2012 in hip hop music

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This article summarizes the events, album releases, and album release dates in hip hop music for the year 2012.

Events

January

• Cory Gunz was arrested for possessing a loaded firearm.
• Azealia Banks signs to Universal Music.

February

• Kanye West won four Grammy Awards for Best Rap Song, Best Rap Album, Best Rap Performance, and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, while Jay-Z and Kid Cudi have won one each.
• Philthy Rich and two more people are arrested for supposedly owning a stolen Bentley vehicle.
• Tyga's major label debut album, Careless World: Rise of the Last King was thought to be taken off the shelves due to an unauthorized usage of one of Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech. However, the issue is resolved and the released date would go as planned.
• Bizarre has left D12, leaving the group with five members.

March

• T.I. announces he signed Iggy Azalea, Chip and Trae Tha Truth to Grand Hustle Records.
• An SUV that Young Buck was a passenger in, was shot at 11 times, but the rapper was not injured.
• MTV announces that Top Dawg Entertainment, a Los Angeles-based independent record label, have closed a joint venture deal with Interscope Records and Aftermath Entertainment. Under the new deal, Black Hippy member Kendrick Lamar's debut studio album, good kid, m.A.A.d city will be jointly released via Top Dawg/Interscope/Aftermath while releases from the rest of Black Hippy (Ab-Soul, Jay Rock and Schoolboy Q) will be distributed via Top Dawg/Interscope.
• Tyga's tour bus was shot at several times in Omaha, Nebraska, but the rapper was not injured.
• Kon Artis has left D12, leaving the group with 4 members.
• March 9 marked the 15th Anniversary of the death of The Notorious B.I.G.
• Bangladesh signs to Cash Money Records.

April

• Q-Tip has announced his signing to Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music/Def Jam.
• At this year's Coachella Music Festival, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg surprised the audience with a performance from 2Pac via hologram image.
• Former D12 member Mr. Porter announced his debut album.

May

• Adam Yauch (known as MCA), one of the founding members of Beastie Boys, died on May 4 aged 47.
• Young Buck will be heading to prison for two months for gun possession.
• 2 Chainz was arrested for possessing a set of brass knuckles.
• In the song "Exodus 23:1", Pusha T insulted Cash Money Records, igniting a beef between him and Lil Wayne.
• Lupe Fiasco and Pete Rock’s beef over the former remaking the latter’s beat from “T.R.O.Y.” for “Around My Way (Freedom Ain’t Free).”
• Eminem announced that he is working on his eighth studio album.
• Shawn Chrystopher signs to Timbaland Productions.

June

• Nicki Minaj was pulled from performing at New York's Hot 97 Summer Jam because on-air DJ Peter Rosenberg called her song "Starships" bullshit, wack and corny.
• Lil Phat died on June 7 after he was shot multiple times in Atlanta.
• MTV is reporting that on June 16, Chicago rapper Chief Keef signed with Interscope Records.
• At W.i.P. nightclub the scuffle between Chris Brown and Drake continues to be under investigation, though both artists are saying they had nothing to do with the violent incident that left many bloodied and injured. Now Philly rapper Meek Mill, who was also present during the late night fight, has come forward to back up their claims that they did not instigate the bottle-throwing brawl.
• Funk Volume signs Jarren Benton.

July

• Member of OFWGKTA Frank Ocean published an open letter on his Tumblr blog on July 4, recounting unrequited feelings he had for a man when he was 19 years old, citing it as his first true love. Members of the hip hop industry generally responded positively to the announcement. Business magnate Russell Simmons wrote a short congratulatory article in Global Grind, and support was voiced by Beyoncé and Jay-Z. Tyler, The Creator also tweeted his support for Ocean, along with other members of OFWGKTA.
• Rockie Fresh signs to Maybach Music Group.

