# 2012 in hip-hop

This article summarizes the events, album releases, and album release dates in hip-hop 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 Martin Luther King, Jr.'s last 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.

### 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.
* Max B's appeal from his 75-year prison sentence that occurred in 2009 was denied.
* 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 a 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 founder of Pro Era, died from a suspected suicide.

## Released albums

| Release Date | Artist | Album | Label | Notes |
| January 10 | Prevail | SpaseFase | Battle Axe Records | |
| January 10 | Yo Gotti | Live from the Kitchen | Polo Grounds Music, RCA Records | Debuted at No. 12 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "5 Star" and "You Can Get It On" |
| January 14 | Schoolboy Q | Habits & Contradictions | Top Dawg Entertainment | Debuted at No. 111 on the Billboard 200 |
| January 17 | Koncept | Awaken | Soulspazm | |
| January 17 | The Jacka | The Verdict | Siccness.net | |
| January 17 | Tajai | Machine Language | Clear Label Records | |
| January 24 | Gangrene | Vodka & Ayahuasca | Decon Records | |
| January 27 | Lord Finesse | The Art of Diggin: Blue Note State of Mind (Mini LP Cardboard Gatefold) (Limited Edition) | Underboss Entertainment | |
| January 31 | AraabMuzik | Instrumental University | Duke Productions | |
| January 31 | Various | Giant Single: Profile Records Rap Anthology | Arista Records, Legacy Recordings, Sony Music | |
| February 12 | Rapper Big Pooh | Sleepers: The Narcoleptic Outtakes | 6 Hole, Caroline Distribution | |
| February 14 | Busdriver | Beaus$Eros | Fake Four Inc. | |
| February 14 | Curren$y | Muscle Car Chronicles | DD172 | |
| February 14 | M-Phazes | Phazed Out | Coalmine Records | |
| February 21 | Chiddy Bang | Breakfast | Virgin Records, I.R.S. Records | Debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 |
| February 21 | Tyga | Careless World: Rise of the Last King | Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records, Republic Records, Island Records | Debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "Far Away", "Still Got It", "Rack City", and "Faded" |
| February 24 | Hodgy | untitled | Odd Future Records | |
| February 24 | Noah23 | Noah23 for Dummies | | |
| February 28 | Biz Markie | The Biz Never Sleeps (Re-Issue) | Traffic Entertainment Group | |
| February 28 | C-Bo | Cali Connection | Ca$hville Records, West Coast Mafia Records, Black October Music | |
| February 28 | Copywrite | God Save The King | Man Bites Dog Records | |
| February 28 | Ja Rule | Pain Is Love 2 | Mpire Music Group, Fontana Distribution | Debuted at No. 197 on the Billboard 200 |
| February 28 | Lee Bannon | Fantastic Plastic | Plug Research | |
| February 28 | Maino | The Day After Tomorrow | Hustle Hard, E1 Music, Atlantic Records | Debuted at No. 94 on the Billboard 200 |
| February 28 | Opio | Vultures Wisdom, Vol. 2 | Hieroglyphics Imperium Recordings | |
| February 28 | Planet Asia | Black Belt Theatre | Green Streets Entertainment | |
| February 28 | Shabaam Sahdeeq | Relentless Pt. 2 | Hardtimes Records, Marvial Entertainment | |
| February 28 | Stones Throw Records & Minimal Wave Records | The Minimal Wave Tapes Vol. 2 | Stones Throw Records, Minimal Wave Records | |
| February 28 | Too Short | No Trespassing | Dangerous Music | Debuted at No. 129 on the Billboard 200 |
| March 2 | Kay One | Prince of Belvedair | Ersguterjunge | 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 5 | Big K.R.I.T. | 4eva N A Day | | |
| March 6 | The Alchemist | Rapper's Best Friend 2 | Decon Records, ALC Records | |
