It’s annoying to do year-end lists after the year is over. Not only are they an intransigent, subjective idea but (and if you’ve ever dined with me you can attest to this), but I’m terrible at making decisions. There’s also the premise that rankings, from a critic anyway, imply considerations for things like art and cultural relevance over sheer, immediate, irresistible gratification – that’s why Rihanna’s “We Found Love” wouldn’t be a critic-vaunted song of the year despite its utilitarian appeal. Anyway, what’s important to you is probably not important to me, and vice versa, but the difference is that I get to tell you about it anyway. Here’s my gauche rundown of 2011 in music: 
Best local act to come out of nowhere: BADBADNOTGOOD Best show vibe money can buy: The hot-boxed Weeknd debut at the Mod Club, 7/24 (Thanks Drake) Best/worst surprise cameo by Drake: SBTRKT at Wrongbar, 7/8 I screamed myself hoarse for: Stevie Wonder at Drake’s OVO Fest, 7/31 Most interesting/scary Facebook event page comments: Odd Future’s sold-out Toronto debut at the Phoenix Party series you should pay attention to: Galapagos, Happy Endings That time I went to Air Canada Centre twice in one week: Watch the Throne, 11/23; Prince, 11/25 Comfortably un-hyped shows by my favourite bands: TVOTR at Sound Academy, 4/18; My Morning Jacket at Kool Haus, 7/11 
Most impressive opening act: Lianne La Havas opening for Bon Iver at Massey Hall, 12/7 Most “civilized” show I attended: Vijay Iyer at the Glenn Gould Theatre, 6/28 Best rap show that felt like a rap show: Ghostface Killah at Sound Academy, 12/3 Most affable rapper I saw live: Action Bronson at the Rivoli, 11/4 Best least well-attended rap show: Big K.R.I.T. at Opera House, 5/27 Rap show I admit to attending and enjoying even though the artist is wack as hell: Mac Miller at Opera House, 3/2 Best pre-show DJ set: Total Freedom/Nguzunguzu opening for Gang Gang Dance at the Horseshoe Tavern, 7/10 Tuesday night that felt like a Saturday night: Mymanhenri, Nautiluss and Sepalcure at the Drake Hotel, 12/27 
Best use of dubstep to boost your career: Araabmuzik, who went from rap-nerd icon to club killer Album I’ve been talking about all year that you still haven’t listened to: Katy B’s On A Mission Show announcement I’ve been waiting for all year: Death Grips at Wrongbar, 2/2/2012 Music writing you should read: Out of the Vinyl Deeps by Ellen Willis When keeping it real goes wrong (local edition): Tasseomancy’s 3/10 review from The Grid When keeping it real goes so right (local edition): Stu Berman’s 8.2 grade on the excellent Yamantaka / Sonic Titan record for Pitchfork Most universally agreed-upon moment in pop culture: Beyonce’s belly rub/pregnancy announcement at MTV VMAs in August Song most beloved by white people: “N*ggas In Paris” by Jay-Z and Kanye West Weirdest rap songs about the supernatural: Zombie strippers in Gucci Mane and Waka Flocka Flame’s “Feed Me”; Cousin Fik’s “I Am A Vampire” 
Best DJ mix: Nguzunguzu’s The Perfect Lullaby Most perfect music video shot in Toronto by a non-Torontonian: Rick Ross, “Devil In a New Dress” Fastest ascent to non-viral (actual) excellence: Hip-hop producer Clams Casino Weirdest crowd: Das Racist at Wrongbar, 1/28 Better songwriting, Weeknd v. Frank Ocean edition: Frank Ocean, “Swim Good” Most exciting local collaboration: Egyptrixx ft. Ohbijou, “Old Black” Made multiple New York trips coincide to be able to see: G-Side Favourite interview: Waka Flocka Flame 
Bands I never thought I’d see but did anyway: Hey Rosetta, Fucked Up Antidote to Kreayshawn’s “Gucci Gucci”: Azealia Banks, “212” That time I got a tweet-shoutout from Diddy: Reviewing the Diddy-Dirty Money concert for Eye Weekly Best NXNE showcase: Dirty Beaches/Cults/Dum Dum Girls Thanks CMF for bringing to Canada: Janelle Monae at the Indies Azari & III song I will listen to forever: “Manic” Next Toronto-referencing slogan craze to land on a custom t-shirt near you: “That north north, that up top” – the Weeknd Best Drake meme with legs: @DrakeDoinThings Toronto musician whose shower I would like to use: Drake. “It’s a shower that’s lit by all LED lights,” he explains. “It has 10 jets, an overhead, and it sprays out lavender or whatever scents you want. It’s something I’ve always wanted.” 
Best story about a Toronto musician: Profile of Noah “40” Shebib in Fader An album billed as “avant garde” that you should not be scared of: Colin Stetson’s New History Warfare Vol. 2: Judges Best worlds-colliding event: Manifesto/Red Bull Culture Clash at Molson Amphitheatre, 9/23. Four different stages: Toronto DJs vs. Mad Decent DJs vs. LuckyMe producers vs. the Zulu Nation. Show you went to that I didn’t: Lana Del Rey at the Mod Club Quote that best sums up a show I didn’t attend: “Nothing makes rich white people lose their minds quite like a spirited rendition of ‘Viva La Vida.’” – Rob Duffy on Coldplay Free reunion show everyone was pissed off about because it only included 1/3 of the actual group: “Digable Planets” at NXNE Concert I resolved to get into and did: Feist at the Glenn Gould Theatre, 10/8 Show that everyone hated that I loved: Lauryn Hill at Sound Academy, 1/22 Longest line-up in the rain for a show: James Blake at Lee’s Palace, 5/14
