It’s the DJ Rolemodel & Don Julio annual hip hop (rap) awards! Broken down into 3 parts, this review is something I take pride in, and I consider hip hop to be a main part of my life. Kicking off the review is my annual awards as followed!

The Most Disappointing Album Award- Lupe Fiasco – Food & liquor II: The Great American Rap Album Pt. 1

There were several albums this year that did not live up to the hype, and none more flagrant than Fiasco’s Food & liquor II: The Great American Rap Album Pt. 1. Fiasco’s 2011 release Lasers was his best album to date, and he was expected to further cement his place in hip hop’s elite. However, Food & Liquor was uninspiring, and the lead single Around My Way was slammed over its ripping of Pete Rock’s classic T.R.O.Y.. Fiasco’s flop will prevent him from ever being a top mainstream artist.

2011 Winner: Lil Wayne for Tha Carter IV

Rookie of the Year Award. 2 Chainz – Based on A T.R.U. Story 

Ok, so maybe not technically a rookie, but this album was the first one released under his newest monicker. This album featured two of the biggest songs of the year, No Lie & Birthday Song, and I’m Different might follow as a third certified club banger.

2011 Winner: Big Sean, Finally Famous

Missing in Action Award – Dr. Dre

Well you know my thoughts on this one. As I am still waiting on Detox, Dre claims his 3rd straight M.I.A. award.

2011 Winner: Dr. Dre

Overhyped Award – Meek Mill – Dreams & Nightmares

Let me preface this by saying I love me some Meek Mill. His performance on Tupac Back is a gym favorite and I eagerly anticipated this album. I was not alone in the anticipation, as MMG pushed this hype into unknown territory. This album was a C at best, and I considered him for the most disappointing award. Fortunately or unfortunately for Meek, he is with MMG, and the hype will always be there, it will just be up to him to back it up.

2011 Winner: Wiz Khalifa

Music Video Award – 2 Chainz ft. Kanye West – Birthday Song

The video is as ignorant as the song, and I wouldn’t have it any other way! The outfits, setting & supporting actors are all on point, and it provides the perfect visuals for this song. However, I would be remiss if I didn’t take the time to acknowledge the best overall video of the year. That belongs to M.I.A.’s Bad Girls video. Just a quick shout out to any video that has a see-through car!

2011 Winner: Jay-Z & Kanye West, Otis

Producer of the Year Award – Hit Boy

Famed for producing the 2011 club banger of the year, Hit Boy was involved in two of the years top songs, Cique & Backstreet Freestyle. Linked to G.O.O.D. Music, Hit Boy looks to be a staple in the rap game for quite some time.

2011 Winner: Bangladesh

Best Comeback Award – Nas – Life is Good

Its been 4 years since his last solo album, and Nas returned showing that his lyrical skills are still as great as they ever were. Nas covers the whole gamut of topics, including sentimental Daughters, and the street theme Accident Murderers. Nas’s skills are on peak form on Cherry Wine ft. the late great Amy Winehouse.

2011 Winner: Game, The R.E.D. Album

Wait, You’re Still Alive Award? – Mase

Come on, tell me you didn’t fall out your chair when hearing him on Higher on the Cruel Summer album?

2011 Winner: Beanie Sigel

Best Featured Guest Award – 2 Chainz

Rain, pourin’, all my cars is foreign! Mercy kick started the big year for 2 Chainz, and he kept it being a guest on 69 different originals or remixes. They Point & Fuckin Problems, by E-40 & A$AP Rocky, respectively, were his two biggest spots.

MVP Award – 2 Chainz

Who else could it be? A top 5 album & a guest on an endless amount of songs, including several top 25 hits. The year 2012 in rap music was owned by the artist formerly known as Tity Boi. And admit it, he also has one of the best name drops of anyone in the game… 2 Chainnnnnnnz. Rolemodel out.