Breakout Music Stars of 2012

These artists replenished music's talent pool in 2012.

Breakout Stars of 2012 - It’s getting close to that time of year when we all say “out with the old and in with the new.” Before ushering in the fresh starts and new beginnings of 2013, BET.com takes this moment to salute the new stars that hatched in music over the last 12 months. We’re talking about new-age lyricist Kendrick Lamar, genre-bending R&B crooner Frank Ocean, and everyone’s favorite party-anthem maker 2 Chainz, just to name a few. These extraordinary artists helped to replenish music’s talent pool with a unique creativity and artistry that came in a garden-variety of ways. Read on to see who were the Breakout Stars of 2012.

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Breakout Stars of 2012 - It’s getting close to that time of year when we all say “out with the old and in with the new.” Before ushering in the fresh starts and new beginnings of 2013, BET.com takes this moment to salute the new stars that hatched in music over the last 12 months. We’re talking about new-age lyricist Kendrick Lamar, genre-bending R&B crooner Frank Ocean, and everyone’s favorite party-anthem maker 2 Chainz, just to name a few. These extraordinary artists helped to replenish music’s talent pool with a unique creativity and artistry that came in a garden-variety of ways. Read on to see who were the Breakout Stars of 2012.

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Frank Ocean - If you happen to live under a rock you might've missed Frank Ocean's infamous tumblr letter, but it's impossible to have missed his smash singles "Thinkin Bout You" "Pyramids" and "Forest Gump." Mr. Ocean's critically acclaimed album Channel Orange debuted at No. 2 on Billboard charts. Not bad at all for a skateboarding crooner...sweet baby Jesus. (Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images)

Belt It Out - Rita Ora takes center stage at the VIP Room Paris in Paris.(Photo: David Wolff - Patrick/WireImage)

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Rita Ora  - U.K. sensation Rita Ora has been having her best year ever. Aligning with Jay-Z's Roc Nation has proved to be a great power move for the pop star. Ora's bad girl anthem "R.I.P." has been making big waves domestic and abroad. (Photo: David Wolff  Patrick/WireImage)

Photo By Photo: David Wolff  Patrick/WireImage

Wild Child - Azealia Banks has been hitting the festival circuit hard this summer with performances all over the globe. Here, the up-and-coming rapper/singer hits the Dance Stage on Day Two of the 2012 Reading Festival at Richfield Avenue in Reading, England.  (Photo: Simone Joyner/Getty Images)

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Azealia Banks - Landing a major co-sign from Kanye West for your 2011 smash "212" is a good start, but you've got to have that follow through and Azealia Banks certainly did in 2012. The Harlem femcee has continued to thrive and build strong anticipation for her upcoming debut, Broke With Expensive Taste. In between dropping the new single "1991" and mixtape Fantasea, Banks was a magnet for rap beef, and a blossoming style icon who is sure to be a musical force and trendsetter for years to come.  (Photo: Simone Joyner/Getty Images)

French Montana, Excuse My French - French Montana had a monstrous 2012, setting off the year with his turn on Rick Ross' "Stay Schemin'" and riding out the summer with his star-studded stripper anthem "Pop That." Many question if French can hold up without his A-list collaborators, but with his ear for beats and hooks — plus already confirmed album guests Kanye West and The Weeknd — we may be nodding our heads too hard to care. (Photo: John Ricard/BET)

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French Montana - After years of putting in major ground work on the mixtape and DVD circuits, 2012 has certainly been French Montana's year. Appearing on just about every club anthem in the past 12 months, the Bad Boy recording artist also landed a few hits of his own including "Shot Caller" and "Pop That." As he gears up for the release of his debut, Excuse My French, 2013 could be a massive after-party for French's 2012 coming out party. (photo: John Ricard / BET)

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2 Chainz - 2012 has been Atlanta rapper 2 Chainz' best year. The Def Jam recording artist released his chart-topping debut, Based On a T.R.U Story, in August and dominated radio waves nationwide for much of the year as either a featured artist on hit singles or with his own inescapable jams "No Lie" featuring Drake and "Birthday Song" featuring Kanye West. Truuuu! (Photo: Chris McKay/Getty Images for BET)

