TOP RAP SONGS 2012 coming soon...

TOP 50 RAP SONGS OF 2012

Coming soon, my favourite songs of the year,

once again divided in different areas. This time no RnB (r.i.p.)

and no West Coast (sorry The Game, you got that spot though),

though The Bay Area is more than represented with a top 30

as The Dirty South and the East Coast have only top 10s.

Coming real soon as the rest of the reviews for some albums.

Also coming, the top 10 rap albums of 2012!

STYLES P - THE WORLDS MOST HARDEST MC

STYLES P

THE WORLD'S MOST HARDEST MC PROJECT

2012

Another dope D-Block release and a very tight

album for Styles P who never disappoints.

Full Review Coming Soon...

GHOSTFACE & SHEEK LOUCH - WU BLOCK

GHOSTFACE KILLAH & SHEEK LOUCH

WU BLOCK

2012

Never thought this would come about, but man am i

glad it's here and sounding the way it does.

It's beautiful yo. Just beautiful!

Full Review Coming Soon...

BUENO - DEAR SUMMER

BUENO

DEAR SUMMER

2012

This dude is most likely not known by y'all at all

(if you do know, big ups) so i had to drop something

to praise the shit out of it. I loved it so much

i already bought it to bump in the whip the proper way.

And boi does it bump. The bass on these tracks is just

beautiful. But this ain't no hyphy party album, don't

get it twisted, just saying it's just great sounding quality.

Front to back it's just smooth melodies over soulful, 

slow head-boppin, chilled out beats (minus the few

bass heavier tracks here and there).

But it's Bueno himself and the features that sell this 

to me even more so. It's all a perfect blend and this

dude is seriously underrated. Check it out for yourself

and give the man his props. Real tight album!

Overall score: 9/10

E-40 & TOO SHORT - HISTORY - MOB MUSIC

E-40 & TOO SHORT

HISTORY: MOB MUSIC

2012

The other disc of this awesome double feature.

I think I might prefer Function Music at this point but I need to

bump a lot more before making up my mind.

Full Review Coming Soon...

E-40 & TOO SHORT - HISTORY - FUNCTION MUSIC

E-40 and TOO $HORT

HISTORY - FUNCTION MUSIC

2012

Yee! Finally the collaboration of the century drops!

This is the first of two albums by legends E-40 & Too Short

and though i need to bump a lot more, after a couple listens

i can already tell you this shit slaps like a mutha!

The production is off the chain and prolly the best of all

E-40's latest albs. I knew this is the direction the alb would take,

knowing Too $hort has done albs like this before, but i thought

perhaps it would've been half-half on slaps and typical Too $hort

pimp music...but maybe that's what Mob Music will be like?

In anyway, it doesn't matter because both Sheezy & E-Feezy

killin their verses here over insanely slappin beats, and really

their flows are so stellar and make the whole album.

It's just a fuckin joy to listen to! Man i'm lovin this!

Overall Score: 9.2/10

UPCOMING BAY AREA SLAPS

That time again to look at some up and coming new releases 

from the Bay Area...the most consistent area in the game...

Again, some real tight collabo albs in the making:

Berner & The Jacka once more (so excited about this),

Rydah J. Klyde & Fed-X (drop already!!), J-Diggs &

Philthy Rich (could be interesting) and of course in the

making since forever and top of my list: Too Short & E40.

MEEK MILL - DREAMS AND NIGHTMARES

MEEK MILL

DREAMS AND NIGHTMARES

2012

Jesus FUCK! After two ok-ish mixtapes that had

some tight tracks on it, i sure was looking forward to

Meek dropping this but i did not expect it to be this

fuckin good! This might be the best album yet from 
the whole MMG camp. Bumped it for like 4 hours straight
front to back and still fiending for more!

