With approximately 200 albums reviewed on HipHopDX in 2012, we present our annual list of the 25 best Hip Hop albums of the last 12 months, as voted by our Editorial staff. With two dozen impressive retail releases from the mainstream and underground, respected veterans and long-awaited solo debuts, these are our best (or “favorite”) albums.
Editor’s Note: This list is presented chronologically, in the order the albums were released. This is not a ranked list.
Habits & Contradictions by ScHoolboy Q
Released: January 14, 2012
Label: Top Dawg Entertainment
Highest Charting Position: #98
Producers: Rune Rask, Sounwave, Best Kept Secret, THC, Mike WiLL Made It, Alchemist, Dave Free, Tae Beast, DJ Dahi, Lex Luger, Willie B, Nez & Rio, A$AP Ty Beats
Guests: Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, Jay Rock, Curren$y, Dom Kennedy, A$AP Rocky, Jhene Aiko
ScHoolboy Q set it off in what would become Black Hippy’s year. Habits & Contradictions was the first major discussion piece for Rap fans in 2012. The album was a mesh of trippy explorations (“Sacrilegious” and “Druggys wit Hoes Again”) and some modernized Gangsta Rap that had the heart of its predecessors (“NigHtmare On Figg St.” and “Raymond 1969”). Like Kendrick Lamar a year ago, Quincy’s second independent album gave the Los Angeles native mainstream recognition without radio play. Everybody from 50 Cent to Mac Miller seemingly took heed to the words from the Hoover Crip who drove the Q1 conversation with this indie juggernaut of an album.
“There’s no shortage of the requisite Hip Hop fare – drugs, crime, hustling – on Habits, and Q does a fine job of espousing it as his own. The grimy ‘Oxy Music’ oozes with tales of peddling pills and heroin while the standout ‘Hands on the Wheel’ with Hip Hop’s reigning king of the ‘purp A$AP Rocky is a delicious mess of weed, ‘shrooms and getting all-around fucked up; the stuff frat boy anthems are made of.”
Vodka & Ayahausca by Gangrene
Released: January 24, 2012
Label: Decon
Highest Charting Position: N/A
Producers: Alchemist, Oh No
Guests: Kool G Rap, Prodigy, Roc Marciano, Evidence, Roc C
In benchmark years for both Alchemist and Oh No, the duo hinted at what was to come just three weeks into 2012. The pair of Cali beat kings unloaded this gestalt of Psychedelia, hardcore Hip Hop and weed-scented raps under the radar of too many. Vodka & Ayahausca was an ensemble of the burgeoning collective’s longtime homies, taking this trip with Alan and The Disrupt into the unknown. Both would release equally strong solo projects in the next 11 months, but this Decon effort could be the type of album that gets more potent with time.
“Underground Hip Hop in the right and literal sense of the term, Vodka & Ayahuasca is an uncompromising listen that dwells in the underbelly of an increasingly saccharine Rap scene. It’s music not afraid to embrace the grubby and grimy side – it brings to mind the idea of two mad rap degenerates holing themselves up in a dank basement and embracing their disturbed inner thoughts.”
Take Me To Your Leader by ¡Mayday!
Released: March 26, 2012
Label: Strange Music
Highest Charting Position: #86
Producers: ¡Mayday!
Guests: Tech N9ne, Ace Hood, dead prez, Murs, Krizz Kaliko, Jovi Rockwell, Liz Suwandi
Strange Music’s first band has been a heralded stage act for almost two years with the Missouri label before their full-length came out of the cannon. After a decade of underground prominence, ¡Mayday! made good on their breakthrough third LP. Take Me To Your Leader was Rap-Rock done in a way that didn’t feel divisive or corny. Instead, the sextet carried a message about the world around us on an album that had both purpose and jam-ability. Wrekonize and Bernbiz are two of Hip Hop’s most seasoned emcees, rarely getting individual credit as ¡Mayday! – the sum has always been bigger than its parts. This album was a groundbreaking release both for the South Florida vets and an ever-diversifying Strange.
“It’s thought provoking, extremely well written, relentlessly challenging propaganda swallowers at every turn – a rarity in an industry resembling an overcrowded kiddy pool where everyone is giddily swimming in piss. ‘This is the people’s message, now,‘ rips Wrekonize towards the end of ‘Everything’s Everything.’ Thankfully someone is speaking up.”
Trophies by O.C. & Apollo Brown
Released: April 24, 2012
Label: Mello Music Group
Highest Charting Position: N/A
Producers: Apollo Brown
Guests: N/A
Few emcees have an ability to be as introspective and soulful at once as Brooklyn, New York’s O.C. The Diggin’ In The Crates alum made nobody question the quality of his production partner when he synced up with The Left’s Apollo Brown. The resulting album, Trophies, was a lesson in how effective simple can be. Apollo provided some subdued beats as compared to Gas Mask and Daily Bread, as O.C. provided both conceptual exercises (“Nautica”) and compelling autobiographical revelations (“Fantastic”). This is the best one of our favorites has sounded since Starchild.
“As a whole, Trophies succeeds where albums by many ’90s vets fail. It’s made in the classic style that mashes the gritty and soulful, yet doesn’t sound dated. When you listen to O.C., he’s letting you know: I’m from a place and time where this is how we rhymed, this is what we rhymed about, and this is how we get down.”
#controlsystem by Ab-Soul
Released: May 11, 2012
Label: Top Dawg Entertainment
Highest Charting Position: #86
Producers: Sounwave, Dave Free, Tae Beast, King Blue, Nez & Rio, Skhye Hutch, Curtiss King, Willie B, Aahyasis, Tommy Black
Guests: Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, ScHoolboy Q, Danny Brown, Punch, Ashtrobot, Jhene Aiko, BJ The Chicago Kid, Alori Joh, JaVonte
Following ScHoolboy’s first quarter dominance, Ab-Soul’s own sophomore release bulldozed the ears of many new listeners in Spring. Carson, California’s biggest pride since Ras Kass delivered an album dense with understanding and opinion on society, with an emcee bravado calling back to the days of Kane and KRS. Ab-Soul’s “ILLuminate” was as unique in its rawness as it was in its bold proclamations, as other moments honored fallen friends, living life to the fullest and gettin’ all the way turnt up.
“Ab-Soul’s talent is to be cherished as that of a quintessential emcee, his particular skill set running in sharp contrast to that of his thriving L.A.-based peers whose raps are largely devoid of lyricism and introspection. With #controlsystem he shows great promise having gone from his crew’s underdog to a present spotlight.”
R.A.P. Music by Killer Mike
Released: May 15, 2012
Label: Adult Swim Records
Highest Charting Position: #77
Producer: El-P
Guests: El-P, DJ Abilities, Bun B, T.I., Trouble, Scar, Emily Panic
This year we saw Killer Mike at his peak. With R.A.P. Music, the Southern emcee has dropped his most pressing and defiant work yet, and while the record is his first with El-P behind the boards, the result is an album where Mike has been able to come into his own more completely. El-P’s production is warm and menacing at once, and, given Killer Mike’s booming voice and clear diction, it serves as a perfect backdrop for his storytelling, social commentary and channelled anger. R.A.P. Music is an easy pick for the album-of-the-year title and may rightfully define the rapper’s legacy going forward.
“With El-P as its catalyst, R.A.P. Music puts Mike on display has he doles out unheard levels of indignation, fury, and passion.”
