Although we're already five months through 2012, some of the most exciting Hip Hop albums for a while are due out before the end of this year;
- SpaceGhostPurrp - Chronicles of SpaceGhostPurrp
- Label: 4AD
- Release Date: 12th June
- Features: Raider Klvn
- Production: SpaceGhostPurrp
- Notable Singles: 'Get Yah Head Bust' & 'No Evidence'
After some impressive production for artists like Wiz Khalifa, A$AP Rocky and features with his Raider Klan, the A$AP Mob and MetroZu..it's time for the 'Spaced God' to deliver his debut album on British album 4AD; home to artists like Joker, Grimes & Zomby.
- Waka Flocka Flame - Triple F Life
- Label: Bricksquad & Warner Music
- Release Date: 12th June
- Features: Drake, Trey Songz, B.O.B, Meek Mill, Nicki Minaj
- Production: Lex Luger, Soutside, Neptunes, Tyler The Creator, Kanye West
- Notable Singles: 'Round of Applause' & 'I Don't Really Care'
After a difficult year in which the MC considered retirement, Waka has continued to bring out quality music in the masses. Releasing no less that NINE mixtapes and an Album last year - some collaborative efforts with artists such as Gucci Mane, Slim Dunkin and French Montana ...the artists hustle cannot be questioned. Expect this project to be a big one for Waka, with huge features and production from pretty much an all star cast..it's hard to see where he's going to go wrong.
- French Montana - Excuse My French
- Label: Bad Boy Inc
- Release Date: 17th July
- Features: Rick Ross
- Production: Lex Luger, Harry Fraud & Play N' Skillz
- Notable Singles: 'Shot Caller'
French Montana had a big 2011, releasing one of the biggest bangers of the year in 'Shot Caller' and featuring on Rick Ross's huge 'Stay Schemin''. I don't doubt Montana as a rapper - he's definitely recognisable....and he's also got a talent with hooks...but i'm interested to hear what a full album will sound like. His presence in the industry eventually led to his first major label deal; inked with Bad Boy and with full backing from Diddy, it's safe to say that the album is something to look forward to.
- Nas - Life Is Good
- Label: Def Jam
- Release Date: 17th July
- Features: Rick Ross
- Production: RZA, Salaam Remi, No I.D, Bangladesh
- Notable Singles: 'Nasty', 'Daughters'
Not much music has come from the Queens rapper since his collaborative album with Damian Marley; 'Distant Relatives'. But after some stellar features on Rick Ross's 'Triple Beam Dreams', Lil Wayne's 'Carter IV and Tyga's 'Careless World' it feels that one of Hip Hop's true great lyricist's is back grinding away. With production rumours ranging from Swizz Beatz, DJ Premier, Dre, Kanye West and Rza to name a few....it's exciting to see Nas back.
- G.O.O.D Music Artists - G.O.O.D Music
- Label: G.O.O.D Music/ Island Def Jam
- Release Date: Estimated Spring
- Features: 2 Chainz
- Production: Hit-Boy, Kanye West, S1 & Lifted
- Notable Singles: 'Mercy' & 'I Don't Like (Remix)'
Where to start with G.O.O.D Music. With artists varying from; Kanye, Big Sean, Pusha T, Kid Cudi, Mos Def, Q Tip and more, and the production roster looks as strong with beat makers like; Hit Boy, Kanye himself and Lifted amongst others. With some of the most exciting names (Chief Keef and 2 Chainz) featuring on the only tracks we have from the album..you can't help but think what Kanye has planned for this one.
- A$AP Rocky - LONGLIVEA$AP
- Label: Sony RCA/ A$AP Worldwide
- Release Date: Estimated July/August
- Features: Schoolboy Q
- Production: Clams Casino, Pharell, Boi1Da, Hit-Boy & T-Minus
- Notable Singles: 'Goldie'
Probably the biggest breakout artist in Hip Hop from 2011.. A$AP Rocky and his Mob gained a huge amount of popularity off of 'Purple Swag' and 'Peso' along with his mixtapes 'LiveLoveA$AP' and Deep Purple. His emergence led to a $3million deal with Sony and a huge amount of expectation for the artist's first album. Lets hope his first track from the project; a collaborative effort with Hit-Boy is a sign of strong things for 'LONGLIVEA$AP'.
