By L.D.Williams Jr.
With 2007 firmly behind us that means it is obviously a new year and a new year means new music. 2007 was an exciting year in music Mims' single " This is Why I'm Hot' was played in heavy rotation. Soulja Boy also had everyone trying to do his dance. 50 Cent and Kanye West engaged in an epic battle over record sales while Jay-Z's tenth solo album American Gangster was more proof that he is one of hip hop's true relics. Lupe Fiasco closed out 2007 with his sophomore effort arguably the best album of the year Lupe Fiasco's The Cool. My brief synopsis of the year does not do justice to other top tier releases by artists like: Redman, Pharaoh Monch, Havoc, Ghostface Killa, Scarface, Styles P and many others. However with that said it is time to focus on the highly anticipated solo projects of the new year.
Honorable Mention
Artist: Cam'Ron Album #: 6 Scheduled to be released: TBD
The album is anticipated because: Cam'ron promised a hot summer last year when he fired a lyrical shot at 50 Cent then he went on a hiatus until November of 2007. The hiatus was definitely not the Harlem native ducking and running for cover. His mother had a series of strokes and he understandably put rap music on the backburner. He broke his long standing silence with a double mixtape that he dubbed Public Enemy #1. Cam'ron also admitted to having problems with his record label Asylum Records but they seem to be under control. Now that his mother is situated and he has come to some sort of consensus with his label Cam'ron can focus on making music. " Now I'm looking to drop the album in February or March, 2008" Cam'ron told Miss Info recently. The mixtape was a nice gesture for his loyal fans but his album will his official return to the spotlight it is going to hear the content of the album after all of his personal issues. This album will also be the follow up to Killa Season the lowest selling album of his career.
Cam'ron has plenty of ammunition to deliver strong album that can be commercially and critically successful but only time will tell if that is possible.
Artist: Rick Ross Title: Trilla Album #: 2 Scheduled to be released: February 19th, 2008
The album is anticipated because: Rick Ross owned the summer of 2006 with his single 'Hustlin'. His debut album sold over 700, 000 copies and he is now ready to battle the sophomore jinx. The album was supposed to be released in the stacked fourth quarter of 2007.Sample and clearance issues forced the delay of the album. "We had a few clearance issues, including one song produced by DJ Toomp. "It's called This Me and it's a real personal record for me, so I wanted to make sure it got on the album. Toomp produced White House on my first record and we made magic."
Artist: 50 Cent Title: Before I self Destruct Album #: 4 Scheduled to be released: March or April 2008
The album is anticipated because: 50 Cent struggled to platinum sales with his last release Curtis. For any other artist barely reaching platinum status would be a crowning achievement but for the golden standard of hip hop Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson that is an underwhelming effort compared to his previous two efforts. 50 Cent has such a strong proven track record of success the 50 should respond with a strong follow up to his first critically and commercially lukewarm offering.
Artist: Q-Tip Title: The Renaissance Album #: 2 Scheduled to be released: February 2008
The album is anticipated because: Q-Tip is the front man of the influential group A Tribe Called Quest. His 1999 debut Amplified spawned moderate radio hits 'Vibrant Thing' and 'Breathe and Stop'. Since then he has recorded two albums Kamaal the Abstract and Open and both albums have failed to see commercial release because the label claimed that the projects were 'not commercial enough'.
If Q-Tip is lucky enough to release this album hip hop fns are virtually guaranteed to release a critically acclaimed follow up. Let's all pray that it is commercial enough so that the album make it to the shelves.
Artist: Lil Wayne Title: The Carter 3 Album #: 6 Scheduled to be released: February 2008
The album is anticipated because: The New Orleans native was by far the hardest working man in hip hop a year ago. It seemed like he released a mixtape weekly. When he wasn't releasing mixtapes he was making guest appearances on everyone's albums from Playaz Circle to Kanye West.
His constant mixtape presence makes his album highly anticipated. I can almost guarantee that Lil Wayne would be higher on anybody else's list but he doesn't even place here because of the saturation that started in late 2006 and continued into 2007. He is definitely talented and he has a lot of momentum but he hasn't been away enough for his album to be highly anticipated.