Cancer 4 Cure by El-P
Released: May 22, 2012
Label: Fat Possum Records
Highest Charting Position: #61
Producers: El-P, Nick Diamonds
Guests: Killer Mike, Despot, Danny Brown, Mr. MFN eXquire, Nick Diamonds, Paul Banks
Cancer 4 Cure bangs and rattles all the way through. After quietly putting down the reigns to the Def Jux label a couple years ago, El-P has returned with another well-thought out sound bomb (released just days after his collaborative effort with Killer Mike dropped) brimming with a grim cynicism characteristic of the rapper/producer. Sonically the record is dense and if El’s lyrics make you lean in to decipher the words the synth sounds may make you jump back once or twice. And with a cleverly lifted sample of Camu Tao’s (R.I.P.) “When You’re Going Down,” El-P seems to sum up the album’s credo in the lead single’s
refrain: “You should pump this shit, like they do in the future.” Indeed.
“Cancer 4 Cure‘s essence seems to present itself more as an album for people who’ve swaddled their lives in the liner notes of Hip Hop music. Elitist as it might seem, it’s a Rap album that sounds better if you can name most of the Gang Starr Foundation. Shrug.”
Live From The Underground by Big K.R.I.T.
Released: June 5, 2012
Label: Cinematic Music Group/Def Jam Records
Highest Charting Position: #5
Producers: Big K.R.I.T.
Guests: Ludacris, 2 Chainz, 8Ball & MJG, Devin The Dude, Big Sant, Bun B, B.B. King, Anthony Hamilton, Melanie Fiona, Ms. Linnie, DJ Wally Sparks
Krizzle had three albums under his belt under the guise of mixtapes simply because they were free. On his retail debut, Big K.R.I.T. maintained his reputation for trunk-jamming wisdom and quality song structures. Live From The Underground contained some bigger treats, such as B.B. King appearances and yet another slammin’ Ludacris collabo. In between talking about race relations and aspirations, Meridian, Mississippi’s own still kept the strip club and bowling ball paint factors strong for a delicately balanced debut by Wiki standards.
“The album is brimming with peerless content and an enlivened ambience that is manifested from his Spoken Word introduction to his grandmother’s parting words on the closing track. Simply put, it’s Krizzle at his finest.”
Skelethon by Aesop Rock
Released: July 10, 2012
Label: Rhymesayers Entertainment
Highest Charting Position: #21
Producers: Aesop Rock
Guests: Rob Sonic, Kimya Dawson, Hanni El Khatib, Allyson Baker
Aesop Rock started exciting the kids (again) on last year’s Hail Mary Mallon group effort. By the time it came to releasing his first solo album in the Rhymesayers chapter of his career, the veteran lyricist bounced back with an edge that called back to the groundswell of the early ’00s. Self-produced, Skelethon was a dense listen, seemingly inspired by changing tides in both the music scene but also society at large. It sounded great, and the former Weathermen member regained his status as premier, not-to-be imitated emcee within the Hip Hop landscape.
“Throughout the project, Aesop does an outstanding job in accentuating certain words and lines for optimum effect with a marriage between the production and delivery. The sounds here are smartly put-together, so even if Aesop’s music isn’t necessarily accessible, it is always intelligent.”
Life Is Good by Nas
Released: July 13, 2012
Label: Def Jam Records
Highest Charting Position: #1
Producers: No I.D., Salaam Remi, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Swizz Beatz, Da Internz, Heavy D, Buckwild, Noah “40” Shebib, Rodney Jerkins, DJ Hot Day, Nas
Guests: Large Professor, Rick Ross, Swizz Beatz, Amy Winehouse, Mary J. Blige, Miguel, Anthony Hamilton, Victoria Monet
Nas made good on his follow-up to 2008’s Untitled. Known for album concepts throughout the last decade, Nas used Life Is Good to chronicle his post-divorce era. Now nearly 40, the once-Nasty emcee no longer drinks 40s, but he channeled his ’90s roots with Large Professor, DJ Hot-Day and Heavy D supplying beats for this championed album. A master of the introspective verse, Nas’ single “Daughters” through to his “Bye Baby” closer were Pop-tinged songs that hit Nasir Jones from all eras on many levels. Life Is Good, and Nas is great.
“The complete package displays an obvious maturation from the veteran that is effectively in tune with a focus many have considered missing for some time, as ‘A Queens Story’ (honoring deceased hood legends and Rap talents from Nas’ borough) and ‘No Introduction’ are adventurous moments sure to please original subscribers and younger fans alike.”
Russian Roulette by Alchemist
Released: July 17, 2012
Label: Decon
Highest Charting Position: N/A
Producers: Alchemist
Guests: Evidence, Fashawn, Action Bronson, ScHoolboy Q, Roc Marciano, Guilty Simpson, Danny Brown, AG Da Coroner, Mayhem Lauren, Durag Dynasty, MidaZ, Chuuwee, Boldy James, Big Twins, Willie The Kid, Mr. MFN eXquire
Alchemist could not have slept much this year. In the commotion of a second Gangrene album and two fully-produced mixtapes, the veteran producer raised the stakes with Russian Roulette. Inspired by Soviet sample sources, this orchestral creation was built with movements, instrumental and featuring guest vocals. In a vein both Dr. Dre and Madlib could appreciate, Al made his best album to date with his name on the CD spine. R.R. had lots in the chamber, and combined a crate digger’s cause with a producer’s polish.
“With Russian Roulette, Alchemist joins Dr. Dre and Kanye West by having an ensemble project that properly shows the producer’s cohesive vision and dynamic evolution. For liner note illiterates, this is an album that sums up Alc’s range and understated ability.”
welcome to: OUR HOUSE by Slaughterhouse
Released: August 28, 2012
Label: Shady/Interscope Records
Highest Charting Position: #2
Producers: Eminem, Alex Da Kid, Hit-Boy, T-Minus, No I.D., StreetRunner, Baron “Sarom” Diaz, Zukhan, Black Key Beats, Mr. Porter, Boi-1da, Matthew Burnett, Kane Beatz, JMIKE, Ashanti “The Mad Violinist” Floyd, The Maven Boys,
Guests: Eminem, Busta Rhymes, Cee Lo Green, Swizz Beatz, Skylar Grey
Now with a major label budget, the quartet was able to polish the sound first heard in 2009 on this year’s welcome to: OUR HOUSE. Joe Budden, Crooked I, Royce Da 5’9 and Joell Ortiz may have channeled a Pop sound in production, but the lyrical displays were still rooted in the bar-bullying sound that made this group form in the first place. Eminem took a dedicated role behind the boards and on two cuts to complete the Shady Records upgrade of one of the Internet’s favorite sources of music. The album didn’t garner any gold plaques, but it played a significant role in what many believe was a bounceback year for fundamental emceeing.
“With welcome to: OUR HOUSE, Slaughterhouse has somehow managed to improve upon its already-absurd skill set. The delivery is clearer, the bars flow tighter—perhaps being challenged by Eminem in the studio daily has that effect on emcees that hate to be outshined.”
The Idea Of Beautiful by Rapsody
Released: August 28, 2012
Label: Jamla Records
Highest Charting Position: N/A
Producers: 9th Wonder, Khrysis, E. Jones, AMP, Eric G, Ka$h
Guests: Kendrick Lamar, Phonte, Ab-Soul, Mac Miller, Big Remo, The Cool Kids, BJ The Chicago Kid, Big Rube, Raheem DeVaughn, Nomsa Mazawai,
9th Wonder found a worthy pupil in Snow Hill, North Carolina’s Rapsody. Like Skyzoo, Rapsody has a knack for squeezing personal messages into her songs, without compromising an accessible sound. Following years of standout appearances with her Kooley High clique and mixtape work, The Idea Of Beautiful possessed a completely polished sound. Rap has a confidence in her craft and a message that you can’t typically find from a male emcee. Without being tokenized, Rapsody just took hers.
“The Idea Of Beautiful meticulously strings together stories of heartbreak, triumph and a love for Hip Hop in a sincere manner that will have the listener completely engaged from beginning to end. Whether the connotation of being a female lingers throughout her career, Rapsody has established herself as an emcee that has the presence and momentum to remain in this Rap game for the long term.”
