2011 is shaping up to be a larger than life year for music. On the horizon is a battle of the blonds featuring current pop princess Britney Spears and rising pop goddess Lady Gaga, Kid Cudi’s rock album and a shitload of new music from Kanye West. These are 11 albums we can’t wait to illegally download in 2011. I’m kidding about that illegal bit. If there’s anybody from the RIAA out there reading. Maybe.

11. Lupe Fiasco – LASERS (Release Date: March 8, 2011)

First off, Lupe where have you been? We missed you. And I’m a bit upset since you left us with this and this. Second, if LASERS stands for “Love Always Shines Every Time: Remember 2 Smile,” I’m all for it as long as The Neptunes are involved. Guest apperances include John Legened and the required Trey Songz collaboration. Hopefully it’s not Lupe’s girl track.

10. Madonna – TBA (Release Date: TBA)

It’s crazy to think it’s been two years since Madonna’s last release, 2008′s Hard Candy. If Hard Candy was a side step, at least let this one be half a step forward. After hearing this outtake from that very album hope was re-instilled for the followup. Madonna posted on her Facebook page back in March. Britney, Gaga and Madonna all in one year–Madge would be smart to do that Gaga collab now, with a sweet Dr. Luke produced remix with Britney.

9. Solange Knowles – TBD (Release Date: TBD)

Solange has been recording off and on since 2009 with indie bands such as Midnight Juggernauts and Of Montreal. In an interview with Vibe Magazine the singer/songwriter said she suffered “a little bit of a breakdown” while recording the new album. “It’s more than an album to me. It’s a transitional time in my life,” she explains. The material is said to be a dark dance record. If it’s half as good as her last it’ll be awesome.

8. Lykke Li – Wounded Rhymes (Release Date: March 1, 2011)

Swedish pop singer/songwriter Lykke is following up her debut album Youth Novels with Wounded Rhymes. The album boasts production by Bjorn Yttling of Peter Bjorn and John.

7. Nelly Furtado – Lifestyle (Release Date: TBD)

Nelly Furtado’s Loose was the most advanced pop album of it’s time. To me it’s up there with Blackout and Confessions on a Dancefloor as the best pop albums of the last decade. This time around Nelly and Timbaland are back at it for her new project entitled Lifestyle.

6. Fiona Apple – TBD (Release Date: TBD)

We get it, Fiona Apple is an artist. But we need a new album. She’s the indie Lauryn Hill. According to Apple’s drummer, Charley Drayton, he’s been co-producing Apple’s fourth album. She contributed this folksy track entitled So Sleepy, to the Chickens In Love soundtrack in 2010. Please Miss Apple, quit brooding long enough to give us another Extraordinary Machine.

5. Kanye West – TBA (Release Date: Summer 2011?)
Kanye West may have an entire album he’s working on with Big Brother Jay-Z, but that doesn’t stop him from working on new music for himself. Ye tweeted recently, “I’ll be back this SUMMER!!!!!!!!!!!” before tweeting “MY NEW ALBUM COMING THIS SUMMER.” Kanye West gets better and better, and once you’re the best it’s hard to top yourself, but I’m sure the follow up to My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy will be epic.

4. Jay-Z & Kanye West – Watch The Throne (Release Date: TBD)

It was all good just a week ago. “H.A.M.,” the first single from Watch The Throne, is a tour de force of bass, synthesizers and a surprisingly good verse from Jay-Z. After the forgettable verse on “Monster” and 90% of The Blueprint 3 I gave up all hope on Jay. Hearing an energized Jay-Z, no doubt thanks to Ye, gives me hope for this project. The dynamic duo exiled themselves to Peter Gabriel’s studio in Bath, England to record the 10-song project.

3. Kid Cudi – Wizard (Release Date: Summer 2011)

Lonely stoner returned to the social networking after quitting a couple years back, exciting fans with a new account @wizardcud and updates on his new album Wizard. The upcoming project, due out this Summer, is a rock album produced by Dot da Genius. I’m amped to see what’s next for the project he explains will be all singing and no rapping.

