Rap-Up.com || Frank Ocean Tops Entertainment Weekly’s Best Albums of 2012

Frank Ocean is popping up on almost every critics’ best-of-the-year list. And now he can add another accolade to his résumé. The “Thinkin Bout You” singer tops Entertainment Weekly‘s list of best albums of 2012 with his Grammy-nominated debut channel ORANGE, while Miguel and Kendrick Lamar also make the top 10. As far as the best singles of the year, EW makes some surprising selections with Solange, Meek Mill, and ScHoolboy Q.

Plus, find out which albums didn’t live up to the hype. Mariah Carey’s Meek Mill and Rick Ross-assisted single “Triumphant (Get ‘Em)” got panned by the magazine as a “sleepy misfire,” while Nicki Minaj’s Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded – The Re-Up was called “souless, lazy, and totally unnecessary.” Ouch.

See the full lists below.

Best Singles of 2012
1. Carly Rae Jepsen, “Call Me Maybe”
2. Gotye feat. Kimbra, “Somebody That I Used to Know”
3. Japandroids, “The House That Heaven Built”
4. fun., “Some Nights”
5. Taylor Swift,  ”I Knew You Were Trouble” 
6. Solange, “Losing You” 
7. Meek Mill  feat. Drake, “Amen”
8. Alex Clare, “Too Close”
9. ScHoolboy Q feat. A$AP Rocky, “Hands on the Wheel”
10. The Lumineers, “Ho Hey”
11.  Icona Pop, “I Love It”
12. Kanye West feat. G.O.O.D. Music, “Mercy” 
13.  Cat Power, “Cherokee”
14. Usher, “Climax”
15. The Black Keys feat. RZA, “Baddest Man Alive”
16. Sky Ferreira, “Everything Is Embarrassing”
17.  Ke$ha, “Die Young”
18. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, “Thrift Shop”
19. Chief Keef, “I Don’t Like”
20.  Grizzly Bear, “Yet Again”

Worst Singles of 2012
1. Muse, “Survival”
2. Mariah Carey, “Triumphant   (Get ‘Em)”
3. Train, “Drive By”
4. Fat Joe, “Instagram  That Hoe”
5. Chris Brown, “Don’t Judge Me”

Best Albums of 2012
1. Frank Ocean – channel ORANGE
2. Fiona Apple, The Idler Wheel Is Wiser…
3. Japandroids, Celebration Rock
4. Miguel, Kaleidoscope Dream
5. Lord Huron, Lonesome Dreams
6. Killer Mike, R.A.P. Music
7. Django Django, Django Django
8. Kendrick Lamar, good kid, m.A.A.d. city
9. Chiddy Bang, Breakfast

Worst Albums of 2012
1. Christina Aguilera – Lotus
2. Nicki Minaj – Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded – The Re-Up
3. Marilyn Manson – Born Villain
4. Hank Williams Jr. – Old School New Rules
5. Kreayshawn – Somethin’ Bout Kreay

Do you agree or disagree with EW’s picks? Sound off below.

Posted in Frank Ocean | Permalink

You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

109 Comments

Krasava
December 22nd, 2012 at 9:08 am
Why is Christina’s album on the worst list?her album was good((

[Reply]
This Is War Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 10:16 am
@Krasava, OH HELL NO, shit like THIS is why my queen has been absent from twitter. Nicki has been kind to these hoes but her incumbency on the throne will be secured with The Pinkprint.

[Reply]
whuuuut Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 10:56 am
@This Is War, bollocks. stop chatting it

[Reply]
Robin Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 4:53 pm
@Krasava, patamysha tu loh

[Reply]
Chanteau Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 9:26 pm
@Krasava, I agree, she’s so under-rated now! Her album is actually hot! It may not have been popular but she’s actually singing and the songs are good !