A Dream Deferred by Skyzoo
Released: September 18, 2012
Label: Duck Down Music / The Faculty
Highest Charting Position: #163
Producers: !llmind, 9th Wonder, Black Milk, Jahlil Beats, Eric G., Focus…, Tall Black Guy, Best Kept Secret
Guests: Freeway, Talib Kweli, Jill Scott, Raheem DeVaughn, DJ Prince, Jessy Wilson, Jared Evan
Few artists show the type of calculated growth in their music that Skyzoo has since his debut album The Salvation in 2009. And while each step has produced a memorable mixtape or album, it’s clear that they have all led up to A Dream Deferred. Along the way, the Brooklyn-proud emcee forged a signature sound and working relationship with producer !llmind, with this latest album they’ve refined and fully realized their presentation in one of the finer moments of the year. So while Sky has garnered a cult following of lyric-hungry fans, A Dream Deferred may be the ultimate reason for the sleepers to wake up.
What We Said Then:
“After a series of mixtapes and worthy-if-not-spectacular albums, A Dream Deferred finally confirms Bed-Stuy Sky’s arrival as a fully-fleshed artist.”
First Of A Living Breed by Homeboy Sandman
Released: September 18, 2012
Label: Stones Throw Records
Highest Charting Position: N/A
Producers: Oddisee, Oh No, Jonwayne, J57, 6th Sense, 2 Hungry Bros., Howard Lloyd, Invisible Think, rthentic RTNC, Reality
Guests: N/A
In the year of the Ratchet, Homeboy Sandman released two EPs and an LP to celebrate the positives in life. First Of A Living Breed was an informed album that really had Hip Hop in mind with its subjects (“Cedar and Sedgwick”) to its message (“4 The Kids”). Whimsical and unpredictable, BoySand followed up 2010’s The Good Sun lovely with a thoughtful album that showed some forward steps taken in his own life (“Not Really”), but a purpose one step closer to actualization.
“He’ll release songs with no hooks, deliver three verses in the short attention span era, rhyme about societal ills without pause, paying no mind to a radio format. In a sense, he’s an Original’s original. With his Stones Throw Records debut, First Of A Living Breed, The Good Sun continues to rebuke convention.”
Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album Pt. 1 by Lupe Fiasco
Released: September 25, 2012
Label: 1st & 15th/Atlantic Records
Highest Charting Position: #5
Producers: Soundtrakk, 1500 Or Nothin’, Simonsayz, B Sides, Famties & Bullit, The Audibles, Jason Boyd, Mr. Inkredible, Julian Bunetta, The Runners, Severe, Pro-Jay, Guy Sebastian, Infamous, King David
Guests: Poo Bear, Bilal, Guy Sebastian, Casey Benjamin, Jason Evigan
Following last year’s Lasers misstep with many of his fans, Lupe Fiasco dusted off the Food & Liquor franchise and ingredients. Six years after his breakthrough debut, F&L 2: The Great American Rap Album Pt. 1 was long on titles, but short on things to complain out. Lu evaluted the merits of the word “bitch” on “Bitch Bad” as he bemoans our economy on “Around My Way (Freedom Ain’t Free).” The intricate writer also played with third person tales and driven narratives in what may be one of his final albums – so he says. Longtime fans like us are glad that Lupe Fiasco returned to form on his fourth LP.
“To paraphrase Thomas Jefferson, [Hip Hop] must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. Lupe’s ironically been branded with both since his ’06 bum rush. But there remains something noble about Chi-town’s Guevara relentlessly waving his beliefs without fear of backlash. Someone has to shine a light on all the world’s ills, right? If not Lu, then who?”
The Heist by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Released: October 9, 2012
Label: Macklemore, LLC
Highest Charting Position: #2
Producers: Ryan Lewis
Guests: ScHoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, Ray Dalton, Wanz, Buffalo Maddona, Mary Lambert, Allen Stone, The Teaching, Hollis, Evan Roman, Eighty 4 Fly, Ben Bridwell
After a handful of EPs and a previous 2005 LP, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis broke out bigtime with their sophomore full-length this year. With grassroots buzz, this Seattle, Washington emcee/producer combo unloaded nearly three years of curated music with The Heist. The album shook down the charts with a #2 debut, backed by both lighthearted odes to fashion “Thrift Shop,” and commentaries on same-sex relationships “Same Love.” With by label, appearance or subject matter, Macklemore marked the changing norms of a Hip Hop artist in 2012. Fans welcomed it.
“He and Ryan Lewis may not be your stereotypical Hip Hop duo, but that’s just another case of these two Seattleites breaking the industry norm. 10,000 hours later, Macklemore is definitely feeling like gold.”
good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
Released: October 22, 2012
Label: Top Dawg Entertainment/Aftermath Entertainment/Interscope Records
Highest Charting Position: #2
Producers: Tha Bizness, Sounwave, Hit-Boy, Tabu, Just Blaze, DJ Dahi, Scoop Deville, Pharrell, THC, Terrace Martin, T-Minus, Likewise, Skyhe Hutch
Guests: Dr. Dre, Jay Rock, Drake, MC Eiht, Anna Wise
The 2012 HipHopDX Album Of The Year was a blend of beautiful storytelling, varying deliveries, booming beats and originality. The Black Hippy year closed out with Kendrick’s major label debut. Backed by Dr. Dre, K.Dot required no Dre beats to enhance an album that upheld the legendary Aftermath brand. “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe” became a catch-phrase for the year, as “good kid” and “m.A.A.d city” showed the dynamic master of the ceremonies that is Mr. Lamar. With the greatest of expectations, few artists since 50 Cent and Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ have delivered the kind of album that muffled nearly every skeptic. Fans of lyricism, Gangsta Rap and the Pop heard in the recent mainstream gathered at the same table, all finding something to love about this one.
“With good kid, m.A.A.d. city, Compton’s flag bearer unveils a group of songs equally potent individually and collectively, meeting the mainstream and rabid fans in the middle, improbably touching that thinnest slice between mass appeal and mass respect.”
Mic Tyson by Sean Price
Released: October 30, 2012
Label: Duck Down Music
Highest Charting Position: #58
Producers: Alchemist, Evidence, DJ Babu, 9th Wonder, Khrysis, Stu Bangas, Wool, Eric G, AMP, Beat Butcha
Guests: Buckshot, Ill Bill, Torae, Pharoahe Monch, Ruste Juxx, Ike Eyes, Pumpkinhead, Realm Reality
Sean P’s long-awaited third solo album was a career best commercially for the Brownsville bully. As the scans came in, the fans came in. The Heltah Skeltah co-founder displayed his humor and irrevererance to the changing trends of a culture he’s been immersed in for decades. Throughout the charm and candor, Sean’s wordplay has only sharpened since he smacked naysayers from left field seven years ago with Monkey Barz. This was one of hardcore Hip Hop’s best albums in 2012, with a true showman versed in the art of [lyrical] skullduggery.
“With Mic Tyson, the artist formerly known as Ruck steps back into the ring to deliver a series of haymakers that’ll sate the most bloodthirsty of fans.”
MHz Legacy by MHz
Released: October 30, 2012
Label: Man Bites Dog Records
Highest Charting Position: N/A
Producers: RJD2, Harry Fraud, !llmind, Stu Bangas, J. Rawls, Surock, Marco Polo, Jason Rose, D1, Rob Stern, Playdough,
Guests: Slug, Blu, Danny Brown, Oh No, Ill Bill, Slaine, Dom, Steve, Aaron Livingston
In the midst of his own personal and creative comeback, Copywrite rallied the troops to finish what Columbus, Ohio’s Hip Hop pioneers started in the mid-1990s. The MHz lineup of Copy, RJD2, Jakki Da Mottamouth and Tage Future re-formed, complete with some unheard Camu Tao moments to make a proper legacy album to follow up the crew’s Table Scraps compilation of jaw-dropping singles. The group’s sound received an update that tracked both evolutions in RJ’s arsenal, but also the overall direction of Hip Hop. “Columbus Diss Patch” says it all, complete with a face-melting Camu verse, as why this group not only matters in history, but apparently in the present too.
