As Summer comes to a close we have one sure thing to look forward to, new music. The releases that are scheduled so far are featured in our sneak peek below.
September 14
Trey Songz – Passion, Pain & Pleasure (Songbook/Atlantic)
Virginia’s native son Trey Songz is one of the first Fall releases out of the gate, soon to be heard in the clubs and in the bedrooms through out the world.
Black Milk – Album of the Year (Fat Beats)
Detroit artist and producer Black Milk not only knows how to craft unique beats but he incorporates actual instrumentation, will be delivering the hip hop goods with his much anticipated release.
Linkin Park – A Thousand Suns (Warner Bros./Machine Shop Recordings)
Embracing new technology while touching on aspects of hip hop, but remaining mostly a Rawk group are Linkin Park with their latest. They are the recording and touring juggernauts most happening in the music world today.
September 21
John Legend & The Roots – Wake Up! (Columbia/G.O.O.D. Music)
Expect Wake Up! to be the critical darling in the year end music polls and potentially grabbing up some Grammys in February 2011, as well.
Rah Digga – Classics (Raw Koncept Records)
Former Flipmode Queen Rah Digga shows us how the real lady of hip hop does it, with style and lyrical flair. Oh, did we mention the album is completely produced by Nottz? Yes, we did!
Ski Beatz – 24 Hour Karate School (DD172/Island/Def Jam)
With producers coming out to the forefront, be sure to add Ski Beatz to the top of the list. A major pillar in establishing Dame Dash’s new music empire, Ski provides a much needed dose of hip hop that we all fell in love with from the beginning.
September 28
Ice Cube – I Am The West (Lynch Mob/EMI)
Bringing back that West Coast sh*t, nuff said!
Young Jeezy – TM 103 (Island/Def Jam/CTE)
Thug Motivation legacy continues, with the BMF stamp of approval of course.
Gucci Mane – The Appeal: Georgia’s Most Wanted (1017/Asylum)
Part 2 of his 3 part trilogy. Part 3 The Final Verdict, assumingly comes out next year. His jeweled Bart Simpson chain thanks you for listening.
Mark Ronson – Record Collection (Columbia/AlliDo)
DJ Mark Ronson teams up with a wide variety of artists for one of the more eclectic records released this Fall. From the ‘too cool for school’ indie rock set to hip hop’s established players like Ghostface Killah and Q-Tip, it all can be heard on one album.
Lil Boosie – Incarcerated (Trill Entertainment/Asylum)
The title says it all. Will there be a ‘Free Boosie’ track?, it remains to be seen.
Joe Budden – The Great Escape (E1)
Joe Budden upped his anty as a member of super group Slaughterhouse. Count on Mr. Budden’s solo album to be on par.
October 5
Pimp C – The Naked Soul of Sweet Jones (Rap-A-Lot)
With Pimp C’s death in 2007, left a huge void in the southern hip hop community. Thankfully with today’s technology we can bring back his spirit and the distinct voice from the UGK team to live yet again in music.
Cassidy – C.A.S.H. (Cass A Straight Hustla) (Larsiny Family/Krossover/E1)
Striking the independent waters, Cassidy lyrically and vocally is sure to slug one out of the park with his upcoming album.
Bruno Mars – Doo-Wops & Hooligans (Elektra)
The ever durable hook man Bruno Mars steps out from the shadows of B.o.B and Travie McCoy to deliver a top notch album for the airwaves and your iPods.
Skyzoo & Illmind – Live From The Tape Deck (Jamla/Duck Down)
Skyzoo, the Crown Heights based MC made an impression last year with his The Salvation release, teams up with producer Illmind to harken back to the sounds that made hip hop what it once was from the tape deck.
Waka Flocka Flame – Flockaveli (1017/Asylum)
Waka hits back with a retail ready mixtape Flockaveli, a prelude to his debut studio album.
Ninja Tune XX Box Set (Ninja Tune)
The Canadian hip hop label celebrates 20 years with an illustrious, jam packed, limited edition box set.
October 12
Gangrene (Alchemist & Oh No) – Gutter Water (Decon)
The artist / producer collaborations continue, this time it’s Alchemist & Oh No – the duo’s outfit know as Gangrene. Gutter Water is sure to make quite a stir with core hip hop listeners out there, who crave this stuff.
