Sidenote: The albums are in no specific order.
http://media.defsounds.com/uploads/asse ... .jpegKanye West - TBA
Release Date: TBA
Kicking off my top five is Chi-Town's own Kanye West. I understand in some people's eyes he might be better than everybody in my top five list and i totally agree. The only reason he's so low is because it's not a certainty that he will be dropping an album. I just have to hear the product he's preparing after he has promised to go back to rapping, after he experimented with an all auto-tune album, which i enjoyed and purchased.
Whitefolks Opinion:
Kanye’s leaving the 808’s and Autotune alone and going back to rapping. I expect a solid release from Ye following in the footsteps of Graduation.
http://media.defsounds.com/uploads/asse ... et.gifBone Thugs-N-Harmony - “Uni5: The World’s Enemy”
Release Date: March 30th, 2010
For the first time in 15 years, the original five members of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, have recorded a full-length album together. The Cleveland group was down to just a trio for the past two albums with only Krayzie, Layzie and Wish holding down the group, due to Bizzy’s departure and Flesh serving a prison sentence. With Flesh's release from prison last year, the group reunited and hit the studio with the line-up that brought them commercial success in the mid 90's. I’m looking forward to see if the Bone Thug boys can bring the same sound back that they started off with.
The Chosen Few's Opinion:
Finally they're all back together, never really was a fan. But they can hold my attention. I hope this produces good music and not some dated Hip Hop.
http://media.defsounds.com/uploads/asse ... /asset.gif Young Jeezy - Thug Motivation 103
Release Date - Sooner Than Later
Three studio albums in, Jeezy has cemented himself past your average rapper. Debuting with an arguable classic, Thug Motivation 101 and following it up with two more solid albums, there isn't a reason that anybody should doubt Young Jeezy's album making credentials. And to make his upcoming album more interesting, as everybody knows he recently squashed his long-standing beef with Gucci Mane. Many believe they can make hits together. The only confirmed news on the album so far is that Swizz Beatz will be featured and we can expect the album to be released "sooner than later".
Whitefolks Opinion.
One thing for sure, Jeezy knows how to put together an album, and over time his pen game has really stepped up. Watch out for Jeezy to pick up where he left off with his previous release The Recession. Expect an album that you’ll be bumping in the whip all summer.
http://media.defsounds.com/uploads/asse ... gifCrooked I – Million Dollar Story
Release Date: TBA
Fans of Crooked I have been waiting years for his debut album, now it has been officially announced and I expect nothing but the best from the B.O.S.S. of the West Coast
. There really hasn’t been too much revealed about the project other then he’ll be dropping over DJ Khalil production and possibly beats by Premo, but one thing I do know is that Crooked will bring that West Coast sound, with top notch lyrics, flow and wordplay that puts him up there with the best in the game. Crook will have the West on his back when he drops.
The Chosen Few's Opinion:
I can not wait to hear this. Crooked I kind of lost me after the Hip Hop Weekly series, and then I started hearing he's the best in the game, and i believed that was real premature. I believe Crooked I is highly overrated. But maybe the 3rd best member in Slaughterhouse will prove me wrong with this long overdue LP.
http://media.defsounds.com/uploads/asse ... et.gifGame - R.E.D. Album
Release Date - March 23rd, 2010
Three albums in, the most beef that a career can handle and after leaving his original label and coming back, it now seems like Game is to deliver an album that can be compared to greatness of his debut, The Documentary. We all know about him reuniting with Dr. Dre, since he won't stop taking pics and talking about it, but when those two are together I'm pretty sure you can expect a hot product. I don't know if you all were informed of Game's New Years Resolution, it was real simple. "Outsell 50." HAHA. Only time will tell.
Whitefolks Opinion.
This is my most anticipated album on The Chosen Few’s list for the simple fact that Game is back in the lab with Dre. I'm impatiently waiting to see what they could cook up and if it will compare to his debut, The Documentary.
http://media.defsounds.com/uploads/asse ... /asset.gif Method Man, Raekwon & Ghostface Killah– Wu Massacre * title may change
Release Date: TBA
Method Man, Raekwon and Ghostface, need I say much more?