“While each individual member has gone through a series of life’s peaks and valleys, the group has also suffered the loss of Camu Tao. ‘We’re here,’ Copy says as ‘Mass Temple’ begins. ‘Fashionably late, by only 14 years…. Meanwhile, we lost a brother.’ With such a pronounced loss, the group managed to pick up the pieces.”
The Final Adventure by Murs & 9th Wonder
Released: November 13, 2012
Label: Jamla
Highest Charting Position: N/A
Producers: 9th Wonder
Guests: Rapsody
Few, if any ’00s-era collaborative series ever have stood out as much as the five-parter from Murs and 9th Wonder. Years removed from Living Legends and Little Brother respectively, the pair of thirty-somethings capped off their run with an exhibition on wisdom, love and social encouragement. Murray and Pat have come a long way personally and musically since the Def Jux debut eight years ago, but the Final Adventure is one of the most crucial and great-sounding moments in the catalog.
“It’s clear that Murs and 9th Wonder had a task here: finishing their saga as strongly as they started it. With The Final Adventure, the duo does just that, crafting an album that speaks on a variety of topics over soulful instrumentation, much like on 3:16. This time, they managed to tie up loose ends, showing the growth of the boy who once hustled recyclables (‘H.U.S.T.L.E.’) now proudly acknowledging that he is behind Paid Dues.”
Reloaded by Roc Marciano
Released: November 13, 2012
Label: Decon
Highest Charting Position: N/A
Producers: Roc Marciano, Q-Tip, Alchemist, Ray West, The Arch Druids
Guests: Ka, Pirate
Roc Marciano’s sophomore release is another solid exercise in sedated coolness. The minimalist approach to production, handled almost entirely by Roc himself with exceptions made for appearances by Alchemist, Q-Tip, Arch Druids and Ray West, is built simply out of obscure loops and punched-up drums. Reloaded’s sinister beats serve as the perfect backdrop for Roc’s laid back and conversational street tales and gangster braggadocio. The album may not break much new ground for Marciano but it makes a strong argument for an artist doing a single thing exceedingly well.
“Marciano’s outright refusal to relinquish his old school ways and broaden his reach results in enjoyable glorified crime fiction that could render him archaic sooner rather than later, but for right now it’s perfect.”
Diamond In The Ruff by Freeway
Released: November 27, 2012
Label: Babygrande Records/Team Early
Highest Charting Position: N/A
Producers: Just Blaze, Bink!, Jake One, DJ Khalil, The Incredible Stro, Mike Jerz, Needlz, Sonny Dukes
Guests: Wale, Neef Buck, Nikki Jean, Marsha Ambrosious, Vivian Green, Musiq Soulchild, Miss Daja Thomas, Alonda Rich
Freeway’s fourth studio album charted his growth as a man and a songwriter. Still, the growl and fervor that made Freezer a household name in Rap families was deeply present on Diamond In The Ruff. The album possessed an a la carte offering of a man understanding his place in the Rap community (“Right Back”, “Early”) while still trying to push the envelope (“Sweet Temptations”). Freeway is often praised for his voice and his energy levels, but the West Philly vet has hardly wavered when it’s come to consistency with studio albums. The diamond still shines.
“Freeway has stitched together a decade’s worth of quality full-lengths, all while weathering the breakup of Roc-A-Fella Records, the trials of life, and a new free agent status. Creatively and contextually, for the most part, Diamond In The Ruff continues that streak.”
Vicious Lies And Dangerous Rumors by Big Boi
Label: Purple Ribbon/Def Jam Records
Highest Charting Position: #33
Producers: Big Boi, Organized Noize, Chris Carmouche, Cy Fyre, Mr. DJ, Phantogram, Showdown, DJ Aries, C-Bone, Sharif Wilson, Royal Flush, Jeron Ward, John Hill, Nathan Williams, Arthur McArthur, Bosko, Andramadon, Gary Fly
Guests: Kid Cudi, A$AP Rocky, Ludacris, T.I., Killer Mike, B.o.B, Wavves, Mouche and Scar, Little Dragon, Kelly Rowland, Sleepy Brown, Phantogram, Bosko
Big Boi’s second solo album in three years swapped out the Funk for spacier EDM themes. With bands like Little Dragon, Phantogram and Wavves as his muses of the moment, Antoine Patton made a party-to-go just like last time, just with a new sound. In the wake of a fresh crop of Atlanta faces in Rap, Big Boi also stamped down that he’s still a pioneer leading the troops “In The A.” Like all Outkast/Big Boi products, Vicious Lies And Dangerous Rumors was a colorful journey in sound.
“What is technically Big Boi’s third solo outing (if we’re counting Speakerboxxx), is a calculated risk that pays off for open-minded fans. General Patton walks a fine line between putting his troop of featured artists in their place, while still showcasing his own five star pedigree.”
Trouble Man: Heavy Is The Head by T.I.
Label: Grand Hustle/Atlantic Records
Highest Charting Position: TBA
Producers: DJ Toomp, No I.D., Rico Love, Pharrell, Jazze Pha, 1500 Or Nothin’, Cardiak, T-Minus, Planet IV, Sanchez Holmes, Lil C, Nikhil Seetharam, Sir Clef, Po Johns, DJ Montay, Mr. Jonz, Jamezz Bonn, Earl & E, Brian Kidd, Chinky P, Travis Sayles, Tommy Brown, K Tracks
Guests: Lil Wayne, Andre 3000, A$AP Rocky, Meek Mill, R. Kelly, Akon, P!nk, Cee Lo Green
T.I.’s atonement album was one-part apology, one-part assertion. After failing to make much of an impact with No Mercy – and then getting into trouble again, it was only right that T.I. would come out with an album that acknowledged his wrong turns, as well as a slap a ruler to the wrists of anybody who questioned his overall impact. “G Season” says it all, as T.I. hopes to find middle-ground as the husband/father that’s made him so endearing on television with the rap sheet that the headlines have regularly brandished. This album knocks, and follows Paper Trail and King in a series of T.I. comeback albums.
“[Whereas] No Mercy felt like a rushed commissary deposit, and a pair of mixtapes dissipated as quickly as they hit DatPiff servers. Fortunately, Trouble Man: Heavy Is The Head sees T.I. reclaiming his spot as a force to be reckoned with.”
RELATED: HipHopDX’s Top 25 Albums of 2011, HipHopDX’s Top 25 Albums of 2010, HipHopDX’s Top 25 Albums Of 2009
http://www.datpiff.com/Jr-Reuche-De-Reuche-Muetel-7-Reign-mixtape.432919.html
no one wants to listen to this
TRUUUU!!!!!!!
where the fuck is jesus piece and bfk?
Jesus Piece was average at best and BFK was a mixtape.
good list, id make some corrections but overall its good
That Freddie Gibbs BFK was the shit and it was free as well its easily in the top 5 of the year incredible bit of work
big boi and t.i. but no Jesus Piece
Where’s the roots I thought it got a 5
Undun dropped Last year in december
you guys missed Brother Ali, who put out one of the best albums this year
No Future Pluto??? L
Troll.
welcome to our house was important because it showed us how NOT to make a commercial album
Jesus Piece doesn’t deserve to be on the list, album was Games worst album by a lot, it was trash, thee was a ridiculous amount of features and Game was in overkill mode with the name dropping, he had one song that actually had a decent beat, but it was ruined because he literally name dropped a rapper in every single line, and this is coming from a guy who is a HUGE Game fan.