1. Dreams And Nightmares
What a beautiful intro huh. And then...Meek isn't finished yo...hollup! 
Man that change-over has got to be one of the best in rap ever 
(besides Lil Wyte's "I Know You Strapped"). Mean mug like a muthafucka 
and get ready for one hell of ride! This sets the album off 
oh so perfectly. Sublime shiznit! 5/5
2. In God We Trust
This one keep the rawness coming with dope lyrics
although i'm missing something here melody-wise,
but still a pretty tight joint. 4/5
3. Young And Getting It
Just too damn catchy and the autotune for once makes
it even better. I hate kid cudi for real and even though
this sounds like one of his hooks, i don't care.
This track bumps and has so much more going for it. 5/5
4. Traumatized
Very nice sample interpolation here. Meek is killing it
on the accapella's and his timing and flow is just perfect.
Lovin the drums here too, perfect choice. 5/5
5. Believe It ft Rick Ross
Pfew, this shit goes so hard. You just gotta love it!
When Meek starts rippin it, you're in for a treat.
Another typical MMG beat but oh so fly nonetheless. 5/5
6. Maybach Curtains ft. John Legend, Nas & Ris Ross
Nice change here and a very nice track with a grand Nas
who brings the whole track to the right level. Meek does
his thing too. Just sit back and listen. 5/5
7. Amen ft. Drake
I'd never thought i'd say this but Drake slayed it! Cot'Damn.
Crazy cool track and the snare play is killer. 5/5
8. Young Kings
When bumping this in the background this song catches
your attention which might not be the case cruisin through it. 5/5
9. Lay Up ft. Wale, Rick Ross & Trey Songz
Took some time to warm up to it, but with a couple thorough
listens, this is a damn dope track and Trey kills it. 5/5
10. Tony Story Pt. 2
Dope storytelling going on over a solid beat that keeps
you engaged all the way. Very nice. 5/5
11. Who Your Around ft. Mary J. Blige
Despite my mild hatred for Mary, she nailed this hook again.
Very nice track for real. 5/5
12. Polo And Shell Tops
This is just straight up crack. Prolly my favourite track
of the album thanks to a thrilling beat with Meek spittin
with so much energy and enthusiasm. Flat out man. 5/5
13. Rich And Famous ft. Louie V
Another favourite. Awesome hook and production. 5/5
14. Real Niggas Come First
Lovin the strings and whole eerie vibe. Meek is once
again all over it and delivers a great ending to the album
(although i would've loved "ready or not" from Dreamchasers 2
on here instead for some reason... but all good... 5/5

Seriously, did you count the 5/5 joints up there? That is
just bananas and not many albs did that for me this year
(Beanie Sigel's "This Time" comes close but that was a short 
album and really most 5's here kill those, so...)
This will for sure be in my top 3 and i did not see this one coming!!
Amazing production with a flawless Meek Mill who killed every
flow and verse he spit. What more can you ask for! Salute man!
And despite one lesser track, ima have to give out
the first perfect score this year! Finally, fuckin A! 

Overall Score: 10/10

BERNER - URBAN FARMER

BERNER

URBAN FARMER

2012

This dude is so underrated and has released

some of my favourite collabo albums of all time

with the likes of The Jacka, Ampichino, Messy Marv... 

And you know when he drops a solo, he drops that good stuff.

This album tops his previous "The White Album" by a mile

and i loved that one. If you don't know who this is, shame on you

and you better get acquainted quick! The 2nd half of this album

alone is so damn good, it's easily one of this year's finest!
21 tracks and except for tracks 7-8-9 (which feel somewhat out of place, 
yet still bump) this is album is so damn consistent and i literally
had this album on repeat for 3 weeks straight. Berner knows
how to pick productions and his dude Cozmo is one if the Bay's
best producers to me. Not just the bay. He provides the best beats
for Berner and together it's pure chemistry. Add the usual Bay suspects
in the mix and you just can't get no better. This is why i love
Bay Area rap so much. One thing that still baffles me is why
Wiz Khalifa's name and Taylor Gang is associated here. The love for
weed is all i can think off. Luckily it's just that and there's very little
influence from Wiz's skinny ass on here. His two verses are actually not bad
either and makes me miss the "Show N Prove"-Khalifa. 
Anyway, 17 (!!!) 5/5 tracks and i think we have a serious contender
for album of the year! Get acquainted!
Overall Score: 9.9/10

