It's tough to sum up a year, let alone a year in music. For our top 11 tracks of 2011 we opted to stick to songs that had been featured on Okayafrica in the past 12 months. Love the choices? Hate 'em? Let us know in the comments. Browse our top tracks of 2011 below, check out our top music videos and top side-eye moments of the year, and stay tuned for top 11 LPs!
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CHLLNGR ft. Spoek Mathambo, Mpumi of BLK JKS, and Mo Laudi "Ask For (Africa Remix)"
CHLLNGR‘s nighttime dubby jam gets Africa remixed by Spoek Mathambo, Mpumi Mcata of BLK JKS, and Mo Laudi.
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Philly-via-Dakar Zakee's ode to the ultimate squeeze.
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Nneka ft. Black Thought "God Knows Why"
[audio:https://www.okayafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/Nneka-God_Knows_Why_Feat_Black_Thought-2dope.mp3|titles="God Knows Why ft. Black Thought" by Nneka]
Soulstress Nneka featuring The Roots' own Black Thought.
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Chopped-up soul samples in M.anfest's tougher life anthem "Suffer."
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Kwaito-tinged South African house from DJ Sbu with vocals from budding singer Zahara.
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Just A Band, Michel Ongaro, and Gebrüder Teichmann & Jahcoozi "Away"
Reverb-layered collaboration from Kenya's Just A Band, Michel Ongaro and German producers Gebrüder Teichmann & Jahcoozi.
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Jonti ft. Hodgy Beats "Nagoya"
SA producer Jonti cooks up a flawless electronic breeze for Odd Future’s Hodgy Beats.
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Collage of Zulu rhymes spread over house beats from SA's BIG FKN GUN.
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Kuduro beats and 60s semba guitar samples by Batida with verses from Luandan MCs Sacerdote and Dama Ivone.
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DJ Caise ft. Eldee, Jesse Jagz, & Grip-Boyz "Shake Bodi (Gidi House Mafia Remix)"
Naija-bred afro house banger from an all-star Chocolate City line up.
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Zaki Ibrahim "Something In The Water"
SA/Canada’s Zaki Ibrahim delivers an undulating minimalist bass tune.
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