11 Best Albums of 2011 (3rd Quarter Report)

Three-fourths of the way in, these LPs are tops this year.

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1 / 11

J.Cole, Cole World: The Sideline Story - For two years hip hop fans awaited the official debut of The Roc Nation rookie. After debuting at #1 on the charts last week, it’s clear that he delivered on the hype and gave fans an album worth the wait.\r\r\r(Photo: Courtesy Sony Music Entertainment)

Soundtrack of 2011 — Watch the Throne - Jay plus Kanye, need we say more? From the first single, "H.A.M.," which added a new phrase to the urban dictionary, the summer banger, “Otis” (and the much-talked about chopped up Maybach in the song’s video), to the album's current chart-topping track “N---as in Paris”, W.T.T. was a true hip hop masterpiece. These heavy weights put everyone on notice that Jigga and Ye are still running this town. (Photo: Courtesy of Roc-A-Fella Records)

2 / 11

The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West), Watch the Throne - Two of the biggest rappers in the game teamed up to create the massive event known as Watch the Throne. From Maybachs to black-on-black murder, the MCs addressed it all and asserted their dominance in hip hop.\r\r\r(Photo: Courtesy Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam Records)

Beyoncé, IV - Bey spent 2010 recharging her batteries and seeking inspiration to take a break from her hectic lifestyle. She emerged this June with her fourth studio album to show that she hasn’t lost it one bit.   (Photo: Courtesy Columbia Records)

3 / 11

Beyoncé, IV - Bey spent 2010 recharging her batteries and seeking inspiration to take a break from her hectic lifestyle. She emerged this June with her fourth studio album to show that she hasn’t lost it one bit.   (Photo: Courtesy Columbia Records)

Adele - 21 - The sophomore LP of British soul singer Adele topped U.S. charts early this year. The seamless arrangement of each emotional track takes you on a journey of love lost and love found. The Rick Rubin–produced track “Don’t You Remember” epitomizes the longing of unrequited love.

4 / 11

Adele, 21 - The UK singer’s genre-bending sound was flawless on the follow-up to her 2008 debut, 19.\r\r\r(Photo: Courtesy Coulumbia Records)

Lil Wayne, Tha Carter IV - Lil Wayne stuck with the concept for his 2011 follow-up, Tha Carter IV, this time inking up an old graduation photo. (Photo: Cash Money Records)

5 / 11

Lil Wayne, Carter IV - Three years after his Carter 3 made history by selling “A Milli” in a week, Weezy repeated the incredible feat with C4. (Photo: Courtesy Young Money/ Cash Money Records)

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Big Sean, Finally Famous - Not only is Finally Famous a sonic derivative of The College Dropout, but Big Sean has also said that the album's "Last Call" made him tear up and inspired songs of his own, like "Memories." Plus, Kanye signed Sean to G.O.O.D. Music, and there's no G.O.O.D. without 'Ye's trailblazing debut. (Photo: Def Jam Recordings)

6 / 11

Big Sean, Finally Famous - The Detroit MC’s hypnotic flow and witty lyricism were on full effect for his solid debut. Kanye West’s protégé teamed with Chris Brown for his hit single, “My Last.”\r\r\r(Photo: Courtesy Def Jam Records)

25. Wiz Khalifa, Rolling Papers - Led by the monstrous chart-topper "Black and Yellow," Wiz's 2011 major-label bow found him blending catchy, sing-songy hooks and synth-heavy beats to adapt his college-dorm stoner rap to the masses. (Photo: Atlantic Records)

7 / 11

Wiz Khalifa, Rolling Papers - Pittsburgh’s favorite pothead Wiz Khalifa rode his #1 hit “Black & Yellow” to a successful debut album.\r\r\r(Photo: Meredith Truax)

The Evolution of Lady Gaga - Gaga fever reached a high point last year with the release of her second full-length, Born This Way. On the back of the hit title track, the album sold over a million copies its first week on the shelves, the fastest sales mark in five years.(Photo: Courtesy Interscope Records)

8 / 11

Lady Gaga, Born This Way - The pop music megastar sold 1.1 million copies in her first week and her lead single, “Born This Way,” set an iTunes sales record.\r \r(Photo: Courtesy Interscope Records)

First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart - He was in the industry for six years and already a household name when CB got his first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart. F.A.M.E. came out in 2011, and it changed everything for Brown.(Photo: RCA) 

9 / 11

Chris Brown, F.A.M.E. - The troubled singer combined R&B, hip hop and Euro music on his redemptive fourth album.\r \r(Photo: Courtesy Jive Records)

The R.E.D. Album, Game - Game lets loose like a drunken machine gunner on this scattershot of an album, complete with 21 tracks, all but four without guest appearances. He throws everything and everything's mama at the wall, but a whole lot of it sticks, especially the weirdo-rap triumph "Martians vs. Goblins," featuring Lil Wayne and Tyler the Creator.(Photo: Courtesy Interscope Records)

10 / 11

Game, The R.E.D. Album         - The Compton MC called all of his friends for his feature-heavy fourth album. Everyone from DJ Premier to Lil Wayne showed up for the star-studded affair.\r \r \r\r\r(Photo: Courtesy Interscope Records)

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11 / 11

Bad Meets Evil (Eminem and Royce da 5’9), Hell: The Sequel - Eminem and Detroit homie Royce teamed to form Bad Meets Evil. The collaborative EP was heavy on jaw-dropping metaphors and rapid-fire-lyricism but also featured a softer side (The Bruno Mars-assisted “Lighters").\r\r\r(Photo: Courtesy Interscope Records)