Underrated Albums of 2011

After the simply crazy response towards my my most recent posting of the underrated albums of 2010 (good looking out folks), it was a must to continue to glide with these great underrated efforts throughout his decade.  Although we have two more years before we hit a new one, this decade has been very strong with amazing releases as we already know.  We will now focus on the year 2011, which was dominated by the Jay-Z & Kanye collab album, Watch The Throne, Drake's monstrous sophomore effort, Take Care, and the incomparable Beastie Boys dropped a fantastic release in Hot Sauce Committee Pt. 2, there were other albums that went dramatically under the radar that should've gotten just as much praise, if not more.  With that being said, let's get into it shall we?

15. Black Milk & Danny Brown

Black & Brown EP

Production: Black Milk

Two of the D's finest got together for a potent EP in Black Milk and the ever eccentric yet crazy dope Danny Brown.  Their effort, the appropriately entitled Black & Brown, highlighted mostly the production talents of Milk and the microphone abilities of Brown, even though Milk himself spits very decent bars himself here as well.  Best believe the D was uber proud of two of its finest artists with this one.  A full-length one day perhaps?

14. Pharoahe Monch

W.A.R. (We Are Renegades)

Production: artist, Exile, Marco Polo, Diamond, others

One of hip-hop's most criminally under-appreciated emcees is Queens lyrical god, Pharoahe Monch.  Since his days with Prince Po as Organized Konfusion, it was clear Monch was a giant among many ants.  With his third album, W.A.R., he goes into social and political mode and mixes in bits of harsh personal realism to make the listener know he's in the struggle himself.  From the simply incredible opener "Evolve" to the Jill Scott-assisted "Still Standing", Monch pulls no punches in wanting to see change.

13. Danny Brown

XXX

Production: Frank Dukes, Quelle Chris, Nick Speed, House SHoes, others

The quirky Danny Brown is fascinating for his rock star appeal, if not for his drugged-out, filthy vocabulary, but overall fantastic talent.  His album, XXX, was a blistering mix of maintaining his Detroit roots while letting people know a star is on his way to be ascended into your consciousness, whether you liked it or not.  This was blow-for-blow his best effort up until his amazing Atrocity Exhibition album of 2016, and showed us Brown had the potential to be among the elite of hip-hop.

12. Action Bronson

Dr. Lecter

Production: Tommy Mas

Everyone's delightful emcee/chef, Action Bronson, debuted with this rather dope effort, Dr. Lecter.  Complete with intriguing production from Tommy Mas, Bronson serves us plates of witty yet unfiltered lyricism  on strong cuts like "Larry Czonka" and "The Madness" and we get a glimpse of a character that would end up becoming one of hip-hop's promising talents.

11. Tech N9ne

All 6's & 7's

Production: J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, B.O.B., Willpower, others

One of the true innovators of the machine-gun triple-time flow has always been the legendary Tech N9ne.  The man responsible for groundbreaking albums like AngHellic and  Absolute Power delivered all on cylinders with his eleventh album, All 6's & 7's.  Over varied production that mixed laid-back with menacing, Kansas City's favorite emcee effortlessly slices through each cut alongside multiple guests. It is also the home of one of the most frenzied hip-hop posse cuts ever known in "Worldwide Choppas" with fellow machine gun spitters such as Busta Rhymes, Yelawolf, and Twista.  This is among the best efforts from one of the men that first made it cool to be an indie artist.

10. Pac Div

The Div

Production: Like, DJ Dahi, Swiff D, No I.D., others

The west coast tandem of Like, Beyoung, Mibbs, and producer Swiff D comprise of Pac Div, and this is one click that has been sorely slept on for some time.  After the majors didn't work, they went the indie route, and boy are we glad they did.  Their album, The Div, is a very enjoyable collection of cuts reminiscent of fellow west coast zeniths like '93 Til Infinity and LabCabinCalifornia.  Best understand, Pac Div is a group that deserves a lot more shine and this album serves as exhibit A.

9. Reks

R.E.K.S.

Production: Statik Selektah, DJ Premier, The Alchemist, Pete Rock, Hi- Tek, Nottz, Sean C & LV, others

Lawrence, Massachusetts' Reks is what one would call an emcee's emcee. No gimmicks, no frills, no fluff. Just in-your-rhymes presented with a survival approach to the game.  Already known for his verbal tactics locally, it was his Rhythmatic Eternal King Supreme album that started putting more eyes on this rhyme slayer, especially with the all-star lineup of producers. This was a silent bomb that should've had more people feel the explosion.

8. Cunninlynguists

Oneirology

Production: Kno

Arguably the most acclaimed underground group to emerge from the south over nearly two decades has been Cunninlynguists. The trio of Natti, Deacon and emcee/DJ/producer Kno has delivered some rather fantastic releases during their run, especially A Piece Of Strange, which was one of the most acclaimed albums of the 00's.  They came through 2011 with a rather fascinating effort in Oneirology. Mich like The Roots' album, Phrenology, was a study of the brain, this album was a study of dreams. A ethereal experience at times thanks to Kno's cinematic soundscapes, the trio presented an album that still stands among their best work.

