Watch out Nicki Minaj! World meet the baddest bitch from the 212: Azealia Banks! Ok I gotta warn you, this video is NOT suitable for work or kids. Speaking of vulgarity–I love the reactions I get after I tell someone to check this video out. A few viewers/listeners are shocked and bit outraged by the lyrics. You know a man can rap the filthiest lyrics and that’s cool but when a chick does it…”How dare she?!” I distinctly remember prude sorority girls belting out “To the sweat drip down my balls. To all these bitches crawl. To all ski skit motherfucker” etc. Or let’s not forget Eazy E’s “Gimme That Nut”. Man, midwest girls love that song! Ok, I’ll get off my soap box now. There’s no doubt Azealia is a badass lyricist but she has some tone too. Match that with Lazy Jay’s house beats and you have “212″.  I can’t get enough of this jam!!! It’s seems Azealia has a little indie to her as I discovered she covered Interpol’s “Slow Hands”. Azealia hasn’t released an album yet but she’s slated to play Coachella so I assume it’s coming…Until then.

It’s been another year of great music. I reflect on the top 11:

1. Gotye “Somebody that I Used to Know”: I start the list with my favorite track of 2011! Australian import Gotye definetly has the most diverse album of 2011. Making Mirrors has jams that sound like they could be tracks from a Steve Winwood album to a Miike Snow EP. Needless to say, you should check it out!
2. M83 “Midnight City”: M83′s music is so dreamy so I find it very fitting that they named their 2011 (with a generous 22 tracks) album Hurry Up We’re Dreaming. If you dig “Midnight City” you will dig M83′s past albums. If you find yourself doing some air saxophone don’t be embarrassed, I did too.
3. tUnE YarDs “Bizness”: The tUnE YarDs’s lead singer is NOT a dude! Instead Merrill Garbus is a multi talented avant garde musician (check out this video–whoa kooky creative at it’s best). Who knew harmonizing, the ukulele, and a bass guitar could produce such an awesome sound?!
4. Lana Del Rey “Video Games”: Best new artist of 2011, hands down! The blog world is all up in arms claiming Lana is a product of record label execs, lips and all. I could care less. I’m buying what they’re selling!
5. Lana Del Rey “Blue Jeans”: I’m so into this chick I added 2 songs to my list. I can’t decide which I like more…
6. Lykke Li “Get Some”: Swedish darling Lykke Li relased a sophomore album that did NOT disappoint! Wounded Rhymes might be my album of the year. Lykke Li also debuted a new look…Lizbeth Salander anyone?
7. Phantogram “Don’t Move”: Now this is lo-fi I can dig! If you’ve never heard of Phantogram check out “When I’m Small” to hear their signature electronica meets electric guitar sound.
8. The Joy Formidable “Whirring”: This pop (yet indie rock) Welsh band sound like they are having a good time making music! They kind of remind me of Pretty Girls Make Graves. Remember them?
9. Little Boots “Shake”: Shake yo ass! I’m not sure if this song merits top 11 BUT I have it on rotation and it makes me ready for New Year’s Eve dancing!
10. Clams Casino “I’m God”: What?! This kid is from Jersey?! I could die with this song on repeat!
11. Papa “I am the Lion King”: This may sound crazy but if Bruce Springsteen & David Bowie’s vocals had a baby they’d have the lead singer of Papa. I realize that my list is a bit heavy on the indie electro so I thought I’d include my favorite indie rock song too. Happy New Year!