2. Britney Spears – TBA (Release Date: March 15, 2011)

Britney Spears broke records, as she always does, with her new single “Hold It Against Me.” The evolution of pop music has changed over the years. In 2004, Gwen Stefani took pop to new heights. In 2006, it was Fergie and Nelly Furtado pushing pop to even more rambunctious sounds. 2010 was all about Rihanna, Gaga and Katy Perry. In 2007, Britney did it with Blackout. As time goes on the beats must get hotter to keep up. “Hold It Against Me” is that perfect song for now, It’s edgy, all over the place and the first mainstream song to utilize dub step elements, which are becoming popular by the day. Spears’ still untitled seventh album is co-executive produced by Max Martin and Dr Luke, who created magic with Katy Perry. This one is sure to be the album of the summer.

1. Lady Gaga – Born This Way (May 23, 2011)

“Don’t Be A Drag, Just Be A Queen.” These are lyrics taken from Lady Gaga’s upcoming single “Born This Way,” the title track from her upcoming followup to The Fame. With videos and a tour already in the works. Born This Way, is looking like it’s going to be Gaga’s Ray of Light. She plans to take her sound to new heights combining neurotic dance beats with rock riffs and anthems. Once I have this album, consider me a satisfied little monster.

2010 may have sucked when it came to substance and clear common sense. Chris Brown I’m talking you. And of course underage four loko lovers around the world. But at least we had a full 365 days of awesome music. I can’t say enough about the amount of exceptional material artists put out this year. Indie darlings like Theophilus London & J*DaVeY kept us content with the most ingenious tracks and music heavyweights like Kanye West & Cee Lo gave us albums. Yeezy’s twisted fantasy, Katy Perry’s sugar coated pop bliss, Gil Scott Hering’s rebel anthem, this is our soundtrack for 2010. Find out what albums made the top 9 of our list from Art Nouveau editor Kendrick Daye aka GreatEclectic and pop culture journalist Swiper Bootz.

08. Janelle Monae- The Arch Android

Swiper Bootz: janelle monae gets a 9.75 only not a 10 because of gil scot
scott and she’s young and i anticipate a masterful career

GreatEclectic: i’d give her a 7.5.

Swiper Bootz: haha please do tell before i reach through the screen

GreatEclectic: Honestly, and that’s based on her being a completely different artist. I admire what she’s doing. But, honestly the album is okay, I expected more. It had it’s moments. And then there was just space. trimmed down five or six tracks this would be more bearable. it’s tedious as hell this way.

Swiper Bootz: hahahaha “trim it down to dance or die and it’d be perfect” when you have overtures i understand it’s going to be a long trip. good moments dont get lost so much as highlighted. its a journey keep coasting along until you hit the sights, ride ride ride – oh look the eiffel tower! ride ride ride – oh look the aqueducts! ride ride ride – oh look the hub of the city! it’s another journey through metropolis
GreatEclectic: All I can hear is, Cold war, Come alive, Sir Greedown, Faster & Oh Maker.

Swiper Bootz: faster
57821
say youll go
come alive
but i like her
so it can stay

Final Rating: 8.375

07. Gorillaz – Plastic Beach

Swiper Bootz: 9

GreatEclectic: i’d give them a 8.

Swiper Bootz: okay fair enough, it’s a good good album

GreatEclectic: i wanted to give them a 7. #oops

Swiper Bootz: concept

GreatEclectic: :\

Swiper Bootz: #biteyourtongue

GreatEclectic: concept is awesome, but it’s lacking on something simple: enjoyable music

Swiper Bootz: true true but at least they pulled it off better than m.i.a. and they integrated conceptual features with mos def, the orchestras and such they cared about their concept and didnt mind it being too much so i could ride to it, it reminded me of gta vice city which i love as a game and as a soundtrack my little sister brought up a good idea sleazy remix with GaGa and minaj digress

Final Rating: 8.5

06. Black Keys – Brothers

Swiper Bootz: we needed that this year, we needed someone to slow it down and take it back and be timeless and lament but not whine. make the simple beautiful and show that music can be acoustic and not boring

GreatEclectic: agreed

Swiper Bootz: people are afraid to be that raw on record now, even when GaGa bleeds it’s glossed

GreatEclectic: she bleeds?