7. Greneberg

Greneberg EP

Production: artist

Two acts from opposite sides of the country came together in Roc Marciano and the duo of Oh No and The Alchemist of Gangrene to become Greneberg. The acts came together and put out their self-titled EP, and it was full of dirty, grimy music one would expect from this surprise project. Although this was a six-track effort, all six tracks were as gritty as anything you would hear in 2011.  If you were a fan of Marciano, as well as Gangrene, this was your banger all year long.

6. Phonte

Charity Starts At Home

Production: 9th Wonder, Khrysis, Swiff D, S1, others

Little Brother and Foreign Exchange member Phonte Coleman has been a voice in NC hip-hop scene since the early millennium. Among the most underrated emcees active, Tiggalo finally dropped his eagerly-anticipated album, Charity Starts At Home.  We all have been accustomed to the soulful sounds and honest rhymes of Te, and this album was no different. Although guests such as Big K.R.I.T., Elzhi, and Pharoahe Monch contributed greatly to the project, this was all about Phonte, and this was yet another incredible piece of work from a highly talented artist.

5. Evidence

Cats & Dogs

Production: artist, The Alchemist, DJ Premier, Statik Selektah, DJ Babu, Rahki, Khrysis, others

One third of the seminal hip-hop act Dilated Peoples, Evidence, was still in heavy rotation from his 2007 blazing debut album, The Weatherman LP, and his EP, The Layover. He dropped his third overall project, Cats & Dogs, to more acclaim. A feel good album for your neighborhood backpacker, Ev continued his momentum as one of the most promising emcees to emanate from the west coast.  Slightly more accessible and not quite as dark as Weatherman LP, this still was knockout from start to finish.

4. Killer Mike

Pl3dge

Production: No I.D., Beat Bullies, Flying Lotus, others

One guy who's career has seemingly gotten better and better and better every time you heard him was one-time Outkast affiliate Killer Mike. The ATLien had been progressively been getting more and more acclaim per project. With his fourth album, Pl3dge, this was the third installment in his Pledge Allegience 2 The Grind series, and this was unquestionably the most thumping.  Bringing social commentary and fiery lyrics over very fitting production, this was the calm before the storm as he would then collab with Company Flow's El-P, and we know what would end up happening.

3. Random Axe

Random Axe

Production: Black Milk

Detroit's Black Milk and underground spitter Guilty Simpson got up with Brownsville's late lyrical legend Sean Price to be come Random Axe.  We first heard what kind of damage they cluld do with the single "Monster Babies".  From there, the self-titled debut dropped and it was thunderous.  This was what a non-skippable album was about, as this album perfectly blended together track for track.  This was such a kyrical rhymefest and Milk provided some of his best boardwork heard to this very day.

2. Saigon

Greatest Story Never Told

Production: Just Blaze, Kanye West, Red Spyda, Buckwild, others

One of the hottest emerging emcees to come out of NYC in the mid 00's was Saigon. Known for his mixtapes such as The Yardfather, Abandon'd Nation, and Warning Shots, he got signed to Atlantic through Just Blaze's Fort Knocks Entertainment to drop his full-length debut, Greatest Story Never Told. Although the Atlantic deal failed, Blaze kept the finished album and let Saigon release it. This debut was absolute FIRE.  This was worth the wait and then some. Sai-giddy was spitting intelligent, yet hard as nails, lyrics over some of the best Just Blaze work ever heard.  Providing street and social commentary alike Saigon lost his major label push due to his uncompromising view of his art form and craft, but the result was delivering one of the most formidable debuts in recent memory.

1. Kendrick Lamar

Section.80

Production: Digi-Phonics, Terrace Martin, J. Cole

Before King Kendrick's meteoric ascent into becoming one of the single greatest emcees alive today, he was a highly intriguing poet with a knack for storytelling and imaginative concepts.  Already acclaimed for his previous works of The Kendrick Lamar EP and Overly Dedicated, this took his lyrical gifts to another level.  Based off the fictional lives of Tammy and Keisha and their similar yet complex and ambiguous stories.  Many consider this a true precursor to his major label landmarks, and rightfully so as this is just now getting the full recognition its due.

Honorable Mentions

Joell Ortiz- Free Agent
Curren$y- Weekend At Bernie's
Thurz- L.A. Riots
Shabazz Palaces- Black Up
Elzhi- Elmatic
Big K.R.I.T.- Return Of 4eva
Freddie Gibbs- Cold Day In Hell
ScHoolboy Q- Setbacks
9th Wonder- The Wonder Years
Royce Da 5'9"- Success Is Certain

The year of 2011 was a very formidable one as you can see.  We were seeing the birth of a modern day hip-hop genius in Kendrick while also seeing emcees such as supergroups such as Greneberg and Random Axe show their cohesiveness as units and deliver scorching projects.  This was a rather fun year of hip-hop and it would only get better. Until next time folks!

