The Best of the Best Music of 2012

by Blanca Mendez

From now until the end of the year, or the end of time, whichever comes first (ha, and fortunately that joke will soon no longer be an option), we’ll be running roundups of good things that happened in 2012. First up: the best of the best music.

Best Song I Heard All Year: Carly Rae Jepsen — “This Kiss”

Best Song That’s Technically Been in the Running for Three Years in a Row Now: M.I.A. — “Bad Girls”

Best Music Video Repertoire: Azealia Banks

Best Strut Song: Le1f — “Wut”

Best Lipstick Game: MayaVanya and Kaleena Zanders in “Turn Me Out”

Best Self-Esteem Boost: Kiana Brown — “Hey Chica”

Best Song About Snacks: Y.N. Rich Kids — “Hot Cheetos and Takis”

Best Re-enactment of a Defining Life Event: Dante Hoagland in Danny Brown’s “Grown Up”

Best Music Video Featuring All Your Internet Friends: LOL Boys — “Changes” (feat. Heart Streets)

Best Musicalized Particle: The Higgs Boson

Best Series of Tweets About the Best Pitbull Appearance: Patricia Lockwood on the Kodiak, Alaska, Walmart Concert

Best Summer Jam That Made Me Realize I Miss Shaggy: Beatriz Luengo feat. Shaggy — “Lengua”

Best Collabo: Nicki Minaj & Cassie — “The Boys”

Best Na Na Na Chorus: f(x) — “Electric Shock”

Best Tribute to Paris Is Burning: Alex Anwandter — “Como puedes vivir contigo mismo?”

Best Commitment to a Concept: Marina and the Diamonds

Best Song About Killing Your Boyfriend: Leidi Li — “Mate a mi novio”

Best Profile: Jessie Ware in “Wildest Moments”

Best Brother Duo: Disclosure

Best Sweet-talker: Miguel

Best Norteño Cover of a Vampire Weekend Song: Los Vikingos del Norte — “Tu y Tus Primas”

Best Album I’ve Been Waiting for Since 2009: Rye Rye, Go! Pop! Bang!

Best “Call Me Maybe” Lip Sync: (three-way tie) Jelena & friends …

… Jepfriends …

… and From Morocco.

Best Preview of the End of the World: quieroStar & Mamacita — “Destrucción Total”

Best Song That’s Also a List: Chief Keef — “I Don’t Like”

Previously: The Best of the Best of 2011.

Blanca Méndez loves that song!