25. Mac Miller & Madlib
MacLib
Production: Madlib
Guests: unknown
We start with two projects from the ever-mad scientist himself, Madlib. The Oxnard, CA native is considered legendary amongst, especially underground, hip-hop circles due to his work on the likes of Pinata, Bandana, Liberation, Liberation 2, Soundpieces: Da Antidote, and especially the all-timer, Madvillainy. Do not be surprised if 2025 is among the biggest years to date for "The Beat Konductor." One of the more anticipated possible releases is his posthumous release with the late, great Mac Miller. Reportedly, he's finishing up this MacLib project that's been in development since not long before Miller died in 2019. Miller was known for his incredible work ethic, leaving behind several songs worth of albums, and this was one of them. Although you can roughly find most of the album across YouTube or Soundcloud, the official release could very well see the light of day and if it does happen, there's no doubt that this will be equally mournful of his talent and excellent hearing him over Madlib's quirky, yet disrespectfully soulful and jazzy production. Unfortunately, tragedy struck when Madlib's home was among the many that were casualties in the wake of the catastrophic wildfires in L.A. Reportedly thirty years of music were horrendously reduced to ashes, which may or may not include this and his other projected releases this year. Let's hope that he will still put out some outstanding music but we first hope and pray Otis Jackson and his family can and will get on their feet first.
24. Your Old Droog & Madlib
YODLIB
Production: Madlib
Guests: Jay Electronica, others
Another highly anticipated album that people are waiting for from Madlib is the collab album from him and Your Old Droog. The album has been in the works for over a year, and it appears the album is in fact ready to drop and drop soon. Droog delivered perhaps his most cohesive project to date with 2024's Movie. As tremendous as that was, this YODLIB project could top that even more. These two have worked together on tracks such as "Droogie-La", "Return of Sasquash", "Waves Crashing", and the Method Man/Denzel Curry-assisted, "DBZ" from Movie. All of these cuts have shown their chemistry to the point where a full project from them was inevitable. Rumored guests such as Jay Electronica, Yasiin Bey, Black Thought, and Ab-Soul have been mentioned but nothing has been confirmed as of this writing. Even if there's none, YODLIB could very well be amongst your top ten albums of the year when it's all said and done.
23. MIKE
Showbiz!
Production: artist/DJ Blackpower, others
Guests: unknown
Available: now
One person that has really garnered a rising fan following within the underground has been Jersey-born, NYC-based emcee, MIKE. His seemingly lazy-meets-stoned delivery that resembles the likes of Earl Sweatshirt and MAVI has resonated enough to where his fan base is always expecting him to drop quality material after quality material, especially since his first taste of acclaim, May God Bless Your Hustle. Since then, he's dropped very dope albums such as War in My Pen, the very melancholy Tears Of Joy, Weight of The World, the heavy Beware of The Monkey, the stellar Burning Desire, his fantastic collaborative effort with Wiki and The Alchemist, Faith Is a Rock, and the most recent collab with producer, Mike Seltzer, Pinball. All of which exemplified his writing talents, as well as showing his intelligent rhythmic cadence beneath that monotone delivery. He returns in early 2025 with Showbiz! Already dropping the videos of "Belly 1" and "You're The Only One Watching", MIKE sounds hungry and ready to drop another album that will accentuate his writing talents and his own lo-fi, cleverly sampled, jazzy production under his alias, DJ Blackpower, Although many feel he's hit his apex with Burning Desire, don't bet against the fact that he can likely outdo himself even more.
22. Mac Miller
Balloonerism
Production: artist, others
Guests: SZA, others
Available: now
We mentioned earlier that Mac Miller had a plethora of unreleased music that has never been heard past YouTube or SoundCloud. That officially changes with Balloonerism thanks to Miller's estate. Regarded as his most depressing and ethereal album, Balloonerism was first leaked to YouTube and Soundcloud over two years ago and the demand for this to be officially released was high. Tackling obviously very sensitive topics such as drugs, depression, and mental illness, Balloonerism will make a shift in sound and imagery from previous excellent albums such as Watching TV With the Sound Off, The Divine Feminine, and his career shifting, GOOD A:M. The only known guest on the project is the Queen of TDE, SZA, and production is mostly handled by Miller himself, but we get an unfortunately disturbing look into a young emcee with all the potential in the world to be a much bigger star than he was, but the world lost way too soon. Aside from this and the aforementioned MacLib album, here's to hoping we get way more albums from Mac Miller in 2025.
