Hello all! Since we only have a few more days left in the year, its about that time to review the best of 2011. This year, I am including video games into the mix. It was a good year for gamers as well. I can only comment on what I have read, heard or played. If you feel I left anything out, say so in the comment section below. Let’s get started.
Best Books
Malcolm X, A Life of Reinvention, Manning Marable- The controversial book on Malcolm X is one of the most notable of the year, despite what detractors think of some of the material in there. For re-raising public consciousness on the impact of the slain civil rights leader, and shedding more light on what kind of organization the Nation of Islam was, Marable’s last book merits mention.
Our Man In the Dark, Rashad Harrison
The story of John Estem, an overlooked SCLC accountant who becomes entrapped by the FBI is one of the best reads this year. Makes me want to read more fiction. To learn more, read my review on it.
Where Will You Go From Here, Valorie R. Burton
The self help book from life coach Valorie Burton is all about moving forward after things don’t go as you planned. A very inspirational book with applicable steps, and a spiritually based outlook.
Best Albums
Cole World, J. Cole– The new lyrical cat on the block. Cole World is an impressive debut, with some great beats on there as well.
Lyrical Law– Canibus– Even though he lost some points for starting a pointless beef with the rapper above, “Lyrical Law” was still a good record. He checked in with his usual sci fi laced rhymes, ripped it with Royce 5’9 on “Bread and Butter”, and had some bonus features including his old material from The Herald of Extreme Metaphors. Full review here: Lyrical Law
Favorite Song: “Ghost of Hip Hops Past”
Still On The Hustle- Neek the Exotic/ Large Professor- Two notable hip hop producers come together to show they still on it. Slept on, but its that true school stuff for real. Favorite Song: “Still on The Hustle”
Best Games
Mortal Kombat 9– 2011 was the year of Mortal Kombat. With a revamped game, a web series, and the online re-release of the first three games, MK fans were well inundated with the franchise. Keeping the game interesting for a longer period of time was the downloadable characters released over the summer, and the patches to balance out the roster. To top it all off, Netherealm Studios was rewarded for their work by the industry, earning awards for best fighting game of 2011. Read my review of MK9.
Between Modern Warfare 3 and Gears of War 3 I can’t decide which is my favorite. But they are both great games. Both shooters hold something different for the players, and will keep you playing for hours on end.
Best Movies
Note: There wasn’t that much that impressed me mainstream wise this year. These are two indies that really stood out to me.
Mooz-lum- A coming of age story of a young man of Islamic faith in America.
Hidden Colors- A documentary on African history and influence in the Americas, Europe, and Asia.
To see my picks for last year: Best of 2010
What are your picks for 2011?
Marc W. Polite