Cali Swag – The Kickback (Checkmate Music Group/EMI/Capitol)
The group that taught your 11 year old niece or nephew how to ‘Dougie.’ Now it’s time for Cali Swag to unleash their debut album to prove to the world that they aren’t just a fad.
Nottz – You Need This Music (Raw Koncept Records)
Any Nottz productions are always true hell bent hip hop classics, for sure. Never one to repeat himself, Nottz takes matters into his own hands and produces his very own piece of wax, on his very own label, with his name printed right on the cover.
GLC – Love, Life & Loyalty (EMI)
Love, Life & Loyalty finally sees the light of day. GLC gets Sir Mix Alot on his record and a sample clearance usage from the Boss himself, Bruce Springsteen, whew. All in a days work for GLC.
Far East Movement – Free Wired (CherryTree/Interscope)
Moving beyond race and ethnicity are L.A. based Far East Movement. Expect these boys to pack a music punch, the kind you didn’t see coming, that will knock you off your feet.
7L & Esoteric – 1212 (Fly Casual Records)
These 2 underground hip hop heroes’ team up yet again for their most adventurous and mysterious album to date ’1212.’
October 19
Von Pea – Pea’s Gotta Have It (Interdependent Media)
1/3 team member of the underground super group Tanya Morgan, Von Pea brings the best of both worlds producing (along side Aeon, Brizzo, Brick Beats and Jamie Cooley), but mostly MCing on his debut album.
Shawn Chrystopher – You & Only You (Elitaste)
Earlier this year, Shawn made some noise with his The Audition mixtape. Expect that and more when he releases his debut album.
Ne-Yo – Libra Scale (Island/Def Jam/Compound)
Ne-Yo has explained that his latest upcoming music offering is a ‘concept album.’ Regardless, this hugely popular artist and song crafter is guaranteed to make an impact on the charts and on the publics’ ears.
October 26
Termanology & Statik Selektah – 1982 (Showoff/St. Records)
Already hitting us with 100 Proof: The Hangover earlier this year, Statik now takes fellow statesman Termanology under his DJ/producing wing to make a poignant album that represents the Boston based area, demonstrated throughout with honor and pride.
Pharoahe Monch – W.A.R. We Are Renegades (Duck Down)
With an extensive recording career, Pharoahe finds himself as a independent man ready to finally call his own shots.
Rye Rye – Go! Pop! Bang! (Interscope/N.E.E.T. Recordings)
M.I.A.’s American music sister Rye Rye gets her feet wet with her debut album. Diplo and other producers are said to be involved on this dance/hip hop extravaganza.
Twista – The Perfect Storm (Get Money Gang/EMI)
On board with his Get Money Gang crew is Twista. Chicago hometowners’ No ID and Traxster are some of the producers that Twista is working with on the album.
Mikkey Halsted – The Dark Room (iHiphop)
Yet another Chi-town native coming to the table with new music is Mikkey Halsted. The Dark Room is the album before his upcoming The Photo Album. Listening wise, both are sure to go hand in hand as modern day hip hop classics.
Gorilla Zoe – King Kong (Block Entertainment/Atlantic/E1)
2010 saw Block Entertainment go through some changes, artist roster wise and business wise. These changes though haven’t stopped Gorilla Zoe from making music and continuing to put ATL on the map.
Jim Jones – Capo (E1)
The Diplomats’ figure head Jim Jones holds down the crew with his self monikered release, until the Dips hit us next year with their rumored Interscope group effort album.
Joe Budden – Mood Muzik 4 (E1)
Joe Budden continues his popular mixtape series with Mood Muzik 4.
Doc-ish – Doc Ish Presents: The First Treatment (Universal)
All it takes is producing a hit record with Dr. Dre and Eminem and wham you’re in with a record deal. But there is more to music producer Doc-Ish and will see that proof come October 26th.
November 2
Mariah Carey – Merry Christmas II You (Island/Def Jam)
Mariah goes back to her tried and true formula that worked while she was at the house that Tommy Mottola built at Columbia Records – a Christmas album. Expect Mariah’s release to light up holiday sales this year.