[Reply]
Dan
December 22nd, 2012 at 9:12 am
Interesting how Nicki Minaj’s album was named worst album, yet EW gave it a B? And its gotten generally good praise? whack list

[Reply]
miles Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 10:43 am
@Dan, It generally got mixed to negative reviews. Just because one critic gave it a good review doesn’t mean it got good reviews overall. that album isn’t good enough for a landfill

[Reply]
XO till we overdose Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 9:10 pm
@Dan, I don’t like nicki minaj but the fact that chief keef’s ‘I don’t like’ made the best singles list makes me not trust this list one bit. That was actually the worst song ever made in history.

[Reply]
J. V.
December 22nd, 2012 at 9:12 am
Overrated Ocean.

[Reply]
Wowreally Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 9:21 am
@J. V., foreal he so overrated

[Reply]
RoniqueDavis Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 10:33 am
@J. V., Yes,most overrated artist ever!

[Reply]
Raj Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 11:02 am
@J. V., Why you mad tho?

[Reply]
Redchainsaw Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 12:17 pm
@J. V., couldn’t have said it better, no doubt he’s talented, but very overrated

[Reply]
Aimanos Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 4:13 pm
@Redchainsaw, I agree. Channel Orange had only a few good songs:
Thinking about you
Pyramids
Bad Religion (disrespectful but good)
Lost
Forrest Gump

[Reply]
Peter Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 4:33 pm
@Aimanos, Oh, look. Another idiot who doesn’t know the meaning of “Bad Religion.” Have several seats.

[Reply]
miles Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 6:09 pm
@Aimanos,
best songs:
Super Rich Kids
Pyraminds
Monks
Crack Rock

[Reply]
Robin Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 5:05 pm
@J. V., yes!!! he is so overrated!

[Reply]
bEEzy69 Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 6:23 pm
@J. V., Y’all need to stop with the overrated thing. If he didn’t have the success that he has now y’all would say he’s underrated.

[Reply]
TakeTheseFactsB*tch Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 11:30 pm
@bEEzy69, Why should they stop tho? They’re speaking nothing but the TRUTH!

Is he talented? Yes! but people d*ck ride him to the fullest!

I feel like these critics/award shows etc, praise him more for “coming out” then for his actual music it self.

[Reply]
RoniqueDavis Reply:
December 23rd, 2012 at 4:56 am
@TakeTheseFactsB*tch, nobody coulda said that better than you just did

[Reply]
Dan
December 22nd, 2012 at 9:13 am
Mariah as #2 Worst Single and Nicki as #2 Worst Album? Sounds about right. At least someone had the balls to say it.

[Reply]
Robin Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 5:07 pm
@Dan, they’d have balls if they named Gotye’s single as one of the worst.

[Reply]
Croqque
December 22nd, 2012 at 9:13 am
Weird ’cause they only gave it a B+ when it came out. They gave lots of albums an A- and probably they gave a couple an A. Guess they thought this was a more marketable choice for them or something.

[Reply]
Wowreally
December 22nd, 2012 at 9:14 am
How is Chris brown don’t judge the worst single I love that song and nicki may be the worst album but she. Obvisouly sold a lot albums smh not including the re up sales

[Reply]
Ice Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 9:29 am
@Wowreally, Don’t Judge Me screams album filler to me, I was shocked when it was released.

[Reply]
miles
December 22nd, 2012 at 9:18 am
this list is dumb. Half the songs in the “Best Singles” list don’t belong there. And I don’t like Chris Brown, but “Don’t Judge Me” isn’t a bad song, let alone worst song of the year

[Reply]
RoniqueDavis Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 10:44 am
@miles, agreed,Gangnam Style was probably the worst,Still dont understand what the song is about.Chris deserves some credit for that,it wasnt that bad.

[Reply]
MMmHmm Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 7:18 pm
@RoniqueDavis, Im over Gangnam, but that song is very popular all over Europe, South & Central America & Asia, even in America a lot of people like it, thats why hes on the list

[Reply]
Lucian
December 22nd, 2012 at 9:21 am
I disagree with this EW shit. They crazy . Nicki minaj had a great album . CB had a great single #PDJM . Nicki minaj’s starships shud hve been on best singles of 2012.