August

• Philthy Rich is shot 3 times but is released from a hospital the day after the shooting.
• Hip Hop executive Chris Lighty, founder of Violator and who managed and worked with artists like 50 Cent and Busta Rhymes, was found dead due to possible suicide.
• Freeway signs to Babygrande Records.
• Rittz signs to Strange Music.
• Caskey signs to Cash Money

September

• Lil Wayne has officially passed Rock n Roll legend Elvis Presley with the most appearances on the Billboard 100 with 109 (42 as a solo artist, 67 as a featured artist).
• Jay-Z announced the opening of the Barclays Center with a concert, including a hologram of Notorious B.I.G. and a new verse.
• 50 Cent and Fat Joe have ended their feud, appearing on stage together at the 2012 BET Hip Hop Awards. Also on BET Hip Hop Awards, 50 Cent and his crew G-Unit have been involved into a fight with Maybach Music Group's member Gunplay.

October

• After all problems at BET Hip Hop Awards, 50 Cent started a beef with French Montana after Bad Boy's rapper commented negatively about 50 Cent's career. G-Unit's boss responded on Twitter calling French Montana a "hoe".
• 50 Cent appeared in an video wearing Gunplay's chain of Maybach Music Group while bowling.
• Nelly was detained in Texas after cops find heroin and 10 pounds of weed on his tour bus.
• P. Diddy suffered injuries to his neck, ribs, and collarbone, following a car accident on October 24.
• Lil Wayne suffered multiple seizures on a flight to Texas.

December

• Both Young Jeezy's label CTE (Corporate Thugz Entertainment) and Rick Ross's Maybach Music Group merge with Atlantic Records.
• Both Jay-Z and Kanye West each have six Grammy nominations for the 2013 Grammy Awards, Nas has four, Drake and 2 Chainz each have three, Andre 3000, Big Sean, Pusha T, Lil Wayne, and Wiz Khalifa each have two.
• The Notorious B.I.G. Autopsy was leaked by the Los Angeles Police Department and published by TMZ. The Los Angeles Police Department apologized for the leaked to Voletta Wallace and Biggie's Family.
• On December 24, 2012, It was announced that Capital STEEZ, a close friend of Joey Badass and member of Pro Era, died from a suspected suicide.

