There’s an argument to be made that 2012 was one of the greatest years in hip-hop. The Rub’s History of Hip Hop 2012 mix argues the case forcefully, with wall to wall bangers in a plethora of regional styles.
LA’s DJ Mustard produced approximately 99.9% of the songs on hip-hop & R&B radio, and Kendrick Lamar dropped a masterpiece of an LP. Future, Macklemore, and Trinidad James blew up, Big Sean, Meek Mill and 2 Chainz had monster radio records, and Kanye’s G.O.O.D. music compilation kept him on the airwaves (alongside Jay-Z and Pusha T). NOLA bounce saw a big resurgence: Nicky Da B went from local artist to international sensation with “Express Yourself,” and the “Triggaman” beat found its way into big club singles by T.I. & Lil Wayne, Trina and Meek Mill among others. ATL-style hip-hop trap and EDM-style trap began to play nice together, and DJs like Bauuer, Diplo, Lunice & Hudson Mohawke, RL Grime and Cashmere Cat all had big hybrid hip-hop-R&B-EDM-trap records. The Bay area scene also produced a bunch of hits, especially HBK Gang. Throw in a NY renaissance – French Montana, Nicki Minaj, ASAP Mob, Action Bronson, El-P, etc – and you’ve got yourself a banner year for hip-hop.
Listen to all of 33 of The Rub’s History mixes, from 1979 to 2012, at http://www.itstherub.com/category/history-of-hip-hop/.
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Tracklist:
Future – Turn on the Lights
Cash Out – Cashin Out
Chief Keef – I Don’t Like (Remix ft. Pusha T & Kanye West)
Trinidad James – All Gold Everything
Sage the Gemini – Gas Pedal (ft. Iamsu!)
Clyde Carson – Slow Down (ft. The Team)
Young Jeezy – R.I.P.
E-40 – Function (ft. YG, Iamsu! & Problem)
Tyga – Make It Nasty
Nicki Minaj – Stupid Hoe
Diplo – Express Yourself (ft. Nicky Da B)
Trina – Ass Fat (ft. Meek Mill)
Meek Mill – I’m Rollin
T.I. – Ball (ft. Lil Wayne)
Travis Porter – Ayyy Ladies
ASAP Rocky – Fuckin Problem (ft. 2 Chainz, Drake & Kendrick Lamar)
Nas – The Don
El-P – The Full Retard
Action Bronson – Steve Wynn
ASAP Rocky – Goldie
Kendrick Lamar – m.A.A.d city (ft. MC Eiht)
Chinx Drugz – I’m A Coke Boy (ft. French Montana)
Kanye West, Big Sean & Jay-Z – Clique
Nicki Minaj – Beez In The Trap
TNGHT – Higher Ground
Rihanna – Pour It Up (RL Grime Remix)
Miguel – Do You (Cashmere Cat Remix)
Schoolboy Q – Hands On The Wheel (ft. ASAP Rocky)
Waka Flocka Flame – Rooster In My Rari (Remix ft. Gucci Mane)
French Montana – Pop That (ft. Rick Ross, Drake & Lil Wayne)
Future – Same Damn Time
Rick Ross – Hold Me Back
Juicy J – Bandz A Make Her Dance
2 Chainz – No Lie (ft. Drake)
Kanye West, Pusha T, Big Sean & 2 Chainz – Mercy
Driicky Graham – Snap Backs and Tattoos
Lil Wayne – My Homies Still
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – Can’t Hold Us (ft. Ray Dalton)
2 Chainz – Birthday Song
DJ Drama – My Moment (ft. 2 Chainz, Meek Mill & Jeremih)
Kendrick Lamar – Swimming Pools (Drank)
Big Boi – She Said OK ft. Theophilus London (Prince Klassen Edit)
Meek Mill – Dreams and Nightmares