I decided to pick only one map per mapper. Usually, maps from the same mapper share some/most of the qualities between them.
In no particular order, these are the maps I find most memorable/creative/influential/revolutionary.(judged by their hardest diff)
sasakure.UK - Jack-the-Ripper [Sprosive] This map can be summarized as pure art (applies to both sprosive and tuska diffs). It captures the spirit of music perfectly, I could practically just watch auto play it and enjoy.
Megpoid GUMI - Cosmos [val0108] The latest val map, definitely worthy of presenting him. If there is a mapper of 2011, its val0108.
wa. remixed celas - Suishou-Sekai ~Fracture~ [soulfear] This map is just so... powerful. I feel nothing else needs to be said.
DJ Fresh - Gold Dust [galvenize] No one can deny that this is a classic now. A favorite "jump" map for many players, it will definitely be influential for many new mappers to come.
Swan Lake Orchestra - Hakuchou no Mizuumi [AngelHoney] Simple and effective. A great representative of a "hard" map that comes in a clean way and is still extremely difficult.
Megpoid GUMI - Shinkaron -code:variant- [NatsumeRin] The map with perfect flow. When you play it you can almost feel like you could continue playing it even if you close your eyes. Already, many mappers have adopted some of NatsumeRin style that he so carefully constructs.
Only six votes because the other four should go to these approved maps that are sadly not in the contest. That's a shame, approved maps are generally better then most ranked maps.
Hatsune Miku - With a Dance Number [val0108] The true map of 2011. Revolutionary really, in many aspects.
Kitsune^2 - Rainbow Tylenol [Blue Dragon] This map has no flaws. I personally think it's the most perfect map in osu.
t+pazolite - chipscape [Shiirn] Chipscape is great. A bold map, and very fun one. It cleared the path for many new maps that are considered extremely hard to stream. It's classic now.
DragonForce - Cry for Eternity [Lesjuh] The newest and most impressive of Lesjuh's dragonforce series. That set reached epic fame in many respects, possibly raising the skill cap of whole osu.