Released albums

Release Date	Artist	Album	Notes	Ref
January 10	Prevail	SpaseFase
	Yo Gotti	Live from the Kitchen	Debuted at No. 12 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "5 Star" and "You Can Get It On"
January 14	Schoolboy Q	Habits & Contradictions	Debuted at No. 111 on the Billboard 200
January 17	Koncept	Awaken
	The Jacka	The Verdict
	Tajai	Machine Language
January 18	JTheS	The Last Days
January 24	Gangrene	Vodka & Ayahuasca
January 27	Lord Finesse	The Art of Diggin: Blue Note State of Mind (Mini LP Cardboard Gatefold) (Limited Edition)
January 31	AraabMuzik	Instrumental University
	Various	Giant Single: Profile Records Rap Anthology
February 12	Rapper Big Pooh	Sleepers (re-release)
February 14	Busdriver	Beaus$Eros
	Curren$y	Muscle Car Chronicles
	M-Phazes	Phazed Out
February 21	Chiddy Bang	Breakfast	Debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200
	Tyga	Careless World: Rise of the Last King	Debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "Far Away", "Still Got It", "Rack City", and "Faded"
February 24	Noah23	Noah23 for Dummies
February 28	Biz Markie	The Biz Never Sleeps (Re-Issue)
	C-Bo	Cali Connection
	Copywrite	God Save The King
	Gensu Dean	Standard Life
	Ja Rule	Pain Is Love 2	Debuted at No. 197 on the Billboard 200
	Lee Bannon	Fantastic Plastic
	Maino	The Day After Tomorrow	Debuted at No. 94 on the Billboard 200
	Opio	Vultures Wisdom, Vol. 2
	Planet Asia	Black Belt Theatre
	Shabaam Sahdeeq	Relentless Pt. 2
	Stones Throw Records & Minimal Wave Records	The Minimal Wave Tapes Vol. 2
	Too Short	No Trespassing	Debuted at No. 129 on the Billboard 200
March 2	Kay One	Prince of Belvedair	Debuted at No. 4 on the German album charts Debuted at No. 4 on the Austrian album charts Debuted at No. 7 on the Swiss album charts
March 6	Chaundon	The Jammington
	Young Noble	Outlaw Rydahz Vol. 1
	DJ Premier & Bumpy Knuckles	StOoDiOtYmE EP
	Flame	The 6th
	The Alchemist	Rapper's Best Friend 2
March 13	Blacastan	Master Builder Part II
	Boogie Down Productions	South Bronx Teachings: A Collection Of Boogie Down Productions
	Del the Funky Homosapien	I Wish My Brother George Was Here (Re-Issue w/ Bonus Poster)
	MC Shan	Q.B. O.G.: The Best Of MC Shan
	Mr. Capone-E & Mr. Criminal	SS Til I Die: 13 Shots
	Ras Kass	Greatest Misses
	Tech N9ne	Klusterfuk	Debuted at No. 12 on the Billboard 200
March 20	Diggy Simmons	Unexpected Arrival	Debuted at No. 12 on the Billboard 200
	MGK	Half Naked & Almost Famous	Debuted at No. 42 on the Billboard 200
	Odd Future	The OF Tape Vol. 2	Debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200
	Pep Love	Rigmarole
March 26	E-40	The Block Brochure: Welcome to the Soil 1	Debuted at No. 59 on the Billboard 200
		The Block Brochure: Welcome to the Soil 2	Debuted at No. 58 on the Billboard 200 Single: "Function"
		The Block Brochure: Welcome to the Soil 3	Debuted at No. 71 on the Billboard 200
		The Block Brochure: Welcome To The Soil 1,2 & 3	Debuted at No. 44 on the Billboard 200
March 27	DJ Premier & Bumpy Knuckles	The Kolexxxion	Debuted at No. 195 on the Billboard 200
	Gift Of Gab	The Next Logical Progression
	Illa Ghee	Angeldust & Waffles
	Iron Solomon	Monster
	Lootpack	Soundpieces: Da Antidote (Re-Issue)
	Madlib	Medicine Show Number 01-13: The Brick (Limited Edition)
	¡Mayday!	Take Me To Your Leader	Debuted at No. 92 on the Billboard 200
April 3	De La Soul's Plug 1 & Plug 2 Present...	First Serve	Debuted at No. 192 on the Billboard 200
	Laroo & Turf Talk	Sick-Wid-It: Block Ops
	Nicki Minaj	Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded	Debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "Starships", "Right By My Side", "Beez in the Trap", and "Pound the Alarm" Certified Gold
	Obie Trice	Bottoms Up	Debuted at No. 113 on the Billboard 200
	Ras Kass	Spit No Evil
April 9	Casey Veggies	Customized Greatly Vol. 3
April 10	Ayatollah & Moka Only	Bridges
	J. Rawls	The Liquid Crystal Project 3
	Mac Lucci	The Pre-Hustle 2
	Mr. Criminal	Young Brown and Dangerous: The Album
