All Hail The Legendary: Ranking The Roots Albums

What's happening all?!  I've been getting some love for the rankings I've been giving, and shouts to Hip Hop Golden Age for their rankings as well. For this next ranking, it's time to give it up to arguably the most influential hip-hop group of this generation.  In the spirit of A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul, Philly heroes The Roots introduced a style of jazz mixed with grass roots, organic hip-hop.  The only real hip-hop band, Black Thought, Quest-Love and company have assembled a discography that's considered as acclaimed as any group in not just hip-hop history, but music history.  Multiple Grammy nominations and a few wins, The Roots have a collection of albums that are cherished so this ranking, much like Outkast, was not an easy one to make, but here's a stab at it.  Let's go shall we?

11. And Then You Shoot Your Cousin

A raw, head-fuck album, The Roots presented their most recent album of 2014, And Then You Shoot Your Cousin.  A short album in length, this album is no less thought-provoking than anything else they had done previously.  Focusing on social commentary regarding violence within our society, this is another dark album from them with substance.  Not as acclaimed as previous efforts, this is still better than most of this era's music and is still worth the rotation.

10. The Tipping Point

Going a more unconventional musical path, The Tipping Point attempts to continue the musical momentum that their previous effort Phrenology succeeded in.  The results end up hit and miss, but overall, this album does succeed in continuing the growing legacy of The Roots and their views of cultural uplifting and setbacks, all over consistently funky instrumentation.  How dope was it to hear De La Soul's "Ego Tripping' Pt. 2" being covered on "Stay Cool"?

9. Undun

Diving into the arena of conceptual albums, they bring Undun.  Many felt they couldn't match the depressing beauty that was How I Got Over just prior, but they definitely gave it a great try.  The album follows the life of Redford Stevens, and his short life filled with violence, despair, and self-distain.  Set in reverse chronological order, it takes a while to fully grasp the vision they guys were trying to exhibit to the masses.  In any event, this album was a testament to once again pushing boundaries many set for them unrighteously and delivered another compelling album worthy of the acclaim it received.

8. Organix

The album that truthfully started the early buzz about the Philly giants.  Sounding as raw and green as one album could sound, we got an early indication that there was something very special about this group/band.  Sounding like a jam session within a garage, Organix shows the (no pun intended) roots of the creation, and it's a very fun listen.  Plus, how often do you get a chance to hear Quest on the mic?  Evolving into an underground classic throughout the years, this is in the same league of Kendrick Lamar's The Kendrick Lamar EP and Eminem's Infinite, in terms of self-released albums that sparked the brain of what would become.  As a side note, if you have never peeped the twelve minute posse cut "The Session", don't sleep any longer.  Good ol' fashioned spitting in the purest sense possible.

7. Phrenology

Hoping to capitalize off the breakout success of Things Fall Apart, The Roots crew presented Phrenology.  Arguably more ambitious than any project prior, the musicality of this album is as precise and finely tuned as any of their best work.  Mixing hip-hop, soul, as well as bits of jazz and rock, The Roots delivered a project that becomes more and more enjoyable with each listen and provides the listener with a new direction for them that relies less on just primarily hip-hop, and more on the influences that drive The Roots as a whole.  From the strangely catchy "The Seed 2.0" to the lovely "Complexity" and the seductive "Break You Off", this album is definitely excellent listen.

6. Do You Want More?!!!??!

Widely considered their single greatest efforts, the mainstream introduction to this group was their delightful Do You Want More?!!!??!  They continued their fantastic blend of hip-hop and jazz that they introduced on Organix.  The result was incredible cuts like their singles "Proceed", "Distortion To Static", and "Silent Treatment", to which they started amassing a cult following.  Nothing too heavy here folks, just very sweet musicianship and wonderful hip-hop.  Almost reminding some of albums like Common's Resurrection or A Tribe Called Quest's landmark The Low End Theory, this album had signs of being a treasure just based upon a traditional b-boy approach to the genre with jazz as the foundation.  Fantastic product.

5. Rising Down

With Rising Down, we see a more bleak and slightly darker Roots, very similar to what we saw with Game Theory.  The production is ambitious, as we had come to expect from them by this time, but even more so as this may be among the stripped down sounding albums they had delivered.  Social commentary, hood struggles, and cultural unrest are the main themes here and the sounds perfectly compliment the aura of the album.  Dense and uncompromising, this is among the most under-appreciated albums within their discography.