Underrated Albums of 2010

What's good folks?! With a new year comes a new series being done here in this blog.  This series is focusing on the most underrated/underappreciated albums of the decade per year.  Now that it's 2018, we're inching closer and closer to the end of the 2010s and approaching the 2020s.  Make no mistake about it, this decade has been one of the most musically rich periods ever heard in hip-hop.  Landmarks like To Pimp A Butterfly, Laila's Wisdom, Black America Again, all three Run The Jewels releases, and My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy changed the scope of how far hip-hop can go.  Socially, musically, and spiritually, these and more refined the art of the game as we know it today.  What about other albums that weren't as mainstream recognized or acclaimed as these others that got more awards, plaques, and overall props/ This is where we come in.  With that, let's get into the most underrated albums of 2010.  Let's go!

20. Gangrene

Gutter Water

Production: artist

It's well known that The Alchemist is one of hip-hop's most incredible producers, and has especially emerged as such within the span of close to two decades.  Along with being such a highly regarded producer, he's also a part-time emcee, and not a bad one either.  He's joined by Madlib's younger brother, Oh No (who himself is a very decent emcee/producer) to become Gangrene.  Their debut album, Gutter Water, was grimy yet comical, dirty yet mischievous, and it struck on all chords.  Although it wasn't a terrible lyrical album, the production on the project was the story, as Al crafted some of his best work, while Oh No started to come into his own and hang with Allan The Chemist.

19. yU

Before Taxes

Production: artist, Oddisee, Kev Brown, others

Diamond District member, yU, is arguably the most sharp lyrically of the trio consisting of him, Oddisee, and Upton XO.  He displays this great talent on Before Taxes with precision and confidence.  Throughout the album, yU is on point over some excellent production and a concept that basically has him displaying how much more fun and important hip-hop was before it became such a commercially-driven business.  Honest, personal, and provoking, yU dropped an album worthy of more attention than it received.

18. Freddie Gibbs

Str8 Killa

Production: Beatnick, K-Salaam, Kno, others

One of the first real times we got exposed to Gangsta Gibbs was his EP entitled Str8 Killa. The Gary, IN native brought that realness over menacing production and was a raw as one could perceive.  Although many believe it was Cold Day In Hell that was his true door opener, he cracked the door open with this one, and it thumped.

17. 7L & Esoteric

1212

Production: artist, Statik Selektah, DC The Midi Alien

Boston's 7L & Esoteric are considered among the most respected in underground hip-hop.  A fairly consistent discography up to 2010 was known, as albums like The Soul Purpose and A New Dope were rotated and acclaimed for boom-bap production and hitting lyrics from Esoteric.  With 1212, they continued with the knocking sounds they had been known for, plus we got a tease of things to come with a Czarface cut, "12th Chamber".  One of these duo's best efforts.

16. Black Milk

Album Of The Year

Production: artist

Curtis "Black Milk" Cross was deemed as the next to uphold the torch Dilla left behind in the D.  He did a very valiant job in attempting to do so, as he was among the most revered emcee/producers to come from the motor city.  His album, Album Of The Year, was more of the same incredible production (mostly live instrumentation) that we had been knowing from him.  His sound was becoming progressively more live instrument driven, but regardless if you copped this release, you played the hell out of this quite often.

15. Homeboy Sandman

The Good Sun

Production: 2 Hungry Bros, Ski, Psycho Les, Core Rhythm, others

Queens emcee Homeboy Sandman is a very well-rounded lyricist.  He has a complex and vast array of styles and can adapt to seemingly anything.  An under-the-radar emcee since his emergence in '07, HS has always needed that bigger platform to display his tremendous talents.  On The Good Sun, the teacher-turned-emcee comes correct with multi-syllabic layers and flows that are often repeat-worthy.  He's also a great conceptual writer, as evidenced with cuts like the homeless-ode "Angels With Dirty Faces" and "Mean Mug", an ode to fake thuggery.  One of his best efforts to date, Sandman started to really find his own route as an emcee on this one.

14. DJ Muggs & Ill Bill

Heavy Metal Kings

Production: DJ Muggs

Non-Phixion member Ill Bill is known for his in-your-face, aggressive delivery and his knack for writing rhymes centered around apocalyptic themes and anti-government rhetoric.  He collabs with legendary Cypress Hill producer, DJ Muggs for Heavy Metal Kings.  Dark yet intense, Bill pulls no punches with the listener and sounds like he needs to do a lot more projects with Muggs more often, as this project was head to toe DOPE.

