1 / 98

1. The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West) "Paris" - 1. Jay-Z and Kanye West had the country going gorillas with their song “Paris” from their album Watch the Throne.(Photo: ROC Nation)

Photo By Photo: ROC Nation

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2. French Montana ft. Rick Ross, Drake & Lil Wayne "Pop That" - French Montana enlisted the help of familiar friends Rick Ross, Drake and Lil Wayne for the summer club anthem “Pop That.”(Photo: Bad Boy Records)

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3. Usher "Climax" - Usher reached his “Climax” on this R&B banger, produced by Major Lazer’s Diplo.(Photo: Jive Records)     

4 / 98

4. Kanye West ft. Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz "Mercy" - Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music family was joined by man of the hour 2 Chainz for the dancehall reggae-inspired banger “Mercy.”(Photo: G.O.O.D Music)

5 / 98

5. Drake ft. Lil Wayne "The Motto" - Lil Wayne joined his protégé Drake on “The Motto,” which popularized the acronym YOLO.(Photo: Cash Money Records)

6 / 98

6. Miguel "Adorn" - Miguel used his soulful style and lyrical skill to create “Adorn,” one of the best R&B songs of the past decade.(Photo: RCA Records)

7 / 98

7. 2 Chainz ft. Drake "No Lie" - Drake joined 2 Chainz on the summer anthem “No Lie,” adding his melodic voice to the hook.(Photo: DEF JAM Records)

8 / 98

8. Ca$h Out "Cashin Out" - Ca$h Out used his name to create his biggest hit of 2012, "Cashing Out."(Photo: EPIC Records)

9 / 98

9. Tyga "Rack City" - Young Money’s Tyga came into his own this year with the catchy club anthem “Rack City.” (Photo: Vallery Jean/WireImage)

Photo By Photo: Vallery Jean/WireImage

10 / 98

10. Chris Brown "Turn Up the Music" - Chris Brown showed off his dance skills in the Michael Jackson-inspired video “Turn Up the Music.”(Photo: Jive Records)

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11. Drake ft. Lil Wayne "HYFR" - Drake used his Jewish heritage as an inspiration for this video as Lil Wayne, Baby and DJ Khaled crashed his bar mitzvah on “HYFR.”(Photo: Young Money Records)

12 / 98

12. Futire ft. Diddy and Ludacris "Same Damn Time (Remix)" - Future had rap veterans Diddy and Ludacris on the same track at the “Same Damn Time” for this remix banger.(Photo: EPIC Records)

13 / 98

13. Trey Songz "Heart Attack" - Trey Songz's “Heart Attack” put “Mr. Steal Ya Girl” back on the map for 2012 as the lead single from his album, Chapter V.(Photo: Atlantic Records)

14 / 98

14. Meek Mill ft. Drake "Amen" - Toronto’s Drake joined Philly’s Meek Mill on “Amen,” which probably won’t get played at your church.(Photo: Maybach Music Group)

15 / 98

15. Nicki Minaj "Starships" - Nicki Minaj’s smash pop hit “Starships” transformed her from a hip hop queen to a pop princess.(Photo: Cash Money Records)

16 / 98

16. Tyga ft. Lil Wayne "Faded" - The success of “Faded” left both Tyga and his Young Money mentor Lil Wayne with big heads. (Photo: Young Money Records)

Photo By Photo: Young Money Records

17 / 98

17. Future "Turn On the Lights" - In case you thought Auto-Tune was dead, guess again. Future's hypnotizing, Auto-Tune treated vocals have become his signature sound and his single "Turn On the Lights" bumped the singing rapper up a level in 2012. (Photo: EPIC Records)

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18. 2 Chainz "Riot" - "Riot" is one of 2 Chainz's singles that caught the ears of old fans and new fans alike and led the way for his debut album, Based On A Tru Story. (Photo: Def Jam Records)

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19. Kirko Bangz "Drank in My Cup" - After getting into music during his college years, Kirko Bangz struck gold in 2012 with his sing-songy brand of hip hop and his single "Drank in My Cup." (Photo: Warner Bros Records)