Roscoe Dash – Ready Set Go! (Interscope)
Something is to be said about Roscoe Dash. After recording one verse with ATL group Travis Porter, Roscoe walked away with a recording contract from Interscope and is now poised to take on the world.
Soulja Boy – Dre (ColliPark/Interscope)
He’s come a long way from his Fruity Loops, DC comic book super hero dance hit. At ripe age of 20, Soulja Boy is ready to unveil his 3rd album.
Rihanna – TBA (Island/Def Jam)
Aligning with Enimen for their hit “Love the Way You Lie” and embarking on a highly successful world tour has raised Rihanna’s profile. Can she keep up the momentum with her new release?
November 9
Yelawolf – Trunk Muzik 0 To 60 (Interscope/Ghet-O-Vision Entertainment)
SXSW 2010 music conference bidding war champion, the most talked about artist of the year, Yelawolf roars to life with his much anticipated release.
David Banner & 9th Wonder – Death Of A Pop Star (Big Face)
North Carolina and Mississippi state parallel producer duo will pour their magic potion of hip hop over us with this album.
Smif N Wessun & Pete Rock – Monumental (Duck Down)
As the title implies, the Smif N Wessun and Pete Rock team up will be truly monumental.
Webbie – TBA (Asylum/Trill Entertainement)
Boosie’s partner in crime Webbie will be snaring listeners this Fall with his new release.
Kid Cudi – Man On The Moon 2: The Legend Of Mr. Rager (Universal/Motown)
Lately Kid Cudi has been a victim of street date bumps. Street date bumps can be a bad thing, but for Kid Cudi it’s a good thing. Out to get the best street date, where his latest single can catch fire by the time of release and to get to the front of the line for this year’s 4th quarter new releases isn’t a bad thing at all folks, not bad at all.
November 16
Nelly – Nelly 5.0 (Derrty/Motown/Universal)
Over the past few years, Nelly has probably made more money outside of music with his Apple Bottom Jeans company, his fragrance line, etc. Will Nelly the music artist prove that he has staying power? We shall see.
Kanye West – Dark Twisted Fantasy (Island/Def Jam/G.O.O.D.)
After all the tantrums and publictiy stunts, Kanye went back to his paradise bunker in Hawaii to work with some of the best and brightest in hip hop doing what he loves doing – making great music. Emerging as a new man with a new plan, Kanye has been unpeeling his newly recorded gems in the form of G.O.O.D. Music Friday, while taking advantage of the latest in social media platforms to deliver his message to the people. Come November, it’ll be a G.O.O.D. A** Job.
November 23
Nicki Minaj – Pink Friday (Young Money/Cash Money/Universal)
Men want her and women want to be her or at least her seemingly life of luxury. Proof of Nicki’s rapping and musical skills will be in the pink pudding, as they say and the hype leading up to this release will be absolutely deafening.
Tron Legacy – Soundtrack (Walt Disney Records)
Some time after turkey day, all of us will be in the theaters checking out Disney’s up to date remake. French duo Daft Punk provide the soundtrack.
Lloyd Banks – H.F.M. 2 (Hunger for More 2) (EMI/G-Unit/Thisis50.com)
This year’s ’Beamer, Benz, or Bentley’ became an international smash hit that broke Mr. Banks wide open once again. The G-Unit boys now take their much earned poker chips to EMI Label Services as their new marketing and recording home.
December 7
Cee-Lo Green – The Lady Killer (Elektra)
As a member of Goodie Mob and Gnarls Barkley, Cee-lo Green comes with his 3rd solo outing. Cee-Lo’s The Lady Killer may turn out to be 3rd time is the charm, especially with the phenomenal success of the “F*ck You” track and the heighten media presence of his soon to be airing weekly TV series “Lay It Down” premiering this Fall on FUSE.
December 14
Drake – Thank Me Later (Dlx Ed) (Young Money/Cash Money/Universal)
Coming back to hit us up again is Drake with his deluxe version of ‘Thank Me Later.’ It’s unclear what the deluxe bonus material will be, but fans will line up yet again for this one.
via HipHopUpdate
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