13. Kno

Death Is Silent

Production: artist

If there was a list of highly talented, yet underrated, producers in hip-hop, Cunninlynguists' Kno must be near the top.  Just as much known for spitting as he is constructing dark and melodic beats, Kno steps from the shadow of his group mates Deacon and Natti to create Death Is Silent.  Beautifully orchestrated, Kno's debut solo effort is something that elevated Kno's ability to create cinematic soundscapes.  A mesmerizing album, this is one that must be felt as much heard.

12. PackFM

I Fuckin' Hate Rappers

Production: Marco Polo, Kno, J-Zone, Domingo, Tonedeff

Brooklyn emcee PackFM was very jaded with hip-hop.  He started to hate the very thing he had loved, and this was apparent on his album, I Fuckin' Hate Rappers.  Conceptually based off his own personal feelings about the state and climate of the culture at the time, the Cunninlynguists-assisted emcee made his own feelings known throughout very humorous skits and pretty dope cuts that explained how much he was just over it all.  After a few listens to this, you might see you're not too far from his viewpoint yourself.

11. Big K.R.I.T.

K.R.I.T. Wuz Here

Production: artist

By the time 2010 hit, Mississippi's own Big K.R.I.T. was already on mixtape number six, and boy was it impressive.  His mixtape, K.R.I.T. Wuz Here, became his signature project for some years to come, as it set the bar for all future releases.  Southern bumpers like "Country Shit" and "Gumpshun" exemplify his love of the 808 bump with all the flavor of sugar rich Kool-Aid in the summertime, but cuts like "They Got Us" and "Children Of The World" showed how much of a soulful writer he was as well.  Fantastic mixtape and fantastic artist, K.R.I.T. was on to something big.

10. Skyzoo & !llmind

Live From The Tape Deck

Production: !llmind

One of the most consistent and skilled lyricists of the decade has been Skyzoo.  We had seen his unbelievable potential with his albums Could 9: The 3 Day Theory and The Salvation before, but with this collabo album with Grammy Award winning producer !llmind, Live From The Tape Deck, he elevated his game even more.  A concept meant for the listener to not fast forward through the album and to listen throughout, this was album was just that: a stellar playthough.  There was no filler whatsoever on this project.  From the densely layered "Langston's Pen" to the thumping 808s of "Speakers On Blast", this album serves as Sky's top effort, if not second best within his discography.

9. The Left

Gas Mask

Production: Apollo Brown

Detroit fixtures Journalist 103 and producer extraordinaire Apollo Brown put a hard one down as The Left with Gas Mask.  This is just straight ol' school boom-bap hip-hop.  No more, no less.  Journalist more than holds his own with guests such as Finale, Guilty Simpson, Hasaan Mackey, and the legendary Kool G. Rap, while this is first time we really see the talents of Brown, as he now is among the sought after beatmakers in the game.  If you want a no-mask approach to hip-hop, peep this one out.  No disappointments will be given.

8. Celph Titled & Buckwild

Nineteen Ninety-Now

Production: Buckwild

If you're familiar with practically any type of NY hip-hop throughout the nineties and early thousands especially, you most definitely are familiar with Buckwild.  The legendary D.I.T.C. producer responsible for cuts like Black Rob's "Whoa", O.C.'s "Time's Up", Biggie's "I Got A Story To Tell", and Mic Geronimo's "Masta I.C." teamed up with Army Of The Pharoahs/Demigodz member Celph Titled to construct Nineteen Ninety Now.  This album is clearly a salute and throwback to arguably the most poppin' decade ever in hip-hop and this is just a warm feeling album to those that miss that old NYC nineties sound.  Buck went ten toes deep in this production, and Celph's husky baritone voice does damage to the mic on this incredible release.

7. DJ Premier

Get Used To Us

Production: artist

One of the game's most revered producers of all-time is the one and only DJ Premier.  In 2010, he and his label Year Round Records dropped a thunderous compilation, Get Used To Us, which had the legendary producer showing his stripes once again in hip-hop.  He cleverly showcasing established talent such as longtime west coast vet MC Eiht, QB massacist Blaq Poet, KRS-One and Bumpy Knuckles, as well as up-and-coming talent such as Nick Javis (where you at Nick?), Young Maylay, and Khaleel equally.  Throw in other emcees such as Saigon, Papoose, Royce 5'9", and Joell Ortiz, and you have an explosion.

6. Freeway & Jake One

The Stimulus Package

Production: Jake One

Former Roc-A-Fella soldier and State Property rhyme animal Freeway had enjoyed lots of success with his platinum debut effort, Philadelphia Freeway, and his almost equally dope follow-up Free At Last and Philadelphia Freeway 2.  However, he went a slightly different route, as he collaborated with ultra talented Seattle-based beatmaker Jake One to deliver The Stimulus Package.  The producer known for making fire for the likes of Mobb Deep, 50 Cent, Evidence, De La Soul, MF DOOM, and Scarface went on a killing spree with the beats on this album.  With Free delivering his profound bars, this was a winning duo in 2010.  Front to back, this was a knocker.

