Wired 25: The 25 Best Hip-Hop Albums And Mixtapes Of 2012 So Far

The Summer is over and it’s just about that time to take a look back on all of the excellent music that has dropped in 2012. Since the lines of mixtapes and albums have become so blurred with so much effort going into free music, why separate them? From Rick Ross to Nas to Wiz Khalifa and Schoolboy Q, veterans and young bucks stood toe to toe by dropping quality effort after quality effort.

There are sure to be many great albums and mixtapes left off of this list, but that just speaks to how strong the year has been in music. It wasn’t easy, but Hip-Hop Wired has broken down the top 25 albums and mixtapes this year so far in this week’s edition of Wired 25. Hit the jump to check out the best that this year had to offer so far. 
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25. 2 Chainz – Based On A T.R.U. Story 

The culmination of 2 Chainz’s rise to superstar status came in the form of his debut album under Def Jam Records, Based On A T.R.U. Story. Collaborations were heavy with big songs featuring Drake, Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, Kanye West and many more.

24. Gunplay & DJ Holiday – Bogota Rich 

Once one of the forgotten member of the original Triple C’s, Gunplay made a huge splash in 2012 and it started with this mixtape that dropped seemingly out of no where. Gunplay’s borderline insane energy in his songs used to take the attention away from his lyrics. On songs like “Jumpin Out,”

23. 50 Cent & DJ Drama – The Lost Tape 

Although the mystique of 50 Cent’s persona maybe long gone, Curtis Jackson still dropped a solid project with DJ DRama with The Lost Tape. The two kings of mixtapes seemed to be a match made in bootleg heaven.

22. Slaughterhouse & DJ Drama – On The House 

Shortly before dropping their Shady Records debut, Slaughterhouse got busy over some of your favorite beats with On The House. With Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz, Royce Da 5’9″ and Crooked I, anything less would’ve been uncivilized.

21. Smoke DZA & Harry Fraud – Rugby Thompson

Smoke Dza out of Harlem World linked up with arguably the hottest producer in the game right now to produce one of the surprisingly dope projects of 2012.

20. Jeremih, DJ Drama & DJ Pharris – Late Nights 

Speaking of surprising, Jeremiah reminded people of his hitmaking and panty wetting ways with this excellent mixtape, Late Nights. The maker of “Birthday S*x” reminded folks that he can still write a hell of a song when he wants to.

19. DJ Khaled – Kiss The King

DJ Khaled might be a glorified A&R, but his magic ability to bring people together for hit records remains unmatched. “Hip-Hop” with Nas & Scarface might be an instant classic, while “B***hes & Bottles” with T.I., Future and Lil Wayne has the most potential to tear the clubs up.

18. Troy Ave – Bricks In My Backpack 3: The Harry Powder Trilogy

After buzzing in New York for a number of years, Troy Ave broke out with his best effort to date with Bricks In My Backpack 3. The powder life was a wonderful one with cameos from Fabolous, Action Bronson and Chase N Cashe.

17. Cocaine 80s – Express_OG

No ID’s pet project might be one of the most enjoyable listens of the year, even if it may have slipped right past your radar.

16. Curren$y – The Stoned Immaculate

Curren$y remained the hardest working stoner in Hip-Hop, and with a major label budget finally behind him, the Hot Spitta delivered on The Stoned Immaculate. 

15. Dom Kennedy – The Yellow Album

Dom Kennedy is always good for a stand out mixtape, and 2012 was no different when he dropped The Yellow Album. 

14. Future – Pluto

Future didn’t only just bring back autotune, but he proved that “Racks” wasn’t a fluke with his knack for club bangers.

13. Action Bronson – Blue Chips 

Action Bronson’s lyrical prowess was on full display for Blue Chips. The rapping Emeril Lagasse might be the next big star out of New York.

12. Meek Mill & DJ Drama – Dreamchasers 2

Meek Mill followed up his landmark Dreamchasers mixtape with the sequel this year and churned out anthems like “Amen,” “Flexin” and more.

11. Big K.R.I.T. – Live From The Underground

Big K.R.I.T.’s Def Jam debut was a slow burner as songs like “I Got This,” “What You Mean,” and more seemed to have more staying power than people could have imagined.

10. Ab-Soul – controlSYSTEM

Ab-Soul’s controlSYSTEM was a standout effort in 2012 for the Black Lip Bastard. With help from his TDE family, the shaggy haired MC remained a fan favorite within many circles.

9. Frank Ocean – channelORANGE

Many people wondered what Frank Ocean would do for an encore to nostalgia:ULTRA. He responded with one of the most endearing R&B projects to come in the past couple of years.

8. Wiz Khalifa – Taylor Allderdice

It was safe to say that Wiz Khalifa’s Rolling Papers, wasn’t some of his best work. Taylor Allderdice made up for that in spades with a ton of stoner jams that he gave away for free .99.

7. Joey Bada$$ – 1999

Brooklyn newcomer and young prodigy, Joey Bada$$ put the city on his back with 1999. It made critics and fans alike wonder how a kid who can’t even buy a bottle of beer could make something that 40 year old rap fans could rock to.

6. Rick Ross – God Forgives, I Don’t

It was an MMG summer, which was stamped by Rick Ross’ latest and grandest effort, God Forgives, I Don’t. Appearances from Jay-Z, Dr. Dre, and Andre 3000 may have overshadowed Ross on some songs, but there was no denying that the Bawse’s ear for music might be unmatched in today’s rap game.

5. Schoolboy Q – Habits & Contradictions

SchoolBoy Q isn’t the next star out of TDE, he already is a star. With songs like “Hands On The Wheel,” which blew up radio this year with A$AP Rocky, “the real Puff Daddy” showed that he can back up his boastful brags with incredible music.

4. Big K.R.I.T. – 4Eva N A Day

Big K.R.I.T. gave away so much free music in his career, it almost made you feel bad. But another reason why he does it is because he is so good at it. The proof was in the pudding with his latest mixtape, 4 Eva N A Day. 

3. Rick Ross, DJ Scream and Shaheem Reid – Rich Forever 

After suffering an initial push back of God Forgives, I Don’t, Rozay dropped the free mixtape Rich Forever. This came out in the beginning of the year and almost a full eight months later it still stands as one of the top projects of the year. The bawse’s “Stay Schemin” with Drake and French Montana remains one of the most quoted songs in recent memory.

2. Killer Mike – R.A.P. Music

Criminally slept on for too long, Killer Mike dropped another incredible album of hard-hitting, thought-provoking, head knocking Hip-Hop music. The fact that it was simply was title R.A.P. Music gave it beauty in it’s simplicity. Wake up, Killer Mike is a beast.

1. Nas – Life Is Good

Were you expecting someone else? In a career year for God’s Son, Nas reclaimed the top of the game with an incredibly open and honest album that touched on all aspects of his much talked about life. With incredible production and unmatched lyricism, Nas is king in 2012. It will be hard to knock him off the ledge by the time December rolls around.