4. Game Theory

After the highly experimental sounds of The Tipping Point, they go back to basics with Game Theory, but they also take the gloves off and delivered their most screw faced project at that time.  Delving into areas such as portrayal of Blacks within the media, violence in hip-hop, and the Iraq war, the group is as serious as they had ever been in their careers with this incredible release.  A near flawless album, this album was as musically dense as anything we heard during this time.  Cuts like "False Media", "Clock With No Hands" and the elegant Dilla tribute "Can't Stop This" help make this album a definite Roots classic and became the new standard of socio-conscious hip-hop for the group.

3. Things Fall Apart

The album that officially made them stars.  This album earned them many accolades and became their breakout album, earning them their first platinum plaque.  Groovy instrumentation mixed with Thought's ever growing stature as one of hip-hop's most polished and focused emcees, this album dove more into soul and was a slight departure from their overly jazzy stylings of their previous efforts.  This album was more melancholy than their previous projects, but still was one for those who needed that intelligent, yet poignant, hip-hop.  Earning Grammy nods for "You Got Me", they shined on other cuts like "100% Dundee" "Act Too (Love Of My Life)" and one of their notable cuts "The Next Movement", and is still considered a hip-hop classic to this day.

2. How I Got Over

Just when we thought Rising Down was to be their final album, they drop off How I Got Over, which is, in a word: breathtaking.  A melancholy walk through society, the group deals with subjects such as job layoffs, perseverance, and optimism through pain.  A immensely somber sounding record, this is also the most substantial album they've done to this very day.  Not since Illadelph Halflife or even as recent as Game Theory have we heard musicality from them this bleak yet soulful.  They also touch other musical areas like rock, funk, and even a touch of gospel, but it all comes together in a memorable project that is a golden project from them.  Cuts like "The Day", "Now Or Never", and "Do It Again" are exemplary tracks and made this album a true gem.

1. Illadelph Halflife

If there was ever an underrated monument of an album, this would have to be it.  Musically brilliant and an overall near heavenly jazz hip-hop experience, Illadelph Halflife fully established themselves as one of the game's most extraordinary acts with this beyond fantastic album.  While they bring forth social commentary, which was starting to be a constant at this point with them, they also challenge hip-hop to go beyond what it had been perceived to be, which was full of cliches and no originality.  Passion, substance, and precise lyricism, this album is the blueprint Roots album, more so than any other album with their discography, which is daunting in itself.  Cuts like "One Shine", "Hypnotic" and "No Alibi" are some of the most spellbinding hip-hop cuts you'll ever be blessed to hear, regardless of your stance on the group.  This effort is seen as one of the heralded "jazz-hop" albums of all-time, and similar to De La Soul's De La Soul Is Dead or Outkast's Aquemini, this album is overmatched commercially by other albums that may be perceived as better, when in actually this album is their magnum opus.  

As you can see, this was no easy task, as The Roots consistently put out above average, quality material.  One can honestly say that there's no such thing as a weak Roots album, and they remain among the most consistent acts hip-hop has ever been graced to hear.  As we approach their next album, End Game, we salute this legendary group and what they've brought to hip-hop and to music as a whole.  The quintessential hip-hop band, The Roots are the blueprint in musicianship excellence and will be forever treasured.

ATL's Finest: Ranking Outkast's Albums

What's happening everybody?!  Right now, we will highlight unquestionably the most acclaimed and commercially successful duo in the history of hip-hop, in the form of Antoine "Big Boi" Patten and Andre "3000" Benjamin-Outkast.  Seen as the duo that officially put Atlanta on the map, Andre and Big Boi started out as two fresh-out-of-high-school graduates and forever shook the game of hip-hop in the south forever.  Between '94 to '06, Outkast has been the go-to guys for quality brilliance and each time they put out something, it continued to push the envelope of standards in terms of lyricism, concepts, and musicianship.  These are the albums, from worst (if there's such a thing as that with these guys) to first.  Trust me, this was NOT an easy list, as the quality of music they deliver was consistently amazing.  With that being said, let's begin.

6. Idlewild 

The soundtrack to their movie Idlewild in 2006 was almost a continuation of their monstrous Speakerboxx/The Love Below, only on one full-length album.  The musicality of this album was accurately set to the concept of the movie itself, drenching itself with big band jazz and old time swing blues set to contemporary hip-hop standards.  The finished product was crazy and definitely innovative.  From the marching band stylings of "Morris Brown" to the bluesy "Idlewild Blues" and the southernplayalistic sounds of "The Train", this is Outkast's most underrated album, but for an album that is considered their "worst", imagine the rest of what's considered their best?