5. Bun B

Trill O.G.

Production: Boi-1nda, DJ Premier, Drumma Boy, Steve Below, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, others

When we think of hip-hop's legendary trilogies, we think of A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Mobb Deep, EPMD, Kendrick Lamar, Outkast, and a few others.  You can most definitely add Bernard "Bun B" Freeman to that list.  His Trill series was just marvelous, and considering the circumstances each album was recorded under with partner-in-rhyme Pimp C's incarceration and later death, this series was a definite challenge.  He finished it with the most overall complete of them all, Trill O.G.  The five-mic certified album by The Source Magazine was indeed a hallmark moment in the career of Bun.  the veteran spitting game and street tales while at times reminiscing over his late dear friend, Bun crafted one of the best albums chances are you slept on more than you should've been.

4. Rakaa Iriscience

Crown Of Thorns

Production: Evidence, Exile, The Alchemist, El-P, !llmind, DJ Babu, Oh No, DJ Honda, others

While we are very familiar with Evidence and even DJ Babu of Dilated Peoples, many aren't that acquainted with the other emcee of the group, Rakaa Iriscience.  This son of a preacher man dropped his debut, Crown Of Thorns, to let us in more to his world, and are we ever glad he did.  Besides the fact that this was one of the most well-produced albums of the entire year, this was also honest, poignant, and intelligent to make people remember him as not just that "other emcee".

3. Reflection Eternal

Revolutions Per Minute (R.P.M.)

Production: Hi-Tek

In '98, Talib Kweli and Cincinnati producer Hi-Tek constructed one of hip-hop's true golden albums with Train Of Thought, ans is still revered to this day as a classic.  Over a decade later, they come back together for Revolutions Per Minute, and it was definitely worth the wait.  Picking up where Train Of Thought left off to a degree, we still get soulful, intelligent, poignant rhymes over melodic, thumping production from my man Hi-Tek.  We truly hope we don't have to wait another decade for a third album, but this one by itself is another chapter in two already fantastic respective careers.

2. Nas & Damien Marley

Distant Relatives

Production: Damian Marley, Stephan Marley

In the entire legendary discography of the modern day god emcee Nas, a lot of people overlook this extraordinary effort with Damian Marley, Distant Relatives.  Over mesmerizing production by two of the Marley brothers, including Damian himself, their lyrics and rhymes about freedom, family, and spirituality provide a blend of cultures and unite them to let us all know we all are one at the end of the day.  These brothas created an album that should be valued as a timeless, epic album that sadly more people weren't able to digest fully.

1. Roc Marciano

Marcberg

Production: artist

Much like Conway The Machine of today, Roc Marciano silently became the face of gritty and grimy hip-hop from NYC with his power-packed debut, Marcberg.  The former U.N. and Flipmode Squad member put his ski mask on, put his revolver in his pants, and was ready to wyle out at a moment's notice on this album, with insane knockers like "Panic", "Snow", and "Ridin' Around".  This was quintessential east coast hip-hop at its most rugged, and Marciano was the kingpin.

Honorable Mentions

Brotha Lynch Hung- Dinner & A Movie

Raekwon, Method Man, & Ghostface Killah- Wu-Massacre

Devin The Dude- Suite #420

Rick Ross- Teflon Don

Slum Village- Villa Manifesto

Lloyd Banks- The Hunger For More 2

Guilty Simpson & Madlib- OJ Simpson

Oddisee- Traveling Man

Without question, 2010 was an absolutely great year in hip-hop. What a way to start the decade of the 2010s.  While Kanye's MBDTF was clearly the most revered album of the year and one of the most hallmark momens in hip-hop altogether, this list showed that there quite a number of others that gave West a run for his money. This decade was just beginning with greatness. Until next time!

The Most Anticpated Albums of 2018

What's crackin' people? As we now are in the new year, already heads are largely awaiting projects from their favorite artists, and critics are speculating if 2018 can match the greatness of 2017.  With instant classics from Rapsody, Kendrick, Jay-Z and Run The Jewels dropping last year, and almost equally incredible projects from Skyzoo, Talib Kweli, Joey Bada$$, and Brother Ali dropping, it naturally gets one excited about the prospect of new music coming from people we were wanting to hear from last year.  Who's gonna hit? Who's gonna flop? What's the next set bar for hip-hop? Who knows, but for now let's go over twenty-five of the most anticipated releases in 2018.

25. Joyner Lucas

Untitled

Production: unknown

After making some bubbles with his slept-on mixtape, 508-507-2209, he released the controversial cut, "I'm Not Racist".  Polarizing as it is, more people knew who this very talented lyricist was.  With his forthcoming untitled effort dropping sometime in 2018, you can expect to hear even more of his excellent bars and his potential to be one of the game's next stars.

