.E

[Reply]
Ok... Reply:
December 29th, 2011 at 5:35 pm
@No no no no!, Agree fully with your list.

[Reply]
:)
December 28th, 2011 at 5:46 pm
Beyonces 4 defintly one of the best
Be did so much power energy in this Album, it is unbelievble! I love it

[Reply]
Audrey Hepburn
December 28th, 2011 at 6:25 pm
Ms. Hepburn’s Best Albums of 2011:

1. “Black & White America” by Lenny Kravitz
2. “Talk That Talk” by Rihanna
3. “Ritual Union” by Little Dragon
4. “Lioness: Hidden Treasures” by Amy Winehouse
5. “Ambition” by Wale

[Reply]
Lauryn Reply:
December 29th, 2011 at 3:41 am
@Audrey Hepburn, #dead loooooooooooooool…

[Reply]
Audrey Hepburn Reply:
December 29th, 2011 at 10:44 am
@Lauryn, Why the ridiculous laughter my dear?

[Reply]
Neon
December 28th, 2011 at 6:44 pm
Not every list needs The Weeknd. Calm down!!!

[Reply]
lakermiss
December 28th, 2011 at 7:19 pm
section 80 – kendrick lamar and the weeknd!!!

[Reply]
Wow Reply:
December 29th, 2011 at 3:57 am
@lakermiss, Yessssss!!!!

[Reply]
RafaSannin
December 28th, 2011 at 8:18 pm
Tha Carter IV?

[Reply]
Ice
December 28th, 2011 at 8:30 pm
Why are you guys expecting a list of the “best” albums of 2011, this is Sean Garrett’s personal list of favorite albums and everyone has unique tastes.

[Reply]
Mofan95
December 28th, 2011 at 8:31 pm
1. Adele- 21
2. Beyonce- 4
3. Marsha Ambrosius- Late Nights and Early Mornings
4. Jay-Z & Kayne West- Watch The Throne
5. Drake- Take Care & J.Cole- Cole world

I had to include J.cole too cause I enjoyed his album as well!

[Reply]
Me
December 28th, 2011 at 9:49 pm
Beyonce’s 4 only had two good songs which she ddnt release, i was here, and start over…. the rest i agree on .. Bey’s album was too busy a hot mess

[Reply]
KaramelKisses Reply:
December 29th, 2011 at 6:50 am
@Me, Says only YOU … 4 is another classic along w/ DIL from King B!

[Reply]
TheMan
December 28th, 2011 at 11:47 pm
Beyonce’s album was good but typical. Her hardcore stans are the ones trying to make that album more than it really was. Adele,Marsha,Miguel,Ledisi,Bon Iver,Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” or whatever it was. Beyonce’s album was good but nothing special. Lady Gaga did a great job as well.

[Reply]
Arie
December 28th, 2011 at 11:54 pm
I am sure that these guys get told to mention Beyonce and jay z. They can’t avoid Adele becoz of her sales. Last year it was Gaga next year it’s gonna be madonna or xtina depending on who sells more. Those are not the best albums just the ones he has to mention inorder to keep working.

[Reply]
mikkey Reply:
December 29th, 2011 at 1:31 am
@Arie, well why didnt he mention Lady gaga? she had the highest selling album this year. and what about Carter IV? that was the second highest selling. I think its a mixture of who’s the hottest AND who puts out the best quality music: Drake’s album was way better than Wayne’s album, Beyonce and adele were the most raved about female vocalist, jay & kanye didnt even sell as much as Drake and Wayne, but critically they had the BEST reviews for WTT…so I agree with his top picks…

[Reply]
Brionna
December 29th, 2011 at 1:54 am
1. 4
2. Take Care
3. 21
4. Born This Way
5. Talk That Talk
Honorable Mention: Watch The Throne
*Orders of the first 3 are interchangeable

[Reply]
commanderofthedancefloor Reply:
December 30th, 2011 at 3:53 pm
@Brionna, i agree with your list mine would be like this
1. Mylo xyloto
2. 21
3. Take care
4. Talk that talk
5. WTT
6. Born this way
7. Ceremonials
8. Torches
9. 4
10. Cole world

There were so many good albums i had to extend my list this was a good year for music!