T.I’s, Big Bois, Schoolboy Q ,Ab-Soul,Big Krit and of course Kendrick Lamar all released incredible albums, and Jesus Piece doesn’t even come close to any of those
game always named dropped..wonder where he picked name droppin from (tupac?) lol tupac was known for name dropping too but he gets a pass i guess..
and jesus piece was a beast. had a crazy crazy concept i didnt know game was capable of creating.. jesus piece a top 2-3 album in games 5 album category and is just a beast. not sayin its album of the year i havnt listened 2 t.is new one or lamars yet but jesus piece deserves respect
I agree with this Jay guy. So what if JP had alot of Features. Game always name drops get over it. Corny excuses for not liking Game Album. I heard T.I shit, Kendrick and Ab-Soul and a few others. Game shit is just as good or in some cases(T.I) better. Jesus Piece is impressive and its a shame its not getting the views it deserve because it has alot of feature. For the record the features work out.
and i agree Freddie Gibbs BFK was really good, but i think thats considered a mixtape
You guy are bias for that Northern artist aint no way in hell kendrick or TIP should have been ranked that low.
Read the Editor’s Note.
right what an idiot…this isnt ranked from last to best, its ranked by its release date…didnt the fact that there was no countdown give you a clue?
what an idiot!
Idiot…
moron
learn how to read ya bish
The Fact that slaughterhouse house is on the list makes the list irrelevant, that album was awful
totally. I have absolutely not idea why the fuck DX is sucking this albums cock so hard. I literally liked one song off of it and threw my copy in the trash.
u bought a copy? slaughterhouse’s problem is that no one in the group as a penchant for good beats or song content
yeah i agree most of that slaughter house album blew.. i was expecting big things that album def let me down
solid list, but where’s Add-2’s Save Our Souls and dead prez’s Information Age?
fuck HipHopDX Jesus Piece >>> Trouble Man
THIS times 10, Game’s effort 10 times better T.I.’s
Jesus Piece is wack. Get over it..
T.I. still the king
thy’re both subpar albums
lolno. T.I.’s album >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Game’s. Game’s album was average at best. T.I.’s was his best since King.
Idk how anyone could disagree with that. Jesus piece top 10 albums of the year let alone top 25 wtf is this shit
i personally dont think u should compare the two albums. 2 different sounds, people..different guests, producers. that said jesus piece is a monster.. only bumped a few t.i songs so far i got the album just havnt had a chance to stop bumpin jesus piece yet..lol
tthese guys r retarded half of these albums no1 wud ever listen 2 bc they r wack
says you, a retard who cant spell
solid list but instead of slaughterhouse i would put brother ali in there , that album was fiya
The Roots and Brother Ali definitely needed to be on this list, and I would’ve loved to have the Strong Arm Steady x Statik Selektah and MURS/Fashawn project get a bit more love, but otherwise a very very solid list.
Nice job HHDX.
Wasn’t The Roots’ ‘Undun’ released in ’11? Maybe I’m wrong.
The Roots didn’t drop an album this year doe
You niggas forgot BASED ON A TRU STORY, nominated for a grammy you wack ass fools. Half of these fuckin albums didn’t even sell 1,000 copies you cunts.
yeah, because the quality of an album is based on sales! I mean there is no way Britney Spears sold so many units unless she was making great albums right? Get a life Hata, record sales have to do with marketing, placement, and size of distribution/label – nothing to do with how good a record sounds. In fact, they usually market the biggest gimmick: Britney Spears, Justin Beiber… and in Hip-Hop it’s that clown 2Chains right now. And for the record, these albums all sold a good number of units – even the smaller label ones sold 10,000+ units.
Somebody as retarded as you, hata, shouldn’t be stealing air from others.
based on a tru story? STOPPP
maybe if it was a countdown to top 25 best club bangers then yes but hiphop albums..no
Great list. Put any of these albums on and for the most part its dope.
Where is Chino Xl at? His double album was dope as hell
Where the fuck is WU BLOCK
Word, where the fuck is WuBlock?
fuck trouble man….Jesus Piece is way better….fuck your opinion
Both Diamond in the Ruff & Skelethon were wack as fuck. What are you smoking, DX?
um no, Skelethon was def one of the albums of the year.
how much did Alchemist, Slaughterhouse &T.I pay yall??? ‘Cause those 3 albums were HORRIBLE!!!
^was thinking the something
missed wublock and jesus piece
Chino XL had the album of the year. And where is Vinnie Paz? Just appealing to the masses.
LOL @ Vinny Paz, nobody wants to hear an Insecure toothless overweight white Muslim rant and rave about how much he hates the world FOH
WHERES BROTHER ALI??????
Where is Lecrae’s Gravity album? That album was so dope!
Especially that song “Mayday” with Big KRIT. That’s song of the year imo
Brother Ali “Mourning In America and Dreaming in Color”
Pretty good list. You need Brother Ali & Oddisee’s albums up there though.
Yup.
http://www.datpiff.com/Jr-Reuche-De-Reuche-Muetel-6-Soloist-mixtape.432866.html
slaughterhouse was mad trash
For me, Krizz Kaliko’s Kickin’ & Screamin’ was the best album out of any genre of music this year. Big Boi’s album is also phenomenal. Of course I knew Twiztid’s AbominationZ wasn’t going to get any recognition because of who they are affiliated with, but please give the album a listen with an open mind.
agreed
I agree
I totally agree with both suggestions but I think Prozak Paranormal didn’t get the props it deserved. I havnt hardly even started Nocturnal yet lol but 2 songs in its better than 90% of this list. You’d think with the way things are right now a “political type” psycho could get some love ha ha! Oh well keep it TRULY underground homie! -My 2 Cents-
i say NO
This is bullshit, who the fuck is Schoolboy Q, can’t believe hiphopdx rated that #1 and T.I. was ranked the lowest. Also, where the fuck is Young Jeezy’s TM103? Real rap fans have never heard of half of the people on this list, so I’m guessing most of them flopped hard. Underground rap is overrated as fuck, only rap nerds know who Killer Mike and Sean Price is etc.
it wasn’t in order dude
The first thing the article says………this is in no particular order……reading is fundemental
both of you are ratarted, the dude was mocking trolls, look at his name.
ratarted eh?
this post and everyone’s response actually made me lol
the list is in no order dude…reading is fundamentalllll, retart
slaughterhouse will succeed when they let royce take lead instead of pretending the four are equal
Awesome Top Albums list DX. These artist deserve to make this list & their albums were fire….
Damn i bought that slaughterhouse album as well and its pure trash no way should it be on there i was expecting sumthing real dope cause there freestyles and rhyming is always Aplus but god damn that album was a piece of fuckin rhino shit.
Wheres that WU-Block album at that shit is the truth
only krizz kaliko’s and brother ali albums missing from this list
Live from the Underground is trash. Big Boi’s album was not hard enough, Good Kidd Madd City is overrated and has little replay value and will not have much impact. A lot of that other shit on your list is shit most people could give no fucks about and will have little to no impact. Wake up people its a big dog game. Quit being so in love with these little corny rappers that will never have any impact that shit is hurting the game.
Please, enlighten us with your sage hip hop wisdom. What albums would you have selected? If you say some obscure rap album by a nigga no one has heard of I’m going to punch my fucking computer.
Kendrick has the 2nd best selling album of the year, your just mad caise all the over promoted garbage you like sold less then a real hip hop album. Your on a sinking ship, people are tired of mainstream mediocrity
I would not have necessarily put anything on the list because it was a weak year but all of these no name rappers that will never make any impact always being mentioned as so great only hurt the game. That’s my point. When you continue to down mainstream rappers that are keeping shit alive and helping come up with new ways to keep this shit profitable for random rappers that will never do a thing that does not look good.