5. Speakerboxx/The Love Below

What else can be said that hasn't already been said about this album?  One of the greatest albums of all-time, within any genre, it's also their most commercially successful, selling upwards of twelve million units.  The most innovative double album ever known in hip-hop, Andre's half was The Love Below, a hybrid of heavy Prince-influence of funk and experimental sounds that catapulted 3000 into being a true star pushing the boundaries of what a hip-hop artist is supposed to sound like with cuts like "Roses" and "She Lives In My Lap", as any box one put him in was destroyed.  As for Big Boi, his half, Speakerboxx, was more traditional southern hip-hop, mixing funk with down south gumbo with cuts like "The Way You Move" and "Bowtie" to come away with a highly impressive disc himself.  If Aquemini or Stankonia didn't already put them into the stratosphere, this album did it, and then some, winning multiple Grammy Awards another legacy of being one of the biggest music acts of the past few generations was established.

4. Stankonia

Talk about a thick-as-mollasses, funked out to the heavens hip-hop album!  As if Outkast couldn't elevate themselves past Aquemini, they made a daring attempt with Stankonia to go back to the formula of being funky-as-skunk-booty and it was profound.  They kept it unapologetically southern, as with most of their other projects the whole ride through and managed to stay with creating accessibility without compromising their soul and their aura.  Although this is more Southernplayalistic than Aquemini, this also has its own standout identity and was yet another example of Outkast's building historic greatness. Arguably their most fun album to listen to.

3. Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik

The album that started it all.  An undisputed southern classic and the album that officially made the south a force within hip-hop.  Influenced lyrically and spirit wise by southern forefathers like UGK, Eightball & MJG, and Gets Boys, two late teen emcees attempted to carry Atlanta on their backs and they did so in enormous fashion.  Winning Best New Artist at the now highly controversial '95 Source Hip-Hop Awards, in which Andre stated "The south got something to say".  What the south "said" was a platinum album and a new generation for southern emcees.  No longer was the south widely associated with bass music left off by 2 Live Crew, nor was it simply bluesy like we had been used to with UGK and Ball & G.  We got funk and soul, and Outkast ended up presenting the most important southern album of its time.  The south would never be the same again.

2. ATLiens

How does one follow-up such a big album like Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik? With an even bigger album, such was the case with their sophomore album, ATLiens.  It was an arduous task trying to repeat the success of their eponymous debut, but they did and it became an instant classic.  Aiming for a futuristic soul sound with hip-hop standards, this was an album that wasn't quite as carefree as their debut.  These guys spoke from their hearts and tackled ghetto blues and the abilities of overcoming struggles and pain endurance.  This was an album that made you chill and think, as much as it made you two step.  This is considered by many as their best album, not just musically, but conceptually, as this was the most cohesive album that they have within their discography. From the beautiful stylings of "Jazzy Belle" to the touching "13th Floor/Growing Old" and the overtly soulful "Mainstream", this album continues to age well like fine wine.

1. Aquemini

There are albums that are so artistic and left field, they sometimes a few listens for one to actually the brilliance of it.  Titles that come to mind are Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon, De La Soul's De La Soul Is Dead, and Madvillain's Madvillainy.  Add Outkast's Aquemini to that same list.  As eclectic as it is organic and lush, this album is simply spellbinding.  Incorporating live instrumentation while exploring social  issues and the joys and honesty of southern culture.  Seen in a sense as a pre-cursor to Kendrick Lamar's cultural masterwork, To Pimp A Butterfly, Aquemini is the ultimate box shattering for this duo, as cuts like "West Savannah", "Da Art Of Storytelling' (Parts 1 & 2)", and the incredibly infectious spoken word classic "SpottieOdiedopalicious" helped define the genius that Outkast had reached.  One of the most acclaimed and influential hip-hop albums to ever exist, Outkast had officially arrived.

In much the same breath we consider acts like A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, and Run-DMC national treasures, Outkast is very easily in that list, if not eclipse them all.  While we all wait with immeasurable anticipation for another Outkast album, or at least the long awaited Andre 3000 solo album, we can rest assured that Outkast's legacy is firmly secured and will likely be untouched by any duo or group in hip-hop for a long time to come, if ever.

Got You Shook Off The Realness: Ranking Mobb Deep's Albums

What's good people?!  It's time for a new list and this list salutes one of the best duos hip-hop has ever offered with Hav & P of Mobb Deep.  The Queensbridge duo smacked the game in its head with a lethal dose of gritty rhymes and a macabre aura of two guys you just didn't wanna fuck with.  Hav's inescapable, boneyard production mixed with Prodigy's insightful and vivid rhymes (not that Havoc was a slouch either mind you) made them one of the in-demand duos of the nineties and the early millennium.  During their peak period, they delivered some of the most incredible, yet ominous, hip-hop ever dropped off.  With that being said, here's a ranking of their albums, from worst to first.