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2 Chainz - 2012 has been Atlanta rapper 2 Chainz' best year. The Def Jam recording artist released his chart-topping debut, Based On a T.R.U Story, in August and dominated radio waves nationwide for much of the year as either a featured artist on hit singles or with his own inescapable jams "No Lie" featuring Drake and "Birthday Song" featuring Kanye West. Truuuu! (Photo: Chris McKay/Getty Images for BET)

Future  - Breakout might be an understatement when talking about Future's musical year. After signing with Epic Records last year the ATLien dropped his debut album, Pluto in April, which spawned a string of hits like "Same Damn Time" and "Turn on the Lights."

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Future  - Breakout might be an understatement when talking about Future's musical year. After signing with Epic Records last year the ATLien dropped his debut album, Pluto in April, which spawned a string of hits like "Same Damn Time" and "Turn on the Lights."

Kendrick Lamar - T.D.E. rapper and Dr. Dre protégé Kendrick Lamar has certainly had a year to remember. K-Dot's highly anticipated debut album, good kid, m.A.A.d city, was well received by critics and fans (some even dubbed it a classic) for its progressive sound and refreshing artistry. The BET Lyricist of the Year award winner made Compton, CA, a hip hop hot-spot once again. Thus earning the praise as the new "King of L.A." (photo: John Ricard / BET)

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Kendrick Lamar - T.D.E. rapper and Dr. Dre protégé Kendrick Lamar has certainly had a year to remember. K-Dot's highly anticipated debut album, good kid, m.A.A.d city, was well received by critics and fans (some even dubbed it a classic) for its progressive sound and refreshing artistry. The BET Lyricist of the Year award winner made Compton, CA, a hip hop hot-spot once again. Thus earning the praise as the new "King of L.A." (photo: John Ricard / BET)

Meek Mill - Meek Mill has certainly been staying busy on his road to glory. When he wasn't making controversial chart-topping hits with Drake ("Amen") he was making headlines as a central figure in some of music's biggest controversies. Still, the Philly-bred MC was able to impress with his debut album, Dreams & Nightmares, which came in at No. 2 on record charts. Rumble, young man, rumble. (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for BET)

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Meek Mill - Meek Mill has certainly been staying busy on his road to glory. When he wasn't making controversial chart-topping hits with Drake ("Amen") he was making headlines as a central figure in some of music's biggest controversies. Still, the Philly-bred MC was able to impress with his debut album, Dreams & Nightmares, which came in at No. 2 on record charts. Rumble, young man, rumble. (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for BET)

Elle Varner - BET Music Matters alum Elle Varner rode the wave of her instant hit "Refill" and debut album Perfectly Imperfect to  solidified her as a force to be reckoned with in the R&B game for years to come. (photo: John Ricard / BET)

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Elle Varner - BET Music Matters alum Elle Varner rode the wave of her instant hit "Refill" and debut album Perfectly Imperfect to  solidified her as a force to be reckoned with in the R&B game for years to come. (photo: John Ricard / BET)

Photo By photo: John Ricard / BET

Chief Keef, @ChiefKeef - Tweet: "New Katy Perry Song Coming Soon"Keef's reaction before Perry's apology included a violent threat, a sexual offer and finally new music. After Perry's apology, he reportedly apologized as well — it's not on his timeline, but there is this: "I Get It Now Dont Worry" with a thumbs up and peace sign. Maybe the diss song will become a collab.(Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

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Chief Keef - Marching to the beat of his own drum, Chicago youth Chief Keef landed a viral smash with his Drill-Hop banger "I Don't Like," which was eventually remixed by fellow Chicagoan Kanye West. The smash propelled the teenage star into the limelight, but with his ascension to rap’s big leagues Keef experienced some major missteps along the way. Love him or hate him, the Chi-town product was one of 2012’s most intriguing stars.  (Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage)