2010 has been a good year in terms of music. Gil Scott-Heron, Drake, Janelle Monae all dropped albums already. Not to mention this Summer we can expect hot stuff from M.I.A., The Dream and more. Here’s our favorite 12 albums of 2010. What were yours?

12. Corinne Stevie & Ka’Ra Kersey – Land of the Free

You ready to get free? Nothing will take you there like Corinne Stevie & Ka’Ra Kersey’s new project “Land of The Free.” The new age anthem “Our War 2 Freedom” opens the EP. By the time the war horns start on “Mo’Ammo” you know these ladies musically have something to say. The dub-step inspired “Turn Off,” the self-love anthem “Amazing” and Corinne’s clever freestyle “Water” are among the EP’s many highlights. Download “Land of the Free” here.

11. Nas & Damien Marley – Distant Relatives

Nas may be tight-lipped on his now ex-wife Kelis. Lucky for us he saved all he had to say for his latest album with Damien Marley Distant Relatives. Two of the best lyricists around team up for Hip-hop’s best shout ode to Africa. Nas & Damien Marley’s album Distant Relatives is out out now.

10. Janelle Monae – The ArchAndroid
The ArchAndroid is everything you’d except from Miss Monae & her Wondaland cohorts. It’s theatrical, moody, soulful and filled with passion that is rarely heard in contemporary music. She’s at her best on tracks like “Cold War” where she combines emotional lyrics with a funky production to create the most perfect mix of pop and soul, since Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy.” Janelle Monae’s The ArchAndroid is out now.

9. Kelis – Flesh Tone
When it’s all said and done Kelis is going to do what Kelis does best: be creative. The moment I heard Flesh Tone‘s first single “Acapella” I knew this album was going to be something. I mean with will.i.am backing a project how can it go wrong. David Guetta, Will and Free School provide the beats that keep coming as Kelis acends to the status of disco queen. Kelis’ Flesh Tone is set to be released July 6.

8. Massive Attack – Heligoland

Massive Attack waited seven years to release Heliogland, their previous release was 2003′s 100th Window. Their return was more than welcomed. With apperances fro TV On The Radio’s Tunde Adebimpe Massive Attack has evolved and it’s seen throughout Heligoland. Heligoland is out now.

7. LCD Soundsystem – This Is Happening

James Murphy throws in David Bowie and Brian Eno influences and mixes him with his vast knowledge of post punk to create LCD Soundsystem’s latest album This Is Happening. This is an album even the Strokes would have to smirk at.

6. Hot Chip – One Life Stand
Hot Chip’s new album One Night Stand proves they have a sophisicated side. This is a band that delivered rhymes about “20 inch rims” in a British accent. They’ve managed to craft some musical gems here. Hot Chip’s One Life Stand is out now.

5. Gorillaz – Plastic Beach
Okay, so the Gorillaz are real. At least that’s what Plastic Beach, the animated band’s third album will have you believe. This is their most engaging album yet. A diverse group of collaborators that include Bobby Womack, Mos Def & Little Dragon helps.
Gorillaz’s Plastic Beach is out now.

4. How To Destroy Animals – How To Destroy Animals
Trent Reznor may have transcended to new hiehgts of musical acheivement with his latest side project How To Destroy Animals. The EP is a collaboration with his wife–and former West Indian Girl singer – Mariqueen Maandig and is the Trent Reznor directed musical that a Nine Inch Nails record could never be.  Download How To Destroy Animals here.

3. Black Keys – Brothers
What an absolutely fabulous album this is. To those that think there is hardly any good music being made these days, you just need to switch off from top 40 radio and TV and discover gems like this. Black Keys’ album Brothers is out now.

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2. Drake – Thank Me Later
Drake brought it with this album. After years of feeling like Hip-hop became out of touch, Drake is like braille to me. I’m more drawn to Drake’s singing songs so I forget sometimes Drake is a rapper. Lyrically, Drake is at his best. He’s cocky, witty, personal and sharp throughout the album. Listening to him rap lines like…

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1. Gil Scott-Heron – I’m New Here
Gil Scott Heron’s new album starts with a spoken word piece randomly paired over Kanye West’s “Flashing Lights.” But like most of this folk, blues and electronic leaning album, this works in a quirky way. Gil’s lyrics and metaphors are still on point. It’s lines like “she said I had an ego the size of Texas” or “Not running for cover, because if I knew where cover was, I would stay there and never have to run” that should make all these emcees step their pen game up. Track highlights include “New York is Killing Me,” “Where Did The Night Go” and the passion filled ballad “I’ll Take Care of You.”