Hip-Hop in 2012

But even in the context of all things new and adventurous, those artists who we’ve come to love and respect had a brilliant year, to the extent that even world stage at large couldn’t deny their influence.

One of the prophets of hip-hop, Nasir Jones (whom we all know as Nas) released a masterpiece. His work of art, entitled Life is Good, caused such a stir in the music world that it debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling 149 000 copies in its first week of release. Audiences made it clear that even in the midst of radio hip-hop that was at times hit but mostly miss they wanted something deeper, something with more scope and a more mature understanding of craft. That substance didn’t have to kowtow to the whims of style, and yet style didn’t have to become a victim to the purity of the message of the music.

2012 also saw the return of Public Enemy. The legendary group, headed by the perennial preacher Chuck D, brought back the bite and power of hip-hop that saw their rise to immortality in the 90s. They’ve been active apart and as a unit for the better part of 25 years, Chuck D never giving up his desire to open up the world to truth and unerring honesty. Most Of My Heroes Still Don’t Appear On No Stamp was powerful, brash. The leading single I Shall Not Be Moved hearkened back to such tracks as Fight the Power and Don’t Believe the Hype, at once a battle cry and a peeling back of what the world at large wants us to see. I was elated and moved that a group that I respect as much as PE brought more of their chaos and uncompromising honesty to the scene.

It’s kind of bittersweet to note, however, that in 2012, while some veterans were making their comeback to the public consciousness, others were announcing the end (or at least elongated hiatus). Indeed, Lupe Fiasco ushered in a new era of skater boy hip-hop with his debut Food & Liquor in 2006. Six years later he announces on his Twitter that he’s going to pursue other interests. However, even walking away from the mic doesn’t stop him from speaking with clarity and unyielding honesty. One of the most controversial tunes of the year came compliments of Lupe’s fourth and final full-length album, this year’s Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album, Pt. 1.

And we come full circle — both a return to Fiasco’s origins and the song that prompted me to write this little retrospective of 2012’s most incredible hip-hop. Bitch Bad was a tune that was so thick with social commentary and so brutally self-aware that much of the hip-hop community and female community were outraged with what it appeared to speak about. But those who actually listened to the song and took in the historical context and social message were quick to embrace the song for its guts and Lupe’s unwavering honesty. As it is, it stands as one of my favorite tracks of 2012.