	Trip Lee	The Good Life	Debuted at No. 17 on the Billboard 200
April 17	Balance	Golden State Warriorz 2
	Blanco & Nipsey Hussle	Raw
	CopperWire	Earthbound
	D-Dimes	Gas & Weed: Tour Life
	Future	Pluto	Debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "Tony Montana", "Magic", "Same Damn Time", and "Turn On the Lights"
	Mac Mall	The Rebellion Against All There Is
April 20	Snoop Dogg	Stoners EP	Debuted at No. 167 on the Billboard 200
April 24	Chuuwee	Crown Me King
	Death Grips	The Money Store	Debuted at No. 130 on the Billboard 200
	Jaecyn Bayne	Audio Therapy
	Mickey Avalon	Loaded	Debuted at No. 137 on the Billboard 200
	Prozak	Paranormal	Debuted at No. 90 on the Billboard 200
	Reks	Straight, No Chaser
	Saukrates	Season One
	Showbiz	Still Diggin' Volume 1
	Yukmouth	Half Baked
April 27	4two7	Internal Dialogue
May 1	Apollo Brown & O.C.	Trophies
	B.o.B	Strange Clouds	Debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "Strange Clouds", "So Good", and "Both of Us"
	Blockhead	Interludes After Midnight
	DeStorm Power	Be Careful
May 8	Big K.R.I.T.	ReturnOf4Eva (Deluxe Edition)
	I Self Divine	The Sounds Of Low Class America
	Pitbull	Original Hits	Debuted at No. 134 on the Billboard 200
	Punchline & DJ Soulclap	Underground Superstars
	The Jacka	The Sentence
May 11	Ab-Soul	Control System	Debuted at No. 91 on the Billboard 200
May 15	Blanco & Yukmouth	Cookies'n Cream
	J. Rocc	Taster's Choice Vol. 6
	Joe Budden	Mood Muzik: The Box Set
	Killer Mike	R.A.P. Music	Debuted at No. 82 on the Billboard 200
	Krizz Kaliko	Kickin' and Screamin'	Debuted at No. 43 on the Billboard 200
	Psycho Realm	Psycho Realm Presents Sick Jacken and Cynic: Terror Tapes 2
May 22	1982	2012
	Audio Stepchild	Every Coincidence is Significant
	Casual	He Still Think He Raw
	Devin the Dude	Seriously Trippin
	El-P	Cancer for Cure	Debuted at No. 69 on the Billboard 200
	J57	2057
		The Ports
	Tha Chill	Chillafornia
May 25	J Dilla	Dillatroit
May 29	Azealia Banks	1991	Debuted at No. 133 on the Billboard 200
	Chuuwee	Wild Style
	Doseone	G Is For Deep
	Illus	Family First
	Travis Porter	From Day 1	Debuted at No. 16 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "Bring It Back", "Make It Rain", "Ayy Ladies"
June 5	Big K.R.I.T.	Live from the Underground	Debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200
	Bigg Jus	Machines That Make Civilization Fun
	Curren$y	The Stoned Immaculate	Debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard 200
	Cypress Hill & Rusko	Cypress X Rusko
	DJ Shadow	Total Breakdown: Hidden Transmissions From The MPC Era, 1992-1996
	Kool Keith	Love & Danger
	Nottz	In My Mind
	Oh No	OhNoMite
	Rahlo	K.I.C.K. P.U.S.H.
June 12	BURNTmd	Not So Black & White
	Diplo	Express Yourself EP
	J Dilla	Rebirth Of Detroit
	Kid Ink	Up & Away	Debuted at No. 20 on the Billboard 200
	Oddisee	People Hear What They See
	Rosco P. Coldchain	Almost Famous
	SpaceGhostPurrp	Mysterious Phonk
	Stevie Stone	Rollin' Stone	Debuted at No. 73 on the Billboard 200
	Waka Flocka Flame	Triple F Life: Fans, Friends & Family	Debuted at No. 10 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "Round of Applause", "I Don't Really Care", and "Get Low"
	Wordsworth	The Photo Album
June 19	Beautiful Eulogy	Satellite Kite
	Del the Funky Homosapien & Parallel Thought	Attractive Sin
	House Shoes	Let It Go
	Juvenile	Rejuvenation
	Lil Wyte	Still Doubted?
	Pastor Troy	The Last Outlaw
	Smoke DZA	Rugby Thompson
June 26	Eminem	Curtain Call: The Hits (Import)
	Large Professor	Professor @ Large
	Lil Scrappy	Tha Gru$tle
	Maybach Music Group	Self Made Vol. 2	Debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200
	Open Mike Eagle	4NML HSPTL
	XV	The Awesome EP
	Flo Rida	Wild Ones	Debuted at No. 14 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "Good Feeling", "Wild Ones", "Whistle", and "I Cry"
July 3	C-Bo	Orca
	King Magnetic	Everything's a Gamble Volume 3
	Prodigy	H.N.I.C. 3	Debuted at No. 123 on the Billboard 200
	Tha Dogg Pound	Doggy Bag
	Young Zee & Mr. Green	One Crazy Weekend
