My 2012 list is scust, this list will probably be completely different next year at this time.
1. Drake - Nothing was the Same
This album is supremely underrated. It's an album of anthems. Wish it was a double album.
2. Run the Jewels - Run the Jewels
Just fucking fun. Hard sounding but just fluffy underneath in a lovable way. Quality. Love these dudes and would support them because they are real.
3. ASAP Ferg - Trap Lord
I always liked Ferg, but I didn't expect him to pull through like he did. Memorable and cool album. He still has room to improve tho.
4. Chance the Rapper - Acid Rap
I shit on this album when it dropped, but I was wrong. Chance's delivery is corny in the right ways, the album shows raw talent, and is just fucking fun.
5. Action Bronson - Saab Stories
Love this dude, saw him last night and it was a great show. I think this is his best project because it has strong SONGS. I could put Blue Chips 2 here but I'm not going to because it is too long and he feels himself too much. Saab Stories was underrated.
6. Migos - YRN
I was late. This is dope.
7. Danny Brown - OLD
Overrated album. First half has some dope songs like The Return and even Lonely, and the second half honestly goes but is just a little meandering, but the WHOLE THING (not just the second half) is straight pandering. XXX is a GOAT classic album. My kneejerk reaction was to love this, but it's just whatever. I still like it though.
8. Denzel Curry - Nostalgia 64
Solid album, especially sonically and lyrically, but the dude has a long way to go with commanding the mic. He lacks presence. This is a rapper's album, though you wouldn't think so with him coming from the Klan. Definitely a sit down to listen.
Honorable mentions - LongLiveASAP, BetterOffDEAD, Blue Chips 2, Z Unit, Watching Movies with the Sound Off, Stolen Youth, a lot more
Songs:
Schoolboy Q - Man of the Year (or Banger)
ASAP Rocky - LVL (or PMW)
Run the Jewels - Get It
RATKING - 100
Metro Zu - Pimpin Ain't
Action Bronson - 9.24.13
Drake - Worst Behavior
Danny Brown - The Return (or Red2Go, reminds me of XXX)
My votes are the outside the (or X), I just posted those for people to read
I probably have a lot more but I can't remember them right now, it was a better year for single songs than projects, for me
Artist/Group of the Year - This is too hard to answer.
Producer of the Year - El-P, through RtJ is kinda one note, I really really loved that fucking note. Mike Will Made It killed it, showing a lot of diversity, and Mac Miller definitely deserves props.
Rookie of the Year - Chance the Rapper, shoutouts to Denzel Curry and the Zu too
Feature Killer of the Year - Kendrick Lamar
"L" of the Year - Ye. Even though he's not wrong, he's just too easy a target. Drake is only a L in the hip hop world, and even then, he's Jay and Kendrick is Nas. Anything Drake does is going to make him look bad.
Biggest Album Disappointment - OLD