This article summarizes the events, album releases, and album release dates in hip-hop for the year 2011.
Events
January Shady Records signs Slaughterhouse and Yelawolf. Decon Records signs Roc Marciano.
February For the rap categories of the 2011 Grammy Awards, Eminem wins two Grammy Awards for Best Rap Solo Performance and Best Rap Album while Jay-Z wins Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, Best Rap Performance by a Duo or a Group, and Best Rap Song. Eminem pairs up with auto manufacturer Chrysler to star in a two-minute-long advertisement that aired during the 2011 Super Bowl, which was hailed by critics as being "authentic" and "rousing", and which is reported to have contributed to the boost in Chrysler's first quarter profits.
March Singer Nate Dogg dies on March 15, 2011. Lasers by Lupe Fiasco debuts at number one on the Billboard 200, selling 204,000 copies its first week. It is the first rap album to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 in 2011.
April Detroit rapper Fuzz Scoota joins the rap group D12. Krayzie Bone splits from Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. The scheduled May 16 release of Lil Wayne's Tha Carter IV is delayed. Dr. Dre awarded 100% of the digital royalties from his first album The Chronic in a lawsuit from Death Row Records. Lil B names his new album I'm Gay, sparking controversy and death threats.
May M-Bone of Cali Swag District dies from multiple gun wounds in front of the liquor store in Inglewood, California. ”Macho Man” Randy Savage dies of a heart attack brought on by atherosclerosis in Seminole, Florida.
June Lupe Fiasco stirs controversy, calling United States President Barack Obama "the biggest terrorist in America". Fat Joe drastically slims down 88 pounds, currently weighing 265 pounds, in reaction to the death of seven of his friends due to obesity. Ja Rule begins his two-year prison sentence for gun charges stemming from a 2007 arrest in New York City. The late Tupac Shakur's 40th birthday celebrated on June 16 at a venue in Atlanta, hosted by his mother, Afeni Shakur and comedian Mike Epps. Notable performing acts included Erykah Badu and Rick Ross, among others. The manhunt for hip-hop record executive James "Jimmy Henchman" Rosemond ends with his arrest by US Marshals and DEA agents in NY City and a subsequent charge for heading a cocaine trafficking ring. It is revealed that Missy Elliott is suffering from Graves' disease. 2Pac's Greatest Hits album is certified diamond by the RIAA. Bad Meets Evil's Hell: The Sequel becomes the first group album to debut at #1 on Billboard 200, but the second hip hop act to have a #1 album in 2011. Shawty Lo signs a deal with 50 Cent's G-Unit Records.
July DMX is released from prison. Wiz Khalifa's Rolling Papers is the first rap album to be certified gold in 2011. A Tribe Called Quest's documentary film is released in the United States, amid a much-publicized disagreement over the film's vision between Q-Tip and director Michael Rapaport.
August Forbes publishes Hip Hop Cash Kings 2011, placing Jay-Z first ($37 million), followed by Diddy ($35 million). The rest follow as Kanye West ($16 Million), Lil Wayne ($15 Million), Birdman ($15 million), Snoop Dogg ($14 million) Eminem ($14 million), Wiz Khalifa ($11 million) Nicki Minaj ($6.5 million) and B.o.B ($5 million). Brooklyn rapper Kampane is found dead in a suspected homicide. Kanye West and Jay-Z's Watch the Throne becomes the fastest-selling rap album in 2011, selling 436,000 copies its first week, beating Lupe Fiasco's third studio album Lasers. It is also the third rap album to debut at number one on the Billboard 200. Rolling Stone names Eminem "the King of Hip Hop". Lil Wayne rushed to a hospital in St. Louis from a skateboarding incident, suffering a wound over his eye. In response to West and Jay-Z's single "H•A•M", Lil Wayne fires back at Jay-Z in his song "It's Good" regarding "Baby's Money". One of the collaborators on the track Jadakiss denies involvement in the beef. Lil Wayne states there would not be any repercussions. Drake, the other collaborator, was unaware of the beef at the time of recording. Rapper Royce da 5'9" releases fifth and final independent album Success Is Certain which debuts at #25 on the US Billboard Hot 200. T.I. is released from prison.