July 6	Cro	Raop	Debuted at No. 1 on the German album charts Debuted at No. 1 on the Austrian album charts Debuted at No. 7 on the Swiss album charts
July 10	Aesop Rock	Skelethon	Debuted at No. 21 on the Billboard 200
	Freddie Gibbs & Madlib	Shame
July 13	Public Enemy	Most of My Heroes Still Don't Appear on No Stamp
July 17	8Ball	Life's Quest	Debuted at No. 116 on the Billboard 200
	KB	Weight & Glory	Debuted at No. 34 on the Billboard 200
	Masta Ace	MA DOOM: Son of Yvonne
	Nas	Life Is Good	Debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200
	Snowgoons	Snowgoons Dynasty
	Tanya Morgan	You & What Army? (Retail)
	The Alchemist	Russian Roulette
July 24	Big Shug	I.M. 4-EVA
	Blu & Exile	Maybe One Day
	GZA	Liquid Swords (Box Set)
	Lloyd Banks	V.6: The Gift
	Rasco	United Fakes of America
	Reks & Numonics	REBELutionary
July 31	2nd II None	Infinite
	D-Shot	Ghetto
	La Coka Nostra	Masters of the Dark Arts
	Necro	The Murder Murder Kill Kill EP
	Rick Ross	God Forgives, I Don't	Debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "Touchn' You" and "Diced Pineapples" Certified Gold
August 7	AWAR	The Laws Of Nature
	Kokane & Traffik	The New Frontier
	¡Mayday!	Thrift Store Halos
August 12	Apollon Musik	Unter der Sonne
August 13	Beedie	Above The Weather
August 14	2 Chainz	Based on a T.R.U. Story	Debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "No Lie", "Birthday Song", and "I'm Different" Certified Gold
	Block McCloud	Four Walls
	Insane Clown Posse	The Mighty Death Pop!
	Kottonmouth Kings	Mile High
	Ron Artiste	R.I.D.S.
	Strong Arm Steady & Statik Selektah	Stereo Type
August 20	JJ DOOM	Key to the Kuffs
August 21	Busta Rhymes	Year of the Dragon
	DJ Khaled	Kiss the Ring	Debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "Take It to the Head" and "I Wish You Would"
	Mistah F.A.B. & I-Rocc	Face Off
August 28	Beanie Sigel	This Time
	CES Cru	13
	Keak da Sneak	Cheddar Cheese I Say
	Madchild	Dope Sick
	Rapsody	The Idea of Beautiful
	Slaughterhouse	welcome to: OUR HOUSE	Debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 Single: "My Life"
	Stu Bangas & Vanderslice	Diggaz with Attitude
	TobyMac	Eye on It	Debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200
	Torae	Off The Record: The EP
September 4	Blu & Exile	Give Me My Flowers While I Can Smell Them
	Brown Bag AllStars	Brown Label Pt. 2
	Lecrae	Gravity	Debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200
	Sky Balla	Tha Life I Cho$e
September 11	Apathy	The Alien Tongue
	DMX	Undisputed	Debuted at No. 19 on the Billboard 200
	Kevlaar 7 & Woodenchainz	Sophisticated Movements
September 18	Baby Bash & Lucky Luciano	Playamade Mexicanz
	Brother Ali	Mourning in America and Dreaming in Color	Debuted at No. 43 on the Billboard 200
	Double A.B. & Dub Sonata	Media Shower
	G.O.O.D. Music	Cruel Summer	Debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "Mercy", "Clique", "Cold", and "New God Flow"
	Homeboy Sandman	First Of A Living Breed
	Kreayshawn	Somethin' 'Bout Kreay	Debuted at No. 104 on the Billboard 200
	Tech N9ne	E.B.A.H.	Debuted at No. 30 on the Billboard 200
	September 25	Blaq Poet	E.B.K. (EveryBodyKilla)
Bumpy Knuckles & Statik Selektah		Ambition
Chino XL		RICANstruction: The Black Rosary
Danny!		Payback
Death Row Records		20 To Life: Rare And Dangerous Vol. 2
Freddie Gibbs		Baby Face Killa
Lupe Fiasco		Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album Pt. 1	Debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200
Murs & Fashawn		This Generation	Debuted at No. 146 on the Billboard 200
October 1	Death Grips	NØ LØV∑ D∑∑P W∏B
October 2	DJ Drama	Quality Street Music	Debuted at No. 15 on the Billboard 200 Singles include: "We in this Bitch", "My Moment", and "So Many Girls"
	Kutt Calhoun	Kelvin	Debuted at No. 170 on the Billboard 200
	Prodigy	The Bumpy Johnson Album
	Skyzoo	A Dream Deferred	Debuted at No. 163 on the Billboard 200
	Z-Ro	Angel Dust	Debuted at No. 110 on the Billboard 200
	Zion I	Shadowboxing
October 9	Jay-Z	Live In Brooklyn
