MixMatters.com recently reached out to DJ Amen of 106 KMEL (SF) to get his scoop on what he thought were the top 10 #YoungCalifornia records of 2012. Check out that full list with a play by play after the jump! [more…]
10.) Kid Ink – Time of Your Life
With the help of his Alumni family, Dj Ill Will, and HNHH building his buzz, Kid Ink landed his first big single at radio to support his spot on XXL’s Freshmen 10 of 2012. He was able to tour nationally and internationally this year off his success to date
9.) L!Z – Bounce
Central Cali hasn’t had much to hang it’s hat on until Dj Kayrich of B95 in Fresno premiered this record in his hour long Homegrown local show on Sunday nights. L!Z then went on to became the first local MC to get added to power rotation in his hometown as well as added in the mix at Power106 in LA and 106KMEL in SF leading the way for others from the 559.
8.) John Hart – Who Booty
Premiered on a Young California mixtape with Dj Carisma, DJ Wizz Kidd, and myself, this standout DJ friendly R&B track caught the attention of Dj Felli Fel & Yesi Ortiz of Power106 in Los Angeles which landed him a deal at Epic records a bunch of remixes that spread across the map and a top ten spot on the Billboard R&B charts.
7.) Hopsin – Ill Mind of Hopsin 5
Radio wasn’t the key to Hopsin’s independent success, grinding it out with the crew and online awareness via websites like Youtube was. With over 24 million hits in less than 24hrs (and over 20mill now) his name started to ring bells beyond his already built fan base which also landed him on XXL’s Freshmen 10.
6.) Clyde Carson – Slow Down
Clyde’s group The Team dropped an album (that featured this single) Jan 1st 2012 to almost no fanfare. That is, until the #J12 dance was created and took the West Coast youth by storm. Clyde went on to sign a deal, tour, revamp his brand, and perform at both the 106KMEL Summer Jam and the Power106 Cali Christmas this year.
5.) Joe Moses – Ratchets
This record had very little spins on the radio this year compared to the rest of the top 5 but it’s cultural significance to familiarizing the sound and term “Ratchet” will forever go down in history. Joe owned the clubs and the streets while paving the way for so many after him to turn all the way up.
4.) Miguel – Adorn
When most people think of Young California they don’t think of Grammy nominated R&B crooners, but LA’s Miguel Jontell deserves to be on every list that comes out this year for making one of the simplest, and great feeling sing along records of this generation. It doesn’t matter where you are or what you are doing when this song drops you feel the love. This joint will live from 2012 to forever.
3.) Kendrick Lamar – The Recipe
Nobody in West Coast Hip Hop had a bigger year than Compton’s break out star Kendrick Lamar. There is no doubt when the album of the year convos come up around here that he takes the cake. His introduction to the masses featuring the good doctor grew slowly but carried the flag for one of the most significant successes of 2012.
2.) Tyga feat Lil Wayne – Faded
T-Rawww had been building his buzz under the Cash Money machine and making back to back DJ friendly bangers produced by DJ Mustard, League of Starz, etc… Rack City was HUGE to say the least, and the follow up was nothing short of massive either. This joint became every intoxicated person’s theme song for the entire year.
1.) E-40 feat IAMSU, YG, & Problem – Function
With Rack City and The Motto officially leading the way, Forty did what he does best, made another anthem for his soil right on time. I premiered this record on air and the rest was history. Forty grabbed the young homies that would end up perfecting the sound everybody wanted to duplicate in 2012, all while uniting the West Coast for a new generation
