Wired 25: The 25 Best Songs Of 2012 So Far [LISTEN]

With 2012 just about at the half way point, Hip-Hop Wired is taking a look back at the most popular, impactful, and all around best songs of the year thus far.  Although not many big albums have dropped since January 1st, 2012, the major, server–cracking mixtapes (Rick Ross, Meek Mill, Big K.R.I.T, Wiz Khalifa) that have dropped contributed heavily to this list.

Hit the jump to see if your favorite track made the cut.

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25. Nicki Minaj – ft. 2 Chainz “Beez in the Trap

This record caused a lot of ruckus between New York City DJ’s. Although the beef between Clue and Flex overshadowed the song for a while, a gang of strippers, a twerking Nicki, and the 2 Chainz jig brought the attention right back where it belonged.

24. Meek Mill ft. Drake – “Amen”

Meek Mill and Drake get thankful on this ode to women, money and success.

23. Wiz Khalifa “Work Hard Play Hard”

Wiz Khalifa works hard for what he gets, and this buzz single for his second Atlantic Records album, O.N.I.F.C., shows you the blueprint.

22. Big K.R.I.T” “I Got This”

The country boy Big K.R.I.T. serves up some of that good ol’ southern cooking on “I Got This,” from the upcoming album Live From The Underground. 

21. Slaughterhouse ft. Cee – Lo Green – “My Life”

Joey, Joell, Crook and Royce get an assist from the one-of-a-kind Cee-Lo Green. You know the sample has plenty of “rhythm,” but once the beat drops it is all slaughter.

20. Killer Mike “Reagan”

Killer Mike’s incredible album, Rap Music, features this amazing record that you’ve got to hear about 4 or 5 times for it to really hit home.

19. Meek Mill “Flexin On Em”

Meek Mill and Jahlil Beats are undefeated when it comes to collaborating on records. “Flexin” is no different.

18. Kendrick Lamar ft. Dr. Dre –  “The Recipe”

Kendrick Lamar’s Good Kid In A Mad City got sparked by a rare verse from the legendary Dr. Dre.

17. A$AP Rocky “Goldie”

A$AP Rocky and Hit-Boy collaborate on this smoothed out track that will serve as the lead-in to his debut album.

16. 2 Chainz ft. Drake – “No Lie”

The lead single from 2 Chainz heavily anticipated solo debut, Based On A T.R.U. Story, features Drake.

15. Wiz Khalifa ft. Rick Ross and Amber Rose – “Never Been (Part 2)”

The standout track from Taylor Allderdice features Rick Ross, and a surprisngly pleasant sounding Amber Rose.

14. Meek Mill ft. Big Sean – “Burn”

Big Sean and Meek Mill master the art of trading bars between verses on this Dreamchasers 2 record. Big Sean’s always been nice, but this record might be one of the best verses of his young career.

13. Nas “Daughters”

Nas shows love to all of the dedicated fathers on this record from the upcoming LP, Life Is Good. 

12. Kirko Bangz – “Drank In My Cup”

H-Town artist, Kirko Bangz, has been plugging away for a while but this record shot him up faster than anyone could have expected, spawning a gang of remixes. Check out our favorite one, featuring J.Cole.

11. Ca$h Out – “Cashin Out”

Is this the 2012 version of “Racks?” Probably. Is this song currently stuck in your head? Most likely.

10. Odd Future “Oldie”

The Odd Future collective is together for the first time since their sudden rise to fame. Tyler, Earl, Frank, Hodgy and the gang are all here.

9. Kanye West, Big Sean, Pusha T. and 2 Chainz – “Mercy”

As of now, the only official single from the much anticipated G.O.O.D. Music album, Cruel Summer, features a star-making assists from 2012 MVP candidate 2 Chainz. I mean, 2 Chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaainz.

8. Tyga ft. Lil Wayne – “Faded”

Tyga’s surprisingly good Careless World: Rise Of The Last King album, fetured this Lil’ Wayne assisted jingle.

7. Nas – “The Don”

Nas has got his head on straight, and “The Don,” shows and proves that with 20 years in the game he is as sharp as ever.

6. Chief Keef ft. Pusha T., Big Sean, Jadakiss and Kanye West – “I Don’t Like (Remix)”

This song is nothing but full on riot music. The bubbling Chicago scene is encapsulated in this mega remix of Chief Keef’s breakout single.

5. Schoolboy Q ft. A$AP Rocky – “Hands On The Wheel”

Drinking and driving is really bad. Like, really bad. But Schoolboy Q and ASAP Rocky sure make it sound pretty darn groovy on this record. 

4. Future ft. Diddy and Ludacris – “Same Damn Time (Remix)”

With no disrespect to Ludacris’ lyrical prowess, Diddy took this record and owned it. Need a little motivation, turn this up to level 10 and go in!

3. E-40 ft. YG IAmSu & Problem – “Function”

The ageless wonder also known as 40 Water, aka E-40, let the world know he’s got plenty left in the tank with this bay area slapper.
     

2. Kanye West ft. DJ Pharris and DJ Khaled – “So Cold”

Is there any such thing as an ignorant love poem? If there is, this might be it. Kanye West pretty much told the world that he loves him some Kim Kardashian and ever since then they’ve been inseparable. The two lightning rods for controversy, for as long as they are together, will have this song that brought them together.

1. Rick Ross ft. French Montana and Drake – “Stay Schemin”

The biggest song to kick off 2012, is still the biggest song of the year as of now. The record which contained the instant classic line “B***h, you wasn’t with me shooting in the gym,” is still a homies anthem at any party that this blares from. If Ross has more joints like this on God Forgives, I Don’t, the critics will be silenced.