[Reply]
a die hard bey stan
December 29th, 2011 at 3:25 am
1-beyonce 4
2-lil wayne -carter 4
3jigga nd kanye watch the throne
4-drake take care
5-j cole-cole world

[Reply]
Wow
December 29th, 2011 at 4:09 am
A lot of you guys have great points. Like what is his basis for selecting the top 5? Let’s do the top 5 best but underrated albums/mixtapes of 2010/2011. Based on content/substance and it can be any genre. This is going to be tough but here’s my list in no particular order:

1. Marsha Ambrosius “Late Nights & Early Mornings”-Album
2. Miguel “Sure Thing”-Album
3. Lupe Fiasco “Lasers”-Album
4. Jhene Aiko “Sailing Souls”-Mixtape
5. Stacy Barthe “Sincerely Yours”-Mixtape

[Reply]
Stre3t Danc@
December 29th, 2011 at 4:55 am
Chris Brown’s F.A.M.E. is nowhere to be seen, so… no.

[Reply]
Sean Garrett’s Top 5 Albums of 2011 | FabMedia
December 29th, 2011 at 5:07 am
[...] Posted in Sean Garrett | Permalink [...]
tomasz
December 29th, 2011 at 5:07 am
1. JAY Z & Kanye West “Watch The Throne”
2. Chris Brown “F.A.M.E.”
3. Drake “Take Care”
4. Frank Ocean “Nostalgia, Ultra”
5. Tyler, The Creato “Goblin”

[Reply]
Carl
December 29th, 2011 at 6:08 am
4>>>
everything else this year. Yes for Bey making EVERYONE’S end of year list.

[Reply]
Puma Kamarullah
December 29th, 2011 at 6:38 am
Great choice SG!!

[Reply]
chris shorts
December 29th, 2011 at 9:13 am
this list is so foolish its ok but idk top 5 albums of the year would have to be

1.the throne : watch the throne
2.Adele : 21
3.Drake : Take Care
4. Kelly Rowland Here I Am
5.Beyonce : 4

[Reply]
HitsMan
December 29th, 2011 at 9:28 am
Best album of 2011 is hands down Kelly Rowland’s “Here I Am”!!!

Perfect vocals over world class production!!

[Reply]
DrakeNickiOVO
December 29th, 2011 at 12:30 pm
Take Care is the best

[Reply]
Phoenix_Wright
December 29th, 2011 at 12:40 pm
It’s his opinion so I don’t know how people are debating about what he likes lol

What I will say is that it is a pretty predictable top 5 though. Like honestly I doubt he listened to much albums because when it comes to four of those albums they are like the most popular/recommended R&b and hip hop albums out this year. Not knocking his list but I’m just wondering how many 2011 albums has he listened to.

[Reply]
JCS
December 30th, 2011 at 12:14 pm
Perfectly respectable TOP 5 by Sean Garrett. Personally, I don’t find Beyoncé’s ’4′ good at all, and although I did thoroughly enjoy Drake’s 2nd, I still got that feeling I got with ‘Thank Me Later’, which is that he can do better. By no means was ‘Take Care’ a bad album, though. If anything, Garrett’s list can only be criticized for being too hip-hop and R&B based, but then again, that’s what Garrett’s all about.

My TOP 5:

5. Undun – The Roots

4. Go Tell Fire To The Mountain – WU LYF

3. James Blake – James Blake

2. Watch the Throne – Jay-Z and Kanye West

1. 21 – Adele

2011 was a good year for hip-hop and R&B:

nostalgia,ULTRA – Frank Ocean (mixtape, hence not included)
House of Balloons – The Weeknd (mixtape too, ” “)
Cole World: The Sideline Story – J. Cole
The Greatest Story Never Told – Saigon
Section.80 – Kendrick Lamar
Black Up – Shabazz Palaces
F.A.M.E. – Chris Brown
Hell: The Sequel – Bad Meets Evil
W.A.R. (We Are Renegades) – Pharoahe Monch
The R.E.D. Album – Game
Cats & Dogs – Evidence
and the list just goes on and on!

[Reply]
Chiare
December 30th, 2011 at 8:14 pm
Ma list of top 5: 5: Cole world 4: tha carter iv 3: take care 2: finally famous 1: F.A.M.E.

[Reply]
Diamond Cross Pendant Blog
December 31st, 2011 at 3:35 am
Four Luxury Skull Dragon Hip Hop…

[...] f the best albums of 2011. No way. To be a great album you need to have great so [...]…