8. Juvenile Hell

When they were just in their mid-teens, Havoc & Prodigy were two sickle-welding tykes coming out at a time where kids were as hugged out as their grown counterparts.  Acts such as Illegal, Da Youngstas, and Shyheim were young adolescents talking tough guy talk, and the former Poetical Prophets were every bit as hard.  For their debut, Juvenile Hell, we get a glimpse of what was to come two years later with The Infamous (see later) with cuts like "Locked In Spofford", "Stomp 'Em Out", and "Peer Pressure".  Known for their very adult-centered cut "Hit It From The Back", they caught a little buzz, plus working with Large Pro and Premo was a big deal.  Unfortunately, the label they were signed to at the time dropped them (idiots) and it was on to bigger and better things.

7. Infamy

Released just after Jay-Z ANNIHILATED Prodigy on "The Takeover" at the now (ahem) infamous Hot 97 Summer Jam of 2001, it threw the Mobb, more specifically P, off course and thus a sub-par effort, in Infamy, was released.  While it's not a wack album, it's also not anywhere their three previous efforts of The Infamous, Hell On Earth, and Murda Muzik.  However, with that being said, for the most part, they still brought dark production and high levels of intimidating rhymes on cuts like "Get Away", "Clap", and "My Gat's Spittin", even though many accused of going the R&B route with the Ron Isley-assisted "Here I Go Again" and especially the thug love-esque cut "Hey Luv".  Although not their worst album, this was far from their best work.

6. Blood Money

Their first, and only, album on G-Unit Records when they were affiliated with 50 Cent was Blood Money. It received mixed reviews and rightfully so.  Where it was hard-hitting, it was just that and was classic Mobb.  Cuts like the insane "Put 'Em In Their Place", the highly controversial, yet FLAMES "Pearly Gates", and "In Love With The Moula" were as cold as any cut they've ever done.  However, on the flip side, cuts like "Capital P, Capital H", "Backstage Pass", and "Have A Party" weigh the album down from being the stellar album it was supposed to be.

5. Amerika'z Nightmare

After fulfilling their obligation to Loud Records, they jumped ship to Jive Records for their sixth album, Amerika'z Nightmare.  While it was a step up from their prior effort, Infamy, they were still missing consistent blistering production and there were still missteps with cuts like "Hammers" and "Shorty Wop".  All wasn't lost, however, as cuts like "We Up", "When Your Hear Dat" and "Win Or Lose" were just sick, stellar standouts that had potential to make this album among their truly best albums.  Even tracks with Kanye and Lil' John couldn't completely save this album, but the effort was definitely commendable.

4. The Infamous Mobb Deep

Their most recent album isn't to be confused with their breakout album The Infamous..., however the flavor brought with it could almost be rivaled to it.  After a few mediocre to sub-par albums, Hav and Bandana P finally got it back right with a hell of an album to commemorate twenty years in the game.  Standout tracks like "Dirt", "My Block", and "Waterboarding" are exemplary tracks that proved to critics that they were back and better than they had been in years.  Putting aside beefs and miscommunication, they reminded people with The Infamous Mobb Deep that they're still Queensbridge's original stick-up kids.

3. Murda Muzik

After delivering two classics, the question in '99 was "Can they do it again?"  The answer was profoundly "Yes", as they presented Murda Muzik.  This album was not only every bit as insane as Hell On Earth and The Infamous, but it also got them over the platinum hump as well, selling upwards of three million units, a figure they haven't been able to reach since.  The scary part is, as crazy as the retail version was, the original version of the album was even crazier, but due to heavy bootlegging, they cut out cuts like "Nobody Likes Me" and "Power Rap".  However, other cuts like "Adrenaline", "Allustrious", and their mega smash "Quiet Storm" (especially the remix with Lil' Kim) made them household stars if they weren't already.  It would be years before we would even see this type of greatness from them even remotely.

2. Hell On Earth

How does one possibly follow The Infamous?  Easy, they deliver an epic gem of an album like Hell On Earth.  Easily rivaling The Infamous, many debate to this day which is the better album.  Even darker and more chilling than The Infamous, this was also a little lyrically vicious, especially from Prodigy, who went at people from 2Pac ("Drop A Gem On 'Em") to Keith Murray ("In The Long Run").  Sounding like something from an urban horror movie, the soundscapes from this album were unparalleled and made Havoc one of the most in-demand producers during that time and P officially became one of the most checked for emcees in the business.  Whether this is better or not, nobody can deny this is a classic on any scale and once and for all made the Mobb a certified threat within the rap game.

