Best Hip-Hop/Rap Albums 2012

The best hip-hop and rap albums of 2012 introduced new music from some of the hottest rappers and hip-hop artists in the game right now plus allowed us to get to know a new group of up-and-coming rappers looking to take the spotlight from old favorites.

When he's not being voted a top d-bag, Kanye West was busy again in 2012 releasing a collaborative album, "Cruel Summer." The record, which featured GOOD Music artists such as John Legend, Malik Yusef, Big Sean and Kid Cudi, received generally positive reviews though didn't quite match the buzz for his most-recent release, "Watch the Throne," put out by he and Jay-Z in 2011.

Also back for more in 2012 included well-known names like Nas with his "Life is Good" album, Rick Ross with "God Forgives, I Don't," Frank Ocean with "channel ORANGE" and Wiz Khalifa with "Taylor Allderdice." Additionally, the likes of Flo Rida's "Wild Ones," Trey Songz' "Chapter V," and Nicki Minaj's "Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded" all dropped in 2012.

On the newer side, artists like Schoolboy Q with his "Habits & Contradictions," Joey Bada$$ with his "1999," Dom Kennedy with his "The Yellow Album" and Troy Ave with his "Bricks In My Backpack 3: The Harry Powder Trilogy" each turned heads and perked up ears with their releases in 2012.

So whether you're a fan of the familiar favorites or those new to the rap and hip-hop scene, make your voice heard by voting for the 2012 rap and hip-hop mixtapes and albums you liked best, adding any not already listed and re-ranking this list your way.