20 / 98

20. Elle Varner "Refill" - When you look at talent above all else, then songbird Elle Varner is definitely one of R&B's rookies of the year.  Although her first single, "Only Wanna Give It to You" featuring J. Cole, was amazing, "Refill" is the romantic single that made all of us fall head over heels for the songstress. (Photo: RCA Records)

21 / 98

21. E-40 ft. Chris Brown and Young Jeezy "Function (Remix)" - E-40 has been in the game for quite a while and "Function" is one of his biggest hits to date. It was such a huge smash that Chris Brown and Young Jeezy jumped on the remix and added a little new school flavor to its classic Cali sound.(Photo: Warner Bros Records)

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22. Keyshia Cole ft. Lil Wayne "Enough Of No Love" - She brings pain and truth to her music and that's why Keyshia Cole is one of R&B's brightest shining stars. In 2012, she returned to music with her album Woman to Woman, which led with the Weezy-featuring smash hit "Enough of No Love." (Photo: Interscope)

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23. Kendrick Lamar "Swimming Pools" - Kendrick Lamar has made his presence known with honest, autobiographical lyrics. "Swimming Pools" is just one of the examples.(Photo: Interscope Records)

24 / 98

24. Fat Joe ft. Chris Brown "Another Round" - Fat Joe and Chris Brown together on one song was nothing but a success on "Another Round."(Photo: Atlantic Records)

25 / 98

25. OMG Girlz "Gucci This, Gucci That" - Girl groups seem to be a thing of the past, but the O.M.G. Girlz made a splash in the R&B and hip hop game in 2012 with their fashion sense and hit single "Gucci This, Gucci That." (Photo: Grand Hustle Records)

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26. Rick Ross ft. Usher "Touch N' You" - Rick Ross once again teams up with Usher as the odd couple continued to mix hip hop and R&B on "Touch N' You" (Photo: Warner Music Group)

Photo By Photo: Warner Music Group

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27. DJ Khaled ft. Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne & Chris Brown "Take It to the Head" - DJ Khaled brought Chris Brown together with Young Money’s Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj for “Take It to the Head.”(Photo: Cash Money Records)

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28. Wale ft. Meek Mill and Rick Ross "Bag of Money" - Rick Ross teamed up with his MMG protégés Meek Mill and Wale in this ode to females and cash.(Photo: Warner Music Group)

Photo By Photo: Warner Music Group

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29. Drake ft. Rihanna "Take Care" - Drake showcased his R&B side with his sensitive duet with pop starlet Rihanna, and the title track from his album, "Take Care."(Photo: Cash Money Records)

30 / 98

30. Driicky Graham "Snapbacks & Tattoos" - Driicky Graham had a big anthem in 2012 with his ode to skin art and headwear, “Snapbacks & Tattoos.”(Photo: E1 Music)

31 / 98

31. Wale ft. Lloyd "Sabotage" - MMG’s Wale teamed up with smooth voiced singer Lloyd for the break-up banger “Sabotage.”(Photo: Warner Music Group)

Photo By Photo: Warner Music Group

32 / 98

32. Young Jeezy ft. Ne-Yo "Leave You Alone" - Young Jeezy enlisted the help of songwriter and singer Ne-Yo for the hip-hop/R&B hybrid “Can’t Leave You Alone.”(Photo: Def Jam Records)

33 / 98

33. Brandy ft. Chris Brown "Put It Down" - Brandy teamed up with Chris Brown for her comeback single, “Put It Down.” (Photo: RCA Records)

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34. J Cole ft. Missy Elliott "Nobody's Perfect" - North Carolina’s J. Cole partnered with veteran rap icon Missy Elliot”on the Curtis Mayfield-inspired “Nobody’s Perfect.”(Photo: Sony Music)