Swiper Bootz: in the midst of monster red glitter #soihear. she bleeds glitter and greatness. also the vocals did the electronic thing where they took a back seat with the black keys but it wasnt electronic airy it was like ben carson a bit

GreatEclectic: yeah, very indie

Swiper Bootz: the album cover made it awesome. umm… so this is what it is and the im so artsy i dont give a fuck
Kari: you cant say we didnt warn you attitude. this was definitely one of my favorite albums this year dont lie and say you thought it was taylor swift ummm but everyone said that so i dont want it to be one of my favorite albums of the year but it is

GreatEclectic: they are actually right this time lol

Swiper Bootz: “they”

GreatEclectic: 8.5

Swiper Bootz: i’ll give it an… an 8.5

Final Rating: 8.5

05. Kid Cudi – Man On The Moon 2: The Legend of Mr. Rager

Swiper Bootz: i thought it was a lot darker than the other one

GreatEclectic: much darker and to think i didn’t know you could get darker

Swiper Bootz: haha exactly it didnt seem like a proper release, but he released proper, well-proper it was raw. it was 808s and heartbreakish in concept he’s in a dark place, so he has to create which is a product of a kanye protege, compared to say

GreatEclectic: don’t say it

Swiper Bootz: a lil wayne protege

GreatEclectic: Ha, well when you are taught a certain way you act a certain way

Swiper Bootz: right but the key is to find someone you dont have to necessarily teach cudi had the baggage and material to work with kanye’s carving and crafting wayne is building from the ground up

GreatEclectic: kanye and wayne are two different egos wayne gets off on knowing all them wouldn’t exist without him, all of them are him kanye wants wats best but to have anyone,let alone his artists be compared to his greatness is not his idea of success for Cudi

Swiper Bootz: the first to say free weezy but then you gotta ask yourself… would weezy free me

GreatEclectic: but the album is insane…and the beats

Swiper Bootz: yep and it’s long and not in a gratuitous way in a cathartic way just releasing

GreatEclectic: well it’s made for a smoker too.

Swiper Bootz: come on, it’s like wiz khalifa for people who also read in their spare time… because they can read ok Cudi gets a 8.7 from me. wild’n cuz im young is great

GreatEclectic: is that a single? it should be. Cudi gets an 8.5

Final Rating: 8.6

04. Cee Lo Green – The Lady Killer

Swiper Bootz: it was maxwell with a splash of synth soul and it was what trey, usher, drake even couldn’t do

GreatEclectic: definitely. and that voice is ridiculous. let me turn off dirty money and play some cee lo lol i need a duet with him and solange now

Final Rating: 8.75

03. Ellie Goulding – Lights

GreatEclectic: Ellie’s album is the first album we’ve talked about today that i can listen to all the way through
every track

Swiper Bootz: hmmm maybe ross i could but definitely ellie effortless gapless feel without being gapless it’s a release like everyone else but calmer which is indicative of environments coming from cudi black man in america in the midst of american fame and celebrity and hiphop versus hipsterhop so to speak katy perry trying to be that teenager again for the market but speaking from a foreign place ellie is universal and authentically what she is, which is the market and britain is good at making artists make themselves and let the masses choose accordingly look at lily allen and duffy and adele and amy winehouse never wouldve happened in america theyre too real to make ideal but instead britain has the ideals stem from reality

GreatEclectic: muse, coldplay, radiohead.

Swiper Bootz: florrie who btdubs had a dope EP http://swiperbootz.wordpress.com/2010/11/14/sunday-best-florrie-introduction-ep/ just scroll to the download link, you know how i am if you read it it’ll just… yeah, she actually ended up reading the review on tgri and tweeted out a thank you but back to ellie it’s a great album.

GreatEclectic: That’s awesome when that happens

Swiper Bootz: isnt it!

GreatEclectic: ellie for me. 9.