21. Jericho Jackson
JJ2
Production: Khrysis
Guests: unknown
The Detroit-Durham connection of highly astounded emcee, Elzhi, and equally praised producer, Khrysis, came together in 2022 to become Jericho Jackson, and delivered their self-titled album to tremendous acclaim. Elzhi has been known to deliver full projects with producers such as Georgia Anne Maldrow (Zhigeist), JR Swiftz (Seven Times Down, Eight Times Up), Oh No (Heavy Vibrato), and especially Black Milk (the unforgettable Preface). With Khrysis, he delivered strongly over Chris Tyson's thumping and thick boom-bap with structured samples and enough knock to keep some Excedrin in your car. The pair will likely deliver once again with JJ2, and with the one or two tracks previewed by Khrysis, we may be in for another hot one from the duo. While we definitely anticipate the rumored collab album with on fire producer, Conductor Williams, this year, make no mistake about it: JJ2 will be a scorcher and will remind everyone why these two need to deliver album after album after album together.
20. Bone Thugs N harmony
All 5 Live
Production: DJ U-Neek, others
Guests: unknown
It's been nearly eight years since we last heard an album from the legendary group, Bone Thugs N Harmony. The St. Clair/E. 99 natives of Cleveland are truly innovators within the game going back to their underground Faces of Death days to their breakout major label debut, Creepin' on Ah Come Up to the mega smash, the quadruple platinum selling, E. 1999 Eternal, and their equally tremendous follow-up, The Art of War. Since then, the group has on and off internal issues but would find ways to get back together to deliver more goods for the masses. Real life hit them in 2023 when Krayzie Bone nearly left this world as a result of complications from Sarcoidosis, but miraculously, he recovered. Possibly hinting that this was a sign to bring the group back together, they plan to drop their first album since '17's New Waves, which only technically comprised of Krayzie and Bizzy, with Flesh, Wish, and Layzie being "guests". Word around the campfire is that this could be one of the biggest albums they've delivered in quite a long time, which if history says anything, we may be going back to the Bone that made the world fall in love with their outstanding harmonies of double and triple time rhythmic deliveries over dark, moody, and haunting basslines. It's high time the game remembers how truly gifted Krayzie, Wish, Bizzy, Layzie, and Flesh-N truly are and give us one more example of why these Grammy Award winners is destined for every Hall of Fame imaginable.
19. J. Cole
The Fall-Off (It's A Boy)
Production: artist, The Alchemist, others
Guests: unknown
After his public on-then-off issues with Kendrick and Drake, Cole has been low key putting in the finishing touches on what's slated to be his final album, The Fall-Off. While Might Delete Later has mixed opinions about it, his core heads are expecting him to deliver his most compelling work ever with this reportedly being his swan song. With a formidable discography that includes powerhouses such as Born Sinner, Cole World: The Sideline Story, 2014 Forest Hills Drive (the ten year anniversary deluxe edition is WORTH checking for), 4 Your Eyez Only, and his sizzler, The Off Season, the Fayetteville native needs to bring his absolute best arsenal to the table and remind people why he's among the best of his generation one final time before hanging up his mic.
18. Cormega & Havoc
untitled
Production: Havoc
Guests: unknown
Queensbridge veteran, Cormega, is supposedly in store to have a dope year in 2025. The last time we heard from Mega was 2021's The Realness 2, the dope sequel to his debut album from 2001 that was filled with venom and angst, mostly based upon his feud at the time with fellow QB vet and former friend (at the time), Nas. In 2024, he went on his social media account and stated that he was finishing up a collaborative album with yet another QB soldier, Havoc of Mobb Deep. These two have known each other since before their days of rapping professionally so we're talking about forty-plus years. Mega and Havoc have collaborated before on cuts such as "Crime Connection", "Deer Park", and the sinister classic, "Killaz Theme" with Hav's late, great Mobb partner, Prodigy. It'll be interesting to hear if Hav can conjure up the old Mobb sound to compliment Mega's street narratives and show both artists as elder statesmen for the world's most infamous projects.
17. Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist
Alfredo 2
Production: The Alchemist
Guests: unknown
Uncle Al is no stranger whatsoever to working with the emcee we know as Freddie Gibbs. From the first time Gibbs appeared on the bananas cut with Curren$y, "Scottie Pippen", the connection between Gibbs and Alchemist was solid. So much so that Gibbs, Curren$y, and Al came together in 2019 to deliver the searing effort, Fetti. Not too much longer after that effort dropped, Gibbs surprised the game by announcing a project with Alchemist entitled Alfredo in 2020. The album was practically a flawless piece of work, as Gibbs and his ridiculously technical delivery and rhyme style was heavily catered to by Al's smooth, yet menacing, production that also earned them a Grammy Award nomination of 2021. Aiming to hit the same switches, the two are reportedly finishing up Alfredo 2, and with the unprecedented roll Al is on, there's no doubt this album will be every bit as scorching, if not more so than the first Alfredo. With the possibility of Montana also dropping from Gibbs & Madlib, it's possible this could be the most monstrous year for Gibbs yet, while Uncle Al will continue to be "everybody's favorite uncle".
16. Jay Rock
Eastside Johnny
Production: unknown
Guests: Ab-Soul, ScHoolboy Q, others
One of the OGs of TDE is Watts native, Jay Rock. While gathering a good fan base from his debut, Follow Me Home, he garnered more with his consistently crazy #90059, which provided the thumpers of "Money Trees Deuce", the thick "Gumbo", and the Black Hippy-posse cut, "Vice City". It was here where Rock started to really establish his identity amongst the crew of highly talented emcees and artists. He leveled up even more on his 2018 release, Redemption, in which we got the infectious anthem, "Win", along with the Kendrick Lamar/Future-assisted, "King's Dead", and both of these cuts earned him Grammy nominations, thus Jay had officially arrived. The fact that it's been nearly seven years since we've gotten a full release from Rock is annoying, but the drought could very well be over as he's supposedly finishing up his anticipated follow up to Redemption this year entitled Eastside Johnny. With Schoolboy dropping his finest effort overall since The Blank Face LP with Blue Lips and Ab-Soul dropping an underappreciated knocker in Soul Burger, it's time for Rock to handle his business and put the spotlight back on himself now. Here's to hoping that does in fact happen.
15. Westside Gunn
Flygod Is An Awesome God 3
12
Production: unknown
Guests: unknown
Available: Second quarter 2025, now
What would a year be without the almighty Griselda? Furthermore, what would a year be without the head honcho of the bunch, Westside Gunn? The emcee/entrepreneur/businessman, designer, wrestling promoter is a very busy man out here out on these streets. In 2024, he dropped two thunderous efforts in 11 and Still Praying, along with officially establishing 4th Rope as an indie wrestling promotion and not just a clothing brand. While one really can't be too certain about Gunn and if/when he decides to drop a project, but apparently, he's slated to drop 12, with the third installment of his acclaimed mixtape series, Flygod Is an Awesome God. It's no surprise that he loves hearing his name out here, especially when it comes to his music, art, and wrestling dealings. If you've kept up with the prior two installments of Awesome God, you already know how knocking those mixtapes are. Right now, no word as to who's on the boards for neither project, but you can believe Gunn will drop something that's certainly going to reflect where he's at musically and business-wise, especially if it means pissing off haters, which he openly loves to do. The HNIC of Griselda will likely have another very busy year, with projects from Rome, Boldy, possibly Armani's return, and of course the group album between him, Conway, and Benny, WWCD2, so be aware that Griselda ain't be playing with anybody in 2025.
14. Conway the Machine & The Alchemist
untitled
Production: The Alchemist
Guests: unknown
When Griselda/Drumwork representative, Conway The Machine, first linked up with Uncle Al for the project, LULU, in 2020, the album easily ranked amongst the best efforts of that year. Al's murky, yet melodic and meticulously sampled, production with Conway's straightforward delivery and gritty lyricism was an excellent mashup. It's been said they started working on the album not long after LULU's release, but due to the crucially busy schedules of both artists, the album kept getting pushed back and pushed back. At last word, the album could finally see the light of day in 2025. Based on Conway's appearance on Al's Genuine Articulate album, many can't wait for another effort between the two highly talented artists, and one would be hard pressed to not believe this will be as great or better than LULU.