24. Phife Dawg

Forever

Production: Q-Tip, J Dilla, Pete Rock, others

Long live the "five foot assassin".  When Phife Dawg passed from diabetes complications in 2016, our collective hip-hop hearts were broken.  Our collective consciousness was raised by A Tribe Called Quest, and one of its vital members had gone home.  Before the reunion and his passing, he was finishing up his solo album entitled Forever, which reportedly has work done by Pete Rock and Q-Tip, plus a Dilla beat with it as well.  Previously released singles like "Wanna Dance" and "Dear Dilla" are expected to be included on this effort, but there's no doubt it will be bittersweet to hear the "funky diabetic" and him not be here.  However, as we know, his spirit will continue to live on thus he's immortal.

23. Masta Ace & Marco Polo

Untitled

Production: Marco Polo

Word around the campfire is that underrated beatsmith Marco Polo will be in charge of production for Masta Ace's next effort.  We last heard from Masta Ace with his very decent The Falling Season album.  One has to wonder if this will be another conceptual album like the unforgettable efforts of Disposable Arts and A Long Hot Summer.  This may just be good ol' fashioned hip-hop.  Either way, we here for it from Ace.

22. Earl Sweatshirt

Untitled

Production: artist, others

The ever allusive Earl Sweatshirt.  Once seen as arguably the moist talented member of OFWGKTA, he was also among the most with personal issues.  These issues resulted in some damn great projects such as his full length debut, Doris, and his last effort, I Don't Like Shit, I Don't Go Outside.  With the unfortunate passing of his father, it's very possible we will hear even more from his troubled heart, but we'll be all the more grateful for him letting us in.

21. Ludacris

Untitled

Production: unknown

Anytime there's a chance of a new Luda album, we jump at the mention.  He already dropped a couple cuts in 2017 to whet our appetite for an upcoming project, and hopefully it will see the light of day in 2018.

20. Cypress Hill

Elephants On Acid

Production: DJ Muggs

The legendary weed advocates have returned.  The group of B-Real, Sen Dog, Bobo, and DJ Muggs are back Haven't been heard from as a group since Rise Up!, Muggs reunited with them full-time, and we can't wait to see if they can recapture the magic of influential releases such as their self-titled debut, Black Sunday, and III: Temples Of Boom.  There's never been such a thing as a disappointing Cypress album (even with Muggs only handling a few beats instead of the whole album), but I have a feeling this one could be their best one in over a decade.

19. Elzhi & Khrysis

Jericho Jackson

Production: Khrysis

Elzhi is one of hip-hop's true lyricists.  This superb Detroit-rhyme slinger is the type you don't want guesting on your song because he'll take the cut with him.  We last heard from him in 2016 with the personal, Lead Poison, but who can forget the fucking incredible, The Preface?  In 2018, he'll be teaming up with 9th Wonder protege and Grammy nominated NC beatmaker Khrysis to release Jericho Jackson, and just the thought of those two working on a whole album together could be as great as anything Elzhi has ever done, plus continue to show just how crazy Chris Tyson is behind the boards.  Hopefully we'll hear a verse or two from him too.

18. Boogie

Shady Records Debut

Production: unknown

Compton emcee Boogie shocked the world when he was announced as a new member of the Shady camp along with Westside Gunn and Conway The Machine with the Griselda camp.  Boogie is a very nice emcee and soon enough the world will soon know this as well, as hopefully we'll get a very strong debut from the latest to extend the legacy of Compton.

17. Roc Marciano & DJ Muggs

Kaos

Production: DJ Muggs

One of NY's grimiest storytellers is Long Island's Roc Marciano.  Thunderous previous efforts such as Marcberg, Reloaded, Marci Beaucoup, and 2017's Rosebudds's Revenge (be on the lookout for the sequel as well reportedly) shows just how nuts of a talent Marci is.  With the addition of DJ Muggs to do a whole album with him, this will be a dark, brooding gem of an album.  If you thought Muggs' effort with Meyhem Lauren, Views From The Equinox, was hard, wait til you get a load of Kaos in all likeliness.

16. The Roots

End Game

Production: Quest-Love, 9th Wonder, others

The legendary Roots crew ladies and gentlemen.  The most consistent group in all of hip-hop is returning with their next potentially amazing effort, End Game.  With 9th Wonder in assistance, this may be yet another new sound for the group, but one that will bring a new level of soul with them.  The same ones that delivered classics like Illadelph Halflife, Things Fall Apart, and How I Got Over return with their next potential instant classic.

15. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib

Bandana

Production: Madlib

One of the most delightful efforts of the past decade was the collaborative effort between Freddie Gibbs and Madlib, when they delivered the memorable, Pinata.  Now with Gibbs' legal stuff behind him, plus hoping to capitalize off the acclaim off his 2017 album, You Only Live 2wice, here's to hoping they can repeat the gritty magic that was Pinata.