Photo By Photo: Sony Music

35 / 98

35. A$AP Rocky "Goldie" - Harlem’s A$AP Rocky brought hip hop back to its birthplace with “Goldie” and its high fashion video.(Photo: Sony Music/RCA)

Photo By Photo: Sony Music/RCA

36 / 98

36. Ciara "Sorry" - CiCi's back! With her amazing body, hot moves and grown and sexy single "Sorry," there was no doubt in anyone's mind that she was bringing the R&B flava that had been missing. (Photo: Epic Records)

37 / 98

37. Diggy ft. Jeremih "Do It Like You" - Diggy Simmons released his debut album this year and led the album with the sweet Jeremih-featuring single "Do It Like You." This hot single made Diggy even hotter! (Photo: Warner Music Group)

Photo By Photo: Warner Music Group

38 / 98

38. Rick Ross ft. Wale and Drake "Diced Pineapples" - Rick Ross continued his string of successful collaborations with Drake with the smooth-sounding banger “Diced Pineapples.”(Photo: Maybach Music Group)

Photo By Photo: Maybach Music Group

39 / 98

39. Ne-Yo "Let Me Love You" - With a positive message about self-worth and love, Ne-Yo was a gentleman (as usual) and told ladies around the world that he was ready to love them like they've never been loved before. (Photo: Def Jam Records)

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40. MGK ft. Waka Flocka Flame "Wild Boy" - Cleveland’s “Wild Boy” MGK teamed up with Atlanta’s own Waka Flocka Flame for this high energy club burner.(Photo: Interscope Records)

Photo By Photo: Interscope Records

41 / 98

41. Rihanna "Where Have You Been" - Rihanna showed her ability to once again make a great pop/dance song with “Where Have You Been.”(Photo: Def Jam Records)

Photo By Photo: Def Jam Records

42 / 98

42. Waka Flocka Flame ft. Trey Songz "I Don't Really Care" - Trey Songz may have not invented the hip-hop/R&B collabo but this year he perfected it by teaming up with Waka Flocka on “I Don’t Really Care.”(Photo: Atlantic Records)

Photo By Photo: Atlantic Records

43 / 98

43. Trey Songz ft. T.I. "2 Reasons" - Trey Songz teams up with Atlanta rapper and reality TV star T.I. on another rap and R&B joint, “2 Reasons.”(Photo: Warner Music Group)

44 / 98

44. Nicki Minaj ft. Chris Brown "Right By My Side" - R&B’s prince and hip hop’s princess, Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj partner up for “Right By My Side,” an upbeat mix of pop, rap and soul.(Photo: Cash Money Records)

45 / 98

45. T.I. "Go Get It" - T.I. adds another go-getter’s anthem to his long string of hits with “Go Get It.”(Photo: Grand Hustle Records)

Photo By Photo: Grand Hustle Records

46 / 98

46. Usher ft. Rick Ross "Lemme See" - Rick Ross teams up with Usher once again on “Lemme See” for another monster R&B/hip-hop collaboration that dominated 2012.(Photo: RCA Records)

Photo By Photo: RCA Records

47 / 98

47. Rick Ross "Hold Me Back" - Rick Ross went to Lagos, Nigeria, to shoot the video for his hustler’s anthem “Can’t Hold Me Back.”(Photo: Maybach Music Group)

48 / 98

48. Wiz Khalifa "Work Hard, Play Hard" - Wiz Khalifa returned to his native Pittsburgh to film the video for his career and social life anthem “Work Hard, Play Hard.”(Photo: Atlantic Records)

49 / 98

49. French Montana ft. Rick Ross & Diddy "Shot Caller" - Its only right that Diddy and Rick Ross joined French Montana  on “Shot Caller” after French was signed to Ross’s MMG and Diddy’s Bad Boy Records.(Photo: Bad Boy/Interscope Records)

Photo By Photo: Bad Boy/Interscope Records

50 / 98

50. DJ Khaled ft. Kanye West & Rick Ross "I Wish You Would" - DJ Khaled once again enlists the help of his famous friends with “I Wish You Would,” featuring Chicago’s own Kanye West and Miami’s Rick Ross.(Photo: Cash Money Records)

