2012 has been arguably the best year in terms of quality of music in a very very long time. In all genres the quality of music has definitely taken a turn for the better; especially in an era where we've become accustomed to mediocre, talent-less, monotonous garbage! Here's a review on what I consider to be the best sh*t to drop this year; in terms of artists, albums, mixtapes etc!
Mixtape of the year
Big Sean- Detroit (5th September 2012)
Initially when Big Sean first announced he was dropping a new mixtape in September, I assumed it would be a needless filler building up to his soon to be released sophomore album Hall of Fame. Despite Big Sean displaying that he actually has a strong rap ability, I never really took him seriously. He always seemed to me, to be a novelty rapper who was humorous, you know with his whole; 'Whoa Dere', 'Oh Gawd' and 'Boing' thing. It just seemed he was never serious. However, displaying stellar verses on collabs such as Meek Mill's Burn and his 'cliques' (pun intended) GOOD Music compilation album Cruel Summer, Big Sean began to show he had more to him than being a joker with a gimmicky. And he cemented his ability with Detroit, in all seriousness the mixtape is actually album quality. His bars are solid, punchlines are witty but rigour and his flow is just stupid sick. Songs such as Higher, 24K, of Gold and Sellin' Dreams could easily be on any album. The standout song for me though, is 100 which features Royce Da 5'9 and Kendrick Lamar- Sean really just spits from his heart, dismaying his haters and revealing his plan to succeed in the future. Definitely worth a download (link is above the mixtape cover).
Fave Bar- "'Til I was standing next to Puff and Hov, off the French coast a million dollars never seemed so broke".
Best Newcomer of 2012
Joey Bada$$
Every year there's someone who comes along that causes hysteria in hip-hop, usually dubbed the next - (insert rap GOAT here) and this year it's Joey Bada$$. To be honest it's in good reason that he is. I mean everyday someone tells me to listen to this and listen to that, I'm the kinda guy who's stuck in his ways so I don't tend to delve deep into new stuff. But when I downloaded his 1999 mixtape back in June, I was awestruck. From track to 1 to 15 I was just literally head-bopping the whole way. 1999 was somewhat a time machine going back to the 90's but with a mind of someone in the 21st century. Lets not forget the kids only 17-years-old and has the world at his feet, I don't want to say he's going to save hip-hop, but what I can say he sure is providing something that can resurrect it. Also one important thing I should mention this kid is probably one of the best straight off the dome freestylers I've ever heard. Please take a look at this link below.
Fave Bar: "My folks was making the best when they was naked in bed, muthaf*cka"
Rapper of the year
Pusha T
I can't lie to you, this was a hard decision, this year, rappers have really been on point in trying to deliver. But for me no-one has been more on-point than Pusha T. Seriously he hasn't dropped a verse this year where my jaw didn't drop. We've always heard of Pusha being one half of the Clipse, but in joining GOOD Music as a solo artist he's finally displaying the quality we all knew he had. Let's first just discuss his featured verses. His guest verses have probably been better than any of the verses on his own songs. From his stuff with GOOD Music, I mean, tell me he doesn't make you nuts after opening 'I Don't Like Remix', "(Wooo) that's rare n*gga, (Wooo) Rick Flair, (Wooo) the powers in my hair n*gga, (Wooo) I give this beat the chair n*gga". Please tell me after you hear that you don't go apesh*t. Let's not forget his verse on Mercy or probably his best featured verse of the year on New God Flow, where he really spazzes. Nonetheless, I found his verse on Name Me King on the Game's new LP (Jesus Piece) to be my favourite, he really drops some solid bars on it. Individually, he created commotion with the 'calling out' song Exodus 23:1 supposedly firing shots at Drake and Lil' Wayne. He recently released Blocka a song off his upcoming mixtape Wrath of Caine, he really spits fire on here "My records ain't gonna sell n*gga, go diamonds off my cell n*gga". I mean how can one artist rap about cocaine so much and still remain relevant, haha!
(Game ft Pusha T- Name Me King) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUMRCEDfG7A
Fave Bar: "My only pet was a fish scale not a Goldfish"
Best Artist
Miguel
For me the best artist has to go to Miguel, he's really hit the ground-running this year, trying to bring a fresh-air and quality to the genre that is R&B. After, gaining everyone's attention with his first solo album All I Want is You in 2010, he dropped an even better album with Kaleidoscope this year. The album is both daring but still maintains his R&B roots, discussing themes that all males can relate to such as Pussy is Mine and How Many Drinks both of which are highly relatable songs for males, in which he can be the much needed R&B singer that we as men can relate to and that ladies can be at awe of. Lastly let me not get started on Adorn which is probably one of the best songs I've ever heard and I will discuss later.