September Watch the Throne is certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. Pusha T of the Clipse signs a solo record deal with Def Jam Records. Lil Wayne's Tha Carter IV sells 965,000 copies its first week, making it the fastest-selling rap album and the overall second-fastest-selling album of the year. It also becomes the fifth rap album to debut at #1 on the Billboard 200. He also has 12 singles appear on the Billboard Hot 100 in the first week of September. T.I. was brought back to prison due to conducting business with VH1 reality show producers for his upcoming reality show, delaying his release date to late September. Later, T.I. was released to a halfway house to complete his sentence. Ray J and Fabolous were involved in an altercation with each other in Las Vegas, where the match between Floyd Mayweather and Victor Ortiz occurred. Lil Wayne announced his intent to record two more Tha Carter albums, a joint album with Juelz Santana, and a second Young Money compilation album.
October J. Cole's debut album Cole World: The Sideline Story sells 218,000 copies in its first week, charting at number one on the Billboard 200. Rick Ross has suffered two seizures while traveling to cities to perform. It is reported that Lil Wayne is recording sequels to I Am Not a Human Being and Rebirth. Kanye West announces that a GOOD Music compilation album will be released sometime in spring 2012. Rapper/Model Lola Monroe signs onto Wiz Khalifa's label Taylor Gang.
November Brick Squad Monopoly affiliate RoseMo700 is gunned down in Los Angeles on November 3 while on his way home at the age of 26. Legendary rapper Heavy D dies at his home in Beverly Hills, California. Pitbull files a countersuit against Lindsay Lohan citing her multiple prison sentences lead to the credibility of the reference and her ineligibility to file her lawsuit in New York, being a California resident. Erick Sermon suffers a heart attack. Juicy J of Three 6 Mafia signs a solo deal with Wiz Khalifa's Taylor Gang Records. Take Care sold 630.000 in this debut week, being the second #1 album of Drake, and the third fastest selling album of 2011 (behind Lady Gaga and Lil Wayne).
December Strange Music signs Prozak. 1017 Brick Squad affiliate Slim Dunkin is shot and killed in an Atlanta studio. Waka Flocka Flame's second studio album Triple F Life: Friends, Fans and Family is pushed to a 2012 release date because of the death of Slim Dunkin.
Released albums
Release Date Artist Album Notes RefsJanuary 1G-SideThe One...CohesiveJanuary 11DJ Vlad Presents... M-EightyTaking Back What's Mine: The Official Compilation AlbumFreeway & Statik SelektahStatik-Free EPThe JackaFlight RiskLecraeRehab: The Overdose Debuted at No. 15 on the Billboard 200Schoolboy QSetbacks Debuted at No. 100 on the Billboard 200Philthy RichTrip'n 4 LifeShunda KThe Most WantedTurf TalkTurf SinatraVerbal KentSave YourselfJanuary 18Andre Nickatina & The JackaMy Middle Name Is Crime EP (Physical Release)Yukmouth & DJ FreshThuggin And MobbinKeak da Sneak, P.S.D. Tha Drivah & Messy MarvDa Bidness Part IIMadlibMadlib Medicine Show No. 11: Low Budget High Fi MusicMistah F.A.B., DJ Rah2k & The EmpireI Found My BackpackLil BAngels ExodusKottonmouth Kings Present... X PistolsShoot To KillSha StimuliUnsung Vol. 1: The Garden of EdenPlayaliticalAmeriConJanuary 25Talib KweliGutter Rainbows Debuted at No. 29 on the Billboard 200Sam SneedStreet ScholarsLayzie BoneThug LuvPaul WallPolitics As UsualTrackademicksState Of The ArtsThe Jacka Presents... Joe BlowYou Should Be Payin Me: Street AlbumLate Presents... Final PenaltyThe Pay ScaleTech