When all is said and done, people will look back on 2012 and call it the year of Frank Ocean. Just 24, the Los Angeles-based singer possesses a musical knowledge that’s wiser than his years. He was the musical guest on the season premiere of Saturday Night Live. He received rave notices for his headlining tour and various festival appearances. His first full-length release, the brilliant channel ORANGE, entered the Billboard Albums chart at #2. And oh yeah, his six Grammy nominations including Album, Record (for “Thinkin Bout You”) and Best New Artist, were tied for the most of any artist this year.

All of the accolades thrown Ocean’s way are not only deserving, but perhaps even understated. It’s been a long time since a much-hyped album backed up the big talk and was unanamiously proclaimed as the album of the year. Yet that’s what he did. Ocean’s lyrical imagery is some of the best that’s been written in a long time. If you aren’t convinced, then take a listen to “Super Rich Kids” his put down of well, super rich kids, “Pyramids” where he sings about a stripper named Cleopatra yet goes back to ancient Egypt for his content and the more telling “Forrest Gump” and “Bad Religion.” The latter two songs are going to be part of Ocean’s legacy: speaking out as a gay man. That’s unheard of in R&B, yet the singer has taken every stereotype and smashed it down.

Let no one tell you otherwise, but channel Orange is a modern day masterpiece, which is why we’re proud to honor it as the Best New Album of 2012.