Charmingly Ghetto

So its that time of year, when all the blogs make a mad scramble to compile top lists of everything that happened over the past year. Our contribution to the fray is less of a scramble on our part; we took a few days to scroll through all the posts of the year, look through all the CD’s dragged home from shows and tried to come up with a list the reflected the diversity and talent of Boston Hip-Hop. Our top 20 Boston Hip-Hop Albums of 2012 List was based on a few main criteria  To even make it to the list, you had to be a Boston (not Cambridge, not Lawrence, not Brockton) artist – even though there is incredible talent from the Metro-Boston region and New England in general. But this is not that list. We tried to consider several factors in terms of what made our “best” albums. The artists had to be local and have some sort of presence on the scene, but we still left space for new blood. It all came down to the overall quality of the project, musicianship and  lyricism. Lists and rankings like this are totally subjective and we know this list would be different for everyone who tried to make one, so we hope that people who disagree with us will, rather than get all bent out of shape over who ended up where, instead take the time to check out a different slice of the scene than you may already be acquainted with. If you still really think our list sucks, please leave a comment, make your own list, send us a link and keep the conversation going. After spending days listening to the Hip-Hop that came out of Boston in 2012, we have a new appreciation for the diverse array of talent this city has to offer and hope that as a scene we can come together and show more support for the kind of music and artists we want to represent the bean. Boston Hip-Hop is what we make it. With that: Boston Hip-Hop 2012 – The Year in Review – Top 25 Albums. #25 – Bigg Dee ‘#TOTB: This Is Only The Beginning…’ The Sophomore Release of Boston Based Rapper Bigg Dee. This Mixtape Includes Features Maye Star, REEM, D-Note and B. Stream / Download #24 Lee Boy – Magic Life 4 Life Artist Lee Boy released his project “Magic” this year which features Smoke Bulga, Masspike Miles, Millyz & the whole Life4Life/ Dukati Gang team. R.I.P Roc Dukati. Stream / Download #23 Natural – 20 Somethin Natural was busy in 2012, hitting a lot of shows and events and dropping his 2nd tape and debut album ’20 Something’. Features from Dutch Rebelle and the Famous Nobodies. #12for12. Stream / Download #22 Avenue – Words Speak Life Avenue’s Words Speak Life came out this fall (co-release with Natural’s 20 Something) and featured Newside Zeak, Cap Mazarati, Intl Show, Deon Chase and Tania. Production by HiFadility. #12for12. Steam / Download #21 Lou Armstrong – Certified Hood Star Let’s face it Lou can put out an album and take over worldstar every year without breaking a sweat – Certified Hood Star was 2012.  Features from French Montanta, Alexx Fatt, Max B, Mike Beck, Ryan K., Cyrus Deshield, Young World, Carmen, Blanco and Crookz the Paper. Production by Statik Selektah, J. Cardim, BSM, Antagonist, Iroc Z and Ballistic Beats. Stream / Download #20 Bakari JB – Skinny EP You might know him from tearing down local stages with his crew X-Rated but the ‘Skinny EP’ is his first solo project. Who says lyricism is dead? Stream / Download #19 City Slickers – A.D.I.D.A.S The City Slickers mixtape from this year A.D.I.D.A.S. – All Day I Dream About Success is a mix of oriignal joints and freestlyes. Not to be missed is “Modification” ft. S. Dot. Stream / Download #18 Alias & Fakts One – Second Chances Man Fakts comes with some shit every now and then! Alias and Producer / DJ Fakts One team up for ‘Second Chances’   . Not to be missed is “dreamer” Doload via iTunes #17 BeWyze x Good Gatsby – The Public Policy EP Dope collab project from two up and coming Boston MC’s BeWyze and Good Gatsby. Stream / Download #16 J The S – The Last Days J the S gotta be one of the coolest chillest MC’s out here. His projet this year, The Last Days, saw features from  The Kickdrums, Styles P., P-Dub,Harlem, Pill, Franco Anthony, Greater Good, A N E, Janet Onyenucheya, Emilio Rojas and L Michelle with production from he Kickdrums, J. Cardim, Nelly’s Protoolz, Goodwill & MGI, Franco Anthony, M-Phazes and the artist himself, with additional vocals, cuts and instrumentation by Lion’s Share, DJ Special Blend, Alex Bodnar and Netousha Monroe Stream / Download #15 Riznut & Chilla Jones – High Def Riznut and Chilla Jones linked up for a 17 track, full collab project ‘Hi Def’ showcasing both MC’s. For cats who might only know Chilla from his battles remember this guy had tracks first and still does. Stream / Download #14 Rey Leon – The Pledge LP U.S. Army Infantry Veteran and Conscious MC Rey Leon dropped his long awaited (2 tours) ‘The Pledge’ LP features include Apollo, J.C.I.T.Y., Midie, Spenda, Mike Anthonii, B&B and Damilleo Stacks. Stream / Download #13 The Knowbodies – Sci-Non-Fi Vol. 2 “Reality Music” The KnowBodies Crew and their fam of artists like Cassius have been making a lot of moves this year including the release of Sci-Non-Fi Vol. 2 – Reality Music. Features from Cassius the 5th, Madame Cruz, Jamille Malik and Kidd Fr3$h. Stream / Download #12 Phinelia – Manteca Phinelia is one of the most prolific artists out here and this year dropped his album, Manteca and a mixtape Heroina. Stream / Download #11 MeTaL – What Should I Call This Mix Tape? MeTaL’s debut EP ‘What Should I Call This Mixtape’ is  dope project in its own right and captures the mix of integrity, levity and lyricism that MeTaL brings to the scene. Stream / Download #10 Cassius the 5th – Diamond