10. Danny Brown-Grown Up
Over a classic jazz-rap beat, Danny Brown approaches the
track halfway between his normal crazed yelp and his straight up approach from
the last third of XXX. It’s a great
look for Brown after a year in which he dropped a half dozen phenomenal
singles. Without completely discarding what make him unique, the restraint of
“Grown Up” makes it arguably his best track.
09. 2 Chainz-No Lie (Feat. Drake)
Another rapper who has had a great couple years, 2012 has
seen 2 Chainz cement his status as one of only a few rappers that jumps on any
track and immediately makes it better. A 2 Chainz track in name only, “No Lie”
is an amazing Drake track bookended by verses from the artist formerly known as
Tity Boi.
08. Ground Up-Hold Me Down
Having seen other artists approach a similar minimal,
spiritual beat, “Hold Me Down” is better than anything off Bronson’s disappointing
Rare Chandeliers. His deft flows
don’t overpower the quiet beat but work around it perfectly.
