1. Lil Wayne: The Carter IV- April
– Besides 2Pac, Lil Wayne is the only artist to have a number one album behind bars. Before his bid last February, he released his Rock-N-Roll inspired album Rebirth. – The album was well received by critics but many wondered when the world was going to see Wayne get back into hip-hop form and grace the mic. Before imprisonment, he jumped back into the studio and recorded new material for an album so the people wouldn’t forget about him when he went away.
He dropped his EP titled I am Not a Human Being last September. It was certified gold. Since fresh from jail, he jumped on Birdman’s “Fire Flame” Remix, hopped on Diddy’s last train to Paris and has got the streets on smash with “6 foot 7” foot featuring Corey Gunz.
Wayne proves to be back in his old form and looks to be better then ever. We never question Lil Wayne’s ability to be a lyrical monster; but, the question still remains, can he sell million copies again?
2. Wiz Khalifa : Untitled- May
– Khalifa is hands down the breakout artist of 2010. The Pittsburgh MC sent the Internet into a frenzy when he dropped Kush & Orange Juice.
His smooth swagged out flow has made him hip-hop’s most sought after artist. Before he became mainstream, he dropped a series of classic mixtapes and sold out his Wake-N-Bake Tour across the country to build his brand to what it is today.
His smash single “Black & Yellow” peaked at no. 8 on the Billboard charts. He is currently in the lab working on his Atlantic Records debut untitled. After a year he had last year, I’m sure Wiz wont disappoint his Taylors.
3. Dr. Dre: Detox- April
– For the last couple of years, Dr. Dre has been crafting his Detox album. In his new interview with XXL Magazine, Dre stated that working on albums for Eminem, 50 Cent and Game, sidetracked him from working on the album.
With a new focus and working with hot artists of today, Dre is determined to prove the hype wrong and show that he is and always will be the greatest hip- hop producer of our time.
With his riding buddy Snoop assisting on his new buzz single “Kush,” which peaked at no. 39 on the billboard charts, Dre still shows that he will give us a classic hip hop album.
4. Jay-Z & Kanye West: Watch the Throne- March
– Kanye West made a strong comeback from a disastrous end of 2009. Taking a hiatus in Hawaii to record his new album, Kanye regained his elite status in hip-hop with his story album My Dark Twisted Fantasy while Jay-Z took 2010 to gain even more money.
They decided to retreat to Europe to record their joint album. On Jan. 11, they released their first single. H.A.M. produced by Bricksquad producer and hip-hop’s hottest beatmaker Lex Luger. Both men on one album will certainly be legendary.
5. Lupe Fiasco: Lasers- March
After a few mishaps with a few singles, fans sent a letter to Atlantic records petitioning Lasers to come out.
Weeks after the fans protested, Lupe stood in front of an audience and explained why his album hasn’t come out and why Atlantic records hasn’t supported his album.
Days after, Lupe resigned with Atlantic and has been releasing bangers ever since. On New Years Eve, he dropped his new song called “Show must go on.” He also dropped the video the same day.
Lupe’s album has managed to be one of the most anticipated artists of 2011. He’s sure to put Chi-town back on his back with his upcoming release.
6. J. Cole: Untitled
– Cole is the come-up artist of 2010 period. Roc Nations first rapper, J. Cole has kept his hip hop fans pleased for the last two years. He managed to drop three classic mixtapes, as well as hot features on Jay-Z album, rocked out with Miguel and had the world screamin’, “Who Dat Who dat?”
Last November, he dropped the critically acclaimed mixtape Friday Night Lights. Anybody that has any sense of music knows that J.Cole is real honest in his music.
Graduating college then making music that has substance is what makes the North Carolina native stand out from the rest of the pack. His debut will not disappoint
7. Rick Ross: God Forgives, Not I- November
Besides Eminem, no other rapper had a better year in 2010 than Rick Ross.
Time Magazine & People magazine named his album the 2nd best hip hop albums of 2010 behind Kanye West. He dropped street anthem after street anthem that rattled every speaker in every club to every hood in America. His fourth album Teflon Don went certified gold to date.
Ross is on the hottest remixes, hottest r&b songs and partnered with diddy for more marketing exposure. On Christmas Eve, he dropped Ashes 2 Ashes mixtape.
With a new album in the mix, successful record label going , clothing line in the works and an alcohol beverage later this year, the skies the limit for the Boss.
For those who think Ross wont deliver again, well hey, just look at his album title. Rozay!
8. Drake: Take Care- October
– He has been dubbed hip-hop’s most relatable rapper. Everything this kid touches is gold.
Whether it’s his song or a feature, you can always bob your head to his songs while relating to him at the same time. He captures what most people call an emotional portrait of lyrics.
His Debut Album Thank Me Later went on and scanned close to 2 million copies and was nominated for this years Grammy’s best hip-hop album of 2010.
Drake said he is already 3 songs deep on his new album Take Care and is looking forward having people adapt to his new sound with his producer 40.
Will Drake prove critics wrong on his 2nd album or will he catch the sophomore jinx?
9. Game: R.E.D. Album- April
– The world wants to know when the Compton MC will drop his long delayed R.E.D. album.
With three solid mixtapes under his belt the last year and a half proved that the west coast giant is still a force to be reckoned with.
He’s back in the lab with Dr. Dre and signed with Pharrell at Star Trek Records to help his commercial success. Game had people’s ears wide open when he released the 20 minute freestyle ‘400 bars’ last summer.
Game told XXL magazine that he has beats from all of the hottest producers and the artist he worked with on the R.E.D. album will be shocking.
His last three album releases has been classics so his fourth one wont be any different.
With momentum from Dre, Snoop Dogg and newcomer Nipsey Hussle , it’s time to put L.A where it needs to be again.
10. Young Jeezy: TM 103..?
– Beef with Gucci Mane…. “Scared Money” featuring Lil Wayne… “Lose My Mind” featuring Plies…Trap or Die 2 Mixtape… “All White Everything”…Beef with Rick Ross…”Jizzle” featuring Lil John…1000 Grams mixtape…
Where’s TM 103?