9. Ab-Soul Control System
Kendrick Lamar was the best lyricist of 2012, but his TDE label mate Ab-Soul also proved he can rhyme with the best. Control System is the product of a young rapper who shot dice on the corner with the homies in the morning; picked up girls in the mall during the afternoon; and read Aristotle at night. Meaning, Ab-Soul perfectly intertwines street ethos with nerd rap on Control System. Standout tracks include “Terrorist Threats,” “Illuminate” and “Mixed Emotions.”