| March 6 | Chaundon | The Jammington | Golden Era Music Inc. | |
| March 6 | DJ Premier & Bumpy Knuckles | StOoDiOtYmE EP | Gracie Productions | |
| March 6 | Flame | The 6th | Clear Sight Music | |
| March 6 | Young Noble | Outlaw Rydahz Vol. 1 | Outlaw Recordz | |
| March 9 | Hilltop Hoods | Drinking from the Sun | Golden Era Records | Debuted at No. 1 on the ARIA Australian Top 50 Albums Singles: "I Love It", "Speaking in Tongues", "Shredding the Balloon", "Rattling the Keys to the Kingdom" |
| March 13 | Blacastan | Master Builder Part II | Brick Records | |
| March 13 | Boogie Down Productions | South Bronx Teachings: A Collection Of Boogie Down Productions | B-Boy Records | |
| March 13 | Del the Funky Homosapien | I Wish My Brother George Was Here (Re-Issue w/ Bonus Poster) | Elektra Records | |
| March 13 | MC Shan | Q.B. O.G.: The Best Of MC Shan | Cold Chillin', Traffic Entertainment Group | |
| March 13 | Mr. Capone-E & Mr. Criminal | SS Til I Die: 13 Shots | Hi Power Entertainment, PMC Music Group | |
| March 13 | Ras Kass | Greatest Misses | Mo Thugs Records | |
| March 13 | Tech N9ne | Klusterfuk | Strange Music | Debuted at No. 12 on the Billboard 200 |
| March 20 | Diggy Simmons | Unexpected Arrival | Atlantic Records | Debuted at No. 12 on the Billboard 200 |
| March 20 | MGK | Half Naked & Almost Famous | Bad Boy Records, Interscope Records | Debuted at No. 42 on the Billboard 200 |
| March 20 | Odd Future | The OF Tape Vol. 2 | Odd Future Records, RED Distribution | Debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 |
| March 20 | Pep Love | Rigmarole | Clear Label Records | |
| March 26 | E-40 | The Block Brochure: Welcome to the Soil 1 | Heavy On the Grind Entertainment, EMI | Debuted at No. 59 on the Billboard 200 |
| March 26 | E-40 | The Block Brochure: Welcome to the Soil 2 | Heavy On the Grind Entertainment, EMI | Debuted at No. 58 on the Billboard 200 Single: "Function" |
| March 26 | E-40 | The Block Brochure: Welcome to the Soil 3 | Heavy On the Grind Entertainment, EMI | Debuted at No. 71 on the Billboard 200 |
| March 26 | E-40 | The Block Brochure: Welcome To The Soil 1,2 & 3 | Heavy On the Grind Entertainment, EMI | Debuted at No. 44 on the Billboard 200 |
| March 27 | DJ Premier & Bumpy Knuckles | The Kolexxxion | Gracie Productions | Debuted at No. 195 on the Billboard 200 |
| March 27 | Gift Of Gab | The Next Logical Progression | | |
| March 27 | Iron Solomon | Monster | | |
| March 27 | Lootpack | Soundpieces: Da Antidote (Re-Issue) | | |
| March 27 | Madlib | Medicine Show Number 01-13: The Brick (Limited Edition) | | |
| March 27 | ¡Mayday! | Take Me To Your Leader | Strange Music | 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 |
| April 3 | Laroo & Turf Talk | Sick-Wid-It: Block Ops | | |
| April 3 | 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 |
| April 3 | Obie Trice | Bottoms Up | | Debuted at No. 113 on the Billboard 200 |
| April 3 | Ras Kass | Spit No Evil | | |
| April 9 | Casey Veggies | Customized Greatly Vol. 3 | | |
| April 10 | Ayatollah & Moka Only | Bridges | | |
| April 10 | J. Rawls | The Liquid Crystal Project 3 | | |
| April 10 | Trip Lee | The Good Life | | Debuted at No. 17 on the Billboard 200 |
| April 17 | Blanco & Nipsey Hussle | Raw | | |
| April 17 | Future | Pluto | | Debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "Tony Montana", "Magic", "Same Damn Time", and "Turn On the Lights" |
| April 17 | 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 | | |
| April 24 | Death Grips | The Money Store | | Debuted at No. 130 on the Billboard 200 |
| April 24 | Mickey Avalon | Loaded | | Debuted at No. 137 on the Billboard 200 |
