From mainstream pop to underground rock, from hip-hop to electronic music, 2011 was a huge year for all of these genres of music, and others as well. It was a year that saw many new breakthrough artists top the iTunes top albums/singles charts, a revival of some old favorite bands, and even the deaths of some of music’s biggest stars.
Breakthrough Artists:
Probably the most successful and most well-known artists to come out in 2011 was Adele, with her latest album 21.
Adele’s bluesy sound along with hit singles like "Rolling in the Deep" and "Someone Like You", made 21 an international hit. The album is currently this year’s best-selling album, and is still on iTunes top albums list.
Other breakthrough artists include Foster the People, Mumford and Sons, The Band Perry, and Wiz Khalifa whose hit single "Black and Yellow", has become the Pittsburgh Steelers theme song at home games. There was also Rebecca Black’s single "Friday" that became popular, but only because it was so hilariously bad (as well as its music video).
Veteran Artists: Many veteran bands also found success during 2011. Radiohead, probably the world’s most critically acclaimed band, released their new album The King of Limbs. Although the album was considered darker than previous Radiohead albums, it still received great reviews, and sold well.
Foo Fighters also came out big this year with their album Wasting Light, which became their most critically acclaimed album yet.
In the hip-hop world, Beastie Boys proved that they’re still hip-hop royalty. Their latest album Hot Sauce Committee Part 2, is the best reviewed hip-hop album of the year.
Successful veterans that came out big this year were Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rise Against, My Morning Jacket, and The Strokes who spawned a hit single with "Under Cover of Darkness".
Other Notable Artists:
Pop titan Lady Gaga came out strong this year with her latest album Born this Way, which spawned four singles such as the title track, and "Edge of Glory" (with a cameo appearance by the late Clarence Clemons).
Jennifer Lopez saw a great surge in popularity this year after becoming one of the new judges for American Idol. She also released her new album, Love?, which came out to generally mixed reviews, but still sold well.
The following artists also dominated the charts this year: Bruno Mars, Katy Perry, and Nicki Minaj who rose to great popularity with her hit song "Super Bass".
Notable Losses:
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| Clarence Clemons: January 11, 1942 – June 18, 2011 |
The year 2011 also marks the passing of several musicians whose influence on the music industry has been profound.
On June 18, the legendary Clarence Clemons, saxophonist for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, died after complications related to a stroke. Clarence was well known for his tremendous sound and his sax solos in such songs as "Jungleland", and "Born to Run".
A month after Clarence’s passing, singer Amy Winehouse died at the age of 27, becoming the 50th member of "The 27 Club", an infamous club of musicians that all died at the age of 27 such as Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, and Kurt Cobain.
Looking Ahead:
Although most of the year’s great music has already been released, 2011 still holds three months of possibility. Coldplay is currently working on their first concept album Mylo Xyloto which will be coming out soon. Also for fans of 90’s rock, Pearl Jam 20, a documentary about the band, will also be coming out later this year.
As long as another song like "Friday" doesn’t come out, 2011 will end on a high note.
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