(Miguel acoustic) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8aVkB9FhIk7
R&B Album of the Year
Frank Ocean- Channel ORANGE (July 10th 2012)
Frank Ocean's first solo album was a complete game-changer. It re-revolutionised the sound of contemporary R&B. Whilst it is an R&B album, Ocean was influenced by an array of genre's in particular Electro and jazz. The album explores an array of musical sounds that while uncoventional, fit perfectly well together. You can't help but compare this album or Ocean rather to Stevie Wonder, its Stevie Wonder'esc but very much Ocean's own sound. The topics Ocean discusses are what bring it back to what is relevant to this generation of adolescence such as sex, unrequited love and drugs- all of which encompass the current issues that young adults face in this generation. Ocean sings what we as young adults feel and are going through. The standout songs include the earlier released Thinkin' 'Bout You, Sierra Leone, Sweet Life, Super Rich Kids and Pink Matter with the latter two receiving stellar rap verses from fellow Odd Future member Earl Sweatshirt and king of guest verses Andre 3K. My personal favourite is Pyramids 9 plus minutes long but the song is just pure eargasm, while the song is long it only gets better as goes along with its transitions into a electro influenced sound. An album for any lover of music and will fit the tastes of any listener.
Best Pop album
Jessie Ware- Devotion (20th August 2012)
This is probably my favourite album of the year, I was completely taken away when I first heard this album. I stumbled on it through a close friend of mine referring to her song Running on twitter, where I dabbled on YouTube and was completely blown away. The album was a sound I had never heard before but for some reason Sade just kept springing to mind, Jessie's vocals are definitely reminiscent of Sade. While it is a pop album, it is not your conventional contemporary pop album there's a sense of soul that filters through the mid-tempo electric sounds. While Ware vocals are of soulful nature, the production by contrast is definitely influenced by her underground roots with electric piano's and drum sounds that are similar to the sounds of her former projects with SBTRKT. Stand out songs include Wildest Moments, Night Light, 110% and Devotion. Running the lead single off the album is my favourite, it's just a complete song really, her vocals are pitch-perfect, production is somber but effective and the drum pads just provide the distinctive sound. It's this song where I truly hear Sade's influences, as Ware's vocal's remind you of the great singers work. Out of all the albums I've discussed I think this should be the first one you should purchase- fantastic album.
Song of the year
Miguel- Adorn (Kaleidoscope)
This song is just wow. At one point I had this song on repeat all day just literally again, again and again. There's so many reasons as to why this songs perfect. One stand out reason is his lyrics, somewhat poetic and intelligent, displaying a number of ways he can adorn his woman "And this mind wooo, will never neglect you". The production is a throwback of 90's R&B, whilst still retaining a modern sound. Initially, Miguel released the song with a 2 minute version which tasted our appetite for the full album version. And boy did he not disappoint as the album version added even more brilliance to the song. A breath of fresh air for R&B and definite choice for song of the year.
Best Hip-Hip album
Nas- Life is Good (13th July 2012)
Nas's 11th album was basically an autobiography that allowed us into his life and for us to share his highs and his lows. Marked by his recent divorce with Kelis, Nas draws us into the fatalities of his marriage, trails and tribulations of parenthood and being the don that he is. May I add this is the best he's rapped in years, probably since God's Son or even Stillmatic. His bars provide wisdom and are so creative and thoughtful that they often go over your head. I mean most of the songs I have to have Rap Genius up to fully take in what he means, he's just that clever. What everyone should notice from this album, is that this is the first major and successful album that is made for adults and discusses adult issues- but still is relevant to everyone of all ages to understand and enjoy. Notable songs include A Queens Story, Daughters, The Don, Bye Baby, Nasty and Stay. While being obvious but for perfect reason Cherry Wine is my favourite which features the now rested Amy Winehouse who was Nas's good friend. The song is just simply beautiful, you can feel the rapport between Winehouse and Nas, who spits some of the most trueful sh*t you'll ever hear about women and finding the right partner (yeah I know some soft sh*t). Nas is not back but rather he's just still here but older, wiser and still looks like he's 25 (he's actually 39).
Fave bar: "They asking how he disappear and reappear back on top saying Nas must have naked pictures of God or something"
Album of the year
Kendrick Lamar- Good Kid, M.A.A.D City (22nd October 2012)
Good Kid, M.A.A.D City (GKMC) without doubt is the quintessential album of the year. Kendrick's second album is a complete body of work, a narrative on his life as a boy from Compton. The album is literally organised as a story based on Kendrick's experiences in the concrete jungle that is Compton, it is so well put together that it is cinema'esc you can actually invision that Compton lifestyle he raps about. This is probably the most cohesive album you'll see for years each track is a jigsaw that perfectly fits to create a puzzle that is Kendricks life. While the production may not be reminiscent of the more conventional West Coast G-Funk sound, it keeps to a sound that is better suited to Lamar's own sound. With his vivid lyrics, you are left feeling empathetic to his life as many listeners have been in the situations that he discusses. The use of natural skits is what adds the icing to the cake, displaying a form of reality that adds to his narrative. The strength of the albums composition, Kendricks masterful lyrical ability and narrative of the album is what sets this album apart from others and makes it an easy choice for album of the year. Stand out songs include Money Trees, Sherane, The Art of Peer Pressure, Sing About Me, I'm dying of First and Real. Again stating the obvious my personal fave is Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe- the song is one that everyone can relate to, a sense of escapism, with an easy hook and chorus that everyone has to recite. The production too adds to it's quality that just literally makes a ganja virgin want to light one. The most cohesive album since Kanye's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, an example of narrative rap at it's finest, easy choice for album of the year.
Fave bar: "Every time I write these words they become a taboo, making sure my punctuation curve, every letter is true, living my life in the margin and that metaphor was proof'"