14. T.I.

The Dime Trap

Production: unknown

Many consider him the Jay-Z of the south, and it's definitely undeniable how influential T.I. has been to southern hip-hop.  His Roc Nation debut, The Dime Trap, has been a couple years in the making, but hopefully it'll drop in 2018.  Speculation has it that Dr. Dre has worked with him on this project, which may make the project that much more intriguing.

13. Evidence

Weather Or Not

Production: artist, Nottz, The Alchemist, DJ Premier, Khrysis, DJ Babu, others

Mr. Slow Flow himself, Evidence, returns in early 2018 with his third solo album, Weather Or Not.  Following up the critical acclaim of his previous two efforts of The Weatherman LP and Cats & Dogs, Ev already dropped two singles from the album: the Alchemist-crafted "Throw It All Away" and the Nottz-produced banger "Jim Dean".  Along with guests like Rapsody, Styles P, Defari, Jonwayne, and his fellow Dilated Peoples brother Rakaa Iriscience, this will be a heatseeker in the winter months.

12. Royce 5'9"

The Book Of Ryan

Production: unknown

The lyrical perfection that is Royce 5'9" returns with his seventh full-length album, The Book Of Ryan.  Royce is following up his personal release, Layers, and promises to get even more in-depth and introspective with this new release.  This will no doubt be a very intriguing effort and one that will likely continue to push Royce into earning the title of lyrical legend.

11.Dave East
Untitled Def Jam full-length debut
Production: unknown

The new voice of Harlem, Dave East, has been quite the buzz for the past few years.  From his mixtapes of Hate Me Now to the critically acclaimed Kairi Chanel and 2017's Paranoia EP, East is sitting on a flamestarter for a full-length debut for Def Jam.  If we go upon his track record, it's very apparent that the young Harlemite will definitely deliver in the goods department, as his gritty rhymes and great storytelling will be something intriguing to watch in 2018.  he will drop Paranoia 2 in early 2018, but it's the full-length that will officially make him a bonafide star.

12. Pusha T

King Push

Production: Kanye West

If there's one album we've been eagerly awaiting for a few years now, it's definitely Pusha T's King Push album.  Releasing the teaser for King Push entitled King Push: Darkest Before Dawn in 2015, we knew that if Darkest Before Dawn sounded THAT crazy, one could only imagine what King Push itself would sound like.  It had been reported that Kanye was going to be the sole producer for the project so this sounds like this could be quite the sonic treasure we had been hoping for.  Although it's unknown if previously released singles "D.D.A." with Jay-Z, H.G.T.V.", and "Circles" will be included on the effort, one thing is for sure, Pusha's King Push will be well worth the wait.

11. Jon Connor

Vehicle City

Production: Dr. Dre, others

Detroit's Jon Connor has been a heat dropped for some years now in the underground with some rather fire mixtapes. However, it was when Connor revealed during a BET cypher that he was the best to blow from Aftermath that heads were immediately in high anticipation. We see how Dre's last protege blew up (read: Kendrick Lamar) so here's hoping for the same massive success with his Aftermath debut, Vehicle City.

10. Redman

Muddy Waters Too

Production: Erick Sermon, others

Jersey hip-hop legend Redman has been hitting the sequel to his most acclaimed album, Muddy Waters, for the last few years. His last effort, the EP Mudface, was a pretty reintroduction to this new generation of emcees. However, the album is reportedly finished and is ready to be felt by his loyalty masses.

9. The Game

Westside Story

Production: Dr. Dre, Bongo, others

One of hip-hop's most consistent emcees of this generation is former Dr. Dre protege The Game. Following up one of the most acclaimed albums of his career, 1992, will be Westside Story, which is reportedly his final album. Word has it that he will be reunited with his former mentor along with having a collabo with Kendrick Lamar. If this is his swan song, he may be going out like the G he is.

8. Jay Rock

Untitled

Production: unknown

When we last years from.TDE's O.G. Jay Rock, he had delivered his VERY dope 2015, 90059. Even better than his Follow Me Home debut, 90059 was his breakout album. He's ready now to drop the follow up and based upon TDE's momentum, this will be another fire release.  He already dropped "King's Dead" with Kendrick, James Blake, Future, and Mike WILL Made It, which will also be on the potentially FLAMES Black Panther OST.  If this new album is anything like or better than 90059, Jay will have a serious one on his hands.

7. Kanye West

Turbo Grafx 16 (tentative title)

Production: artist, others

One thing about Kanye (Kardashian) West is you never know what to expect from him musically.  He tends to always reinvent himself with every release, which is a good thing.  His last effort, The Life Of Pablo, was a mixed bag or Yeezus mixed with My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy with some original herbs and spices added.  As to what we can expect to see from the tentatively titled Turbo Grafx 16 (named after the highly underrated video game system of the early nineties), all we can say is stay tuned.  Whatever it is, it'll be something as ambitious as ever.