13. Mobb Deep
untitled
Production: Havoc, The Alchemist, Santana Foxx
Guests: Santana Foxx, Big Noyd, Nas, others
As we approach the eighth year of mourning the loss of Prodigy of Mobb Deep, the anticipation grows and grows for the Mobb's posthumous album. At last check before the 2024 year ended, Havoc was very busy at work finishing up the album, as he stated it was "seventy percent done". Along with Hav, frequent collaborator, The Alchemist will also man the boards as well on this album. Also, P's daughter, Santana Foxx will appear on the mic and reportedly on the boards for a track or two as well. If you're familiar with her mic work and production work, you know her production is very Mobb-like, with spooky, bleak soundscapes and how she vocally sounds like her Infamous father. Aside from Foxx and longtime cohort, Big Boyd, there's no known other guests as of this writing. Giving this is an extremely personal project for Havoc, one would be wise to not at all sleep on this album. Here's hoping that we get that old vintage Mobb sound with lost verses from P that will completely uphold the standard that Mobb Deep crafted for themselves throughout their run.
12. Busta Rhymes
Dragon Season
Production: Nottz, DJ Scratch, Rockwilder, Roc Marciano, 9th Wonder, Erick Sermon, Diamond D, artist, others
Guests: Conway The Machine, Benny The Butcher, 38 Spesh, Stacy Barthe, Coast Contra, Tobe Nwigwe, Killer Mike, Barrington Levy, Symba, others
Available: 3/2025
After a, let's just say less than receptive reaction to his last album, Blockbusta, the almighty Busta Rhymes is returning with his twelfth album, Dragon Season, and based upon a couple of cuts, official or leaked, this could be the sound we truly know from ol' Buss-A-Bus. The lead-off single, "Unleash Me", is hopefully a sign of things to come throughout the album, with its dark and ominous boardwork from longtime collaborator, Nottz. While not a ton is known about others doing board work on this album besides Nottz, DJ Scratch, and supposedly former Flipmode affiliate, Roc Marciano, the guest list is stacked with guests such as Griselda reps, Conway The Machine and Benny The Butcher, 38 Spesh, Symba, Toby Nwigwe, and reggae legend, Barrington Levy. Earlier in the year he released seven cuts from the album, and he entitled the EP, Dragon Season: The Awakening. Just based upon most of these tracks, the rest of the album could be a potential monster. Here's to hoping we get more ELE2 Busta and instead of Blockbusta Busta on this effort, but one should never count Busta out in any way, shape, or form. If The Awakening was any sign, we have nothing to worry about kiddies!
11. Boldy James & The Alchemist
untitled
Production: The Alchemist
Can you really underestimate the duo of Boldy James and The Alchemist? Since their first effort together, My 1st Chemistry Set, they've been quite the emcee/producer duo, and everything they've released since has been among the best projects of that year. Seven years removed from My 1st Chemistry Set, they returned in big time fashion with The Price of Tea in China, only to return two years later with two projects: the incredible Bo Jackson and the equally cold, Super Tecmo Bo. It's beyond obvious that Boldy and Uncle Al have a special something together musically, even more so than his pairing with Canadian producer, Nicholas Craven. Among the plethora of projects both artists are involved with in 2025, it's been said they're finishing up their fourth project (fifth if you include their 2019 EP, Boldface) and if you're going off momentum, do not at all bet against these two to deliver another fantastic outing.
10. PRhyme
PRhyme 3
Production: DJ Premier
Guests: unknown
A true hip-hopper's dream came true in 2014, as Detroit's rhyme chess master, Royce Da 5'9", and one of the true GOATs within hip-hop production circles, DJ Premier, came together as PRhyme. They delivered their debut self-titled album and was hailed an instant classic as it conjured imagery of Gangstarr in their prime (no pun intended) and the chemistry between the two was simply undeniable. Four years later, the two returned to deliver PRhyme 2, an almost as potent sequel to their debut and certified them as a very highly feared and respected emcee/producer duo. It's been said that PRhyme 3 is in the final stages and could actually get released this year much to the delight of fans worldwide. With their debut, Preemo sampled composer Adrien Younge for their sound, and on PRhyme 2, Preemo sampled his protégé, Antman Wonder. The question is, who will Preemo sample with this album, if anyone?? Here's to hoping these two go three for three with this eagerly anticipated effort.
9. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib
Montana
Production: Madlib
Guests: unknown
A decade removed from their first collaborative effort, Piñata, Freddie Gibbs & Madlib are set to finally release the third installment of their Cocaine series, Montana. Once it got established that Piñata was a modern classic, and then they repeated the same magic for the second installment, Bandana in 2019, it is only right that they end this trilogy on a super high note and solidify them as one of hip-hop's best emcee/producer duos of this century. Freddie, himself, has had quite a dope few years since Bandana with tremendous outings such as his major label debut, $ouls $old $eperately and 2024's You Only Die 1nce, while Madliberator has been working with the likes of Westside Gunn, Black Star, Talib Kweli, and finishing up the unreleased joint project with the late, great Mac Miller, MacLib. Here's to hoping Montana continues the momentum the previous two exceptional releases between the two have already set in stone.