[Reply]
Ice
December 22nd, 2012 at 9:28 am
One of the most accurate lists I’ve ever seen from a magazine.

[Reply]
W
December 22nd, 2012 at 9:29 am
I think Miguel album is better than the Frank one.

but thats me, I guess

[Reply]
Pereezy YMCMB MMG
December 22nd, 2012 at 9:38 am
yayy nicki was the worst. finally some #TRUTH.

[Reply]
AllAmerykhanBoy Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 11:17 am
@Pereezy YMCMB MMG, they said the re-up was the worst but they didn’t say Roman Reloaded was the worst but the Pinkprint will have you drooling over her again

[Reply]
Truth Hurts Reply:
December 23rd, 2012 at 10:09 am
@AllAmerykhanBoy, i HIGHLY doubt it. Nicki Minaj isnt going to change her style with one album shes gonna remain the same and she will be releasing the same crap music. How the hell can you take an artist seriously when she basically rips off Jay-Z’s classic Blueprint title and names it Pinkprint? Fuk outta here!!!!

[Reply]
jp
December 22nd, 2012 at 9:40 am
If they had just said roman reloaded, I may have agreed with them. However, the re-up is actually a great album. Nicki is back on her rap game on the re-up. High school, Freedom, Hell Yeah, I’m Legit are all great songs.

[Reply]
meme
December 22nd, 2012 at 9:41 am
This list is very fair and accurate. Its diversed and well put together. Althought I feel like dimonds by rihanna should be on the best singles.

[Reply]
Really Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 9:58 am
@meme, agreed

[Reply]
Really Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 10:14 am
@meme, agree

[Reply]
Cosign Reply:
December 23rd, 2012 at 10:11 am
@meme, Definately agree 100%. Diamonds is honestly the best single to come out in 2012. Its extremely catchy without being annoying. Everyone sings the catch line “Shine Bright Like A Diamond” Not one person i know doesnt.

[Reply]
X
December 22nd, 2012 at 9:42 am
Disagree.

Best Singles of 2012
1. Climax

Frank had a good Album but never the best Album of 2012.

[Reply]
Cranberry Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 9:49 am
@X, and yet it’s the most critically acclaimed of the year. Oh.

[Reply]
miles
December 22nd, 2012 at 9:43 am
cO >>>> Kaleidoscope Dream

[Reply]
2bad2bme
December 22nd, 2012 at 9:49 am
brandy two eleven album was the shit they need to give this girl her credit and stop trying to forget about her just because she’s a dark sista

[Reply]
Yo Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 6:50 pm
@2bad2bme, her album slays.

[Reply]
2bad2bme Reply:
December 23rd, 2012 at 11:39 am
@Yo, yes it does honey

[Reply]
Cranberry
December 22nd, 2012 at 9:50 am
Screaming at Fist Brown’s album being so shit it didn’t even make the worst of list.

[Reply]
Anthony
December 22nd, 2012 at 9:58 am
If they didn’t have chief keef on there then it would be a good list haha

[Reply]
Kyle
December 22nd, 2012 at 10:13 am
Before I had even seen this list, if you would’ve asked me what the worst album of the year was I would’ve said “Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded” and if you asked me the worst song, it would’ve been Mariah Carey’s “Triumphant.” They were spot on with those lists. I agree with the comment above though, I prefer Miguel’s album over Frank Ocean’s but that’s not to say his was a bad album. I still think it was a bit over-hyped because it just so happened to drop a few days after he said his first love was with a man. Just saying…

[Reply]
AllAmerykhanBoy Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 11:19 am
@Kyle, You can’t rad.. they said Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded The Re-Up was the worst album not Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded

[Reply]
Kyle Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 11:33 am
@AllAmerykhanBoy, yeah and you can’t SPELL. And at the end of the day it’s ALL THE SAME. The whole album era of “Roman Reloaded” was a mess and that includes the original and re-release.