- Rick Ross - God Forgives I Don't
- Label: Maybach Music/ Def Jam
- Release Date: 31st July
- Features: Drake, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj
- Production: Lex Luger, Just Blaze, Beat Bully, Justice League
- Notable Singles: 'I Love My Bitches' & 'You Tha Boss'
Does Rick Ross need any sort of introduction? Although it's been two years since his last album; Teflon Don...the Boss continues to release both good and relatively mainstream music - he's one of the only artists that manages to convert great production, unique rapping and an astronomical amount of features into chart success. 'Rich Forever' was one of the most successful mixtapes of all time..my bet is the album doesn't come far off.
- Tyler the Creator - Wolf
- Label: Odd Future/ XL Recordings
- Release Date: Estimated Summer 2012
- Features: Frank Ocean, Earl Sweatshirt, Hodgy Beats, Domo Genesis.
- Production: Tyler The Creator, Left Brain
- Notable Singles: 'Analog 2'
Similarly to A$AP Rocky and the mob...it took a few youtube video's for the whole of Hip Hop to be talking about Odd Future and Tyler. Tylers 'Yonkers' and his brother's self entitled 'Earl' both hit youtube along with an insane amount of virals and hilarious skate video's of the LA Collective. Needless to say, pretty much every label tried to sign them in any way they could - but only XL who released Tyler's last album; 'Goblin' and Sony; who offered Odd Future their own imprint came up trumps. It's still unsure if XL are going to release 'Wolf' or whether the third instalment of the trilogy will come through Odd Future Recs...either way, with Tyler you know it's always an interesting result to say the least.
- 2 Chainz - Based on a T.R.U Story
- Label: Def Jam
- Release Date: 14th August
- Features: Drake, Kanye West
- Production: Drumma Boy, Kanye West, Mike Will
- Notable Singles: 'No Lie'
Tity Boi a.k.a 2 Chainz returned to the game in 2011, quickly becoming one of Hip Hop's biggest names after he dropped his mixtape 'T.R.U Realigion'. Along with anthem 'Spend It' the Georgian rapper featured on a host of big tracks including 'Yao Ming', Wiz's 'It's Nuthin' amongst a load of tracks on mix tapes from Gucci, Juicy J and Rick Ross. A lot of people question 2 Chainz as an MC, I for one rate him highly, but the question has to be asked...is he just one of the best feature artists around? Either way, 2012 will be a big test for him, by the end of the year I expect to hear everyone shouting out '2 Chaaaaaaaainz'.
- Wiz Khalifa - O.N.I.F.C
- Label: Rostrum Records/Atlantic Records
- Release Date: 28th August
- Features: The Weeknd, Mac Miller, 2 Chainz, Chris Brown, Cam'ron, Adam Levine
- Production: StarGate, Harry Fraud, 1500 or Nuthin, Benny Blanco, Pharrell
- Notable Singles: 'Work Hard, Play Hard' & 'Make Me Remember You'
After his debut album 'Rolling Papers' was released, a lot of fans found themselves disappointed. Not only did Wiz lean towards a more commercially appealing sound, but he left no space for tracks that people expect to hear him on. But since then, Wiz has been back making Taylor music with mixtape 'Taylor Allderdice' and an array of tracks ranging from 'It's Nuttin', 'Till I Die' and a lot of collaborative work with Juicy J. There's no doubt that the album is going to have some commercial appeal to it, but it seems that Wiz is finally mastering the art of crossing over his Taylor Gang sound with mainstream success.
Honourable Mentions;
- Dr Dre - Detox (Is it ever going to come out?)
- Kanye West & Jay Z - WTT 2 (Will it come out this year?)
- Maybach Music Group - Self Made Vol 2
- Curren$y - The Stoned Immaculate
- DMX - Undisputed
- Cam'ron - More Gunz Less Buttah
- T.I - Trouble Man
- E-40 - The Block Brochure
- Chris Brown - Fortune
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