Beats Per Mike’s Top Artists for 2011 (in no particular order):

• Little Dragon
• SBTRKT
• Tall Black Guy
• Curren$y
• Kendrick Lamar
• OFWGKTA
• Mark de Clive Lowe
• Disclosure
• Thundercat
• Michael Kiwanuka
• Danny Brown
• Oddisee
• Label Love
• James Blake
• Mosca
• The Weeknd
• Shabazz Palaces
• The Park
• Wildcookie
• Gummy Soul

In the year 2011, the sounds of these 20 artists dominated my headphones and speakers.  They made music that entered my rotation and refused to leave.  Props to them for keeping my eardrums happy throughout the year.

To see archived Beats Per Mike posts for each artist, click on their name.  If you like what you hear, cop that shit! Support quality music!

Happy New Year!

BPM

Free Download (via stereogum.com): Little Dragon’s Modcast + SBTRKT - Wildfire (Drumma Boy Remix feat. Shabazz Palaces)

Tracklist for Little Dragon’s Modcast:

1. Alexander O’Neal – What’s Missing
2. Joe Lewis – Midnight Dancin’
3. Elektrik Funk – On a Journey (I Sing the Funk Electric)
4. Mzee – Africa Natives (Silly, Willy Mix)
5. Professor – Jezebel [ft. Oskido & Dj Tira]
6. Busta Rhymes – Take It Off
7. Addis Black Widow – Innocent
8. The Celibates – Coming Alone

In addition to the two downloads, you can also hear Little Dragon’s cover of Crystal Waters’ Gypsy Woman.

Click the image for the download links.

Shabazz Palaces - Black Up

Shabazz Palaces’ new LP can now be streamed on YouTube.  

When Tower Records was still around, my friends and I would show up every Monday at midnight to check out all the new releases.  We’d then end up spending way too much money on music.  With so many great albums being dropped today, it’s reminding me (and my wallet) of those days.  

We have brand new projects from some of my favorite, new artists: The Park, SBTRKT, Curren$y, Shabazz Palaces and Dom Kennedy.  I’ve posted some links below where you can hear samples and/or purchase the albums.  

If you’re a fan, go buy the album(s).  While I’m sure they all do it for the love of music, sometimes love ain’t enough to pay the rent.  Support quality!

The Park - The Process

http://thepark.bandcamp.com/album/the-process

Shabazz Palaces - Black Up

http://www.amazon.com/Black-Up-Explicit/dp/B005765R5U/ref=sr_shvl_album_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1309244980&sr=301-3

SBTRKT - SBTRKT

http://www.amazon.com/Sbtrkt/dp/B0054LRR3S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1309244941&sr=1-1

Currenn$y - Weekend at Burnie’s

http://www.amazon.com/Weekend-at-Burnies-Curren-y/dp/B0050546YG

Dom Kennedy - From The Westside, With Love II

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/il-from-the-westside-with-love/id446922317