	Macklemore & Ryan Lewis	The Heist	Debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "Thrift Shop", "Can't Hold Us", "Same Love" Certified Gold
	MellowHype	Numbers	Debuted at No. 54 on the Billboard 200
	MGK	Lace Up	Debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "Wild Boy", "Invincible"
	Project Pat & Nasty Mane	Belly in Full 2
	Xzibit	Napalm	Debuted at No. 140 on the Billboard 200
October 16	Blueprint	Deleted Scenes
	Dead Prez	Information Age
	Greydon Square	Type II : The Mandelbrot Set
	Prince Paul	Negroes On Ice
	Various Artists	A3C Volume 2
	K'naan	Country, God or the Girl
October 22	Cold187um	The Only Solution	Debuted at No. 119 on the Billboard 200
	DJ Paul	A Person of Interest
	Kendrick Lamar	Good Kid, M.A.A.D City	Debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 Singles include "The Recipe", "Swimming Pools (Drank)", "Poetic Justice", and "Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe" Certified Platinum
	RZA	The Man With The Iron Fists	Debuted at No. 31 on the Billboard 200
	Twiztid	Abominationz
	Vinnie Paz	God of the Serengeti	Debuted at No. 93 on the Billboard 200
October 23	P.O.S	We Don't Even Live Here	Debuted at No. 47 on the Billboard 200
	Stevie Stone	Momentum	Debuted at No. 167 on the Billboard 200
	Styles of Beyond	Reseda Beach
October 30	Ca$his	The Art of Dying
	Craig G	Ramblings Of An Angry Old Man
	Lil Keke	Heart Of A Hustla
	Meek Mill	Dreams & Nightmares	Debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "Amen", "Burn", and "Young and Gettin' It"
	Sean Price	Mic Tyson	Debuted at No. 58 on the Billboard 200
	Tech N9ne	Boiling Point	Debuted at No. 30 on the Billboard 200
	The Coup	Sorry to Bother You	Debuted at No. 194 on the Billboard 200
November 6	E-40 & Too Short	History: Function Music	Debuted at No. 59 on the Billboard 200
		History: Mob Music	Debuted at No. 66 on the Billboard 200
	JR & PH7	The Good Life
	Lil' Fame & Termanology	Fizzyology
	Mr. Muthafuckin eXquire	Power & Passion
	Saigon	The Greatest Story Never Told Chapter 2: Bread and Circuses	Debuted at No. 151 on the Billboard 200
November 13	9th Wonder & Buckshot	The Solution	Debuted at No. 196 on the Billboard 200
	Apollo Brown & Guilty Simpson	Dice Game
	Murs & 9th Wonder	The Final Adventure
	Roc Marciano	Reloaded
	Yelawolf & Travis Barker	Psycho White	Debuted at No. 49 on the Billboard 200
	Young Noble	Son of God
November 19	Nicki Minaj	Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded - The Re-Up	Debuted at No. 26 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "Va Va Voom", "The Boys", "High School"
	Pitbull	Global Warming	Debuted at No. 14 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "Back in Time", "Get It Started", "Don't Stop the Party", and "Feel This Moment"
November 20	Black C	Still Ruthless
	Jet Life	Jet World Order 2
	Rapper Big Pooh	Fat Boy Fresh Vol. 2
	Styles P	The World's Most Hardest MC Project
November 27	Freeway	Diamond In the Ruff
	Future	Pluto 3D	Debuted at No. 63 on the Billboard 200
	Ghostface Killah & Sheek Louch	Wu Block	Debuted at No. 73 on the Billboard 200
	Krizz Kaliko	Neh'mind	Debuted at No. 161 on the Billboard 200
	Lone Ninja	Rogue Agent
	Neako	These Are the Times
	Pac Div	GMB
December 4	Sadat X	Love, Hell or Right
	Daz Dillinger	Witit Witit
	Wiz Khalifa	O.N.I.F.C.	Debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "Work Hard, Play Hard", "Remember You"
December 11	Big Boi	Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors	Debuted at No. 33 on the Billboard 200
	The Game	Jesus Piece	Debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "Celebration"
	Masta Killa	Selling My Soul
	Prozak	Nocturnal
December 18	Chief Keef	Finally Rich	Debuted at No. 27 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "I Don't Like" and "Love Sosa"
	T.I.	Trouble Man: Heavy Is the Head	Debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "Go Get It", "Ball", "Hello" Certified Gold
December 21	Noah23	Wingfoot
December 24	Skillz	Thoughts Become Things