8. The Alchemist
untitled
Production: artist
Guests: Big Noyd, Big Twins, others
It appears everybody's favorite uncle (as he refers to himself on the title of the same name from The Genuine Articulate) is set to have possibly his biggest year to date in 2025. Aside from mostly underground artists such as Armand Hammer, MIKE, Wiki, Roc Marci, Earl Sweatshirt, and Freddie Gibbs to more globally known acts such as Eminem, J. Cole, Drake, and Kendrick Lamar, the Grammy Award-nominated beat crafter has emerged into legendary status over the past few years. With efforts that included the stellar effort with Roc Marci, The Skelton Key, the collab with Big Hit and Hit-Boy, Black & Whites, his reunion with Oh No as Gangrene, Heads I Win, Tails You Lose, and his own tremendous effort, The Genuine Articulate, Uncle Al went to the town on the boards, picked up the mic and went in on both. To close out the year, he dropped two singles and videos: the Big Twin and Big Noyd-featured "Team Infamous" and "Floppy Disks", thus indicating an album is coming. Is it a compilation? Is it another solo album like Genuine Articulate? Only time will tell, but with projects coming with Yasiin Bey, Boldy James, Big Sean, Conway, and possibly a joint project with Larry June and 2 Chainz, don't count out another monster effort by Uncle Al that highlights not only his mic ability but the fact that he should now be in everyone's Mount Rushmore of modern hip-hop producers.
7. Rome Streetz & Conductor Williams
untitled
Production: Conductor Williams
Guests: unknown
What a past three years Queens native, Rome Streetz, has had. The Griselda artist, previously known for bangers such as his Headcrack mixtape series, as well as his Noise Candy series and his tremendous DJ Muggs-crafted collab album, Death & The Magician, dropped a career best with his Griselda debut of 2022, Kiss The Ring. The next year, he followed that up with the almost as crazy fifth installment of Noise Candy series as well as his equally knocking collaborative album with dumb dope underground producer, Big Ghost LTD, Wasn't Built in A Day. In 2024, he dropped two projects. The first being the EP with producer, Wavy Da Gahwd, Buck 50, but delivered a new benchmark with Griselda's in-house production monster, Daringer, for Hatton Garden Holdup, with the confirmation that he was finishing up his collaborative effort with another Griselda producer, the Grammy nominated Conductor Williams. Conductor was responsible for one-third of Kiss The Ring's outstanding production, thus a full project with the two was seemingly inevitable. Furthermore, Rome was featured on the first single of the third installment of Conductor's Conductor ...We Have a Problem album series, "Get Away" to lots of acclaim. With Conductor becoming a household name within hip-hop thanks to crafting cuts fir the likes of Drake, J. Cole, Conway The Machine, Westside Gunn, Mach-Hommy, Tyler The Creator, and JID, many expect this project to be a legit sizzler when it drops.
6. Griselda
WWCD2
Production: unknown
Guests: unknown
In December of 2019, Westside, Conway, and Benny dropped their first collab album together under the Griselda banner, WWCD (or What Would 'Chinegunn Do, with Chinegunn being the fallen brother of Benny and best friend/cousin of Gunn and Conway). The album, mainly handled by Griselda boardsmith, Daringer, and another tremendous producer in his own right, Beat Butcha, the album was dark, gritty, and dusty, filled with the harrowing street narratives that we had come to expect from the three-headed monster that is this crew. With this being their only album as a group released through Shady Records, the album was extremely authentic and never gave a single impression that the album was co-executive produced by Eminem, as their traditional raw and rough sound wasn't compromised in the slightest. Now 5 years after the effort, plans had been in the works to bring the three-headed monster back, in between each artist's individual efforts. According to both Conway and Benny, WWCD2 will finally see the light of day near the second quarter of the year. No news as to production work or guests, but anytime the three of them get together for a track in itself, its flames, so it's no wonder another full-length between the three of them will be hopefully as nuts as their debut together.