1. The Infamous...

When you mention NYC classics in the nineties, albums such as Illmatic, Ready To Die, Reasonable Doubt, and Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) immediately come up.  Another album that gets mentioned highly is Mobb Deep's second album, The Infamous..., and rightfully so.  One of the most defining albums New York hip-hop has delivered, this was the soundtrack to wylin' out goons and troublemaking tough guys that feel like acting up.  A lot of people forget this was in fact their sophomore album, as this album was so monstrous it almost made Juvenile Hell obsolete.  This masterwork delivered one of hip-hop's all-time ominous anthems in "Shook Ones Pt. 2", but then followed it up with the equally brooding and riotous "Survival Of The Fittest".  Other standouts such as the vivid "Cradle To The Grave", "Up North Trip", and "Give Up The Goods" sum up the superb detail of one of the game's all-time brutally realistic albums to ever grace our ears and our speakers.

As you can see, the Mobb is a celebrated duo and, although they've released plenty of material on their own such as Prodigy's dope yet underrated H.N.I.C. and Havoc's most recent collaborative pairing with The Alchemist, The Silent Partner, but they're at their best when they're together, and most times, the results are incredible, and in a couple cases, stunning.  All hail QB's most infamous!

New For 2017: The Most Anticipated Hip-Hop Releases of 2017

WHat's happening world!  Welcome to 2017, and it's another year to speculate on how the year will shape up musically.  In 2016, after a mostly mundane year, the last quarter of the year exploded with amazing releases from Common, Run The Jewels, Tribe, J. Cole, and Ab-Soul.  This year, we have a lot of hopefuls that could drop, or at least has been highly speculated to drop. A lot on this list are all confirmed to be delivered this year. With that being said, let's get into the top twenty-five most anticipated releases.

25. Quelle Chris- Being You Is Great...I Wish I Could Be You More Often

One of Mello Music Group's flagship artists is Detroit's Quelle Chris.  The last time we heard from him was 2015's Innocent Country, which was seen as his most cohesive project to date.  That claim could change with his next full-length album.  Lead off by the cuts "Buddies" and "Calm Before", Quelle is focused on having another acclaimed year, and nobody should bet against him.  Working with past collaborators such as Roc Marciano and Alchemist, this should be an interesting listen.

24. Drake- More Life

What a historic 2016 for Audrey Drake Graham.  Breaking nearly every record existing on Billboard, if nobody fully believed he was a huge star in this game, his figures of last year should've shattered all doubts.  His album, Views, was the highest selling album of 2016 and had many proclaiming his legend-like status already.  Late in 2016, he stated that he was dropping a "playlist", as opposed to an album or mixtape entitled More Life.  Lead by the cut "Fake Love", there's no reason to bet against Drake having another stellar year.  Rumored guests include Bryson Tiller, Young Thug, and possibly even his new boo J. Lo, so this could be pretty intriguing.  

23. Lil' Wayne- Tha Carter V

The long-awaited follow-up to Tha Carter IV has been surrounded in controversy and mystery.  The album was reportedly finished in 2014, but due to legal issues between him and Cash Money (more specifically Birdman), the album was hanging in limbo, with the high probability of never seeing the light of day.  That changed within the last week, as Birdman promised to drop the highly awaited album, and finally put hardcore Wayne enthusiasts at great ease, however it would be more of a treat once we actually have physical evidence to support these claims.  Will he repeat the massive success of Tha Carter III and the furthering success of IV? Only time will tell.

22. Lupe Fiasco- DROGAS, DROGAS Light, and SKULLS

After a very brief retirement in late 2016, the polarizing emcee outta the Chi will go through with his promise (so we think) of dropping three albums this year: DROGAS, DROGAS Light, and SKULLS.  All of these will reportedly lead to his official retirement album, The Cool 2 in 2018.  The first to drop will be DROGAS Light, which contains the singles "Made In The USA", "Wild Child", and the touching "Pick Up The Phone".  Following up his 2015 classic, Tetsuo & Youth, will not be easy, but knowing this young emcee, it'll be no problem.

21. The Game- Westside Story

One of the industry's most prolific emcees could see his swan song in 2017.  Reports are The Game will drop his final album this year entitled Westside Story, and once again is up for high anticipation.  After his classic of 2015 The Documentary 2/2.5 and his equally fantastic follow-up of 2016, 1992, if this is truly his going out album, you can best believe he'll be going out in complete and total G-fashion.  No word on collaborators yet, but no matter what, The Game will likely deliver yet another huge album in what's being considered one of the most consistent and excellent discographies in all of hip-hop.