Swiper Bootz: she entered the pop consciousness i’d give it a 9 as well maybe i should give it an 8.75 to diversify from devil’s advocacy.

Final Rating: 8.875

02. Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Swiper Bootz: that beautiful beast of burden umm it was moderate, no, obviously it was great and we all loved it
but – we all loved it and moreover we all loved it when power came out and each friday when we got a new track

GreatEclectic: i got on board after Monster….And for sure after Runaway, i understood everything then

Swiper Bootz: for me in 2010 i lived breathed ate slept sweated cried GaGa and Kanye it’s hard to talk about albums that explain themselves perfectly discussions would consist of lyrical dialogues answering his own questions

Swiper Bootz: it only allows for that

GreatEclectic: Kanye 9.5

Swiper Bootz: 9.25

GreatEclectic: duh duh duh

Swiper Bootz: someone’s going to come in my window and slit my throat a columnist from pitchfork or toure

GreatEclectic: at least they’ll be looking for you, you have to worry when they aren’t lol

Final Rating: 9.6875

01. Gil Scott-Heron – I’m New Here

Swiper Bootz: #obvs. t’s what every rapper aims to do – or should. it spoke for the culture from a place of authenticity and truth. and he didnt give a fuck he let it exist as a sonic snapshot

GreatEclectic: it should be nominated for grammys. like multiple grammys

Swiper Bootz: a soundtrack of his life. like – all of them basically whoever wins best new artist robbed gil

GreatEclectic: i would love to hear Beyonce or Jazmine Sullivan cover I’ll Take Care Of You. Album of the Year to me

Swiper Bootz: so the other thing about me, is that im subjective so i dont like calling anything an objective anything
but he is an album of the year easily thus is the burden of the pop brain i cant call it album of the year knowing how many havent heard it – and namely those who wouldnt understand or be able to relate.

GreatEclectic: i can understand that.

Swiper Bootz: yes, but can “they”

GreatEclectic: it’s either gil scott or be like everyone else and put kanye at 1. conundrum.

Swiper Bootz: in that case gil scott hah. 10

GreatEclectic: I’ll play devil’s advocate this time. 9.7

Final Rating: 9.85

By now you’ve heard “Noise Porn.” Now hear the remixes of tracks by theDOLLDAZE, Rahbi, Corinne Stevie & more by GotDion, Timeshare, Corinne Stevie, Savvy Society, Ethereal & GreatEclectic. Listen and download the remixes below.

1. Kid Cudi & RAHBI – What’s That Sound (Remix)
2. theDOLLDAZE – Illuminate The Sky (GreatEclectic Remix)
3. Corinne Stevie – Grace Jones (GotDion Remix)
4. Sye Spence- Back (ETHERRMX)
5. Koohl Cardi, Ben Carson & Corinne Stevie – Noise Porn (GreatEclectic Mashuo)
6. Antonio Stapleton & KJ – #1 Fan (GreatEclectic “Heartbeats” Mix)
7. Naira – Nightmares (GreatEclectic “Sexy Time” Mix)
8. Guy Anthony – GLOW (GreatEclectic Mashup)
9. Corinne Stevie – Grace Jones (TIMESHARE REMIX)
10. Roz Bell – Anymore (GreatEclectic “Infidel” Mix)
11. Antonio Stapleton & KJ – #1 Fan (GreatEclectic “ClockStrikes” Mix)
12. Corinne Stevie & MERC – Grace Jones (Savvy Society Remix)
13. theDOLLDAZE- illuminate the sky (Corinne Stevie mix)
14. Sye Spence & Troi – Back (Savvy Society Remix)

Stay high with this 4-20 mixtape “Reefa Madness” presented by Art Nouveau Magazine & GreatEclectic. The album art was designed by Corinne Stevie.