51 / 98

51. Meek Mill & Wale ft. French Montana & Rico Love "Actin' Up" - Another MMG collabo with song man Rico Love on the hook has French Montana, Meek Mill and Wale “Actin' Up” again.(Photo: Warner Music Group)

52 / 98

52. Jennifer Hudson ft. Ne-Yo "Think Like a Man" - With Ne-Yo’s help, Jennifer Hudson helped women “Think Like a Man” on the title track for the Kevin Hart movie.(Photo: EPIC Records)

53 / 98

53. Lil' Wayne ft. Big Sean "My Homies Still" - Kanye West’s protégé Big Sean teamed up with Lil Wayne for “My Homies Still,” a rare collaboration between the G.O.O.D. Music and Young Money camps.(Photo: Def Jam Records)

54 / 98

54. Nas "Daughters" - Nas brought positivity back to the game with his ultra-personal father hood anthem “Daughters.”(Photo: Def Jam Records)

Photo By Photo: Def Jam Records

55 / 98

55. Alicia Keys "Girl on Fire" - Singer and songwriter Alicia Keys returned to the world of music with “Girl on Fire,” the first single and title track for her latest album.(Photo: Columbia Records)

56 / 98

56. Diggy "Four Letter Word" - Preacher’s son Diggy broke out of Run’s House for hip-hop love song “Four Letter Word.”(Photo: Warner Music Group)

Photo By Photo: Warner Music Group

57 / 98

57. Chris Brown "Sweet Love" - Chris Brown showed his slow jam skills on the Polow da Don-produced ballad, “Sweet Love.”(Photo: Jive Records)

58 / 98

58. Lupe Fiasco "B---h Bad" - Lupe Fiasco brought hip hop’s conscience back in 2012 with his anti-misogynist anthem “B---h Bad.”(Photo: Atlantic Records)

59 / 98

59. Trey Songz "Sex Ain't Better Than Love" - Trey Songz might have you thinking he invented sex, but he let you know the most important thing in “Sex Ain’t Better Than Love.”(Photo: Warner Music Group)

60 / 98

60. Nicki Minaj ft. Cam'ron and Rick Ross "I Am Your Leader" - Nicki Minaj returned to her hardcore hip hop roots with Harlem’s own Cam’ron and Mr. Everywhere, Rick Ross.(Photo: Cash Money Records)

61 / 98

61. T.I. "Love This Life" - T.I. lives his life, loves his life and shows and proves it in "Love This Life," a single from his album, Trouble Man.(Photo: Grand Hustle Records)

62 / 98

62. The-Dream ft. Pusha T "Dope Chick" - Singer and songwriter The-Dream teams up with G.O.O.D. Music’s Pusha T on their anthem for attractive females, “Dope Chick.”(Photo: Def Jam Records)

63 / 98

65. DJ Drama ft. Meek Mill, 2 Chainz & Jeremih "My Moment" - DJ Drama enlists his Philadelphia and Atlanta friends Meek Mill and 2 Chainz and puts Jeremih on the hook for his banger, “My Moment.”(Photo: Grand Hustle Records)

64 / 98

66. Monica and Brandy "It All Belongs to Me" - 14 years after “The Boy Is Mine,” Brandy and Monica reunite for another collaboration, “It All Belongs to Me.”(Photo: RCA Records)

65 / 98

67. Kendrick Lamar ft. Dr. Dre "The Recipe" - Compton rapper Kendrick Lamar showcases his superior lyrical  skills with the help of mentor Dr. Dre on “The Recipe.”(Photo: TDE/Aftermath/Interscope Records)

Photo By Photo: TDE/Aftermath/Interscope Records

66 / 98

68. Travis Porter "Aww Yeah" - Decatur, Georgia’s own Travis Porter continued their string of party songs with their anthem “Aww Yeah.”(Photo: RCA Records)

