Jay-Z-Untitled-TBD
Instead of releasing new music last year, Hov stayed busy raising Blue-Ivy, introducing a liquor line called D’usse, and bringing the Nets back to his hometown Brooklyn. Jay-Z told MTV news last March that he was in “a good place creatively,” and was in the lab working on his 12th LP. He also hinted that we might get a Watch the Throne sequel with Kanye West soon. Three years since his last project, fans are worried how Hov now being a family man, might effect his music, but hey Beyonce is posing half naked for magazine’s(check out GQ’s new issue) and reuniting with Destiny’s Child for the Super Bowl so all signs point to the Carters getting back to the money in 2013. “More gold bottles, more models, spillin’ ace on his sick Jays.”
Drake-Untitled-July
He’s 2/2 in the albums department and there’s no reason to think Drizzy won’t make it 3/3. His last album Take Care was a fantastic musical as it was probably the best produced rap/r&b album of the 2010s so far. He’s toured the world, rumbled (allegedly) with Chris Brown’s crew and moved from Toronto to L.A. Fans are anxious to see if Drake plans to lighten the mood a little or will his sad chronicles continue.
Lil Wayne- I am Not a Human Being II-Feb
Nearly a year and a half since he gave us The Carter IV, Weezy F is back to drop his tenth solo LP, I Am Not A Human Being II. With Kanye-designed album packaging, and production by Mike Will Made It, Juicy J, David Banner and Diplo, the sequel to 2010’s I Am Not A Human Being could be one of Lil Wayne’s best albums to date. Wayne’s already has one with his second and third single from the project, the Future and Drake-assisted “Good Kush and Alcohol,” and “Rich as F***” ft. 2 Chainz. I Am Not a Human Being II could possibly be Lil Wayne’s second to last album. Cash Money head honcho Birdman, who has actually heard the album, spoke about the sound of Weezy’s forthcoming LP. “Just expect greatness, expect something that you never heard before.” The LP will feature cameos from familiar faces like Big Sean, Meek Mill, Juicy J and Nicki Minaj.
Eminem-Untitled-July
Outside of his recent features on singles with Skylar Grey and 50 Cent, we didn’t hear much from Eminem in 2012. During that relative absence from the scene, there’s been strong rumors that we’ll see a follow-up to Recovery from him sometime this year. Anytime Marshall Mathers puts a record out, the hip hop world will stop in its proverbial tracks to listen.
If this project becomes a reality, it’ll be interesting for two reasons. One, it’s Eminem, obviously. Two, his last album went triple platinum, but was extremely divisive among his fan base.
50 Cent-Street King Immortal-Feb.26
After several false starts and label-related delays, 50 Cent’s fifth album is slated to be released on February 26., which is the ten year anniversary of his diamond selling debut Get Rich or Die Tryin. Although many consider him to have fallen off, the four songs released from Street King Immortal suggest otherwise. 50 is in all his classic forms here: “New Day,” featuring Alicia Keys and Dr. Dre is inspirational; “My Life” featuring Eminem and Adam Levine is radio accessible; “First Date” featuring Too Short showcases Fif’s sly wit; “Major Distribution” featuring Snoop Dogg and Young Jeezy is appropriately gangsta. 50 Cent has called this album his “comeback,” so the stakes are high.
Big Sean- Hall of Fame: Memoirs of a Detroit player-March
While Big Sean’s official debut Finally Famous was widely considered a “hit album”, his follow-up mixtape Detroit, won over a whole lot fans for G.O.O.D.’s music adlib machine. Set to drop in March, we’ll have to see how Sean develops, and if he can continue to build off the momentum of his critically acclaimed debut. If the Young Chop produced lead single “Guap” is any indication, this one has a lot of promise. O God!
J. Cole- Born Sinner-April
J. Cole’s first album was a success, both critically and commercially. Now the question is, can he avoid the sophomore slump? Seemingly having no interest in turning any poppier than “Work Out,” Cole’s first single off Born Sinner is the politically charged, “Miss America.” If the lead single is an omen for the album, we’re in for a real treat. Cole initially wanted to release Born Sinner on his birthday, January 28., but said on New Year’s Eve the album will be released on a later date.
Pusha T- My Name is My Name- March
We’ll finally see a proper, solo album from Pusha T over 20 years after he initially entered the Rap game on Clipse’s shelved 1992 album, Exclusive Audio Footage. It’s convenient to assume that trading Neptunes production and Virginia traphouse stories for Kanye West tracks and references to Givenchy creative director, Riccardo Tisci signals some kind of evolution. But Pusha T has always been about what he deems to be “lifestyle music”, minus the coke talk.
Kid Cudi- Indicud-April
Kid Cudi could have easily gone the way of Charles Hamilton and faded into obscurity. After his foray into rock music with WZRD, Cudi is back to rhyming with his third studio album, set to be released in March. The first single off the album is “Just What I Am” featuring King Chip and produced by Cudi. His in-house producer Cudi, will produce other songs on Indicud, and has confirmed he has worked with Kendrick Lamar, Cage, Pusha T, Kanye West, Jaden Smith and J. Cole for the album. Mr. Solo Dolo is drug-free not to mention.