[Reply]
AllAmerykhanBoy Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 12:55 pm
@Kyle, A typo in a sentence doesn’t mean I can’t spell. It’s a typo on a website not a college paper. Dumb ass.

[Reply]
MOLLYI'mSweatin' Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 1:08 pm
@AllAmerykhanBoy, You missed a comma before “not” so I’d keep the “dumb ass.” Not my convo but I’m just saying.

[Reply]
...........
December 22nd, 2012 at 10:19 am
Not surprised about “DJM” making the worst singles list. People aren’t judging him based off of his music; they’re judging him based off of his past. It’s all good. God got it. Thankfully, Chris walked out of 2012 with alot of success compared to other R&B artist. The enemy tried, but failed.

[Reply]
Issa Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 11:43 am
@……….., LMAO!! You tried that, poor thing.

[Reply]
WonderLand19 Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 12:20 pm
@……….., HIGH FIVE!!!!!! Co-Sign everything you said.

[Reply]
lonely Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 5:25 pm
@WonderLand19, ratchet tsk tsk

[Reply]
THEDON
December 22nd, 2012 at 10:56 am
I agree with this list.. Nicki’s album was the wackest of the year

[Reply]
Lauren
December 22nd, 2012 at 11:03 am
So happy for Frank Ocean. He deserves all of the success and praise and I’m glad he’s finally getting his recognition. Congrats to Goyte and Usher as well — both songs are very memorable and iconic and will be remembered years down the road.

[Reply]
AllAmerykhanBoy
December 22nd, 2012 at 11:21 am
I’m over the Roman Reloaded Revamped Re-staged Re-lingered Repost Reblog Retweet Era. I just need her to release Marilyn Monroe as a single and shoot a video and come back in the fall with a new single and album.

[Reply]
Justine Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 6:21 pm
@AllAmerykhanBoy, I swear I LOL!!!!!

[Reply]
Triniti
December 22nd, 2012 at 11:39 am
Disagree with the placing of “DJM,” but Fortune should definitely be on the worst albums list.

[Reply]
AllAmerykhanBoy
December 22nd, 2012 at 11:46 am
Chief Queef really?????………

[Reply]
WonderLand19
December 22nd, 2012 at 12:18 pm
Frankie is so overrated LOOOOOOOOl I would love to see one critic come out (No pun intended) and say it was average. All the critics ‘trying’ to make Frankie happen. Outside of the blogs, no one knows who he is. Give it up.

Why did they put ‘Dont Judge Me’ by Breezy as No.5 worst song??? Oh yeah…….. they judged his personal life instead of the music! So predictable smd.

[Reply]
Quest Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 12:40 pm
@WonderLand19, Tell that to the Grammy nomination board. You tried, though.

[Reply]
Real Sh!t Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 12:42 pm
@WonderLand19, FINALLY SOMEBOdY UNDERSTANDS ME!!!!!!

[Reply]
Rachel Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 12:43 pm
@WonderLand19, Predictable words from a Chris Brown stan.

[Reply]
jjj Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 5:27 pm
@Rachel, ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^YES they need to shutup cuz most of them are dumb ratchets who worship an untalented autotuned dancer

[Reply]
V Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 3:03 pm
@WonderLand19, i don’t agree with the first bit, his album is hella good.
but i do agree with the breezy bit, it’s like when he won the grammy and people were like “but he beat rihanna” it was so annoying, judge him on the music not his personal life!

[Reply]
Cranberry Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 4:14 pm
@WonderLand19, A Chris Brown fan has no meaningful opinion of worth. Quiet down.

[Reply]
b Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 5:26 pm
@Cranberry, #clapback

[Reply]
Chloe Spade
December 22nd, 2012 at 12:20 pm
OMG! Frank Ocean is sooo overrated!!

[Reply]
Trace Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 12:39 pm
@Chloe Spade, Your opinion.

[Reply]
V Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 3:02 pm
@Chloe Spade, then why read an article on him & comment on it?
if he’s so overrated, just scroll past. logic.

[Reply]
Robin Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 5:14 pm
@Chloe Spade, yes, he is!

[Reply]
Victoria
December 22nd, 2012 at 12:54 pm
Yessss, Frank!! Congratulations!!

[Reply]
fine ass girl
December 22nd, 2012 at 1:07 pm
congrat to my boo SOLANGE !!!!!!! losing you is the shiiiiit

[Reply]
rill
December 22nd, 2012 at 1:25 pm
Franks deserved the top spot, but where is Nas’s Life is Good and Brandy’s Twoeleven those were monster albums

[Reply]
V
December 22nd, 2012 at 3:02 pm
can’t believe “Don’t Judge Me” is in the worst songs list, Breezy doesn’t deserve that. it’s such a good song and he’s so damn talented!

[Reply]
Hellioss Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 4:49 pm
@V, This is due to the lyrics referring to what Chris Brown is and how he acts cause the song is amazing.

[Reply]
Audrey Hepburn
December 22nd, 2012 at 3:13 pm
Yay Fiona! :)

[Reply]
1
December 22nd, 2012 at 3:15 pm
trey songz heart attack was one of the best singles of 2012

[Reply]
Adrianna
December 22nd, 2012 at 3:23 pm
Congratulations, Frank! Hi, haters!

[Reply]
Hellioss
December 22nd, 2012 at 4:45 pm
Thoroughly deserved for Ocean and Solange.

[Reply]
MMmHmm
December 22nd, 2012 at 5:43 pm
LMAO!!!! THE “QUEEN” ONIKA GOT THE 2ND WORST ALBUM OF 2012!!!!!!!!!!!!! #DEATH!!!!!!!!!! LMAO!!!!!! PREVIOUS FEMALE RAPPERS HAVE NEVER!!!!

[Reply]
Justine Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 6:20 pm
@MMmHmm, NEVER!!!!!! You can’t explain this away. Even if Nicki hits a home run next time, you can’t take this off the history books.

[Reply]
MMmHmm Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 7:19 pm
@Justine, TRUTH!, THIS IS FOREVER MARKED ON HER CAREER!

[Reply]
Justine
December 22nd, 2012 at 6:02 pm
Stop playing and tell the truth. Nicki Minaj thought she was untouchable and could put out anything and the world would like it.

Remember her telling people that the world was going to have to come up with a “new category” for her music because she wasn’t going to conform. And that she was VERY HAPPY with Roman Reloaded because it best described who she REALLY WAS.

So Roman Reloaded is the true Nicki; a bunch of unnecessary shit.

[Reply]
True Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 7:21 pm
@Justine, I remember when she said that too, lmao & her fans believe everything she says, she’s in denial & so are her fans

[Reply]
Cosign Reply:
December 23rd, 2012 at 10:18 am
@Justine, Lmaooo so true. Nicki’s whole career is based off being a gimmick and not a true artist. When you see Nicki Minaj you definately cant take her seriously seeing as how she dresses and the music she makes. Im satisfied at the fact that her music sucks and nobody in the music industry can take her music seriously and that includes all the people who actually know what “GOOD” music is. Shes made herself into a joke and all i can do is laugh because she wants to be the Best female rapper ever lmaoooooooo.

[Reply]
Yo
December 22nd, 2012 at 6:47 pm
But THE RE UP has a 72/100 on metacritic and was generally well received by the critics. EW, please get your life. Ocean didn’t deserve the number one spot, either. Yes, I enjoyed the album but NOSTALGIA was better. LOTUS is not a bad album either.

