The "TOP" in the search query usually indicated a blog post that was "pinned" or highly voted on forums like forum.wi ** (censored) or Reddit's now-banned r/hiphopheads piracy threads. "TOP" meant the fastest download speed, the highest quality MP3 (usually 320kbps VBR), and a zip that didn't require a password.
Note: This article is written for historical and archival purposes. Sharebeast was shut down by the U.S. government in 2015, and downloading copyrighted music without permission is illegal. This piece explores why the search query existed and how to legally access the album today. If you were an active member of the hip-hop blogosphere between 2012 and 2015, the phrase “TOP— Download Juicy J Stay Trippy Zip Sharebeast” probably triggers a very specific, hazy nostalgia. TOP-- Download Juicy J Stay Trippy Zip Sharebeast
In 2015, the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) scored a massive victory. Sharebeast was shuttered. Domain seizures occurred. All those "TOP" links turned into 404 errors. Simultaneously, Apple Music (2015) and the ubiquity of Spotify changed user behavior. Convenience beat hoarding. The "TOP" in the search query usually indicated