| April 24 | Prozak | Paranormal | | Debuted at No. 90 on the Billboard 200 |
| April 24 | Reks | Straight, No Chaser | | |
| April 24 | Saukrates | Season One | | |
| April 24 | Showbiz | Still Diggin' Volume 1 | | |
| April 24 | Yukmouth | Half Baked | | |
| May 1 | Apollo Brown & O.C. | Trophies | | |
| May 1 | B.o.B | Strange Clouds | | Debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "Strange Clouds", "So Good", and "Both of Us" |
| May 1 | Blockhead | Interludes After Midnight | | |
| May 1 | DeStorm Power | Be Careful | | |
| May 8 | Big K.R.I.T. | ReturnOf4Eva (Deluxe Edition) | | |
| May 8 | I Self Devine | The Sounds Of Low Class Amerika | | |
| May 8 | Pitbull | Original Hits | | Debuted at No. 134 on the Billboard 200 |
| May 8 | Punchline & DJ Soulclap | Underground Superstars | | |
| May 8 | The Jacka | The Sentence | | |
| May 11 | Ab-Soul | Control System | | Debuted at No. 91 on the Billboard 200 |
| May 15 | J. Rocc | Taster's Choice Vol. 6 | | |
| May 15 | Joe Budden | Mood Muzik: The Box Set | | |
| May 15 | Killer Mike | R.A.P. Music | | Debuted at No. 82 on the Billboard 200 |
| May 15 | Krizz Kaliko | Kickin' and Screamin' | | Debuted at No. 43 on the Billboard 200 |
| May 15 | Psycho Realm | Psycho Realm Presents Sick Jacken and Cynic: Terror Tapes 2 | | |
| May 22 | Casual | He Still Think He Raw | | |
| May 22 | Devin the Dude | Seriously Trippin | | |
| May 22 | El-P | Cancer for Cure | | Debuted at No. 69 on the Billboard 200 |
| May 22 | J57 | 2057 | | |
| May 22 | J57 | The Ports | | |
| May 22 | Tha Chill | Chillafornia | | |
| May 25 | J Dilla | Dillatroit | | |
| May 29 | Azealia Banks | 1991 | | Debuted at No. 133 on the Billboard 200 |
| May 29 | Chuuwee | Wild Style | | |
| May 29 | Doseone | G Is For Deep | | |
| May 29 | 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 |
| June 5 | Bigg Jus | Machines That Make Civilization Fun | | |
| June 5 | Curren$y | The Stoned Immaculate | | Debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 |
| June 5 | Cypress Hill & Rusko | Cypress X Rusko | | |
| June 5 | DJ Shadow | Total Breakdown: Hidden Transmissions From The MPC Era, 1992–1996 | | |
| June 5 | Kool Keith | Love & Danger | | |
| June 5 | Nottz | In My Mind | | |
| June 5 | Oh No | OhNoMite | | |
| June 5 | Rahlo | K.I.C.K. P.U.S.H. | | |
| June 11 | Pouya | Fuck It | | |
| June 12 | Diplo | Express Yourself EP | | |
| June 12 | J Dilla | Rebirth Of Detroit | | |
| June 12 | Kid Ink | Up & Away | | Debuted at No. 20 on the Billboard 200 |
| June 12 | Oddisee | People Hear What They See | | |
| June 12 | SpaceGhostPurrp | Mysterious Phonk | | |
| June 12 | Stevie Stone | Rollin' Stone | | Debuted at No. 73 on the Billboard 200 |
| June 12 | 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" |
| June 12 | Wordsworth | The Photo Album | | |
| June 19 | Beautiful Eulogy | Satellite Kite | | |
| June 19 | Del the Funky Homosapien & Parallel Thought | Attractive Sin | | |
| June 19 | House Shoes | Let It Go | | |
| June 19 | Juvenile | Rejuvenation | | |
| June 19 | Lil Wyte | Still Doubted? | | |
| June 19 | Pastor Troy | The Last Outlaw | | |
| June 19 | Smoke DZA | Rugby Thompson | | |
| June 26 | Eminem | Curtain Call: The Hits (Import) | | |
| June 26 | Large Professor | Professor @ Large | | |
| June 26 | Lil Scrappy | Tha Gru$tle | | |
| June 26 | Maybach Music Group | Self Made Vol. 2 | | Debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 |
| June 26 | Open Mike Eagle | 4NML HSPTL | | |
| June 26 | XV | The Awesome EP | | |
| June 26 | 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 | | |
| July 3 | King Magnetic | Everything's a Gamble Volume 3 | | |