67 / 98

69. Fat Joe ft. Miguel, Kanye West, Busta Rhymes, Roscoe Dash, Jadakiss & DJ Khaled "Pride and Joy" - Hip hop veteran Fat Joe enlists a who's who of rap stars and R&B singers on his hit “Pride and Joy,” which featured Kanye West, Jadakiss, Busta Rhymes, Roscoe Dash, Miguel and DJ Khaled.(Photo: Terror Squad)

68 / 98

70. Tyga ft. 2 Chainz "Do My Dance" - Tyga teamed up with 2012’s Mr. Guest Appearance, 2 Chainz, and showed everybody how to “Do My Dance.”(Photo: Young Money/Cash Money Records)

69 / 98

71. Nas "Bye Baby" - Once again, Nas got personal with “Bye Baby,” addressing his relationship with his ex-wife Kelis with honesty and candor.(Photo: Def Jam Recordings)

70 / 98

72. OMG Girlz "Where The Boys At" - The OMG Girlz gave an anthem for young boy crazy girls everywhere with their anthem “Where The Boys At.”(Photo: Grand Hustle/Interscope Records)

Photo By Photo: Grand Hustle/Interscope Records

71 / 98

73. Cali Swag District "Burn Out (Drive Fast)" - Two years after teaching people how to Dougie, Cali Swagg District returned with another anthem, this one about driving, called “Burn Out (Drive Fast).”(Photo: Sphinx Music Entertainment/319 Music Group)

72 / 98

74. Birdman ft. Rick Ross "Born Stunna" - The bosses from Cash Money and Maybach Music Group team up on Birdman and Rick Ross’ “Born Stunna.”(Photo: Cash Money Records)

Photo By Photo: Cash Money Records

73 / 98

75. Kanye West ft. Bon Iver "Lost in the World" - Kanye West showed his musical diversity by collaborating with folk artist Bon Iver over a track that sampled African Jazz and Gil Scott-Heron on “Lost in the World.”(Photo: Roc-A-Fella Records)

Photo By Photo: Roc-A-Fella Records

74 / 98

76. Trey Songz "Dive In" - Trey Songz was in Olympic form with his metaphor driven, sexually charged song “Dive In.”(Photo: Atlantic Records)

75 / 98

77. John Legend ft. Ludacris "Tonight (Best You Ever Had)" - John Legend came up with another elegant and smooth grown folks anthem featuring Ludacris, "Tonight (Best You Ever Had)" (Photo: Sony Music Records)

76 / 98

78. Lil Wayne ft. Detail "No Worries" - Lil Wayne draws inspiration from drug addicted writer Hunter S. Thompson and the movie Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas for his video “No Worries.”(Photo: Cash Money Records)

Photo By Photo: Cash Money Records

77 / 98

79. Chris Brown "Don't Wake Me Up" - Chris Brown once again showed his ability to make electro/dance hits with “Don’t Wake Me Up.”(Photo: RCA Records)

Photo By Photo: RCA Records

78 / 98

80. BIG K.R.I.T. "I Got This" - Def Jam’s BIG K.R.I.T. showed why he was one of XXL’s 2011 freshmen with his hit, “I Got This.”(Photo: Def Jam Recordings)

79 / 98

81. Omarion ft. Rick Ross "Let's Talk" - Former B2k frontman Omarion shows how he earned the nickname Maybach O with his collaboration with Maybach Music Group head Rick Ross on “Let’s Talk.”(Photo: Maybach Music Group)

Photo By Photo: Maybach Music Group

80 / 98

82. Usher "Dive" - Trey Songz was not the only R&B singer showing his diving skills in 2012 as Usher put his own take on jumping into swimming pools in “Dive.”(Photo: Jive Records)

Photo By Photo: Jive Records

81 / 98

83. Wiz Khalifa ft. 2 Chainz "It's Nothing" - Here's yet another big guest appearance for 2 Chainz as he joins Pittsburgh’s Wiz Khalifa on “It’s Nothing.”(Photo: Warner Music Group)