So you mean the likes of Flo-rida and new Nicki Minaj should be on this list vs. some of these others? Rappers like these are mainstream and profitable, yet they are the ones who are killing the game. don’t be stupid
I must say that I disagree with you. You feel because these underground artist doesn’t sell they don’t have impact. Thats just flat out incorrect. Personally I would have left hip hop a long time ago if it weren’t for the underground keeping the beats bangin and the lyrics raw. You have to understand that mainstream rap as well as R&B is getting wacker every year. Unoriginal and no lyrics. Content is horrid. The major lables are siging acts that just make us look so awful. Open your eyes my dude. The underground hip hop and Neo Soul is where its at because these type of artists actually care about the art. Not just going into the studiotrying to come up with ways to be on the radio or make something that is “hot” today.
Everybodies entitled to their opinion. A few I disagree with but I won’t get my middle school temper tantrum on and cry about them. I’d rather focus on the positive, like putting Killer Mike, EL-P, Mayday & Ab Soul on there. All great albums that I will be playing years from now
Saigon – GSNT Chapter 2????
Krizz Kaliko, Brother Ali, Game > Slaughterhouse
Styles of Beyond – Reseda Beach
you guys missed Oddisee. People Hear What they see
yup
Co-sign…
… & “Dice Game” too! Apollo Brown made another banger with another quality spitta.
WTF??? Where’s Game, Action Bronson, Ab-Soul, Cruel Summer??? You got to be fuckin kidding me!
Cruel Summer please!!! can anyone even name a track other than Clique or Mercy?
Unfortunately for you the list is real.. and the music you listen to sucks. Sorry.
You’re just trying to find something to bitch about, aren’t you? Ab-soul is on there. Open your eyes for a second before you start your bitching.
Anonymous – Action Bronson sucks? Really? Everything he’s put out has gotten critical acclaim and nothing but respect from everybody who knows anything about hip-hop.
P.S. – the usage of the word sucks shows how much of a mental lightweight you are. Grow up.
All very good albums for sure and deserve a spot on the list.
Just confused a little though.. Why call it a Top 25 list if you aren’t going to rank them in any order. Make it an albums of the year list and then you aren’t bound to finding 25 or limited to 25.
Good list, and I like that they did it in chronological order. I think Jesus Piece shouldve been on it but other than that no problems.
Brother Ali??? Def top 5 of the year
Where are DMX-Undisputed and Xzibit- Napalm ? Only because they havnent sell so much ? Napalm was one of the greaest albums in the past years, only the song napalm was wack
No, because they flopped. Can you tell that Undisputed was great by DMX’s standards, or Napalm by Xzibit’s? My main problem with the latter is that X wanted so much that he ended up nothing. Having variety in style is cool thing, as long as it cohersive and supports the big picture, but Napalm, its a mess. From classic west-coast sound through alternative rock to hyphy, it has everything, without no proper reason. Maybe he just wanted to satisfy the broadest audience he could reach, I don’t know, but even though its a decent LP and I got a lot of love for X, Napalm doesn’t belong here.
Listen to Oh No’s “Ohnomite” or “Dr. No’s Kali Tornado Funk” (instrumental version). Compare them shits, beat for beat. If you still put ALC above Oh No than run [don’t walk] to your nearest psychiatric hospital, cause you done lost your shit!!!
DAMN DX
RARE CHANDELIERS ????
Seriously
Seriously what part of the game? And it can’t be a timely issue, bc TI apparently made the list…
^it’s a mixtape, blue chips > rare chandeliers
Fucken HipHopDX, the best album of the year was Mac Mall’s “The Rebellion Against All There Is”. It got dope beats and talks about real shit instead of the same old same boring bullshit.
THE STONED IMMACULATE….certified dope.
agreed, that should have definitely been on here
Agreed. That album was dope as fuck. Spitta gets no love on HHDX.
Apollo Brown & Guilty Simpson Dice Game!!!
YES!!!
YES!!! I agree 100!
Good list. I respect it. But had you put Rick Ross, Cruel Summer, Meek Mills or something on this list it may have been a problem. But this was a good list. Fuck mainstream…real hip hop forever. Peace!
Wu Block is the only album of the past year that I’ve listened to 20+ times and never skipped a song.
Yes, it is a crime that Wu-Block isn’t on this list.
I fucks with Wu-block, but i thought it was solid at best. Shit had some bangers and other joints are just mediocore. I bump that shit for a few days and it got old quit. It still was a solid album tho.
lmao no jesus piece.. game you really gotta step shit up bro no more faggy features just kill some gangsta shit by yourself to some decent beats!
Wow!!! I can’t believe they left out the stoned immaculate by currensy. That was a hot album.
that WAS a dope album
How and WTF to TI? Shit just dropped not too long ago and it made the list?
and yet they forgot Masta Ace, Public Enemy and Dj Premier+Bumpy
Oddisee? Dice Game? Brother Ali? MFdoom/Masta Ace? over that SH album anyday. I want to say Action/Alchemist but i think it’s considered a “mixtape” cause it was free. but yea that one too.
what about the krayshawn record…
Only basic bitches bump that shit so we don’t even bother!
Where’s Krizz Kaliko??? Or better yet Twiztid or Prozak?!?!
All 3 albums dope from top to bottom…and Zaks videos can’t be fucked wit.
Especially since he does most of em if not all himself! Disappointed that iMAYDAY!
charted over these 3.
nobody likes satanic music.
LMAO satanic music. What does that even mean?
OH , DICE GAME !!!!
this list is pretty good. I dislike welcome to: OUR HOUSE… and T.I. wack tho… but nobody is perfect right? good list
Apollo Brown & OC – “Trophies”
L’Orange – “The Mad Writer”
Big Boi – “VL & DM”
Oddisee – “PHWTS”
Journalist 103 – “Reporting Live”
Blu & Exile – “GMMFWICSST”
Apollo Brown & GS – “Dice Game”
…
no rick ross and game album nor wiz khalifa, ha ha ha
the 2 best albums of the year arent even on here. Murs and fashawn- This Generation (album of the year hands down). De la soul. and the sleeper blu and exile. u need me working there
I’ve yet to check out a few of the albums on the list, but I sure as hell didn’t like Kendrick Lamar’s album. Lamar and those Macklemore & Ryan Lewis guys, who seem to be pretty popular these days, don’t appeal to me at all for some reason.
Anyway, I think 9th Wonder and Buckshot’s “The Solution” should’ve made the list. I’ve been bumping through it a lot lately, and it’s pretty dope. Nas’ “Life is Good” is also tight.
I’ve liked what I’ve heard of Rapsody’s new album and 9th and Murs’ “The Final Adventure” so far, and I will definitely be checking out Gangrene’s album.
Being a big Mobb Deep fan, I really like Alchemist and a lot of his work. Didn’t like “Russian Roulette” much, but I’m not sure what he’s up to with said album. I guess he’s just trying something different.
DJ Premier & Bumpy Knuckles’ “KoleXXXion” and Lil Fame & Termanology’s “Fizzyology” are also decent albums. I think they deserve a honorable mention at least.
What? How much Kendrick have you heard? The album was a work of art, his Kendrick Lamar EP was impeccable, he hasn’t disappointed in any of his mixtapes. I agree with all of your tastes, except for that point.
Kendrick’s album was ok.. I think I was expecting more after all the hype, But The Heist was brilliant In my opinion. Old school horns and trumpets in the production with poetic lyrics and meaningful messages.
Young Sizzle:
Not enough to form a very serious response. I never listened to his early mix tapes, and his previous albums haven’t really caught my interest. I think the song “I wanna be heard” from his 2011 album “Kendrick Lamar” is great, though. Come to think of it, that probably my favorite album by him.
If I recall correctly, it’s a bit more upbeat than his “good kid, m.A.A.d city” CD, which I found more enjoyable. I think it fits him better. I guess I just have a weird taste.