| July 3 | Prodigy | H.N.I.C. 3 | | Debuted at No. 123 on the Billboard 200 |
| July 3 | Tha Dogg Pound | Doggy Bag | | |
| July 3 | Young Zee & Mr. Green | One Crazy Weekend | | |
| July 4 | Bones | WhiteRapper | | |
| 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 |
| July 10 | Blanco & Yukmouth | Cookies 'n Cream | | |
| July 10 | Freddie Gibbs & Madlib | Shame (EP) | | |
| 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 |
| July 17 | KB | Weight & Glory | | Debuted at No. 34 on the Billboard 200 |
| July 17 | Masta Ace | MA DOOM: Son of Yvonne | | |
| July 17 | Nas | Life Is Good | | Debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 |
| July 17 | Snowgoons | Snowgoons Dynasty | | |
| July 17 | Tanya Morgan | You & What Army? (Retail) | | |
| July 17 | The Alchemist | Russian Roulette | | |
| July 24 | Big Shug | I.M. 4-EVA | | |
| July 24 | Blu & Exile | Maybe One Day | | |
| July 24 | GZA | Liquid Swords (Box Set) | | |
| July 24 | Lloyd Banks | V.6: The Gift | | |
| July 24 | Rasco | United Fakes of America | | |
| July 24 | Reks & Numonics | REBELutionary | | |
| July 31 | 2nd II None | Infinite | | |
| July 31 | D-Shot | Ghetto | | |
| July 31 | La Coka Nostra | Masters of the Dark Arts | | |
| July 31 | Necro | The Murder Murder Kill Kill EP | | |
| July 31 | 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 | Kokane & Traffik | The New Frontier | | |
| August 7 | ¡Mayday! | Thrift Store Halos | | |
| 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 |
| August 14 | Block McCloud | Four Walls | | |
| August 14 | Insane Clown Posse | The Mighty Death Pop! | | |
| August 14 | Kottonmouth Kings | Mile High | | |
| August 14 | Strong Arm Steady & Statik Selektah | Stereo Type | | |
| August 20 | JJ Doom | Key to the Kuffs | | |
| August 21 | Busta Rhymes | Year of the Dragon | | |
| August 21 | DJ Khaled | Kiss the Ring | | Debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "Take It to the Head" and "I Wish You Would" |
| August 21 | Mistah F.A.B. & I-Rocc | Face Off | | |
| August 28 | Beanie Sigel | This Time | | |
| August 28 | Ces Cru | 13 | | |
| August 28 | Keak da Sneak | Cheddar Cheese I Say | | |
| August 28 | Madchild | Dope Sick | | |
| August 28 | Rapsody | The Idea of Beautiful | | |
| August 28 | Slaughterhouse | Welcome to: Our House | | Debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 Single: "My Life" |
| August 28 | TobyMac | Eye on It | | Debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 |
| August 28 | Torae | Off The Record: The EP | | |
| September 2 | Bones | TypicalRapShit | | |
| September 4 | Blu & Exile | Give Me My Flowers While I Can Smell Them | | |
| September 4 | Brown Bag AllStars | Brown Label Pt. 2 | | |
| September 4 | Lecrae | Gravity | | Debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 |
| September 11 | Apathy | The Alien Tongue | | |
| September 11 | DMX | Undisputed | | Debuted at No. 19 on the Billboard 200 |
| September 11 | Kevlaar 7 & Woodenchainz | Sophisticated Movements | | |
| September 18 | Baby Bash & Lucky Luciano | Playamade Mexicanz | | |
| September 18 | Brother Ali | Mourning in America and Dreaming in Color | | Debuted at No. 43 on the Billboard 200 |
| September 18 | G.O.O.D. Music | Cruel Summer | | Debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "Mercy", "Clique", "Cold", and "New God Flow" |
| September 18 | Homeboy Sandman | First Of A Living Breed | | |
| September 18 | Kreayshawn | Somethin' 'Bout Kreay | | Debuted at No. 104 on the Billboard 200 |
| September 18 | Tech N9ne | E.B.A.H. | | Debuted at No. 30 on the Billboard 200 |
| September 25 | Blaq Poet | E.B.K. (EveryBodyKilla) | | |