XZIBIT - NAPALM

XZIBIT

NAPALM

2012

Mr. X To Tha Z keeps rap's legacy intact here

and makes us forget skinny jeans and pussy hip-pop

never came about! From the cover to the whole vibe
that's surrounding the album, X keeps it X.
And it's pretty hardcore as soon as the first track
bumps through your speakers. There are no filler tracks
(except maybe " forever a g"). What's great is it has a nice variety
to keep you cruising all the way to the awesome ending
with tracks like "movies", "i came to kill" & "killers remorse".
And the title track is bananas. Once you get past the initial
wtf-is-this-shit, the track gets to you and hooks you in.
Other great tracks are the awesome collabo with Prodigy
on "something more", "everything", "1985", "stand tall",
the fantastic "the meaning of life", "Louis XIII" and 
strangely "enjoy the night" with David Banner and Wiz Khalifa.
Overall this disc is damn dope and it's great rap like this is
still being released. If only more rappers stayed through to
their roots, we'd have so much more to enjoy.
Overall Score: 9.1/10

BEANIE SIGEL - THIS TIME

BEANIE SIGEL

THIS TIME

2012

Never fully was a Beanie fan back in the days when
he was with the Roc (was more a Memphis Bleek fan).
But that changed when Roc La Familia came out and Beans
had some tight features on there that made me get into
his discography a little more. Ever since i've been looking
forward to his new releases, and when The Solution dropped
i was hooked for sure. That album was pure crack and Sigel
has been delivering every time. And again with this one.
Front to back nothing but tight tracks with only one track
that's not a a 4.5 or 5/5, the track with Akon, 
which is still pretty fly but feels a little out of place.
Favourite tracks here are the intro, "This Time", "Expensive Taste",
"Kush Dreaming", "The Reunion", "Sigel Is What They Call me",
and last but not least "Dangerous". One thing though, it's too
damn short with only 11 tracks. Still, one of the year's finest!
Overall Score: 9.4/10

DMX - UNDISPUTED

DMX

UNDISPUTED

2012

The dogg is finally back and i looked forward to this for
quite some time now and really glad it's here. X is still X
and hasn't lost his touch at all. With the right production behind
him he still shines where he needs to, and shine he does!

1. Lookin' Without Seein'
2. What They Don't Know 
Tight beat that fits X perfectly and he rips it 4.5/5
3. Cold War 
Man i love this sample and the whole track is
just so tight to listen to. One of my favs. 5/5
4. I Don't Dance ft. MGK
Ok, it's pretty uptempo but man this is the shit!
X goes off here, gotta love him, and MGK makes
for a nice interesting feature! 5/5
5. Sucka For Love
Female type joint that works. Not bad. 4/5
6. I Get Scared
I hate when bitches sing like this, but for just one hook
i can't front, it'a allright. X singing i'm not so sure about,
but something about this track that pulls me in. 4/5
7. Slippin Again
More singing but again, the track itself is pretty cool. 4/5
8. Prayer
I love X's prayers for real!
9. I'm Back
Overused sample, but still great to hear every time.
Mase pulled it off nicely, Onyx did too and now DMX. 4/5
10. Have You Eva
Not feeling this type of vibe overly but it's not bad. 3.5/5
11. Get Your Money Up
This the type of DMX joint i really don't like. The beat
is just bad and aweful to listen to. A skip straight up. 2/5
12. Head Up
Another favourite. Great feel, tight beat and X at his best. 5/5
13. Frankenstein
Too hyper for me again, but better then 'Have You Eva'. 3/5
14. Y'all Don't Really Know
Pretty fly despite a laughable hook. Guilty pleasure i'd say. 4/5
15. I Got Your Back
Classic beat with a nice little hook. Feelin it. 4.5/5
16. No Love
Not bad, but isn't doing much for me. 3.5/5
17. Already
Great energetic closer. Typical Darkman X! 4.5/5