Download: Reefa Madness

Tracklisting:
1. Ekua – Green Is The Color
2. Amy Winehouse – Addicted
3. Three Six Mafia – Where Is The Bud?
4. Corinne Stevie, Richelle L. Brown & Khaos Da Rapper – Next Extreme
5. Ben Carson & Al K!ng – Higher
6. Chester French, Bun B., Talib Kweli, & Mickey Factz – I’m So Tall
7. Mike Posner – Drug Dealer Girl
8. Lil’ Kim – M.A.F.I.A. Land
9. $$$ – Red Eye
10. Solange – ChampagneChroniknightCap
11. Kid Cudi – Hyyerr
12. Or, The Whale – Toxic
13. Devin The Dude & Odd Squad – Til It’s All Gone
14. N.E.R.D. & Malice – Am I High?

Rahbi’s original version of “What’s That Sound?” was produced by Savvy Society and appeared on the “Noise Porn” compilation. On April 3, Savvy Society will release a beat-tape entitled A Subway in Harlem featuring jazzy instrumentals he’s created. This remixed version of “What’s That Sound?” featuring Kid Cudi will appear on the tape. Listen and download the remix below.

MP3: Rahbi feat Kid Cudi – What’s That Sound? (Remix) (Right Click +Save Target As)

Here’s the tracklisting for Savvy Society’s A Subway in Harlem.
1. The Rising
2. Wake n Bake
3. Metro Card
4. Studio 54
5. Stuck Up Kid
6. Bastards of the Party
7. BOOGIEman
8. Drip pt 1
9. Drip pt 2
10. I Come Apart
11. Megatron
12. Supercool
13. Press Play feat Steve Lovell
14. Rahbi – What’s That Sound? (Remix) feat Kid Cudi

Only the Crookers could make this album. One of the key and most influential grandfathering groups of the current underground dance craze, Bot and Phra, the Italian Stallions of bass have taken the underground completely into the mainstream on their new Southern Fried Records release Tons of Friends released stateside on Monday, March 8th. At 22 tracks with 31 guests, this album is both bloated and audacious. However, in coming off more like a “Now! That What I Call Hipster” compilation more than anything else, the album succeeds, as for the more interested and adventurous typical music listener, the finest quality performers of electro, dub, club, bass, breaks and dance are all here, alongside some of the better vocalists with voices attuned to the unique qualities of the sounds presented.

The only lingering issue with this album lies for the more devoted fans of the musical genres presented. The album features the Crookers turning it back a few notches and presenting VERY pedestrian and mainstreamed takes on very underground musical styles, as, well, you’re not going to get the Debonair Samir “Samir’s Theme” sampling “Big Money Comin’,” nor the electro bombast of their key to their own mainstream success, Kid Cudi’s “Day N Night” remix. Instead you get tracks like Kelis’ hooks on the big bass shaker, ever so remotely dubstep “No Security,” which is as hard as the album gets, as the album shows the Crookers as not being so loud anymore, but instead investing more time in learning how to create grooves, melodies and pop songs. The pop quotient here is extremely high, Roisin Murphy’s two tracks “Hold Up Your Hand” and “Royal T” both exciting, as well as French electro pop wonder Yelle’s “Cooler Couleur” being fun as well.

This album truly exceeds at excess in being everything to everyone. For “OG” hipsters, there’s work here by ex-Bonde do Role femme fatale Marina, Spank Rock and Rye Rye (“Hip Hop Changed” is a lot of fun). If you’re just into the underground, favorites like Miike Snow, Major Lazer, The Very Best and Kid Cudi (“Embrace the Martian” is fantastic) are here, and, if a bottle service kid, Pitbull, Kardinal Offishall and the ubiquitous Will I. Am as well, all in tow. It’s really quite the awe-inspiring tableau.

In final, the electro craze has finally crossed over. The Crookers indeed have Tons of Friends. This album speaks far more to the levels of success that underground dance has achieved as a tightly knit community than to any forward movement of the disparate styles explored on the release. In the game of making money versus making music you personally enjoy, the ultimate battle every underground artist struggles with, the Crookers have shown themselves as victorious, creating a synergy that, while oddly massive, is more collection than album. By having these friends, the Crookers can claim to be at the top of the line, the head of the game. Mission, accomplished.