| September 25 | Bumpy Knuckles & Statik Selektah | Ambition | | |
| September 25 | Chino XL | RICANstruction: The Black Rosary | | |
| September 25 | Danny! | Payback | | |
| September 25 | Death Row Records | 20 To Life: Rare And Dangerous Vol. 2 | | |
| September 25 | Freddie Gibbs | Baby Face Killa | | |
| September 25 | Lupe Fiasco | Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album Pt. 1 | | Debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 |
| September 25 | Murs & Fashawn | This Generation | | Debuted at No. 146 on the Billboard 200 |
| September 29 | Pouya | Don't Sleep On Me Hoe | | |
| October 1 | Death Grips | NØ LØVΣ DΣΣP WΠB | | |
| 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" |
| October 2 | Kutt Calhoun | Kelvin | | Debuted at No. 170 on the Billboard 200 |
| October 2 | Prodigy | The Bumpy Johnson Album | | |
| October 2 | Skyzoo | A Dream Deferred | | Debuted at No. 163 on the Billboard 200 |
| October 2 | Z-Ro | Angel Dust | | Debuted at No. 110 on the Billboard 200 |
| October 2 | Zion I | Shadowboxing | | |
| October 9 | Jay-Z | Live In Brooklyn | | |
| October 9 | Macklemore & Ryan Lewis | The Heist | | Debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "Thrift Shop", "Can't Hold Us", "Same Love" Certified Gold |
| October 9 | MellowHype | Numbers | | Debuted at No. 54 on the Billboard 200 |
| October 9 | MGK | Lace Up | | Debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "Wild Boy", "Invincible" |
| October 9 | Project Pat & Nasty Mane | Belly in Full 2 | | |
| October 9 | Xzibit | Napalm | | Debuted at No. 140 on the Billboard 200 |
| October 16 | Blueprint | Deleted Scenes | | |
| October 16 | Dead Prez | Information Age | | |
| October 16 | Greydon Square | Type II : The Mandelbrot Set | | |
| October 16 | Prince Paul | Negroes On Ice | | |
| October 16 | K'naan | Country, God or the Girl | | |
| October 22 | Cold187um | The Only Solution | | Debuted at No. 119 on the Billboard 200 |
| October 22 | DJ Paul | A Person of Interest | | |
| October 22 | 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 |
| October 22 | RZA | The Man With The Iron Fists | | Debuted at No. 31 on the Billboard 200 |
| October 22 | Twiztid | Abominationz | | |
| October 22 | 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 |
| October 23 | Stevie Stone | Momentum | | Debuted at No. 167 on the Billboard 200 |
| October 23 | Styles of Beyond | Reseda Beach | | |
| October 30 | Ca$his | The Art of Dying | | |
| October 30 | Craig G | Ramblings Of An Angry Old Man | | |
| October 30 | Lil Keke | Heart Of A Hustla | | |
| October 30 | Meek Mill | Dreams & Nightmares | | Debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "Amen", "Burn", and "Young and Gettin' It" |
| October 30 | Sean Price | Mic Tyson | | Debuted at No. 58 on the Billboard 200 |
| October 30 | Tech N9ne | Boiling Point | | Debuted at No. 30 on the Billboard 200 |
| October 30 | The Coup | Sorry to Bother You | | Debuted at No. 194 on the Billboard 200 |
| November 2 | Kerser | No Rest for the Sickest | Kerser N Nebs Records | Debuted at No. 15 on the ARIA Albums chart |
| November 6 | E-40 & Too Short | History: Function Music | | Debuted at No. 59 on the Bills lboard 200 |
| November 6 | E-40 & Too Short | History: Mob Music | | Debuted at No. 66 on the Billboard 200 |
| November 6 | Lil' Fame & Termanology | Fizzyology | | |
| November 6 | Mr. Muthafuckin eXquire | Power & Passion | | |
| November 6 | 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 |
| November 13 | Apollo Brown & Guilty Simpson | Dice Game | | |
| November 13 | Murs & 9th Wonder | The Final Adventure | | |
| November 13 | Roc Marciano | Reloaded | | |