6. Westside Gunn

Shady Records debut

Production: Daringer, others

Griselda may very well be one of the most must-see labels/crews of all of 2018.  Since getting signed to Shady in 2017, speculation has really ran rampant about how the sound will be.  Gunna's last full-length effort, FLYGOD, was among the most hard-hitting releases of 2016, and since then he has dropped the mixtapes of Hitler Wears Hermes 5 and Hitler On Steroids.  Not to mention his EP with MF DOOM and the quietly dropped Riots On Fashion Ave.  With his Shady Records debut, this could be a gritty as ever, and along with his brother Conway, El Camino, and B.E.N.N.Y., this will be a very big one.

5. ScHoolboy Q

Untitled

Production: unknown

After the enormous successes of Oxymoron and its follow-up The Blank Face LP, TDE's ScHoolboy Q is set to drop another banger for our ears in 2018.  Reportedly the album was either finished or near completion by late summer so it's only a matter of time before we get his third major label effort.  The Grammy Award-nominated emcee delivers another collection of gritty, in-your-face rhymes for you to absorb.  Is another gold or platinum plaque in Quincy's future? Only time will tell, but I wouldn't bet against him.

4. Conway The Machine

Shady Records debut

Production: Daringer, others

Many would say the true star of Griselda is Conway The Machine, the brother of Westside Gunn.  His no-nonsense, slightly slurred delivery has made him among the most in-demand emcees in the game right now.  In 2017, along with doing collaborations with the lies of Mayhem Lauren, Big Twins, and several others, he dropped the mixtapes Reject On Steroids, More Steroids, and the intense G.O.A.T., all of which exemplified that nihilistic griminess that  Conway fully exhibits.  In 2018, it's speculated he'll drop a few efforts, with one being his official Shady debut.  Conway with Eminem is a very scary concept, but it could very well happen.

3. Royce 5'9" & DJ Premier

PRhyme 2

Production: DJ Premier & Antman Wonder

Who could forget the instant classic that was PRhyme, the collaboration between Royce 5'9" and DJ Premier?  Although at an EP's length, the project was among the most incredible listens of the decade, much less the year of 2015.  Immediately the taste was for more of the same with the announcement of a PRhyme 2.  The difference being this time, they get assisted by Preemo protege, Antman Wonder instead of Adrien Younge.  If you have heard anything from Antman, you know this is a very worthy substitution for Younge, and this will no doubt be a FLAMES follow-up to a monumental debut.

2. Skyzoo

In Celebration Of Us...

Production: !llmind, Apollo Brown, Daringer, Cardiak, others

There's no going wrong with Brooklyn's Skyzoo.  Among the slept-on lyricists in the game currently, Sky has delivered some excellent albums such as his debut, The Salvation, Music For My Friends, and his most recent EP, Peddler Themes.  In 2018, he returns with In Celebration Of Us, and quite frankly, based upon the sampler that was dropped, this already is a high bar setter for the year.  Phenomenal production from the likes of !llmind and Apollo Brown, as well as others like Marc Nfinite, this is a personal, in-depth, vivid release with Sky at his lyrical and conceptual best.  This could very well be his official hallmark moment.

1. Nas

Untitled

production: unknown

The god emcee from Queensbridge is finally set to drop his long awaited follow-up to his stellar Life Is Good album from 2013.  DJ Khaled teased the masses by stating "Nas Album Done", but we hadn't heard anything in terms of a single yet.  However, word is he's fully ready to drop the new album, and we all know it'll be nothing less than another important piece of hip-hop excellence.  You can bet based upon today's political and social climate, plus personal matters, Mr. Jones has a bunch to say, and in 2018, here's hoping we get it all from the street's disciple himself.

Other anticipated albums

Westside Gunn & Conway- Hall & Nash 3

Jeezy & T.I.- untitled

Brockhampton- untitled

NYGz- Hustla's Union

Remy Ma- Seven Winters, Six Summers

Remy Ma- PunisHER

A$AP Rocky- untitled

Isaiah Rashad- untitled

Earthgang- Dreamville full-length debut

Lenny Grant- The Lenny Grant Story

GZA- Dark Matter

Jedi Mind Tricks- The Bridge & The Abyss

Method Man & Redman- Blackout 3

Chuck Strangers- untitled

Scarface & DJ Quik- untitled EP

Rain910- untitled Maybach Music debut

MF DOOM & DJ Muggs- untitled

Lil' Wayne- untitled

Nicky Minaj- untitled

G.O.O.D. Music- Cruel Winter

While there are a lot more projects that are destined to drop, some of these efforts may not drop, and that's just being real.  However, if the musical stars align just right, we will see all these releases and more (will we ever see efforts like Madvillainy 2, GhostDOOM, Jay Electronica's Act II, or Kendrick & Cole album?).  If 2018 is anything like 2017, this will be another musically astounding year.  Here's to the anticipation of these releases.  Until next time, folks!