20. Jedi Mind Tricks- The Bridge & The Fallen

One of the underground's most revered acts over the past twenty years has been Philly's Jedi Mind Tricks.  Vinnie Paz and producer Stoupe has delivered such greats as Visons Of Ghandi, Violent By Design, A History Of Violence, and the most recent The Thief & The Fallen.  Now it's time for their ninth album, and there's no reason to believe that this album won't be another excellent project from these guys.  It would be too sweet if Jus Allah was a part of this as well for it can TRULY be a JMT album.

19. Pusha T- King Push

After a fairly quiet 2016, Pusha T seems poised to finally drop his highly anticipated album, King Push this year.  At the end of 2015, he delivered King Push: Darkest Before Dawn, which served as a teaser for King Push.  The album was a fantastic prequel to what we assume will be his work solo work to date.  He has to bring his game up to a new level in 2017 with all these new projects on the horizon, but I have a feeling that he will be just fine.  He dropped a couple cuts in 2016 in "D.D.A." with Jay-Z and "Circles" with Desiigner and Ty Dollar $ign, but it remains to be seen if these cuts will make the final cut.  Regardless, we can rest assured that Push will defintely handle his business for G.O.O.D. Music and for hip-hop in general.

18. Joey Bada$$- A.B.B.A.

Pro Era in the house!  In 2016, we saw releases from Nyck Caution, CJ Fly and Aaron Rose (formerly known as A La Sole).  This year will be started with the head honcho.  Joey Badmon will be dropping his follow-up to his incredible debut full-length album of 2015, B4.Da.$$, with A.B.B.A.  Already hitting people in the heads with cuts like "Devastated" and the supposed first single, "Front & Center", expect more great things from Joey and this could be the start of another sizzling year for Pro Era.

17. Logic- AfricAryan

This DMV rhyme animal is ready to drop his third full-length Def Jam album, entitled AfricAryan.  Billed as another concept album, similar to his prior acclaimed effort The Incredible True Story, this album will reportedly tackle his never ending walk being an ethnically mixed man, and how it ties into everyday life for him.  In 2016, he dropped a surprise mixtape with the pleasing Bobby Tarentino, which spawned his first top 100 single, "Flexicution".  Let's hope this will continue his momentum into 2017.

16. Raekwon- The Wild

The legendary chef of the Wu will return in 2017 with a new album entitled The Wild.  Following up his album of 2015, F.I.L.A., many are hoping he will return to the roots of that hardcore, gritty, cinematic story-telling that made him one of the game's most vivid emcees and what made his debut, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...one of the game's all-time heralded albums.  It remains to be seen if RZA will be involved or if there will be any Wu involvement whatsoever, but regardless the chef is back and the kitchen belongs to him.

15. Slaughterhouse- Glass House

Heads have been incredibly anticipating the next Slaughterhouse album for about three years now.  Granted, all four cats have been very busy with solo projects since their last venture, the sizzling mixtape, House Rules, and their Shady Records debut, welcome 2: Our House.  Word has it that the guys will be ready to drop the long-awaited album that will be executive produced by not just Eminem, but by production monster Just Blaze as well.  With all four delivering great projects over the last few years (Royce and Joe in particular), it's time for the House gang to smack this hip-hop game in the face once agin and take their place as the fearsome foursome again.

14. Sean Price- Imperius Rux

In 2015, the rap world sadly lost one of the true great emcees in Sean Price.  Bar for bar, there weren't too many that were in the same hemisphere as the legendary Sean "Nice".  Within a few months, Duck Down dropped his fantastic mixtape, Songs In The Key Of Price, which posthumously showcased the level of emceeing the game would be missing.  It turns out he left behind a bunch of material for our ears.  In 2017, Duck Down, in accordance with his widow Bernadette, will drop Imperius Rux, an album filled with P at his absolute finest.  Leading off with the incredibly dope "Rap Professor", here's to the continuance of P's legacy.  Let's go P!!!!

13. Kanye West- Turbo Grafx 16 (tentative title)

The complexity that is Kanye West will continue in 2017.  After delivering his highly altered and constant changing The Life Of Pablo album, word is that he'll continue the momentum with his next album, Turbo Grafx 16, named after the forgotten about video game system of the early nineties.  One thing you can expect from him is simple: the unexpected.  There's no such thing as orthodox, traditional or ordinary with West, and that can be a great thing.  So far there's been no lead single, but whenever there is, you can believe there will be huge buzz and likely another Grammy nod, or several.

12. Jay Rock- As Yet untitled

TDE's eldest thinking O.G. delivered his best work to date in 2015 with 90059, and capped off a huge year for TDE, which included the release of the album of our generation, To Pimp A Butterfly.  It's being said that his follow-up album will drop in 2017, and if it's anything close to what we heard with 90059, we can expect another serious banger from this cat.