| November 13 | Yelawolf & Travis Barker | Psycho White | | Debuted at No. 49 on the Billboard 200 |
| November 13 | Young Noble | Son of God | | |
| November 13 | Sole | A Ruthless Criticism of Everything Existing | | |
| 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" |
| November 19 | 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 | | |
| November 20 | Jet Life | Jet World Order 2 | | |
| November 20 | Rapper Big Pooh | Fat Boy Fresh Vol. 2 | | |
| November 20 | Styles P | The World's Most Hardest MC Project | | |
| November 21 | GrandMilly & Bones | BLVCKNWHITE | TeamSESH | |
| November 27 | Freeway | Diamond In the Ruff | | |
| November 27 | Future | Pluto 3D | | Debuted at No. 63 on the Billboard 200 |
| November 27 | Ghostface Killah & Sheek Louch | Wu Block | | Debuted at No. 73 on the Billboard 200 |
| November 27 | Krizz Kaliko | Neh'mind | | Debuted at No. 161 on the Billboard 200 |
| November 27 | Pac Div | GMB | | |
| December 1 | Bones | Bones | | |
| December 4 | Sadat X | Love, Hell or Right | | |
| December 4 | Daz Dillinger | Witit Witit | | |
| December 4 | 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 |
| December 11 | The Game | Jesus Piece | | Debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "Celebration" |
| December 11 | Masta Killa | Selling My Soul | | |
| December 11 | Prozak | Nocturnal | | |
| December 18 | Chief Keef | Finally Rich | | Debuted at No. 27 on the Billboard 200 Singles: "I Don't Like" and "Love Sosa" |
| December 18 | 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 | | |
| December 25 | Bones | 1Million Blunts | | |

## 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 |
| 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 |
| "Good Feeling" | Flo Rida | 3 |
| "Niggas In Paris" | Kanye West & Jay-Z | 5 |
| "Wild Ones" | Flo Rida featuring Sia | 5 |
| "I Cry" | Flo Rida | 6 |
| "Rack City" | Tyga | 7 |
| "Take Care" | Drake featuring Rihanna | 7 |
| "Young, Wild & Free" | Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa featuring Bruno Mars | 7 |
| "Dance (A$$)" | Big Sean featuring Nicki Minaj | 10 |
| "Stereo Hearts" | Gym Class Heroes featuring Adam Levine | 10 |
| "Clique" | Kanye West, Jay-Z & Big Sean | 12 |
| "Mercy" | Kanye West, Big Sean, Pusha T & 2 Chainz | 13 |
| "Work Out" | J. Cole | 13 |
| "The Motto" | Drake featuring Lil Wayne | 14 |
| "Swimming Pools (Drank)" | Kendrick Lamar | 17 |
| "Work Hard, Play Hard" | Wiz Khalifa | 17 |
| "No Lie" | 2 Chainz featuring Drake | 24 |
| "My Life" | 50 Cent featuring Eminem & Adam Levine | 27 |
| "Bandz A Make Her Dance" | Juicy J featuring Lil Wayne & 2 Chainz | 29 |
| "Faded" | Tyga featuring Lil Wayne | 33 |
| "Pop That" | French Montana featuring Rick Ross, Drake & Lil Wayne | 36 |
| "My Homies Still" | Lil Wayne featuring Big Sean | 38 |

## Highest critically reviewed albums
### Metacritic

| Number | Artist | Album | Average score | Number of reviews |
| 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 | Ab-Soul | Control System | 83 | 10 reviews |
| 5 | Nas | Life Is Good | 81 | 30 reviews |
| 6 | Death Grips | The Money Store | 81 | 27 reviews |
| 7 | The Coup | Sorry to Bother You | 80 | 15 reviews |
| 8 | Quakers | Quakers | 80 | 14 reviews |
| 9 | Aesop Rock | Skelethon | 79 | 27 reviews |
| 10 | Big K.R.I.T. | Live from the Underground | 78 | 24 reviews |

### AnyDecentMusic?

| Number | Artist | Album | Average score | Number of reviews |
| 1 | Kendrick Lamar | Good Kid, M.A.A.D City | 8.6 | 21 reviews |
| 2 | Death Grips | The Money Store | 8.4 | 25 reviews |
| 3 | El-P | Cancer 4 Cure | 8.2 | 26 reviews |
| 4 | Killer Mike | R.A.P. Music | 8.1 | 17 reviews |
| 5 | Plan B | Ill Manors | 7.9 | 22 reviews |