The Chosen Few's Opinion:
I rock with Method Man the most out of the Wu. I'm looking forward to this most out of Whitefolk's list. And Ghostface's Ghostdini The Wizard Of Poetry is underrated in my book.
http://media.defsounds.com/uploads/asse ... /asset.gif Eminem - Relapse 2
Release Date: TBA
We ALL know the Eminem story, huge rise to fame, big fall from it. Then last year he re-emerged from the shadows. He dropped Relapse, you liked it or you didn't, you have to admit that it made an impact. It re-established Slim Shady as a prominent hip hop figure. And following the release of Relapse he gave fans a few unexpected guest appearances (Forever & Drop the World), and he proved he still can serve a cat on his own song. While I'm not sure of the direction of Relapse 2, but if Refill is any indication, then Relapse 2 might take over the hip hop scene.
Whitefolks Opinion.
Em stepped back in the game in 2009 and dropped one of the best albums of the year. I’m expecting Relapse 2 to eclipse Relapse. For one, Em linking up with Just Blaze; the new sound is something I am really anticipating. The second thing, although the accent did work on most of Relapse, I'm hoping he leaves the accent alone and goes back to spitting like we all know he can. If he does that expect Relapse 2 to be the AOY.
http://media.defsounds.com/uploads/asse ... /asset.gif Lupe Fiasco – Lasers
Release Date: TBA
Lupe’s been known as the rapper that doesn’t get the proper recognition, being snubbed from list after list of top rappers, and after the latest snub from MTV’s Hottest In The Game list, he has something to prove. Dropping two critically acclaimed releases with Food & Liquor and The Cool, look-out for Lasers to be his best work to date.
The Chosen Few's Opinion:
Extremely lyrical, hella talented, slightly annoying at times and definitely boring. After hearing Shining Down & I'm Beaming (both versions) I can definitely say i don't think this will have the same replay value as Food & Liquor, or even The Cool. Lu lost me after Intruder Alert.
http://media.defsounds.com/uploads/asse ... /asset.gif Drake - Thank Me Later
Release Date - March 23rd, 2010
Unlike the bandwagon fans, I was rockin with Aubrey, aka Drake, for a minute before he became a Young Money chain bearer. I always thought he had talent, but to skyrocket as fast as he did, and do it not as a singing rapper or a rapping singer, but as an artist. The line with him is too blurry to define exactly what he is in terms of rapper or singer, but one thing is clear, he makes hits and he has a buzz that is unparalled to any other rapper to come on the scene the past few years. After dropping a mixtape that many compared to an album, the ball is in Wheelchair Jimmy's court. I believe he will deliver a great album, expect collabos from Hov, Yeezy, Weezy and others.
Whitefolks Opinion.
I really don’t know what to say about this one, Drake hit the scene and took the industry by storm, but I don’t really see what all the hype is about. I’ll give the album a fair chance and see if he can change my mind when his debut drops.
http://media.defsounds.com/uploads/asse ... set.gifJoe Budden – Great Escape
Release Date: April, 2010
We all know the deal with Joey sitting and waiting to drop his sophomore album while at Def Jam, after getting out of the contract he came away with a chip on his shoulder. With the freedom to drop when he wanted to, he’s been on grind mode, dropping nothing but quality releases. First was Mood Muzik 3, followed by Halfway House, The Padded Room, and then Escape Route. Getting all of that accomplished along with the Slaughterhouse album in the past 15 months or so, now gearing up for Great Escape, he's hungry, so the odds are he will bring his best work to date when the Great Escape hits us.
Honorable Mentions:
The Chosen Few's Honorable Mention:
Joell Ortiz -Free Agent
Release Date: March 23rd, 2010
Joell's freshman album, The Brick: Bodega Chronicles, was critically acclaimed and releasing the group album Slaughterhouse showed Joell flexing his lyrically muscle which leaves fans wanting more. I expect nothing but great lyrics and songs from Free Agent.
Whitefolks Honorable Mentions:
Mikkey Halsted - Chicago: The Photo Album
Release Date: TBA
Mikkey’s finally going to have the chance to show the world what he can do with a pen and pad and prove he’s one of the most well rounded artists in the game, who can paint a picture like no other. Also be on the look-out for Mikk's mixtape, Best You Never Heard which will be a prelude to his Indie album Darkroom which is precursor to Chicago: The Photo Album.
T.I. - TBA
Release Date: TBA
We don't know too much about Tip's upcoming album, but we do know he's fresh out of the pen, working on his latest project. Without knowing a thing about the album, I can say I expect a lot out of it. Hopefully some deatils will surface soon.
Now you all know we value your opinions. Let us know what albums you guys are anticipating for 2010. Post a list in the comment section.
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And what about Melatonin Magik? Adding Joe Buttons and not Canibus. 
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your prolly gone see Don Cannon production on Jeezy's and T.I.'s 
