Another day in late December, and another year-end list. I gotta say, this was a pretty weak year for mixtapes and free EPs (which were also included on this list). And maybe it’s my fault in the fact that I didn’t try hard enough to seek ’em out, but what I did seek out is here on this list. Hit the jump for the countdown, as well as the download links!

Previous Year-End Lists: The Best Music Videos of 2012

-grizzly


10. Freddie Gibbs – Baby Faced Killa

Gibbs had a big year, and that included leaving Jeezy’s label. The two, while truly ghetto in essence, were bad fits for each other musically, and Freddie will fare just fine without CTE backing him. BFK was a pretty good outing too.

[DOWNLOAD]

9. HashBrown – Rap Mayor 2: The Landslide

In 2012, I became a fan of local upstart Hash Brown. While this isn’t the first active year for him or anything, he made an impression on me with Rap Mayor 2.

[DOWNLOAD]

8. Quest – Fear Not Failure

I always feel bad for including Quest on mixtape lists, but a las, the free-album leanings of Fear Not Failure maintain the presence of a mixtape, and Quest proves time and time again that he’s one of the best rappers no one has heard of.

[DOWNLOAD]

7. Joey Bada$$ – 1999

Best new rapper of 2012 (that I discovered, anyway.) He’s going to have an awesome 2013. 1999 is embarrassing for me — but only because Joey is life half my age and 20x as talented.

[DOWNLOAD]

6. Mickey Factz – Mickey Mause

Did I jump into 2012 thinking I’d like an album full of DeadMau5? Hell no. But Mickey Mause manages to be one of Factz’ best releases – and he’s had quite a few of em.

[DOWNLOAD]

5. Fat Tony & Tom Cruz – Double Dragon

Fat Tony managed to breath new life into rap music and remind us all why this shit is fun. Joining up with Tom Cruz on the video game savvy, Guinness soaked and denim-clothed Double Dragon outing. And what a year it’s been for him. Relocated to LA temporarily to record a few projects, for starters. Signed a record deal, had a mixtape released through Complex and played some pretty big shows. Congrats, homie!

[DOWNLOAD]

4. Childish Gambino – ROYALTY

Gambino’s 2011 was pretty awesome, but his rap got a little stale. It got a bit too cute and full of punchlines for its own good. Thankfully, on ROYALTY, he brought through some of the best cameos he could muster up, as well as his A-game. Oh and Tina Fey rapping? Automatic thumbs up.

[DOWNLOAD]

3. Rick Ross – Rich Forever

God Forgives, I Don’t had some great songs on it, but it was a bit too long and overwhelming. Rich Forever brought out the dumbass hip-hoppery that we all love Rick Ross for, so I’m quite glad it exists as a healthy alternative.

[DOWNLOAD]

2. Big K.R.I.T. – 4Eva and a Day

K.R.I.T.’s debut was good, but not as good as his mixtape outings in 4eva and a Day and even going back to Return of 4eva. It’s not as bastardized by the constraints of major labels, and he’s free to roam the murky Mississippi waters and create the magic we all love the guy for.

[DOWNLOAD]

1. Big Sean – Detroit

No feels given. Big Sean is a cool ass dude, and this is an enjoyable ass mixtape that I listened to way too much this year. I hope I see a collective cringe when y’all see this as my #1.

[DOWNLOAD]

Honorable Mentions:

Azealia Banks – Fantasea
Clams Casino – Instrumental Mixtapes
Curtains – 23 EP
HitBoy – HITStory
Lecrae – Church Clothes
Lower Class, The – Wingfield
Meek Mill – Dreamchasers 2
Theophilus London – Rose Island Vol. I
Paper Tiger – Beat Tape
Omarion – Care Package EP
Saints – Daze of Our Lives EP