Photo By Photo: Warner Music Group

82 / 98

84. Nicki Minaj "Pound the Alarm" - Nicki Minaj wakes up the town with her house-influenced dancefloor killer “Pound the Alarm,” which was shot in her native country, Trinidad.(Photo: Cash Money Records)

83 / 98

85. Yo Gotti "Single" - Memphis rapper Yo Gotti made a big splash in 2012 with his ode to being unattached, "Single."(Photo: Sony Music)

84 / 98

86. Nas ft. Amy Winehouse "Cherry Wine" - Nas teams up with the late Amy Winehouse on this jazzy laid back banger.(Photo: Def Jam Recordings)

Photo By Photo: Def Jam Recordings

85 / 98

87. Childish Gambino "Heartbeat" - TV star and comedian Donald Glover turns to music under the name Childish Gambino on the electro-dance hip hop banger, “Hearbeat.”(Photo: Glassnote Records)

86 / 98

88. Jacob Lattimore "You Come First" - Radio Disney graduate Jacob Lattimore grows up on the ode to monogamy, “You Come First.”(Photo: RCA Records)

87 / 98

89. Chris Brown "Don't Judge Me" - Chris Brown gets personal on the Michael Jackson-influenced “Don’t Judge Me.”(Photo: RCA Records)

Photo By Photo: RCA Records

88 / 98

90. Meek Mill ft. Kirko Bangz "Young and Gettin' It" - Meek Millz teams up with Houston’s Kirko Bangz on anthem for wealth and youth, “Young and Getting’ It.”(Photo: Warner Bros Records)

89 / 98

91. Bobby V ft Lil Wayne "Mirror" - Former Mista frontman Bobby V reteams with Young Money President Lil Wayne on his R&B smash “Mirror.”(Photo: Def Jam Recordings)

Photo By Photo: Def Jam Recordings

90 / 98

92. Game ft. Tyga, Chris Brown, Wiz Khalifa & Lil Wayne "Celebration" - Compton rapper Game brings the festivities along with Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Tyga and Wiz Khalifa on “Celebration.”(Photo: Interscope Records)

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93. Busta Rhymes ft. Chris Brown "Why Stop Now" - After the success of “Look at Me Know,” Busta Rhymes reunites with Chris Brown for their banger “Why Stop Know.” (Photo: Cash Money Records)

92 / 98

94. Nicki Minaj ft. Cassie "The Boys" - Bad Boy’s Cassie and Young Money’s Nicki Minaj team up to tell “The Boys” that money can’t buy them love.(Photo: Cash Money Records)

Photo By Photo: Cash Money Records

93 / 98

95. T.I. ft. Lil Wanye "Ball" - After teaming up on Destiny’s Child’s soldier, Lil Wayne and T.I. team up again for their spending money anthem “Ball.(Photo: Grand Hustle/Atlantic Records)

94 / 98

96. Azealia Banks "1991" - Azealia Banks shows why many see her as the next female to blow on her European influenced song, “1991.”(Photo: Polydor Records)

95 / 98

97. Brandy "Wildest Dreams" - Brandy returned to the spotlight this year with the help of songwriter Sean Garrett on “Wildest Dreams.”(Photo: RCA Records)

Photo By Photo: RCA Records

96 / 98

98. Ca$h Out ft. Wale "Hold Up" - Atlanta rapper Ca$h Out teamed up with Washington, D.C.’s own Wale for his hit “Hold Up.”(Photo: Epic Records)

97 / 98

99. Rihanna "Diamonds" - Rihanna showed she’s not only good for dance hits with her powerful ballad “Diamonds.”(Photo: Def Jam Recordings)

98 / 98

100. Swizz Beatz ft. Chris Brown & Ludacris "Everyday Birthday" - Super producer Swizz Beatz teamed up with R&B star Chris Brown and rap veteran Ludacris for his party anthem "Everyday Birthday." (Photo: Warner Bros Records)

Photo By Photo: Warner Bros Records