5. Clipse
Let God Sort 'Em Out
Production: Pharrell Williams
Guests: Nas, Kendrick Lamar, John Legend, Pharrell, others
When's the last time you heard The Clipse?? Well, it's been about sixteen (YES, 1...6) years since the Thornton brothers from VA have legitimately made an album together. This particular album of 2009, Til the Casket Drops, spawned the hits "I'm Good" with Pharrell and the Kanye-featured, "Kinda Like a Big Deal". While not the outstanding prior releases of their debut Lord Willin' and especially their follow-up, Hell Hath No Fury, the album was still very dope and rotational. This would mark, however, the last time you would hear the two together on a full-length album from that point on. Pusha became an artist under Kanye's G.O.O.D. Music, deliver four outstanding albums, and even became the president of the label. Malice would get born again and convert his life to Jesus Christ and Christianity, thus denouncing all secular hip-hop and becoming No Malice. Heads were in high anticipation of a Clipse reunion album once we got Pusha on his brother's track, "Shame the Devil", from his debut solo album, Hear Ye Him, and then later No Malice appeared on his brother's cut, "I Pray For You" from Pusha's stellar album, It's Almost Dry. Well, kiddies, the time has finally come for No Malice & Pusha T to officially reunite, and we're finally getting their LONG overdue follow-up to Til the Casket Drops, Let God Sort 'Em Out. This will be No Malice's first fully secular project since his conversion to Christianity in 2013 so this alone should be interesting considering how much he denounces the same coke-riddled streets that his brother still occasionally raps about and is still successful from. They also reunited with Pharrell to give them the full Clipse experience like their prior works. With the album dropping any time now, the excitement levels of the reunited Clipse are super high, and longtime fans are hopeful that we will get the same magic that made them among the most in-demand duos of the thousands. Likely mixing spiritual themes with street narratives, this could prove to be the most ambiguous Clipse project yet, but with guests such as Nas, Kendrick, John Legend, and Pharrell being all in, it's a great bet that this will be among the best comeback albums of the decade.
4. Yasiin Bey & The Alchemist are Forensics
Forensics
Production: The Alchemist
Guests: N/A
Available: 3/2025
Around the 4th quarter of 2024, there was footage of the emcee formerly known as Mos Def, Yasiin Bey, performing at a venue over some previously unheard Alchemist production. From there, rumors were going around that Uncle Al was doing an effort with the man responsible for one of hip-hop's most exquisite efforts, Black On Both Sides. After some speculation, the rumors turned out to be true, as the cover for the album of he and Alchemist was unveiled on Instagram, with them being known as Forensics. One track that was released onto YouTube was the track, "Kijani", and just based upon this track, even if it's unmastered, unmixed raw audio, it has tons of promise. Imagine if the rest of the album sounds this dope. It's no secret that Alchemist can make anything and anyone sound crazy, and there's little to no doubt that this could be one of the most magical outings of the year once this gets released. Uncle said in an interview that "this would be his biggest year yet" and just based upon their livestreamed album preview on Bandcamp, the album will be not just one of Yasiin's most ambitious projects, but one of the game's most sonically otherworldly efforts to bless our ears in over the past decade or two. We never knew we needed Forensics until the announcement was made, and with "Kijani" and the rest of the eight-track effort, this will be one that will be on your best albums list and will NOT leave your top five or ten.
3. Westside Gunn & Conway The Machine
Hall & Nash 3
Production: The Alchemist, Daringer
Guests: unknown
At the end of 2023, Uncle Al, himself, dropped a post-Christmas gift to the masses in the form of a previously unreleased album he completed with Westside Gunn and Conway The Machine, Hall & Nash 2, which was the sequel to Gunn & Conway's underground mixtape favorite, Hall & Nash from 2016. While some of the tracks ended up on other projects, mixtapes, and even one of Alchemist's albums, a few other tracks were previously not heard before. When released, Al went to social media and stated that there was a "real" version that he was working on with Griselda's in-house beat monster, Daringer. These two together are vicious together, as they were responsible solely for both Tana Talk 3 and Tana Talk 4 from Benny, as well as The Plugs I Met. Having these two together for what's been loosely titled Hall & Nash 3 makes for the probability of something menacing, possibly even more than Hall & Nash 2. Hopefully this drops sooner in 2025 than later.