Overal Score: 8.5/10

RICK ROSS - GOD FORGIVES, I DON'T

RICK ROSS

GOD FORGIVES, I DON'T

2012

The first Maybach Music Group collabo alb was sick
and i loved it, despite never being that big a fan of Rick Ross.
After that things went downhill fast for me. Pill left, Wale
didn't deliver with his sophomore alb, and especially the 2nd
MMG album which was the biggest letdown. So i wasn't
particularly looking forward to this one.
But Ricky Rozay knows how to choose production and pick
tracks that would make anyone sound rich.
Still not a fan per se, but this album did surprise me
and has some really tight tracks on it. The opening
tracks 'Pirates' & '3 Kings' are superb, especially the latter
which has Ross coming real tight with his verse alongside
Dr. Dre and Jiggaman. And that beat is incredible!
Things stay steady with solid tracks following one another,
until 'Hold Me Back' & '911' change up the feel of the alb.
Typical MMG-type beats, but they're the ones that made MMG1
so dope, so still no complaining and the alb still flows.
It all turns mellow again with the RnB-type joints.
'Presidential', 'Ice Cold', 'Touch N You', 'Dices Pineapples'
range from ok-ish (Touch N You) to good (Presidential) to great
(Diced Pineapples) to superb (the excellent 'Ice Cold').
And then 'Ten Jesus Pieces' drops. Fuck me runnin! That track is
so sick and one of the year's finest. Awesome joint!
The two bonus tracks from the deluxe version with Nas
and John Legend are pretty fly and finish the alb nicely.
1. Pray For Us
2. Pirates 5/5
3. 3 Kings 5/5
4. Ashamed 3.5/5
5. Maybach Music IV 4/5
6. Sixteen 3.5/5
7. Amsterdam 4/5
8. Hold Me Back 4.5/5
9. 911 4/5
10. So Sophisticated 3.5/5
11. Presidential 4/5
12. Ice Cold 5/5
13. Touch N You 3/5
14. Diced Pineapples 5/5
15. Ten Jesus Pieces 5/5
16. Triple Beam Dreams 5/5
17. Rich Forever 5/5

Overall though, this album is pretty cohesive, feels complete
and just flow through your speakers. If you're a Ross fan, i can
see this being one your favourites this year. It really is
a great album, just depends on what you like here.
For me, i was actually surprised and find myself getting more
hooked to it the more i hear it. Shit's fly basically!
Overall Score: 9/10

NAS - LIFE IS GOOD

NAS

LIFE IS GOOD

2012

Life IS good, all you have to do is

bump Nas' latest and marvel at all its glory...

I gave this album more spins than anything else

and it is still growing on me despite the fact 

i already love the shit out of it! Fuck Yeah!
Life is goooood!

1. No Introduction
Crazy great opener to the album.
This just feels perfect doesn't it. 
J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League really came through
with production of epic proportion and Nas
shines like only Nas can shine. Love it! 5/5
2. Loco-Motive ft. Large Professor
Still not overly fanatic about this but
the lyrics and ol'skool feel make this
a great track that deserves to be on the alb. 4/5
3. A Queens Story
Great drums and Bond-like vibe with Nas ripping it.
Despite all that i can't really favour it for some reason. 4/5
4. Accident Murderers ft. Rick Ross
Loved it at first and though still a great track, i wish
maybe someone other than Rick Ross was featured. 4.5/5
5. Daughters.
A truly great song in every sense. 5/5
6. Reach Out ft. Mary J. Blige
As much as i hate Mary J Blige's singing, the hook
is so 90's throwback, you gotta love it. And that
sample will never get old! A fav. 5/5
7. World's An Addiction ft. Anthony Hamilton
More Bond-esque vibes with yet again a fantastic
Anthony Hamilton who always brings the tracks he's
featured on to another level. And of course Nas is so
good over this 'beat' that doesn't even have drums! 5/5
8. Summer On Smash ft. Miguel & Swizz Beatz
I seriously still question Nas' beat selection and god only knows
why the hell he would have Swizz on here with such
a generic and out of place track. But with that said
it grows on you and Miguel makes it stuck in your head. 4/5
9. You Wouldn't Understand
Feels like left over from Stillmatic but i still like it despite
a hook i don't particularly care for. 4/5
10. Back When
Now we're talking. Awesome beat and a great Nas. 5/5
11. The Don
Didn't really like it when it first dropped, but this is some
slick shit right here. Truly great. 5/5
12. Stay
No I.D. clearly. Would've fit nicely on Common's album
aswell, but Nas brings it home here. 4.5/5
13. Cherry Wine ft. Amy Winehouse.
She's missed for sure. And this track will live on.
Another amazing collaboration from both. 5/5
14. Bye Baby
Like Vanessa Williams, we're saving the best for last.
This track is bananas and hands down my favourite.
When the beat drops i go stupid everytime! 
Thank you Nasir! 5/5

Knowing 'Life Is Good' was in the making, knowing 'Life Is Good'
was being released soon, knowing 'Life Is Good' just dropped...
All knowledge that meant a lot at the time and put a smile
on my face. And then i heard 'Bye Baby'... :) Life is Good!
Nas did it again and delivered one of the year's finest albums
in hip-hop this year and although i do have some issues and 
it's not all 5/5 ratings, this album is just that good!

