At first glance, the 2012 year-end R&B/hip-hop charts mirror those of 2011. Many of the same names are back in the limelight: Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Drake, Rihanna and Chris Brown, to name a few.
However, a closer look reveals a host of newcomers and established acts who left their own indelible footprints on the year: Frank Ocean, 2 Chainz, Kendrick Lamar, Future, Miguel, Anita Baker, Brandy, Usher, Mary J. Blige, Trey Songz, Tyrese and Tamia. Not to mention a significant methodology shift for the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart—the addition of streaming and download data plus the breakout of a separate R&B Songs tally.
The latter revamp bowed in the Oct. 20 issue. To keep pace with the consumer-influenced methodology applied to the Billboard Hot 100, makeovers…