[Reply]
D-LOC
December 22nd, 2012 at 7:57 pm
whats wrong with “Triumphant(get’em)”by Mariah Carey?
Its catchy, has good lyrics & many creative, remixed variations. It wasnt a comercial hit, true but so what?
It was definitely not “sleepy”!
EW is lazy & hatin’…

[Reply]
Kyle Reply:
December 23rd, 2012 at 7:41 am
@D-LOC, my problem with that song is that it was labeled as Mariah’s song but Rick Ross and Meek Mill overpowered her own song. It was very mediocre, especially with it being hyped up and people labeling it her “comeback” song.

[Reply]
mrsotw
December 22nd, 2012 at 8:31 pm
Miguel> frank ocean

[Reply]
I Reply:
December 23rd, 2012 at 12:25 am
@mrsotw, yeah i like frank, but miguel’s album is better

[Reply]
TExas
December 22nd, 2012 at 9:58 pm
Frank Ocean just released the song that didn’t have time to be on the Django Unchained Soundtrack.

[Reply]
RocNation
December 22nd, 2012 at 11:39 pm
disagree with christina is in #1 worst album 2012. Nicki should be in #1 worst album. Totally not disagree with Mariah’s Triumphant song is the worst single

[Reply]
RocNation Reply:
December 22nd, 2012 at 11:48 pm
@RocNation, I mean totally disagree with Mariah’s Triumphant song is the worst single

[Reply]
Detroit
December 23rd, 2012 at 12:52 am
No Brnady Two Eleven? I feel as though the critics as only praising Frank Ocean on his gimmick of “coming out the closet” rather than his actual music…cuz His album def. wasn’t the best.

[Reply]
Detroit Reply:
December 23rd, 2012 at 12:52 am
@Detroit, **Brandy**

[Reply]
Proud OF Soidloah boy
December 23rd, 2012 at 1:58 am
some of those artist I agree is worst album

[Reply]
Kaylaa
December 23rd, 2012 at 5:23 am
Really? The Re-Up is AMAZING. Unnecessary? It was NECESSARY FOR her to put it out because people really forgot that she is a RAPPER and here she is reminding you and she DELIVERED. The Re-Up slays. It’s an amazing body of work. What a dumb ass review.

[Reply]
Sassy Reply:
December 23rd, 2012 at 8:14 am
@Kaylaa, How did people forget she was a rapper when she had about 9 rap tracks on Reloaded and her songs were on the Hip Hop/Rap charts? No excuses. Nicki is garbage so the industry is taking out the trash.

[Reply]
op Reply:
December 23rd, 2012 at 9:14 am
@Sassy,F-ck you it.

[Reply]
Fuck Peace Reply:
December 23rd, 2012 at 8:15 am
@Kaylaa, It only seems ‘amazing’ because it came after that roman reloaded mess. It was very ‘soulless’ as the critics say…she wasnt really talking about anything just random punch lines nothing that stood out LYRICALLY…just something you could bop your head too. It was more like an afterthought.

[Reply]
Danny P
December 23rd, 2012 at 11:32 am
I’m sorry for Aguilera!

[Reply]
SHAWTY
December 23rd, 2012 at 4:57 pm
They were right about Mariah’s ” Triumphant” and Chris Brown’s ” Don’t judge me” as WORST SINGLES because I hate those songs…and YESSS CHANNEL ORANGE IS dopeeee..

[Reply]
Cicco
December 24th, 2012 at 2:55 am
Relax, guys. It’s just a list. It doesn’t mean anything. Entertainment Weekly clearly needs to sell a story, or something. ;)

[Reply]
Kristinee
December 24th, 2012 at 7:36 am
Chris Brown Dont Judge Was Dope Af And Kendricks Good Kid Maad City Shouldve Been Higher But I Definatly Agree With Nicki Albums Being Lazy And Triumphant Was Corny

[Reply]
CorCor
December 24th, 2012 at 7:57 am
NICKI MINAJ ALBUM WAS AMAZING!!! WHO MADE THIS LIST THEY ARE OBVIOUSLY DUMB AS HELL!

[Reply]