Heavy 4th Quarter

This year has definitely been a hot one for the industry and the game's best and biggest artists, from Kanye West to Jay-Z to Common and T.I. 2007 has seen its fair share of classics, but the next 6 weeks will mark the release of several more monster albums. Let's look at a breakdown of the weeks ahead.

November 20th ~

• Freeway - Free at Last. The Philadelphia hometown hero is back with his sophomore album, with features from Busta Rhymes and Rick Ross and "big brothers" 50 Cent and Jay-Z. The rapper has shown a lot of growth since his first attempt, so this is definitely something to look forward to.

November 27th ~

• Pitbull - The Boat Lift. The Miami-bred rapper who has called himself too Latin for hip-hop and too hip-hop for Latin returns next week with his 3rd album. He claims he is ready to step out of the image he has made, and become a versatile hip-hop artist who demands respect. The album features Jim Jones and Miami mates Trina and Trick Daddy.

December 4th ~

• Drama - Gangsta Grillz: The Album. I've previewed this album in another post. Check it out.
• Ghostface Killah - The Big Doe Rehab. This is Ghost's third album in just two years, and it is obvious the former Wu-Tang member is putting in work. He's yet to release a single, but Ghost's albums and work have always been quality, he's one of the few legends left.
• Wyclef Jean - Carnival II: Memoirs of an Immigrant. Wyclef is finally releasing Part 2 to the Carnival series 10 years later, and there are certainly high hopes. The Carnival was actually the first album I ever bought, so this one is dear to my heart. The single for the album is "Sweetest Girl," an amazing collaboration with Lil Wayne and Akon. There's word that Wyclef is focusing on a lot of collabos for this album, but as always it should be a quality record.
  

December 11th ~

• Beanie Sigel - The Solution. This album's got a hot single, in yet another radio hit featuring R. Kelly, called "All the Above." The Broad Street Bully is definitely one of the best rappers to come from Philly, but he hasn't quite proved himself yet. This album is definitely an important one, but with Mr. Carter's support it just might turn out good.
• Bow Wow/Omarion - Face Off. Hip-Hop's youngest and most doubted Bow Wow is back with a Jay-Z/R. Kelly-esque album with his cohort Omarion. The single, "Hood Star," was decent, but nothing to be ecstatic about. If the cover says anything about the quality of the album, prepare yourselves.
  
• Gucci Mane - Return to the TrapHouse. Atlantic's newest star, Gucci Mane, is fresh off a lot of publicity and instant fame from his single "Freaky Gurl," which has been in heavy rotation for months now. His new single, "I Know Why" featuring Pimp C is a great follow up too. Word is this guy is already a star in his own mind, and it seems that he's definitely on his way to proving himself with his first widely released album.
  
• Nelly - Brass Knuckles. Hip-Hop's dearest misogynist is back with his fourth studio album, following the unheralded first single, "Wadsyaname." The man has simply fell off since "Country Grammar" and with each album he gets deeper and deeper into a hole. I can't expect much from this album, though sometimes when I remember his first solo effort, I wish it wasn't the case.
  
• Wu-Tang Clan - 8 Diagrams. The Wu is back after a six year break from a group effort. GZA, RZA, Method Man, Ghostface Killa, Raekwon, U-God, Inspecta Deck and Masta Killa return after ODB's death to make a classic, and with all the hype, it's hard to tell if it will live up to past albums. Every Wu fan is going nuts to hear this, but there has been word of fighting and creative differences between the members. Regardless, expect the expected-the unrivaled and unmatched Wu.
  

December 18th ~

• Lupe Fiasco - The Cool. This album is my most anticipated of the 4th quarter for sure, and it is fitting that it's the last of the heavy hitters to come out. This album is Lupe's sophomore effort, following up on his critically acclaimed yet underselling and misunderstood "Food & Liquor." His first two singles, "Dumb it Down" and "Superstar" are truly phenomenal, and are causing a lot of stir for the album. With 19 tracks and production from Chad Hugo and more tracks from "Superstar"-producer Soundtrakk, the album should have an amazing sound. With the Tribe Called Quest incident behind him, Lupe is making phenomenal music and will definitely be a contender for album of the year.
  

Albums to look forward to in 2008:

Nas - Nigger
Eve - Here I Am
Lil Wayne - Carter III
Snoop Dogg - Ego Trip
Papoose - Nacirema Dream
Saigon - Greatest Story Never Told
Wale - "Untitled"