I categorize mashups in two ways. First is the “supermash,” where you take a grip of samples and lace em all together. The other is just two or so tracks twisted into each other to make one. Either way, it’s to bring vocalists into a new style & genre.
So in this Best Mashups of 2011, we’ve got about five of each. With styles ranging from rap to nu-disco, the only thing consistent in this mix is the amount of soul… basically, they’re not inspired by Glee ;)
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I keep on thinking that Abel’s albums after House of Balloons will live up to their predecessor, they won’t. I’m not saying Abel will never top it, it’s just not gonna happen in this trilogy. The problem isn’t Abel’s vocals or lyrics, it’s the production. Doc Mckinney & Illangelo are fine producers, I just don’t think they stepped up Abel’s sound in the last two albums. There is a shitload of producers that could do something completely different, completely original with his voice and it’s gotta be Abel’s next step.
That said, it’s still a damn decent album with lyrics that are evolving through simple honesty. Abel has one interesting story, not just because of his quick rise to fame, but how he’s taking it all in. Make sure to check out his “Dirty Diana” cover, as well as the rest of the album (shit.is.poetry). I still can’t believe I never thought up Abel covering MJ, so obvious now.
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Dubstep remixes were dominated by b.e.a.utiful vocals this year…. Or maybe it’s just I’m obsessed with these beauts mixed with dirty, dirtay dubstep. Either way, this style has ruled SNG for the last half of the year and hope it rules for many months into next.
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McCartney is releasing another album in February of next year and here’s your first sneak peak. “My Valentine” couldn’t come at a better time, other than Valentines. What a perfect tune for this magical Christmas time, but what I love most isn’t those icon vocals of his, but the just as iconic guitar strumming done by the one and only Eric Clapton. Is this the first time the two have gotten together for a song since “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”
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Moving on from the Best Ghetto Funk of 2011 (whatever that is), we get 12 mixes & mashes that will pump you up from 2011 all the way into 2012. Most of these are mashups of Progressive House // Raver type music with a bit of something else sprinkled on top. A few have their flaws, but the’re all the best to go buck wild to and ring in the New Year, baby!
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Oh Lana, what the hell to make of ya. She’s got the sexiest voice of the year, but there seems to be something a bit more sinister behind those big red lips. One thing I can say for her is she’s got spunk. Like the only redeeming quality of Nicki Minaj, Lana’s got some character behind that voice, which a lot of vocalists should take note of.
In her latest single to release off of Born to Die, “Off to the Races” seems to be an ode to her neglectful father. A love/hate relationship, she seems to have an Oedipus complex, only the other way around, for her dear old father. With her ‘sad core’ sounds it makes for a heartfelt tale, but one wonders what the real story behind this stereotypical delinquent father/needy daughter sales pitch is (not to be too blunt about it).
[audio:Off-To-Races.mp3|titles=Off to the Races]
To start off our Best of’s for 2011, we went with one of the more obscure lists, duh Ghetto Funk. If you don’t know what ghetto funk is then you better get to knowin it. With a blend of electro funk and bass buzzin wobbles, ghetto funk is the next evolution in the genre.
Our list is filled with ghetto funkers remixing the soulful classics, ranging from Jurassic 5 to Hall & Oates. A few of these are from late 2010, but they didn’t get to go up on our last year’s Ghetto Funk list (because there wasn’t one), and they’re just too damn good not to put up on here. So prepare yoself for a funky good time.
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The Crystal Method got a chance to collaborate with Yelawolf for the movie Reel Steal. I was excited to see the movie before, now I can’t wait to hear the full soundtrack, as well. In the duo’s collab song, “Make Some Noise (Put ’em Up),” Yela sounds a hell of a lot like Zack de la Rock from Rage Against the Machine and The Crystal Method beat isn’t far off either. Whatever it is, I’m lovin em together. Dudes should definitely think about a more legit collab in the future.
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I can rave and rant about how well this Ghetto Funk hits, but I think I’ve set it enough, especially with hip-hop! This time Bobby C “Shuts em Down” with Public Enemy in one of his best ghetto funk remixes, yet. DAMN, does this shit BUMP! (sorry just one more time)
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Kap Slap is one of the most consistent mashers of the year. He takes such mainstreamers & mashes ’em up, fresh as new.
In his latest, “Resurrect Paradise” intros with a lil Busta, but gets into the good stuff with Coldplay’s “Paradise” (Fedde le Grande Remix) and that “You Make Me Feel” chorus that get’s stuck in my head every damn time I listen to it “La La La La La.” And it’s all backed by Michael Calfan’s “Resurrection” (Axwell’s Re-Cut Club Version), which takes it all to another level.
This couldn’t have come at a better time, just about to get out a Dance Remix Mixtape up in this biatch!
[audio:Resurrect-Paradise.mp3|titles=Resurrect Paradise (Cobra Starship x Axwell x Coldplay)]