The best Rap albums of 2012

This is my list of the best albums of the year. Feel free to comment. I feel like this is the best group of rap albums since 2010.

1.      Kendrick Lamar-good kid, M.A.A.D. City:It seems that a another westcoast artist has come out on top again. This year had a lot of great rap albums, but Kendrick Lamar’s 2^nd album (1^st official) is a modern day classic. It reminds me a lot of the old Ice Cube albums. It has a little bit of everything, with a nice storyline as well. His lyricism is really incredible here, and the beats are very cohesive also. I like all the songs…I really can’t wait to here more from the new best rapper in the westside.

2.      Nas-Life is Good: A lot can be said about Nas’s latest album. I didn’t think it would be as dope as it is. It has a lot of very personal and introspective songs. All the guest spots seem well used as Nas is joined by Rick Ross, Mary J. Blige, and Miguel just to name a few. I didn’t feel Nas lyrics were up to his usual perfect standards but they are elite however. The fact that Nas could make an album this good, this far into his career speaks volumes. The Don, Daughteres, Loco-motive, Bye Baby, and Cherry Wine are some highlights.

3.      Killer Mike-R.A.P. Music: I’ve always thought Killer Mike was a good rapper, but after hearing this album, I’d have to say he’s one of the GREATS. His lyrics here are top notch. The El-P beats are hot as well. Some songs are better than others, but the album is constructed very well. The first song Big Beast, is really hardcore, “This is R-A-P, opposite of that sucka s*** they play on TV”. The album just doesn’t miss hardly at all.

4.      Slaughterhouse-Welcome to Our House: This terrific album sounds like an Eminem album although he only appears on 3 of its tracks. It reminds me of those D-12 albums, except its clearly on a higher album. Joe Budden and Royce Da 5’9 are the best of the 4, but the other 2 rappers(Joel Ortitz and Crooked I) are also dope. The album has a lot of good songs, and it runs a bit long, but I really enjoyed it. The albums biggest weakness, are its beats, which aren’t bad.

5.      Kanye West & G.O.O.D. Music- Cruel Summer: Kanye and company tie with #4 but I felt this was a tad bit below Slaughterhouse’s effort. However I love this album’s variety. No 2 songs seem all that similar, but the beats are very cohesive which is quite a feat. The best songs are in the front, Clique, Mercy, New God Flow, and Cold. Kanye is the star here, but he’s not on every song. Kid Cudi got his own song, as did John Legend and Teyana Taylor. This was a great addition to Kanye’s impressive catalog.

6.      Big Boi-Viscious Lies and Dangerous Rumors: Ah, Big Boi returns, and with a pretty damn good album too. This album feels a lot different than his near classic 2010 album(Sir Luscious Left Foot). The album doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses. I don’t really like the way its constructed, but it’s still a dope album. My favorite songs are Cpu, In the A, Shoes For Running, Mama Told Me, and Thom Pettie.

7.      Lupe Fiasco-Food and Liquor II(The Great American Rap Album): Lupe has redeemed himself from a somewhat decent outing in 2011(L.A.S.E.R.S.). His lyrics are impeccable but the beats aren’t as good as F&L I. However Lupe really spits some stuff for you to think about. B*tch Bad is my favorite song, which is funny because I didn’t like it when I first heard it. This album doesn’t really seem that similar to F&L I but it’s a great album that requires a few listens to digest.

8.      El-P-Cancer 4 Cure: I had to give underground rap some love this year. This guy can really rap is a** off. The beats sound futuristic and his lyricism is unique. My biggest complaint is sometimes its hard to follow what he’s talking about. This album is one of the more creative albums I’ve heard.

9.      T.I.-Trouble Man(Heavy is the Head)-I regret to say I haven’t heard this album that many times, but I could tell it was good enough to redeem T.I. after a terrible outing in 2010(No Mercy). The album has some weird construction until u get to the last 2 songs. T.I. seems to have changed up his style, kind of a mix of old T.I. with his T.I. vs. TIP style(that album’s style). There’s a little bit for everybody on this album.

10.  Rick Ross-God Forgives, I Don’t- Ross returns with a dope album. The beats are really hot, and Ross continues to provide good lyrics, even if they aren’t stellar. The album’s contructed so that there’s 4 songs for the ladies in a row. An odd move but it works out. Sixteen, 3 Kings, and Maybach Music IV are great songs.

10.  Game- Jesus Piece: Game won album of the year last year. However this album isn’t quite up there with The Red Album. It’s a decent album that ties with Ross. Theres quite a few good songs, but not enough great songs. As with most Game albums theres a lot of guest features and name dropping.