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.]

This list does not represent every 2011 release, just a handful of some of the biggest releases that will drop this year, in no particular order. We’d say that 1/3 of these releases probably won’t drop in 2011, and some may never come out at all. But here is what has been announced….. 1. Dr. [cont.]

While hip-hop itself has come from sampled origins of funk, soul, R&B, rock, and pop, as it matures, it finds itself invading other genres of music as well. Here are our picks for 2010′s 10 Best Cross-Genre LP’s of the year. Like our other lists, these are ranked in terms of quality, not sales numbers…. [cont.]

All in all, a great year for hip-hop, with plenty of quality albums for each the indie, mixtape, and cross-genre releases – here were our 10 favorite major label hip-hop releases. In a word, Def Jam killed it this year…. Cross-genre list coming next….. 10. B.O.B. – “The Adventures Of Bobby Ray” – Atlantic / [cont.]

If you like these artists, it’s important that you support them by BUYING their releases. The digital age has not hit anyone harder than the indie acts, so if you like music like this and want to see it continue, then vote with your dollar. There were a ton of great LP’s and it was [cont.]

DJ Pizzo is the music director for XS and Tryst Las Vegas. Along with HHS co-founder, Warren Peace, we rock the crowd every weekend. Here’s what our go to tracks were in 2010. This doesn’t include the house bangers (well, maybe one or two)….. 10. Drake – “Fancy” (feat. T.I. & Swizz Beatz) – Step [cont.]

10. California Swag District – “Teach Me How To Dougie” – We will never, ever understand the appeal of this song. Somehow, it manages to still rock the party, despite being void of any energy whatsoever. Back it up and dump it. 9. The Game – “400 Bars” – Damn, Game killed Jay Electronica’s “Exhibit [cont.]

With so many artists bypassing the traditional major label system this year, we pick our favorite and most influential mixtapes of the 2010. Many great tapes hit this year, so it was hard to narrow it down to just 25, but here’s the cream of the crop. 25. LRG Presents The Kid Daytona – “The [cont.]