Overall Score: 9.6/10

C-BO - ORCA

C-BO

ORCA

2012

C-BO back like he never left! This album is fucking great!

From the opening title track you know you're in

for a treat and they keep coming throughout the album!

1. Orca
Like i said, a treat. C-Bo goes off over a truly
exhilarating beat and this marks everything. 5/5
2. 187 ft. WC
Great little intro and then the west comes-a-knockin!
Dope ass Dre-like beat with C and Dub perfect on it! 5/5
3. I Hustle
Unusual production following 187, but this is infectious
like a mutha! Dope hook. 5/5
4. Bullets ft. Slim The Mobster & King T
Awesome features over a beat that falls a little
behind Tony Yayo's 'Bullet's Whistle'. Still tight. 4/5
5. For Nothing ft. Dubb 20
Took some time but this one is a silent killer! 4.5/5
6. Lyfe Is A Gamble ft. Yukmouth & The Realest
Sick track and so glad it features Yukmouth.
The Realest is always on point. 5/5
7. Addictive ft Slick Pulla, Brotha Lynch Hung
Another fly joint with smooth production. 
Lovin Brotha Lynch, always. 4.5/5
8. Bitch Im Ballin ft. Paul Wall
Just like 'I Hustle', you just can't knock it! 
The hook is retarded of course but who cares here! 5/5
9. Murder One ft. Mc Eiht & B.G. Knocc Out
Man, the features on this album are SICK!
Now Mc Eiht comes correct  on this really dope track.
(which reminds me of Deuces Wild from Killer Mike) 5/5
10. Getting To The Money ft. B-Legit
Seriously, i'm lovin all the guests. B-Legit on a truly
fitting track right up his alley. Dope! 5/5
11. Waiting On Me
A little generic maybe but C-Bo can sell ice to an eskimo.
And he slays this type of beat. 4.5/5
12. New Beginning ft. Rydah J. Klyde, T-Nutty & Marvaless
Pretty fly track with a nice build-up. Could've done without
Marvaless perhaps, but it's all good. 4/5
13. Killas Like Me ft. Kokane Killa Tay & Lil Cyco
Classic West Coastin down the B L V D. Kokane is
such a dope addition to anything! 5/5
14. No Warning ft. Young Buck
Not sure how Young Buck made the album, but this
track is really cool and Buck is allright. 4/5
15. Can't Grind Forever
Lovin the blaxploitation sample. Great track. 5/5
16. Fuckin Wit It ft. E-40
Yes! E Feezy in the house, finally! But the beat unfortunately
kills my excitement. They could've done so much better. 
You'd think, until 40 rips his verse! He's god, for real. 4/5

The killer whale of the hood has done it again. C-bo dropped
a truly great fuckin West Coast album that can measure up
to pretty much anything of the last 10 years, on any coast!

Overall Score: 9.4/10

PRODIGY - H.N.I.C. 3

PRODIGY

H.N.I.C. 3

2012

Not much good has been said about Prodigy's latest effort.

I know lyrically P isn't all that anymore, but i enjoy this

album for what it is. I have to say as much as i love
Mobb Deep and the first H.N.I.C., it took awhile
to fully get myself to sit down and bump this album.
But when I did, I was pleasantly surprised after all.
The first three tracks are killer with the kind of rawness
that sells tracks to me despite the apparent lack of
a smooth or soulful melody i'm usually a sucker for
(eg. track four 'My Angel') cultivating in straight up
dopeness with Pretty Thug. Mean mug all the way.
'Co-Pilot' has a really dope vibe to it and thankfully
Wiz fuckin Khalifa doesn't ruin it too much in the end.
(does that dude ever flow and not fuckin pause
after every 6 words? fuckin lame i swear).
Another nice cut with a really smooth vibe is
'Live' which is just awesome to just listen to.
But then tracks like 'Make It Hot' and 'Get Money'
 are just a no no. This the type of bullshit that
just doesn't fit on certain rapper's albums.
The subpar production continues with 'Life Is...'
though it's slightly better than previous two tracks.
Still, not good P. Whack hook on top.
'Award Show Life' is getting there again, but really
this feels like a filler joint that doesn't offer much.
When Havoc finally comes to play, it's all good again, 
though i did expect a lot more...but it's a nice cut.
The rest of the album continues to just sit above
mediocre with the only real stand out 'Let Me Show You'
though it's still not classic M.O.B.B. The last track with T.I.
is an odd pairing but so was P & B.G. and that was tight .

