9. ATMOSPHERE

Another entry coming off a relatively quiet year. But when you’ve left your mark on indie hip-hop the way Slug and friends have over the past 15 years, you don’t have to always hustle to stay on our minds. 2011′s The Family Sign re-affirmed the sense of community that has supported Rhymesayers all this time. And it goes to show that blood is still thicker than the waters of time.