While this is not a complete list of the albums that will drop in 2013, this does cover a lot of what has been announced thus far. This is in no particular order, it’s just a stream-of-consciousness list that we came up with of stuff slated for this year. Feel free to add in stuff [cont.]

Looking for something a little different? Here were our 5 favorite not-quite-hip-hop releases of 2012. 5. Flying Lotus – Until The Quiet Comes – Until the Quiet Comes turned out to be Lotus’ most atmospheric LP to date; something he must have intended, with closing songs like “Dream to Me” and “Phantasm”, the latter featuring [cont.]

With hundreds of mixtapes released in 2012, we picked our favorites, many which show that your street releases don’t have to be made up of freestyles over the hottest beats. 10. Childish Gambino – Royalty – Royalty represents actor Donald Glover’s self-made transformation into a respected hip hop artist. So whether you’re a hardcore hip [cont.]

We pick hip-hop’s best viral videos of 2012. 10. Alchemist & Action Bronson Interview Each Other. – Al and Action’s sense of humor couldn’t be captured better in this strange interview taking place on beaches of Cali. 9. David Copperfield Magically Appears At Rick Ross Performance – In perhaps the most surreal moment of the [cont.]

We pick our 25 favorite videos from 2012, across both major label and indie releases. 25. Waka Flocka Flame – “Rooster In My Rari”; Dir. Morocco Vaughn- So bad, it’s good. 24. Cypress Hill x Rusko – “Can’t Keep Me Down” (feat. Damian Marley); Dir: Kristofer Ström – It’s no secret that both Cypress Hill [cont.]

“You had your chance and you blew it!” These were our most disappointing album releases of 2012. 10. Saigon – The Greatest Story Never Told Chapter 2: Bread & Circuses – The problem with making a sequel to classic or beloved hip-hop record is that people will undoubtedly compare it to it’s predecessor. Saigon’s official [cont.]

In the major label world, sometimes it’s hard to find even 10 releases to make this list these days, but 2012 had a handful of solid releases deserving of placement; and a few future classics. 10. Curren$y – The Stoned Immaculate – Curren$y’s first foray into the major label world didn’t bother trying to make [cont.]

With so many great albums on the indie circuit, it was hard to narrow it down to just 10 releases. But in retrospect, these were the releases that got repeated plays from us in the world of indie hip-hop in 2012. Note: Free albums were not included on this list, but will be included on [cont.]

10. 1982 (Statik Selektah & Termanology) – “2012″ – Sheer brilliance as Stat and Term neglected employing the overused Busta Rhymes’ “end-of-the-world” concept for their 2012 LP, and instead based it around the presidential election. A commemorative plate, with Term for president with Statik Selektah as his running mate (or the other way around), as [cont.]

We know we made you wait, but we’re kicking off our 2012 Year-In-Review with a bang, starting with the Worst Album Covers of 2012. Don’t be mad ya’ll…… 10. Masta Ace – “MA Doom: Son of Yvonne” – We’re not going to dis this album, it’s one of the best records of the year, in [cont.]

Just as we do every year, we close out our Year-In-Review lists by giving a rundown of the perspective album releases slated for the new year. Yeah, we probably missed some things, and yeah, 25% of this stuff will not come out. But hey. So here it is, in no particular order….. P.S. – All [cont.]

Last year we gathered up our 25 favorite “mixtape bangers” – that is, all the cuts released on the internet without an official album or artist-sanctioned mixtape to call home. Since nobody presses 12″ singles anymore, this was our way of picking out our favorite street singles – the “best of the blogs”, if you [cont.]

We decided to skip the “Biggest Songs Of The Year” or “Best Club Bangers” list, for a few reasons. One, we can’t tell good from bad when we are drunk in the club, two, this shit has been covered ad nauseum, and three, it makes us feel like we’re at work. We’re tired enough of [cont.]

So, last year we picked 25 of our favorite mixtapes, but this year we narrowed it down to a concise 10 selections. Why? Well, how many times can you hear freestyles over the same “hot” instrumentals? So, this year, we trimmed the fat, instead choosing the cream-of-the-crop. As far as the 2011 mixtape game is [cont.]

There was an overabundance of great indie LP’s in 2011, but not majors. We struggled to find ten good ones, but cream rose to the top. Here were our favorite major label LP’s of the year. Best Mixtapes list up next…. 10. Jay-Z & Kanye West – Watch The Throne – Roc-A-Fella – Yes, this [cont.]

The year is over, but our lists continue. There were a ton of great indie LP’s in 2011 and it was hard to narrow it down, but here are our very favorites. Best Major Label Albums and Best Mixtapes lists still to come… 10. Pusha T – Fear of God 2: Let Us Prey – [cont.]

20. Random Axe – “Chewbacca” – Directed by Noah Friedman – Sure, “The Hex” had a much bigger budget and heavier concept, but how could you go wrong with a day in the life of Chewbacca? Guess he owed a life debt to Sean P. 19. Prince Ea – “Backwards Rappers” – Directed by Aztechfilm [cont.]

The Major Label and Indie hip-hop album lists are coming, but first, let’s take a look at the best non-rap LP’s of the year. Download these to your Ipod if you need a break from that ol’ boom bap. 10. Deadmau5 – 4×4=12 – Virgin – The fifth album from electronic maestro Joel Zimmerman was [cont.]

2011 may go down in hip-hop history as the year of the disappointing LP. Lots of big let downs from a handful of usually reliable emcees. We regret to report the following… 10. Beastie Boys – Hot Sauce Committee Pt. 2 – Capitol – Not a bad album, but since when do The Beasties deliver [cont.]

The Best Album Art of 2011 10. Exile – 4TRK Mind – SoulSpazm While Exile’s  concept LP, 4TRK Mind, wasn’t the strongest LP from Below The Heavens / Emanon producer, he definitely delivered one of the best album covers and accompanying viral campaigns for it. This album cover pretty much sums up Exile Manfredi in [cont.]