Download: “Royal T” “No Security” “Transilvania”

The original version of Snoop Dogg and Kid Cudi’s Diplo produced collaboration was already sick. But, the Clockwork remix is even sweeter. Listen and download the remix below.

MP3: Snoop Dogg feat Kid Cudi – That Tree (Clockwork Remix) (Right Click + Save Target As)

If you were in Atlanta last weekend and didn’t make it out to “Drip,” the launch party for The-Socials.com you missed out. Click here to see what you missed. And now you can hear what you missed. Download the official mixtape, mixed by Art Nouveau Magazine Editor in Chief Kendrick Daye. The mix features mixes of Lady Gaga, Roisin Murphy, Rye Rye, David Guetta, Peaches, and more. It’s not the entire dance revolution that was heard at the party, but it’s close enough. Download link and tracklisting below.

Download: An-Mag.com & The-Socials.com present “Drip: The Mixtape”

Tracklisting:
1. Rye Rye – Bang Bang (Stanton Warriors Remix)
2. David Guetta & Wynter Gordon – Toyfriend
3. Corinne Stevie & M.I.A. – Club_Kidz (GotDion Remix)
4. Peaches – Serpentine
5. Ludacris feat Ciara & Pitbull – How Low (Remix)
6. Britney Spears – 3 (DubStep Remix)
7. 8Ball & MJG – Relax & Take Notes
8. Kanye West & Sade- Say You Will/Cherish The Day (Mashup)
9. Sade – Soldier of Love
10. Rihanna feat Young Jeezy – Hard
11. Noise Porn starring Koohl Cardi, Ben Carson & Corinne Stevie – Noise Porn
12. Ms. Jade & Corinne Stevie- Better Get That (Remix)
13. Lady Gaga & Beyonce- Telephone (Remix)
14. Timbaland feat Justin Timberlake & Twista – Telephone (Remix)
15. Rihanna – Sexuality
16. Roisin Murphy – Let Me Know
17. LMFAO – I Am Not A Whore
18. Solange – Would Have Been The One
19. Theopilus London – Always Love U
20. Kelis – Acapella
21. J*DaVeY – Duh Duh Duh
22. Basement Jaxx feat Maleka, Kelis & Chipmunk – Scars
23. David Guetta feat Kid Cudi – Memories
24. Lady Gaga – Bad Romance (Chew Fu Remix)

I recently gave David Guetta’s latest album a spin and loved the mix of urban artists like Kid Cudi, Akon & Estelle with heart-pumping unedited dance music. On of my favorite songs on the album “Memories” features Kid Cudi. Here’s the video for the track below.

I know you probably watched the premiere episode of HBO’s new show “How To Make It In America” which stars Kid Cudi. Now you can listen to the accompanying soundtrack/mixtape thanks to Kid CuDi and DJ Green Lantern. The mixtape features appearances by Kid Cudi, Dan Black, Junkie XL, Kenna, Lupe Fiasco, Chromeo and more. Download it below. “How To Make It In America” comes on Sundays at 10 PM on HBO.

Download: How To Make It In America (Mixtape)

Rich Hill’s music is a mixture of hallucinogenic rhymes and vintage beats. Rich Hill is the new wave of hip-hop I’ve been noticing with acts like Wale and Kid Cudi. It’s no wonder Rich works with Kudi. His latest mixtape, Limos Were Cool In The ’90s was produced in collaboration with Atlanta’s legendary producer Don Cannon, and is a prelude to Rich’s upcoming debut full-length, set for release later this spring on Limo Life Records. The album will feature “Trippy,” Rich’s psychedelic collaboration with Kid Cudi.

Download: Rich Hil – Limos Were Cool In The 90′s (Mixtape)

MP3: Rich Hill – Lady in The Limo

Weed and music are my favorites, so it’s no wonder I love Kid Cudi. Here’s a video for his Vampire Weekend assisted track “Cudderisback.” The footage, which features Cudi with weed in Boston, is taken from a documentary being filmed by Jason Goldwatch. Watch it below.

KiD CuDi “cudderisback” – Directed by Jason Goldwatch – DatNewCudi.com from DP on Vimeo.