honestly, Life Is Good & R.A.P Music are the only hip-hop albums i think everybody should check out from 2012 so far.
Freddie Gibbs is my fav rapper in the game right now. i'm stoked for whatever he'll release this year. MadGibbs more than anything, though he also got an EP with Alch, an LP with Ski, a mixtape and an official debut planned.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKOXd6BM20g
Gibbs x Alchemist = verse of 2011.