The Top 5
5. Artist: AZ Title: Undeniable Album #: 7 Scheduled to be released: March 2008
The album is anticipated because: AZ is the quietly consistent veteran. He burst on to the scene on Nas' classic debut Illmatic. He has since played musical chairs with several different record labels but has since settled with KOCH records. While he has never been commercial juggernaut in terms of sales as solo artist he has always put out good music. Expect the Brooklyn MC's seventh album to be no different.
It is possible but I do not expect AZ to release a groundbreaking single but I do expect him to do what he has always done make strong music for his fans.
4. Artist: Ludacris Title: Theater of the Mind Album #: 6 Scheduled to be released: 2008
The album is anticipated because: Ludacris is one of the most talented rap artists of all time. He has the most Top 40, Top 25 and Top 10 hits of all time with four. He is also a Grammy nominated rapper. He has gone at least platinum with each of his first five Def Jam releases.
Theater of the Mind should add to his impressive resume. His last album Release Therapy was released in 2006 and featured the single 'Money Maker'. The song was a number one hit his first one in several years. He also won Album of the Year and Song of the Year for his album 'Release Therapy' and his song 'Money Maker'.
In 2008 Ludacris has to prove that he can do what he has always done, put together a good album.
3. Artist: Joe Budden Title: Padded Room Album #: 2 Scheduled to be released: TBD
The album is anticipated because: Joe Budden is an enigmatic star. He released his debut album on 2003 and it went gold behind the strength of the single 'Pump It Up'. After the release of his debut he went on to fall in to obscurity.
He tried to release his follow up album titled The Growth but he had several false starts and numerous delays that he attributed to his label Def Jam. He had a strained relationship with his label and was finally granted his release.
At the end of last year he signed a contract with Amalglam Digital. His new label will start the year off releasing a retail version of his mixtape Mood Musik 3. They will follow this up with the long awaited follow up to his Def Jam debut. This album is highly anticipated because of the long wait and the issues that have been well documented leading up to this albums release. Budden also whet his fan's appetites with three very good mixtapes. The album will also be the first where everything Budden needs: a label home and support is intact it is going to be if he will be able to exceed what he has done on his mixtapes.
2. Artist: The Game Title: LAX Album #: 3 Scheduled to be released: June 2008
The album is anticipated because: It seems like just yesterday that The Game was a flag flying member of G-Unit. He stood along side hip hop's golden boy 50 Cent and released his single 'This Is How We Do' as a segue to his multi platinum debut The Documentary.
The Game's stint in G-Unit was short and a subsequent feud followed. The Game and exchanged disses like coworkers at a Secret Santa convention. In the midst of this feud his working relationship with his mentor and legend in his own right Dr. Dre deteriorated and as of press time allegedly no longer exists.
In the middle of his feud with G-Unit and anyone else that crossed him wrong he released his sophomore effort The Doctor's Advocate in 2006. The album sold well debuting at number one on the Billboard charts. The lead single was 'One Blood' and it featured remix that had what seemed like the whole rap world on it.
As he gets ready for this album he is in a different place. He has allegedly planning to make this album his last hence its position on the list. This time around there is no beef with G-Unit or anyone else for that matter and this project is going to serve as the California native's swan song.
It's going to be interesting to see if the former basketball player turned rapper's last album is a three at the buzzer or a brick off of the rim.
1. Artist: Nas Title: Nigger Album #: 9 Scheduled to be released: February 2008
The album is anticipated because: In the vein of Carl Van Vechten the author of the 1926 novel Nigger Heaven, Nas will have the word Nigger in the title of his body of work. His ninth studio album's title has raised the brow of several people in the world of hip hop. He has drawn the support of his rival turned associate Jay-Z, Lupe Fiasco and many others. Ice Cube and Snoop Dogg have even offered to guest on his project.
Despite having the support of some he has had a few detractors. 50 Cent has said that Nas wants to go for shock value to generate interest in his project. If he is trying to get a conversation started he surely was successful.
Nas has a track record of delivering quality music but now he has elicited a lot of controversy now it is up to him to deliver. Can he deliver on the pre-album hype or will this album be all hype and no substance.
