Most Anticipated Hip Hop Albums of 2010
Drake - Thank Me Later One of the hottest new MCs, Drake has dumbfounded fans and haters alike by rising so quickly through the game and becoming one of the most buzzed about new rappers since 50 Cent or Kanye West.
Drake made his name as an actor on hit Canadian teen show "Degrassi: The Next Generation" but was able to crossover into the music world by his sheer talent and a little bit of help with a Lil' Wayne co-sign.
After Lil' Wayne started bringing the young kid out on tour, Drake blew up, with his mixtape "So Far Gone" going on to set records as one of the most critically acclaimed mixtapes in years.
Look for "Thank Me Later" to be one of the most controversial and much talked about albums in recent years when it drops in early 2010.
Nicki Minaj - TBA This young, up and coming female MC has been making waves in the hip hop scene with her unique style which mixes Asian fashion with modern Gaga-weirdness into what she calls "Harajuku Barbie.
" Herself a mix of African, Trinidadian and Indo-Asian roots, Minaj has amassed a following of young girls who see in her a new, strong female role model and guys who are floored by her looks and her skills on the mic.
With her hype building she is set to release her debut record in early or mid-2010.
Look for it to be one of the bigger hip-hip records of the year if Minaj can hook up with the right producers and get some good guest spots, which shouldn't be a problem.
Gucci Mane - The State Vs.
Radric Davis: The Appeal Everyone buy knows the story about how Gucci Mane was released from jail for an assault charge in 2006 but went back to jail in 2008 for parole violation and not completing the required community service hours.
He was released after 6 months and immediately went to work, recording a huge amount of work, enough he says for more than one record.
His second album saw the light of day right before he went back to jail again for parole violation and Gucci says it was only the first in a trilogy, with the second release "The Appeal" coming out in early 2010, made up of tracks he recorded before his most recent stint in jail.
If it is anywhere as near as good as the first it should be one of the most anticipated albums of 2010.
Drake made his name as an actor on hit Canadian teen show "Degrassi: The Next Generation" but was able to crossover into the music world by his sheer talent and a little bit of help with a Lil' Wayne co-sign.
After Lil' Wayne started bringing the young kid out on tour, Drake blew up, with his mixtape "So Far Gone" going on to set records as one of the most critically acclaimed mixtapes in years.
Look for "Thank Me Later" to be one of the most controversial and much talked about albums in recent years when it drops in early 2010.
Nicki Minaj - TBA This young, up and coming female MC has been making waves in the hip hop scene with her unique style which mixes Asian fashion with modern Gaga-weirdness into what she calls "Harajuku Barbie.
" Herself a mix of African, Trinidadian and Indo-Asian roots, Minaj has amassed a following of young girls who see in her a new, strong female role model and guys who are floored by her looks and her skills on the mic.
With her hype building she is set to release her debut record in early or mid-2010.
Look for it to be one of the bigger hip-hip records of the year if Minaj can hook up with the right producers and get some good guest spots, which shouldn't be a problem.
Gucci Mane - The State Vs.
Radric Davis: The Appeal Everyone buy knows the story about how Gucci Mane was released from jail for an assault charge in 2006 but went back to jail in 2008 for parole violation and not completing the required community service hours.
He was released after 6 months and immediately went to work, recording a huge amount of work, enough he says for more than one record.
His second album saw the light of day right before he went back to jail again for parole violation and Gucci says it was only the first in a trilogy, with the second release "The Appeal" coming out in early 2010, made up of tracks he recorded before his most recent stint in jail.
If it is anywhere as near as good as the first it should be one of the most anticipated albums of 2010.