ReturnoftheMack:
Sure. I wouldn’t say it’s trash or anything, I just didn’t like it. I should probably bump it a few more times, though.
The lyrics and, like you said, meaningful messages in The Heist are nice and all. It just didn’t fall to my liking. Like I said in my above reply, I guess I just have weird taste.
no doubt, I really cant believe The Kolexxxion is not on the list. Also no P.E., and Most of my Heroes Still Dont Appear on no Stamp is a great album.
where is Vinnie paz
1. Nicki Minaj – Roman Reloaded
2. Rick Ross – God Forgives, I Don’t
3. 2 Chainz – Based On T.R.U Story
4. Tyga – Careless World
5. Chief Keef – Finally Rich
6. Wiz Khalife – O.N.I.F.C (DELUXE EDITION)
7. Meek Mill – Dream and Nightmares
8. Trinidad James – Don’t Be Safe
9. Waka Flocka – Triple F Life: Friends, Fans & Family
10. French Montana – Mac & Cheese 3
da best hip hop of 2012. enough said. swag
Great list to show the worst albums of 2012. These niggas destroy real Hip Hop. People listen only to rappers like lil wayne or drake and believe they are Hip Hop fans. Its ashamed what happened to Hip Hop
you are kidding…. right?
Chief Keef should be in jail for being involved in the Lil Jo Jo Murder.. no sweat off my back if he’s found dead in Englewood
JJ DOOM – Keys to the Kuffs
Agree 100% But this website never promotes quality albums unless they got major label backing. If JJ DOOM were backed by interscope, hip hop dx would push it 24/7.
where is Oddisee
I really Love this list. I think it is so good that I had to cop most of these titles and Im glad I did. Reloaded by Roc Marciano is an absolute Hip Hop Classic! I Love it!!!! My only complaint is JJ Doom Key To The Kuffs and Planet Asia Black Belt Theater should of made cut but I still can deal and love this list!
What?…No Joey Bada$$…no Adam Parker???
learn to read
A-L-B-U-M-S
not mixtapes
Where in the hell is JJ-DOOM……
Makes no sense there was never a review, but they decided to have a long ass interview with Doom right before the album came out..smh
Where’s Blu and Exile album, this list is kinda wack. I only agree with half of it
Not a bad list, but what about Action Bronson & Statik Selektah – Well Done? Can’t leave Bronson off this list.
Statik Selektah sucks NUTS, that’s why he’s not on here. Hahaha, dude is so garbage. Action Bronson’s voice is the most annoying shit I’ve ever heard. Wannabe GFK.
the list is pretty tight….except for Jesus Piece shits on Trouble Man
SMH THIS IS NOT RIGHT AT ALL
THESE KIDS REALLY SUCK ,,MAN THIS SOUND SO CHANGED IN A BAD WAY,,
WHERE IS JA RULE’S PIL 2??????? faggots
Ja Rule recorded a hip hop version of The Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby”… Ja Rule is the only nigga who can do it.
Hahaha…yeah.
what about CHINO XL??
Xzibit’s “Napalm” should be on here.
Really?? how is Game’s Jesus Piece not on there? and its way better than T.I’s Trouble Man a classic ppl hating on the Game I just expected internet thugs to hate, No you Hip Hop Dx.
The fuck?? You catz didn’t give Fashawn & Murs “This Generation” as well as Blu & Exile “Give Me My Flowers While I Can Still Smell Them” no love?? You catz is slippin DX!
Oh and I forgot to mention the 2 Reks albums “Straight No Chaser” & “Rebulutionary” and Brother Ali’s “Mourning In America”
^^^^
Where is Game Jesus piece…. Yall lost all yall credibility.. faggots
Agree, did anyone listen to this album, its no doubt one of the best album of the years, wtf?!
JESUS PIECES is keeping my interest like fr. One of the best this year. 12/28/2012
2013 The Year Of B.Hudson
New EP dropping January 1st
bhudsonmusic . com
Show some love and join the movement
WTF, WHERES MONOCHOME SKIES, you dudes dont know ish, listen to this album, album of the year.
Yall are wanna be underground . No game no wiz no good music. You act like cruel summer didn’t have 6 of the top singles of the year.
Stop trying to be underground. Just give good music it’s credit.
shut the fuck up
i know most ppl r gonna say good kid maad city, but cancer 4 cure is the album of the year
where is chino xl tech n9ne madchild and krizz kaliko?
HOW IS ODDISEE NOT ON THIS LIST?
That was my favorite of 2012. Dope in every way
Interesting blog…but where is CRUEL SUMMER??? KANYE is the best rapper still still….
No, he’s not. And that album was ok
yall got maybe 4-5 albums right. this was a good mixtape year!!
Instead of N/A for highest charting position, make it DNC. These bum ass underground as fuck albums Did Not Chart. I’ve heard like 7 albums in this whole list and any sane person would know which ones they were.
I fell asleep so many times trying to listen to Reloaded by Roc Marciano – Nigga flow is boring is as a long church service
I fell asleep so many times trying to listen to Reloaded by Roc Marciano – Nigga flow is as boring as a long church service
me too, i wanted to love this shit, but it’s boring
Yes sir. Same herew. I his entire album sounds like one looooOOOOOOONG song!
Missing from this list would be Krizz Kaliko – Kickin and Screamin, Madchild, Brother Ali, Reks off the top of my head…
I see Game, Good Music werent on it either.
Kind of a strange list in relation to missing some big mainstream albums, as well as some more core Hip Hop projects, wonder what the reason for that was??
maybe they weren’t good? I know for a fact Cruel Summer was wack as fuck
where is wu block and napalm
Curren$y – The Stoned Immaculate?!?!?! Game- Jesus Piece?!?!
Cultures Clothing’s Top 25 Albums of the Year – In No Particular Order:
1) “Home Is Where The Art Is” – Substantial
2) “First Of A Living Breed” – Homeboy Sandman
3) “3” – Typical Cats
4) “Give Me My Flowers While I Can Still Smell Them” – Blu & Exile
5) “Skelethon” – Aesop Rock
6) “The Red Tape” – The Whoevers
7) “Detroit Revolutions” – Clear Soul Forces
8) “Trophies” – O.C. & Apollo Brown
9) “Beats For Brothels Vol. 2” – The Doppelgangaz
10) “Control System” – Ab-Soul
11) “The Idea of Beautiful” – Rapsody
12) “Good Kid Maad City” – Kendrick Lamar
13) The Purpose Of Confidence – Purpose & Confidence
14) “The Final Adventure” – MURS & 9th Wonder
15) Monochrome Skies – Epidemic
16) “Food & Liquor II” – Lupe Fiasco
17) Quarter Life Crisis – Quartermaine
18) “Self Sacrifice” – Mello Music Group
19) Concrete Soul – Beneficence
20) “Black Boy Radio” – Actual Proof
21) “Magna Carta” – Melanin 9
22) “Reporting Live” – Journalist 103
23) “A Dream Deferred” – Skyzoo
24) “Cancer 4 Cure” – EL-P
25) “Life Is Good” – Nas
Honorable Mention:
Chino XL – ricanstruction
D Strong & Dave Sparkz – Uphold
Propo88 & Blabbermouf – From The Top Of The Stack
Reap n Chillow – NY2BE
Robust – Fillin In The Potholes
Roc Marciano – Reloaded
Action Bronson & Alchemist – Rare Chandeliers
Tha Connection – Strive LP
Constant Deviants – Diamond
D Strong – Rise And Shoot
Masta Ace – MA_DOOM: Son Of Yvonne
Meyhem Lauren – Respect The Fly Shit
Meyhem Lauren – Mandatory Brunch Meetings
Reks & Statik Selektah – Straight, No Chaser
Timeless Truth – Brugal & Presidentes EP
uMaNg – Lasting Impressions
Wu Block – Wu Block
wow maaaan, no Public Enemy?