11. Zach de la Rocha- As Yet Untitled

The long standing Rage Against The Machine front man is finally poised and ready to drop his solo debut offering.  The highly angst politically-driven artist is well known for penning some of the most socially powerful cuts known to man and his collaborations with Run The Jewels over the past couple years have shown that he hasn't let up one bit.  Respected within hip-hop circles by the likes of Chuck D, KRS-One, and former Philly phenom Last Emperor, this could be among the most interesting releases to emerge in 2017.  Already being lead with the El-P produced "Digging For Windows", word has it that he has linked up with Quest-Love, DJ Shadow and others, the anarchy will continue at just the right time in our society.

10. Jay-Z- As Yet Untitled

After his wife delivered the game's most powerful and charged project in 2016 with Lemonade, many were left wondering, "When will Hov drop?"  To those who copped Lemonade, it was obvious the cuts were drawn from a personal place and real life (or at least that may have been what they wanted us to believe).  Jay's next album has been speculated to be seen as a "response" to the accusations formed in Lemonade.  His last project, Magna Carta Holy Grail, was seen as his worst album in years, but if he gets back to the fire that we know him to have, take it to the streets instead of the boardroom, then he could have another major album on his hands.

9. The Roots- End Game

It's been a couple years since we've heard any new material from The Roots crew.  In 2015, they dropped, And Then They'll Shoot Your Cousin, which was met with good acclaim, although not in the same space as prior stellar works such as Illadelph Halflife, How I Got Over, and Rising Down.  It'll be interesting to see if Black Thought, Quest, and the gang go back to what made them one of the single most important and influential groups in not just hip-hop but music as a whole.  No leads yet, but when there is one, it'll be vintage Roots and we can expect another excellent project.

8. Pete Rock & CL Smooth- As Yet Untitled

Much like we saw the return of legends such as De La Soul and Tribe in 2016, heads are clamoring for the return of one of the early to mid-nineties most acclaimed duos.  Late in 2016, super producer Pete Rock stated that he was reuniting with partner CL Smooth for their first full-length album together since '94's wonderful The Main Ingredient.  One has to wonder if they still have...IT some twenty-three years (!!!) after Main Ingredient dropped.  Rock has worked with the likes of Camp Lo, Smoke DZA, and more over the past few years, but we've heard little to none from CL.  Can the duo that dropped one of hip-hop's defining staples in "They Reminisce Over You" pull it off one more time?  We shall hopefully see.

7. Oddisee- The Iceberg

It's been quite a good run for Mello Music's Oddisee.  In 2014, he and his group Diamond District dropped the acclaimed March On Washington.  Shortly after that in 2015, he delivered his magnum opus in The Good Fight, which put him in a whole new light and got his name more out there than before.  In 2016, he dropped his instrumental album, The Odd Tape, along with his critically acclaimed EP, Alwasta.  Now this year, he will deliver his eighth full-length solo album, The Iceberg.  Led by the infectious "Things", there will likely be more of the same melodic funk and fantastic soundscapes from this steadily bubbling emcee/producer.  If this album goes even harder than The Good Fight, people will stop sleeping on this DMV resident more and more.

6. Dave East- As yet Untitled Def Jam debut

NYC's next big star will officially have next when Harlem's Dave East delivers his Mass Appeal/Def Jam debut in 2017.  Executive Produced by mentor Nas, there's no reason that this cat won't somehow smack cats in the face to bring NY back into the forefront of hip-hop.  Dropping two acclaimed mixtapes in two years, especially 2016's Kairi Chanel, it's only right that this emerging star  has an intriguing year.  It would be a great idea to not bet against him to be among the most checked for emcees of the year more than ever.

5. Big K.R.I.T.- As Yet Untitled

After delivering one of the most powerful and gripping verses of his life with "Might Not Be OK" in 2016, eyes are on the Mississippi native to deliver another album of honest, soulful, and passionate lyrics for 2017.  Since leaving Def Jam last year due to being under promoted, his stock has been back on his terms, dropping the 12 For 12 mixtape, and getting the atmosphere right for the follow-up to his incredible release of 2014, Cadillactica.  Right now there are no lead singles but believe me when I tell you, this will not be a quiet year for K.R.I.T.

4. ScHoolboy Q- As Yet Untitled

There wasn't a more in demand label crew than TDE in 2016.  From Kendrick's masterful Untitled Unmastered to Ab-Soul's Do What Thou Wilt, it was a monster year for them.  Perhaps the biggest album all year for them was ScHoolboy Q's Blank Face LP.  The Grammy nominated artist broke the platinum mark in 2014 with Oxymoron, but followed it up with an even better album with Blank Face.  Word has it that he's already knocking out tracks for another album he wants to drop in 2017.  How the hell can he keep outdoing himself with these scorching albums of late?  We'll surely find out if he does in fact drop the album in 2017.