N9ne & DJ Whoo KidBad Season (Reissue) Debuted at No. 118 on the Billboard 200BlaqstarrThe Divine EPFebruary 1AyatollahFingertipsDeltron 3030Deltron 3030 (Reissue) (Vinyl Release)The Lost Children of Babylon Present... AtmaBeyond Birth And DeathRandom & Lost PerceptionBlack Materia: Final Fantasy VIIThe Insane WarriorWe Are DoorwaysSkeptaDoin' It Again (International Release)TraeTraebute: Side 2February 8Big K.R.I.T. & GrilladeThe Wuz Here SessionsCount Bass D & DJ PocketIn The Loop Partie DeuxDanny BrownThe Hybrid (Deluxe Edition)Hell Rell & J.R. WriterGun ClapL.B.C. CrewHaven't You Heard...Lord SuperbPerb Made It PossibleMC MagicThe RewireRascoNext Stop: SeattleSlaughterhouseSlaughterhouse EP Debuted at No. 147 on the Billboard 200Wise IntelligentThe UnConKable Djezuz DjonezFebruary 1540 Glocc & DJ Nik BeanC.O.P.S. (Cripping On Public Streets)BeansEnd It AllBluAmnesiaEast Coast Avengers Present... DC The Midi AlienAvengers AirwavesFrank NittJewels In My BackpackKeak da Sneak and DJ FreshSneakacydal ReturnsKing GordyKing Gordy Sings The BluesKRS-One and ShowbizGodsvilleLil' KimBlack Friday: The MixtapeMadchildBanned From AmericaMF DoomSpecial Herbs: The Box Set Vol. 0–9 (Box Set) (Vinyl Release)SaigonThe Greatest Story Never Told Debuted at No. 61 on the Billboard 200Sims & LazerbeakBad Time ZooToraeHeart FailureTorchUFOFebruary 22Apollo BrownCloudsBizzy BoneMr. OuijaJoell OrtizFree Agent Debuted at No. 173 on the Billboard 200Layzie BoneThe DefinitionThe MeaningStrong Arm SteadyArms & HammersSwifty McVayHellToTellTheCaptain LPT.I.No Mercy (Vinyl Release)March 1Doap NixonGray PouponJ-LoveEgotistical ManiacPastor TroyStill TroyShadiTunes SessionMarch 8Death GripsDeath GripsDMXGreatest Hits With A TwistEsotericBoston PharaohLil Jon and The East Side BoyzCrunkest HitsLupe FiascoLasers Debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "The Show Goes On","Words I Never Said", and "Out of My Head" Certified GoldMac LethalFast As Hell Though EPMr. Capone-E & Mr. CriminalSouth Side's Most WantedRaekwonShaolin vs. Wu-Tang Debuted at No. 12 on the Billboard 200ReksR.E.K.S. (Rhythmatic Eternal King Supreme)Three Times DopeThe Sequel (Reissue)WCRevenge of the BarracudaMarch 15Action BronsonDr. LecterAP.9RelentlessBeneficenceSidewalk ScienceDecon RecordsClosed Sessions: ATXKeak da SneakThe Best of Thizz Iz All N da DoeLil' KekeRidin' Wit Da Top Off Volume 1The Boy Boy Young Mess Presents... Various ArtistsPaper Bag MoneyPlanet AsiaThe Bar MitzvahRappin' 4-TayStill StandingRoc MarcianoMarcberg (Vinyl Release)Techniec and L'sThe BlacklistMarch 22Baby BashBashtownCrooked IMillion Dollar Story EPCunninLynguistsOneirologyGucci ManeThe Return of Mr. Zone 6 Debuted at No. 18 on the Billboard 200Kool Moe DeeKool Moe Dee (Reissue)Pharoahe MonchW.A.R. (We Are Renegades) Debuted at No. 55 on the Billboard 200Zion I & The GrouchHeroes In The Healing of the NationMarch 2940 Glocc, Spider Loc & DJ DramaGraveyard ShiftDJ Spinna & Mr. ThingThe Beat Generation (10th Anniversary Collection)E-40Revenue Retrievin': Graveyard Shift Debuted at No. 40 on the Billboard 200Revenue Retrievin': Overtime Shift Debuted at No. 42 on the Billboard 200Lee BannonBannon's BigToyBox II: Circus CutsMac MillerOn And On And Beyond Debuted at No. 55 on the Billboard 200Max BVigilante Season Debuted at No. 200 on the Billboard 200Noah23Fry Cook on VenusSnoop DoggDoggumentary Debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 Singles included "Wet", "Boom"Wiz KhalifaRolling Papers Debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "Black and Yellow", "Roll Up", "No Sleep", "On My Level"