2. Common & Pete Rock
The Auditorium Vol. 2
Production: Pete Rock
Guests: unknown
What Chi-town legend, Common, and Mt. Vernon's favorite son, Pete Rock, put together in 2024 in the form of The Auditorium Vol. 1 is something that will be remembered for many years and decades to come. Deemed an instant classic by many, and solidified the relevancy of Rock especially, the album was perfect and shined above any other effort that was an otherwise remarkable and memorable 2024 in terms of releases. Hoping to repeat the same formula that made The Auditorium such an amazing project, they're releasing the second installment of this apparent series. While no release date or any other info is currently available, the pressure is very high to replicate the acclaim their first album delivered. However, is it impossible? Not when you have two of the most legendary artists at what they respectively do linking up together to deliver more of the same magic. The bar has been very damn high, but one wouldn't be quick to doubt the wizardry of Common and Pete Rock, as we've seen already.
1. Nas & DJ Premier
untitled
Production: DJ Premier
Guests: unknown
What seems like an eternity for these two marvelous masters of their respective crafts to finally deliver a full effort together is something most hip-hop fans pretty much gave up on years ago. This was until the god of Queensbridge, Nas, and arguably the game's most respected and valued producer, DJ Premier, dropped the knocking single, "Define My Name", on the thirtieth anniversary of the game's most revered epic, Illmatic. At the end of the track, Nas confirmed one of our biggest dreams ever: a Nas and Preemo album was finally going to be unleashed to the masses. Since their three cuts together on Illmatic, these two have continued to work with each other off and on, but never on a full-length project together. The thought of the two artists that constructed the likes of "Memory Lane", "NY State of Mind", the BLISTERING sequel to the aforementioned track, "NY State of Mind Pt. 2" "Nas Is Like", and "I Gave You Power" doing a full collaborative project is the collective wet dream of longtime fans of both legends. Although there's no current title or release date as of this pressing, the hope is that this album thirty years in the making will see the light of day, and based on the standard both men have set within their careers, this is almost certain to be a career benchmark for both, and will further cement them as the best to ever do it within their respective fields.
Other Highly Anticipated (speculated) Albums
*Updated upcoming releases*
Che Noir & The Other Guys- untitled
Che Noir & 7XVETHEGENIUS- untitled
Roc Marciano & DJ Premier- untitled EP *
Roc Marciano- Criminal Jazz *
Lil' Wayne- Tha Carter VII
Common & Pete Rock- The Auditorium Vol. 2 *
Earl Sweatshirt- untitled
Big Noyd & Havoc- Dunn Language
Big K.R.I.T.- untitled
Doechii- untitled full-length debut album
Flipmode Squad- untitled
Jadakiss- untitled
Styles P- untitled
The Lox- untitled
Cyhi The Prince- The Story Of EGOT
Ludacris- untitled
Saba & No I.D.- From the Private Collection Of...
Noname- untitled
Boldy James & V DON- untitled
Boldy James & Chuck Strangers- Token of Appreciation * (mixed & mastered by The Alchemist) (available now)
Boldy James & Nicholas Craven- untitled
Boldy James & Futurewave- untitled
Domo Genesis & Conductor Williams- untitled
Method Man & Havoc- Dirty P
Blu & August Fanon- untitled
Benny The Butcher & Harry Fraud- The Plugs I Met 3
Mach-Hommy & Conductor Williams- untitled
Elzhi & Conductor Williams- untitled
Larry June, 2 Chainz, & The Alchemist- Life Is Beautiful (available now)
Xzibit- Kingmaker
Joey Bada$$- untitled
Smif-N-Wessun- Infinite (executive produced by 9th Wonder & The Soul Council) (available now)
GR8GAWD & Roc Marciano- GAWDTALK
Raekwon- The Emperor's New Clothes
T.F. & Khrysis- untitled
The Game- The Documentary 3
DJ Quik- untitled
Nicholas Craven- N4
Conway The Machine- Reject 3
Stove God Cook$- untitled
Boldy James & J Dilla- Drug Dilla
CRIMEAPPLE & V DON- untitled *
Rome Streetz & V DON- untitled *
Ransom, Boldy James, & Nicholas Craven- untitled *
RJ Payne & Erick Sermon- 3 Piece EP* (available now)
Ransom & Dave East- The End Game (available now)
Fly Anakin- The Forever Dream (executive produced by Quelle Chris) *
Curren$y & Harry Fraud- Never Catch Up (available now)
Wu-Tang Clan- Black Samson: The Bastard Swordsman *
Evidence- The Unlearning Vol. 2 *
August Fanon- untitled
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