3. Eminem- As Yet Untitled

Oh how we miss the amazing lyrical antics of Marshall Mathers.  He has been somewhat incognito since the release of The Marshall Mathers LP 2 back in 2014.  We last heard him on that BLISTERING Shady 2.0 freestyle with Yelawolf and Slaughterhouse in 2015, and we've been finding for more of him since.  Clearly a legend, as a lyricist, battler, and artist overall, Eminem could own this year if he drops a dope project reminiscent of prior works like The Eminem Show, Recovery or dare I say his masterpiece of 2000, The Marshall Mathers LP.  No definite date or any singles yet, but if and when he drops anything, the game won't be safe at all in 2017.

2. Nas- As Yet Untitled

Many consider him the G.O.A.T.  For years he was considered the reincarnation of Rakim.  Whatever you call him, make sure it's in reverence.  The one and only Nasir Jones is slated for a 2017 return with his final Def Jam release.  We last heard him on the DJ Khaled standout, "Nas Album Done", but in terms of an album, he dropped the fantastic Life Is Good in 2012, read that: five years ago.  It's now time for this emcee/businessman/label co-owner/philanthropist to drop another monument for the game.  There's also word that he could FINALLY drop his long awaited Lost Tapes 2 on his own Mass Appeal Records (home to Run The Jewels, Dave East, Gangrene, Boldy James, and J Dilla's The Diary from 2016).  This could be that year THE legend serves hip-hop a dose of much needed wise, witty, and poignant lyricism as only the constructor of hip-hop's greatest all-time achievement in Illmatic can do.

1. Kendrick Lamar- As Yet Untitled

It's not possible to outdo perfection, but that's what may be in front of Kendrick Lamar Duckworth in 2017.  He delivered the most game-changing album of this generation with To Pimp A Butterfly in 2015, and put out a collection of cutting room floor cuts with Untitled Unmastered in 2016, in which those cutting room floor cuts were better than most anything you heard in all of 2016.  The question is "What other type of brilliance can we expect from this genius?"  Featuring himself on projects ranging from Beyonce to Tribe, Mac Miller, Danny Brown, and his own TDE brother ScHoolboy Q, it's time he owns the hip-hop world once again with talent the likes of which will go down in legendary status when it's all said and done.

Honorable Mentions

Big Sean- I Decided

Ghostface Killah- Supreme Clientele 2: The Blue & Cream Era

Apathy & O.C.- Perastroyka

MC Eiht- Which Way Iz West

NYGz- As Yet Untitled

Wale- Shine

PRhyme- PRhyme 2

GZA- Dark Matter

Childish Gambino & Chance The Rapper- As Yet Untitled

Vince Staples- As Yet Untitled

Redman- Muddy Waters 2

Method Man & Redman- Blackout 3

Big Boi- As Yet Untitled

Andre 3000- As Yet Untitled

Young M.A.- As Yet Untitled

Yasiin Bey- Negus In Natural Person

Yasiin Bey & Mannie Fresh- As Promised

A$AP Rocky- As Yet Untitled

Chuck Strangers (of Pro Era)- As Yet Untitled

Nyck Caution & Kirk Knight- Nick At Knight

Migos- Culture

Anderson.Paak- As Yet Untitled Aftermath Debut Album

Cunninlynguists- As Yet Untitled

Bumpy Knuckles & Nottz- The POPduke Project

Phonte-As Yet Untitled

Phife Dawg- As Yet Untitled

Punch (of TDE)- As Yet untitled

Mobb Deep- As Yet Untitled

Black Moon- As Yet Untitled

Talib Kweli & Styles P- As Yet Untitled

Royce 5'9"- The Book Of Ryan

T.I.- The Dime Trap

Vic Mensa- As Yet Untitled

Madvillain- Madvillainy 2

DOOMStarks- DOOMStarks

Roc Marciano- Rosebud's Revenge

Saigon- As Yet Untitled

Action Bronson- As Yet Untitled

Please keep in mind, there may be projects on this list that won't come out at all, especially within the Honorable Mention section (how long have we been waiting on DOOMStarks, Madvillainy 2, and the solo offering of Andre 3000?)  This is just a list of REPORTED and highly speculated projects dropping.  If by some chance all or most of these albums come out, this will be a classic year and one for the ages.  Overall, we've had some great years recently and if played right, this could be among the best hip-hop years ever.  What are you anticipating this year?  Is it on either list?  Don't be afraid to chime in.  Until next time folks, stay up!