The 15 Most Anticipated Hip-Hop/Rap Albums Of 2014
There was plenty of great Hip-Hop music in 2013 but the new year has arrived and it's time to look ahead to what we can expect to be listening to in the next 12 months. We've compiled a list of 15 albums which are expected to arrive in retail sometime within the year. Some of the projects listed are albums that have been recently announced while others might be one's that were meant to release in 2013 but never came due to label issues, sample clearances, or because they simply weren't ready. Long-awaited LP's such as Jay Electronica's 'Act II: Patents of Nobility' and Dr. Dre's 'Detox' were kept off the list as there's no confirmation to whether they're coming in 2014 or ever for that matter (especially the latter).
Take a look at our '15 Most Anticipated Hip-Hop/Rap Albums Of 2014' list below.
Your Most Anticipated?
15. Wale & Jerry Seinfeld - 'Album About Nothing'
Long time fans of Wale know the Washington D.C.-bred rapper is no stranger to incorporating comedian Jerry Seinfeld in his music. The MMG signee previously used dialogue samples from the popular 90s Television comedy 'Seinfeld' all throughout his mixtapes 'More About Nothing' and 'Mixtape About Nothing'. Wale's hard work caught the attention of Seinfeld leading them to jump in the studio together for 'Album About Nothing'. No release date set.
14. ScHoolboy Q - 'Oxymoron'
West Coast artist ScHoolboy Q has been looking to release his first major record label album 'Oxymoron' for some time now. The TDE rapper originally planned to deliver the album in 2013 but failed to give fans a concrete release date due to sample clearance issues. No worries, the wait will be over soon as Q recently announced 'Oxymoron' is due out in stores on February 25th. Expect features from Kendrick Lamar, A$AP Rocky, Ab-Soul, Suga Free, and possibly 50 Cent.
13. Lupe Fiasco - 'Testuo & Youth'
Lupe Fiasco plans to put the focus back on music on his fifth studio album 'Testuo & Youth'. It's no secret the Chicago rapper hasn't been shy about integrating his political opinion on past projects but this time around he promises to bring back that "ratchet" sound we heard on his pre-'Food & Liquor' days. No release date set yet but the Ed Sheeran-assisted first single 'Old School Love' is out now.
12. Fabolous - 'Loso's Way 2: Rise To Power'
Ever since Fabolous delayed his sixth studio album 'Loso's Way 2: Rise To Power from it's original release date of June 18th, we've yet to hear any new updates surface on the project. Sure Fab might not sell a stellar amount of album copies but the Brooklyn MC's buzz will always remain due to the success of his past work. Let's hope the campaign for 'Loso's Way 2: Rise To Power' gets back going again soon.
11. Future - 'Honest'
While Future's sophomore album 'Honest' suffered a delay from it's original November release date, there's been no lack of fresh content from the Atlanta rapper. Whether it's new records or just guest features, Future fans have been eating the past few weeks. The quality has been consistent but the truth is Future is leaving his best melodies for 'Honest'. The ATLien even has a Andre 3k collaboration titled ‘Benz B**ch’ saved up for us. No release date set.
10. Wiz Khalifa - 'Blacc Hollywood'
Wiz Khalifa has something special worked up for us with his junior album 'Blacc Hollywood'. The Pittsburgh MC has already revealed we can expect features from Adele, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, and possibly even Lady Gaga. Wiz' core fans won't be too happy about those features but his record label Atlantic Records will surely enjoy it. No release date set.
9. Rick Ross - 'Mastermind'
ScHoolboy Q, Fabolous, and Future aren't the only ones dealing with delays. Def Jam's Rick Ross was due to deliver his sixth studio LP 'Mastermind' on December 17th but ended up pushing back the LP with no announcement of a new release date. The Miami resident did give us his Jay Z-assisted single 'The Devil Is A Lie' last month but the KE On The Track-produced tune doesn't seem to be getting much love on the radio. Ross is capable of a big single and once he gets it, it's go time for 'Mastermind'.
8. 50 Cent - 'Street King Immortal'
It's been five years since the release of 50 Cent's last album 'Before I Self Destruct' and still no follow-up album. It's not as if the G-Unit boss hasn't been trying. Fif has given us solid singles in 'My Life' and the Kendrick Lamar-assisted 'We Up' but still has yet to receive full backing from Interscope Records. Let's hope 2014 is the year 50 solves his issues with the label and we finally get a listen to 'Street King Immortal'.
——————————————–7. T.I.- 'Paperwork: The Motion Picture'
'Trouble Man: He Who Wears The Crown' is no more (for now). T.I. recently revealed in an Interview with MTV his next LP will be titled 'Paperwork: The Motion Picture' and the executive-producer of the project will be none other than Pharrell. With the exception of 'Amazing', Tip and Skateboard P have always churned out quality work so set your expectations high for this one. No release date set.
——————————————–6. Pusha T - 'King Push'
After a successful debut with his 'My Name Is My Name' album in 2013, Pusha T has already begun working on the follow-up project 'King Push'. The G.O.O.D Music signee recently posted pictures of him in the studio with production duo Pharrell and Chad Hugo, who you may also know as The Neptunes. The chemistry between the two parties is definitely there considering they worked extensively on The Clipse's albums 'Lord Willin', 'Hell Hath No Fury', & 'Til the Casket Drops'. No release date set.
——————————————–5. Nas - Untitled
Nas has kept details about his forthcoming 11th studio album on the hush. What we do know is he has a major collaboration with Timbaland, Jay Z, and Justin Timberlake saved up for us titled 'Sinatra In The Sands'. 2014 also marks the 20th anniversary of Nas' critically-acclaimed debut album 'Illmatic' and the Queensbridge MC has already stated he plans to throw a concert to commemorate the milestone. Expect a big year from Nas.
——————————————–4. Pharrell - Untitled
Pharrell did more than his part on guest features in 2013 and in 2014 he plans to deliver his own solo album. The 40-year old artist/producer has already inked a deal with Columbia Records and has chosen the feel-good tune 'Happy' as the lead single. Considering the connections Skateboard P has in the music industry and the quality music he contines to put out, this is one to look forward to.
——————————————–3. Kanye West - Untitled
While we had to wait three years for the follow-up album to 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy', the same won't apply to Kanye West's currently untitled seventh studio LP. 'Ye recently told Philly's Power 99 he's been recording new music and hopes to release the album in the summer of 2014. It'll be interesting to see if the Chicago artist decides to bring the same energy 'Yeezus' had or if he goes a different direction.
——————————————–2. Nicki Minaj - Untitled
We didn't get a new Nicki Minaj album in 2013 but that didn't stop her from keeping a strong presence in the music industry thanks to countless guest features. Now she plans on taking that momentum into 2014 for the release of her currently untitled third studio album. Details are here and there about the album but if Nicki sticks to what she told Hot 97's Peter Rosenberg last year, we can expect less pop and more Hip-Hop. Producers rumored to be contributing include Pharrell and Mike Will Made It. No release date set.
——————————————–1. Kendrick Lamar - Untitled
Now with the 'Yeezus' tour over, Kendrick Lamar is off the road and back in studio prepping for the follow-up to his 2012 major label debut 'good kid, m.A.A.d city'. The bar is set high for the Compton MC with the success of his last album and details on the project have been slim. No release date set but don't expect Kendrick to gift us until the latter part of 2014.
Photo Credit: BET