So I have been really bored recently when I've been trying to do homework and I have found a new diversion in going on wikipedia and just searching random shit. I thouroughly reccomend this if you are looking for new ways to procrastinate. I am also a fan of rap music, so while wandering wikipedia, I began to look at the pages of some of my favorite rappers. Many are coming out with new albums in 2007, so here is my top 10 (and some honorable mentions and reccomended downloads because i can't use rapidshare) of the rap I am looking forward to in the new year.
Honorable mention:
T.I.- TI vs. TIP: I am not neccesarily looking forward to this album, but TI usually has one single off each album that I like alot. So I expect one good song from this CD.
Rick Ross- Rise to Power: I really liked Rick Ross's (is that right?) debut from this past year, but he hasn't reached the status to make it into my top 10. One more good album and we'll be i good shape.
Young Buck- Buck the World: The only artist I like from G-Unit.
As you can tell, I pretty much like relatively mainstream rap, but in the top 10 there should be a few newbies for all you.
10. Three Six Mafia- Da Last 2 Walk: I have liked Three 6 for awhile now and their last album and oscar should make them a little more mainstream now. The reason why they make the list is for the removal of worthless member Crunchy Black (who looks more like a crackhead than anyone in the world), and replacing him with Project Pat. I don't know where Project Pat comes from, and I only have one song of his but it's real tight so this should be a sick album.
Reccomended Downloads: Project Pat- Don't Save Her, Three Six Mafia- Sippin of Da Syrup
9. Saigon- The Greatest Story Never Told: I, like most people, first heard about Saigon through the TV show Entourage, and from what I can tell, his shit is pretty good. I have only heard a few songs of his, but he has got a good buzz going on around him. This album was supposed to come out last year but has been postponed a few times, so when it comes out it it better be good.
Reccomended Downloads: Saigon- Come Again, Let a N**** Know
8. Mike Jones- The American Dream: I am kind of embarressed by this pick but I really like Mike Jones and I was listening to Still Tippin before it blew up so that's why this goes so high. He is not a great rapper but he will come out with a few catchy songs, and I am a fan of the first single: Mr. Jones. This album won't be all that special, but it should have enough good songs and high profile cameos to make it worth a listen.
Reccomended Downloads: Mike Jones- Still Tippin, Mr. Jones
7. Andre Nickatina- Cokewhite: If this was before the Andre Nickatina and Equipto days, this would be in the top 3 most likely, but with three mediocre Nicky T and Equipto CD's in the past 3 years, King Nicky may be past his prime. Hopefully he gets back to his roots and comes out with a CD reminiscent of Dre Dog or the Early Cocaine Raps. No matter what I will probably buy this CD, and I want to see Andre again in concert. I also think we should get him for the Devils Dance or whatever it's called.
Reccomended Downloads: Andre Nickatina- Andre N' Andre, Live at the Daquiri Factory.
Dre Dog- Smoke Dope and Rap.
6. Pharoahe Monch- Desire: Pharoahe Monch is a sick relatively underground rapper from the NYC. If you've heard of him, it's probably from the song Simon Says, which he absolutely kills. He is one of the best lyricists around, and this CD has been a long time coming. It is one of his first solo CD's, and a bunch of people were trying to sign him when he went single. He has a distinct flow which he carries on for long verses and usually has some pretty good beats. This CD seems slightly different and maybe more upbeat, especially after hearing the first single. He's got some cameos by Nas, Lauryn Hill, and Arethra Franklin, so he is definately coming up.
Reccomended Downloads: Pharoahe Monch- Fuck You, Push, My Life
5. Beanie Sigel- Return of the Bad Guy: I am a huge Beanie Sigel fan, despite him not really coming out with anything all that great recently. I first heard him way back in the day, and started listening to his shit since then. This CD is his first since hella legal problems and shit, and the title seems to sort of have a theme in mind. If Beanie goes hard on this CD, it'll definately be worth a listen.
Reccomend Downloads: Beanie Sigel: Beanie, Freestyle (off of Cocaine Raps), Scarface- Guess Who's Back
4. Lil Wayne- Tha Carter III- Lil Wayne's Tha Carter III should be one of the hottest mainstream CD's of the year, as Lil Wayne's been absolutely on fire recently. He has become a mixtape powerhouse, and while I wasn't that big of a fan of Tha Carter II, the first Tha Carter was a great album. Him, Juelz Santana, Young Jeezy, and The Game seem to have formed a little sort of clique, as the 4 of them and their respective posse's keep coming out with remixes and mixtape songs with one another. I am a big fan of all 4 of them, so they need to keep it coming.
Reccomended Downloads: Lil Wayne- The Cannon, This is the Carter, Shine
3. WC- Guilty By Affiliation: Since I am skepticall about the other 2 albums on this list being released, this album may end up being #1 for me on the year. My first post on the blog was WC's video of The Streets, and WC is coming out with his first album since 2002. One of the three members of the Westside Connection (along with Ice Cube and Mack 10) he has been coming out with hot music here and there. It's hard to find a lot of his songs because they are relatively obscure- for instance I have been looking for one song of his for years but still can't find it. This album will probably be ignored by the mainstream, but if you like Westside Gangster more old school rap, this is right up your alley.
Reccomended Downloads: WC- The Streets, Westside Connection- Bow Down
2. Raekwon- Only Built for Cuban Linx II- As Michael has recently discovered, Raekwon's Only Built for Cuban Linx is one of the best albums around, and may be the best Wu-Tang solo album. It is real dark, and very understated with beats from the RZA, and cameos from a lot of the members of the Wu-Tang Clan. After this album, all Raekwon did was pretty shitty, but he says that OB4CLII should be like the first one. It will feature the GZA on almost everysong (a huge bonus) and is being equally produced by Dr. Dre and the RZA, two of the greatest rap producers. If this CD comes even close to the first one, it will be one of the best albums of the year.
Reccomended Downloads: Raekwon- Guillotine (Swordz), Incarcerated Scarfaces, Cuban Chronicles.
1. Dr. Dre- Detox: If I had been making this list, this album would have been #1 the past three or so years. This is easily the most awaited Rap album of the future, as Dr. Dre's first two albums have both change the direction of Rap music. If this comes out, it will be the biggest Rap album of the year, as well as one of the biggest overall albums of the year. That is, IF it comes out. Right now, the word is it should be coming out in September, so if that's the case, we'll all have something to look forward to. To demonstrate the importance of this album I quote Mr. Fisher who has said "When this album comes out I am planning on buying three copies; one to listen to in the car, one to listen to on my computer, and one to keep in a case and never open". Yea, it might be that good.
Reccomend downloads: Dr. Dre- Chin Check, Fuck You, Dre Day, Still D.R.E, Deep Cover, etc.
These are just the albums that I know for sure that are coming out this year, for all I know, the Game might come out with one along with some other guys. If anybody has anyone to add I would like to see it.
Since we missed both the Tech N9ne (Monday) and Game (today) concerts this week, this is a pre-emptive inquiry to see if anyone would be down to go see the Roots next week at Fillmore on Wednesday or Thursday. If that doesn't float anyone's boat, Andre Nickatina and Keak da Sneak are having a concert together on February 24th (that's a Saturday) up in Santa Rosa. I would really want to go to that so if other people have interest let me know. I mean King Nicky and Keak, that could be pretty fucking crazy.