1. Without Rhyme Or Reason 4.5/5
2. Slept On 4/5
3. Pretty Thug 5/5
4. My Angel 5/5
5. Co-Pilot 4/5
6. Live 5/5
7. Make It Hot 2.5/5
8. Get Money 2.5/5
9. Life Is What You Make It 3/5
10. Award Show Life 3/5
11. Who You Bullshittin ft. Havoc 4/5
12. Skull & Bones 4/5
13. Smack That Bitch 3/5
14. Let Me Show You 4.5/5
15. Gangsta Love 3/5
16. What's Happening 4/5

Overall is not a bad album per se but with lackluster lyrics
and one half of the album mediocre production this album just
doesn't rise above what P should've been able to deliver here.

Overall Score: 8/10

PHILTHY RICH - KILL ZONE

PHILTHY RICH

KILL ZONE

2012

1. The Truth 

Opening track that delivers with solid rhymes
and a dope beat with eerie sounds. 4.5/5
2. To Whom It May Concern (Letter To The Bay)
Now this is a great track. More of the same
awesome production and Philthy giving it
to you raw. Sick piano on the hook. 5/5
3. All I Have ft. Sam
Another dope cut with a nice little hook.
Loving the instruments in the beat. 5/5
4. They Aint Authentic
Turning up the hardcore with this one.
There's just something about Philthy that
hooks you in. Dude is just raw. 4.5/5
5. Kill Zone
Man, this track is ridiculous. Awesome
intro that turns straight into one of the best
cuts of the album. Harder than a mutha. 4.5/5
6. A Seminary Nigga
Prolly one of my favourite cuts here. If you can
truly experience the bass, this is hella dope.
You can get lost with this one. 5/5
7. Project Living
Not hyped about this one. Nothing special. 3.5/5
8. My Mex Bitch
Typical Philthy track that does the trick. 4/5
9. Money To Be Made
More gangsta shit. At this stage Philthy proves
he doesn't switch things up that much with his raps,
but he still grabs your attention. 4/5
10. True Religion Shawty
Beat is pretty chill and more of the same
from Philthy, but it's just golden. His flow here
seems a lil more hyper and i love it. 4.5/5
11. Light It Up
Awesome track. Great sample and everything
is just perfect here from beat to rhymes. 5/5
12. I'm Just Pimpin
The mechanics always deliver and this is another
solid joint with Philhty getting his Messy Marv on. 4/5
13. Renegade Alert.
Well damn man. Philthy goes so fuckin hard here
blasting on all his past hoes (even does the video justice),
it's just ridiculous. Only Philthy. 5/5
14. #TeamPhilthy
Dope beat once again and lovin the hook. 5/5
15. Insecure
Nice little joint here with a great feel and hook. 5/5
16. 3 Bitches At The Same Time
Getting cozy and smooth ere. It's dope. Period 4.5/5
17. Thinking Of You
With a sample like this you can't go wrong. 
Philithy does it proper but it could've been more. 4/5
18. Fallen Soldiers
Kind of feels short in ways, but it's allright. 3.5/5
19. I'll Find A Way
A-typical for Philhty but i like it's on the album. 4.5/5
20. Dead Beat
Perfect way to end the album. Deep shit. 4.5/5

Truthfully, Philthy Rich doesn't really add much different
to the game or offer anything special per se, but he sure
is consistent and knows exactly what he's about and can do.
As great as he is, there's so many more artists out of the bay
i put ahead of him, but i still look forward to everything he does.
He's an acquired taste allright, but to those who love him,
he just delivers with every album as he does with this one. 
Just bump it front to back on repeat and just chill to it, and
let it grow on you with every listen. You'll be surprised.
Overall Score: 9/10