DopeDrops Presents: Dopest of 2012 Pt.1

MTV & XXL have already took to predicting which talents will emerge this year, so we decided we’d take some guesses also. The first DopeDrops.com presents Dopest of 20xx will be split into 2 parts, 5 artists each. The 2nd part will be posted on Thursday, March 8th. This list will be compiling ten new school rappers who we believe to have the highest potential of success in 2012. Check it out below!

A$AP Rocky has already had a huge year in 2011. But in 2012 he looks to take over the rap game. After gaining mainstream success from the videos Purple Swag and Peso, Rocky signed a $3 Million record deal with Sony/RCA. Shortly after, he released the critically acclaimed mixtape, LiveLoveA$AP. Watch out 2012, Rocky is taking over.

ScHoolboy Q is another name I believe you’re going to hear everywhere by the end of the year. He is signed to Top Dawg Entertainment and is a member of Black Hippy, along with Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar and Ab-Soul. With a crew like that behind him, you know big things are going to happen. Fresh off the release of his latest album Habits & Contradictions, ScHoolboy Q is only getting started.

XV – THIS GUY RIGHT HERE, from Wichita, Kansas is one of my favorite current artists. What’s cooler than a dude who plays Xbox (also good at it), makes music and loves his fans? Nothing. His music is such an ear pleaser for sure. 2012 has a lot in store for The Kid With The Green Backpack.

Azealia Banks, a Harlem native like A$AP Rocky, has been making  a lot of sound lately. Her debut single 212, featuring Lazy Jay, was released on December 6 – peaking at #75 on the UK Singles Chart; and has received over 5 million views on YouTube. The success from that song has had big names such as Kanye West praising the young Harlem artist. She’s recently been signed to Interscope Records. Expect some great things this year from Azealia.

Danny Brown (who’s actually been in the game since 2003) has just started to receive the hype he deserves. Being described by MTV as “one of rap’s most unique figures in recent memory,” his 2011 album XXX received critical acclaim; and was voted as the rap album of the year by various magazines/blogs. Danny isn’t about to slow down, as I’m sure he has some dope plans for this year.

Stay tuned for Pt. 2. Coming soon!