Lace Up was easily my favorite album of 2012, can’t believe it’s not even on this site’s Top 25.
That big boi album was garbage where’s Grief Pedigree?
Reloaded #1
Jesus Piece and Cruel Summer were the two best albums of the year, no doubt in my mind about it…Doesn’t have to be underground to be real hip hop
Dude, they were good albums, they were not the 2 best of the year. You sir are what we refer to as a dickrider
not a dickrider for liking jesus piece. i would onlt say that he is if he said 2chainz
“it’s funny how u do your top 25’s and don’t mention me…”
agreed !!!! that is a good ass cd !!!!!!!!!!
WHAT NO JESUS PIECE !? THAT CD IS BETTER THAN TI AND BIG BOI CD’S
No Napalm, Lace Up, Cruel Summer, Based on TRU Story, Unexpected Victory or Jesus Piece. Ouch. That hurts DX.
2 of those were solid, the other’s dont even deserve to be considered
Jesus Piece had a solid flow, Napalm was an art, and you can’t argue with Unexpected Victory.
lace up and jesus piece deserved it but 2chainz is a better feature than solo artist
One of them is a mixtape dumb shit, and 2 Chainz??? FUckin MORONNNNNNNN.
Got some right, definitely got some wrong IMO. Ya’ll need to stop bitching though, its a subjective list. You bitch and moan about DX is shit and then come right back the next day.
jesus piece was wack onifc was way better and should be and everybody hates on wiz and and where is cruel summer and stoned immacualate
wheres onifc and cruel summer
Cruel Summer was garbage.
who ever said Based on TRU Story and laced up is a retard those were
trash wiz album was better then both them album put together
ONIFC NO WHERE INSIGHT THTS CRAZY
fuckin freeway and not cruel summer
No mention of Dice game, the album was dope!!!!!
No Tech N9ne. Slightly disappointed. Also, God Forgives .. (as a whole sucked), but cuts like 3 Kings and Sixteen make it more worthy than Vicious Lies or WTOH. I love Big Boi, don’t get me wrong, but he isn’t the same without 3 Stacks.
Look at this idiot comparing Rick Homo Ross to real rappers. Off yourself.
No Jesus Piece? Much better than RED. Ross album was decent too. Yellow Album was good, even tho i guess that can be argued as a mixtape
http://www.datpiff.com/pop-mixtape-player.php?id=m7d02ebe
I think that people working at HHDX havent heard Public Enemy 2012 albums (Most of my heroes… and The Evil Empire of Everything). You should check them!
MY LIST:
+SAIGON: THE GREATEST STORY NEVER TOLD CHAPTER 2: BREAD AND CIRCUSES
+DJ PREMIER & BUMPY KNUCKLES: THE KOLEXXXION
+MASTA ACE: MA DOOM: SON OF YVONNE
+PUBLIC ENEMY: MOST OF MY HEROES STILL DONT APPEAR ON NO STAMP.
the hiest hit #1
WHERE THE HELL IS KA’s “GRIEF PEDIGREE”?
I am not sure how Brother Ali’s Mourning in America did not make the cut. This album is as strong as Brother Ali’s previous albums. It maybe his most cohesive project to date. The only thing that separates this album from the others is the production. For this outing Brother Ali choose to go with go with the soundscape of Jake One instead of his go to producer Ant. Brother Ali has made HipHopDX’s 25 on 3 occasions. One year HipHopDX named 2 albums to the 25 albums of the year. I am scratching my head on this one. HipHopDX gave Mourning in America a positive review. In an odd coincidence the last time I was this baffled by a HipHopDXs selection for album of the year was for Freeways- Stimulus Package. Freeways Free at Last made was selected by HipHopDX for the top 25 albums of 2007. However, when Freeway teamed up with Jake One and Rhymesayer HipHopDX passed the project over. Many critics had left Freeway for dead without the support of Rock-A-Fella Records and Freeway responded by dropping an album that stands up to his major label work. In a October 2011 article HipHop said the Stimulus Package was more than just a super solid project, but a simultaneous testament to his growth as an artist and as a man. HipHopDX gave Stimulus Package a cool 3.5 but it clocked a strong user rating of 4.5. Mourning in America was given a respectable 4 and drew a comparable 4.44 user rating. Given the circumstances one would think Mourning in America would make Albums You Loved (And We Hated) list. Well, I hope if Freeway and Brother Alis album next year, is as good as Stimulus Package and Mourning in America HipHopDX recognizes the quality of their work next time round.
Totally agree, Brother Ali’s album was amazing and the fact that they put up Lupe Fiasco and some of this other garbage over Mourning in Ameria is laughable. Plus, it is kind of hard to give an article, site, or writer any credit when they use 50 cent albums to compare how good or how much buzz a new album drew.
No Common? The Dreamer, The Believer got 4.5 by HHDX review and even higher user reviews. Why the snub??? Also no Cruel Summer is crazy
Common’s album came out in ’11
I think that “Dice Game” is a must have record too…
http://www.datpiff.com/pop-mixtape-player.php?id=m028e4d8
http://www.datpiff.com/pop-mixtape-player.php?id=m018c255
top 5 albums:
Good kid madd city
Life is good
Jesus Piece
Trouble Man
Welcome to our house
idk man u left out controlsystem. that shits a classic in my eyes. CANT WAIT FOR 2013 TDE TAKEOVER BITCH!!!
Wu Block and Nas had the best albums by far
my top 5 NO ORDER –
Kendrick Lamar – good kid m.A.A.d city
AB Soul – control system
Wu-Block
Killer Mike – R.A.P Music
Azealia Banks – FANTASEA
Wow atleast Vinnie give the Pazman some fuckin love this year so many more independent underground emcees deserve more love than half the radio promoted trash you posted up but damn yall must have not listened to Vinnies second album smh…yall killin this genere (Death of Auto-Tune) (Death to Swag) (Death to Hipster) all that shit everyone forgot where this genre spawned from the truthful lyricism.
Nobody wants to listen to an Obnoxious, always pissed off overweight toothless white muslim bitch about how much he hates everything over and over, FOH
WTF? 2 Chainz drops the hottest album of the year and doesn’t even get a mention?
Your a retard!!!
No Jesus Piece? I’m officially never coming back on this site again.
Best HipHop album of the year.. not Pop gang wanna be trash
Ppl slept on Big Krit album. If not the BEST album of the year
Channel Orange???
no Action Bronson wtf?
nvm
these charts looks too white to me.
Some of yall need to calm down LOL.. this is their opinion, so stop acting like children because your favorite shit isnt on this list. That being said this is a solid top 25, glad to see Big K.R.I.T on it
Where the fuck is ‘Vinnie Paz’s – GOTS’? Vinnie always goes hard!!!
PUBLIC ENEMY
As always, Prince Paul is criminally slept-on. Negroes on Ice should’ve made the list!
I think DMX’s Undisputed clearly belongs on this list. After tracks like the powerfully poetic ”Cold World” and ”Slippin’ Again” are the perfect explination why the Album belongs on here
and Cruel Summer front to back
LOOL
Chi Towns Che… Rhymefest wants to slap you
Xzibit- Napalm & Saigon Bread & Circuses?
I thought Lecrae was still considered hip-hop….Gravity went in!
YahBish’s 5 top albums of 2012
1. Kendrick Lamar – good kid,m.A.A.d
2. Nas – Life is Good
3. Slaughterhouse – Welcome to: Our House
4. Big K.R.I.T. – Live From The Underground
5. Obie Trice – Bottoms Up
LA COKA, AESOP ROCK, MA DOOM, SNOWGOONS
best albums of the year none of this pop shit you guys said
You Forgot Propo 88 & Blabbermouf the From the Top of The Stack album! it sounds very 90’s That’s the best Hip Hop album from 2012 check it on youtube they got video clips everything;).