What a week. If you missed it, below is the recap of our annual lists.

Rick Ross rung in 2012 with a bang. With a release date for God Forgives, I Don’t still a mystery, Rozay unleashed a new collection of tunes, an album before the album. We knew this was serious from the start when Sean Combs talked his shit all over the glorious “Holy Ghost”. The Teflon Don showed his true aggressiveness on “High Definition”, “MMG Untouchable” and “Yellow Diamonds”. But a major part of Mr. Roberts’ success is his ability to bring […]

Following the success of his Cruel Summer hits (“Mercy”, “Clique”) as well as Meek Mill’s “Burn”, Big Sean cordially invited fans to his hometown with his fourth mixtape, Detroit. The Motor City’s new shining star travels down the road to stardom on the opener “Higher” and depicts his lavish lifestyle over the soulful sounds of Barry White on “How I Feel”. Right on! Sean Don keeps the celebratory tracks intact (“Experimental”, “FFOE”, “Woke Up”) while stacking more than enough bread […]

Meek Mill continued his quest for more on the second installment of his Dreamchasers mixtape series. He kickstarts the project with The Fugees remake “Ready Or Not”. Then he reflects on his troubled past (“Use To Be”) before turning his fantasies into reality (“Big Dreams”). Even if the District Attorney didn’t approve of “The Ride”, his testimony was sincere. Production was clutch thanks to Jahlil Beats (“Flexing”), Cardiak (“Lean Wit It”) and The Beat Bully (“Intro”). Guests came in bundles (“Face Down”, “Racked […]

Number four should’ve been number one to me. In case there was any doubt, BFK solidifies Freddie Gibbs place as one of the game’s coldest spitters. From the opening bell, he commands our attention with a multi-layered flow (“BFK”). Throughout the tape, Gibbs uses his voice to his advantage. He manipulates his baritone on “Money, Clothes, Hoes” and gets back to business on cuts like “Hard” and “Kush Cloud”. He understands melody (“Stay Down”) and the importance of sharing the spotlight alongside a […]

When it comes free music on the Internet, Wiz Khalifa sure knows how to package it. Dubbed after his place of higher learning, Cameron turned his tenth mixtape, Taylor Allderdice in and walked away with an A+. In signature fashion, Wiz blows his smoke (“T.A.P.”) and gloats about fame (“Blindfold”) throughout the 18 tracks. TGOD kept his regular beatmakers on-board and he’s rewarded with refreshing production from the likes of Cardo (“California”), ID Labs (“Amber Ice”) and Big Jerm (Smoke […]

As you can see, this King is remembered in time more in the mixtape category. Maybe it’s because the Mississippi heavyweight is allowed to remain in his comfort zone. Armed with complete creative control, K.R.I.T. mans his own production and doesn’t hesitate penning his passion. Mr. Scott displays his vocals on the hook of the soothing opener “Wake Up Saxaphone” and joy rides over the UGK influence-sounding “Me & My Old School.” K.R.I.T. kicks it into high gear on the reflectful “1986” […]

Safe to say, New York Rap wasn’t in the greatest state in 2012. But coming through around Thanksgiving was Fabolous, one of our city’s most consistent spitters who surprised us with a strong sequel. Shit, Soul Tape 2 ain’t no turkey. Loso sets the tone and sounds inspired on the intro “Transformation”. He schools the ladies on “For The Love” and smooths things out on the St. Elmo’s Fire theme-sampled smoke break “We Get High”. Along with Pusha T, he […]

Apparently being the first indie artist to top Billboard in the 21st century wasn’t enough for Mac Miller. You didn’t like Blue Slide Park? Well he addressed you naysayers on Macadelic. Young Malcom followed his dreams and boasts about his new reality on the funky “Thoughts From A Balcony”. After gettin’ strung out on the trippy “Vitamins”, Mr. Miller sobers up and steps up his wordplay on songs like the nifty “Sunlight” and especially the durable “Desperado”. Make no mistake, […]

Despite what his name suggests, Atlanta rapper Trouble found himself on the right side of the fence with Bigga Rankin on his mixtape 431 Days. The title pays homage to the amount of days he was out the bing. Now that he’s walking the right path, Trouble plants his flag on the menacing “It’s Time”. He chronicles his life on the Alley Boy-aided “ATL” but reserves his hustler tales for “Go!!”. Between rapping and trapping, the Duct Tape artist has a […]

Last Spring, Queens newcomer 360, bottled his highs and lows into an enjoyable listen with his debut EP, Everywhere And Back. After stating his claim on the title track, he plays for keeps on the haunting “Own Thing”. Songwriting is where ’60’s strength lies and he diversifies his pen for the ladies (“Lovin’ You (Tonight)”) and the tramps (“Power Pussy”).  He keeps it light-hearted on “Woulda Kid” and strikes hard on the J.Cole-crafted “What Goes Up”. He fed the streets on […]