Highest first-week sales

List of top ten albums released in 2012 according to first-week home market sales, as of December 30, 2012

Number	Album	Artist	1st-week sales	1st-week position	Refs
1	Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded	Nicki Minaj	253,000	1
2	Good Kid, M.A.A.D City	Kendrick Lamar	242,000	2
3	God Forgives, I Don't	Rick Ross	218,000	1
4	Cruel Summer	GOOD Music	205,000	2
5	Trouble Man: Heavy Is the Head	T.I.	179,000	2
6	Dreams & Nightmares	Meek Mill	165,000	2
7	Life Is Good	Nas	149,000	1
8	Based on a T.R.U. Story	2 Chainz	147,000	1
9	O.N.I.F.C.	Wiz Khalifa	141,000	2
10	Gespaltene Persönlichkeit	Kool Savas & Xavier Naidoo as Xavas	+100,000	1

Highest-charting singles

Singles which charted in the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100

Title	Artist	Peak position
"Whistle"	Flo Rida	1
"Gangnam Style"	Psy	2
"Good Feeling"	Flo Rida	3
"Turn Me On"	Nicki Minaj featuring David Guetta	4
"Niggas In Paris"	Kanye West & Jay-Z	5
"Starships"	Nicki Minaj	5
"Wild Ones"	Flo Rida featuring Sia	5
"Rack City"	Tyga	7
"Take Care"	Drake featuring Rihanna	7
"Young, Wild & Free"	Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa featuring Bruno Mars	7
"I Cry"	Flo Rida	8
"Dance (A$$)"	Big Sean featuring Nicki Minaj	10
"Stereo Hearts"	Gym Class Heroes featuring Adam Levine	10

Highest critically reviewed albums (Metacritic)

Number	Artist	Album	Average score	Number of reviews	Reference
1	Kendrick Lamar	good kid, m.A.A.d city	91	36 reviews
2	Killer Mike	R.A.P. Music	85	27 reviews
3	El-P	Cancer 4 Cure	84	39 reviews
4	Nas	Life Is Good	81	30 reviews
5	Death Grips	The Money Store	81	27 reviews
6	The Coup	Sorry to Bother You	80	15 reviews
7	Aesop Rock	Skelethon	79	27 reviews
8	Big K.R.I.T.	Live from the Underground	78	24 reviews
9	Big K.R.I.T.	4eva N a Day	78	17 reviews
10	Schoolboy Q	Habits & Contradictions	78	16 reviews

See also

• Previous article: 2011 in hip hop music
• Next article: 2013 in hip hop music