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New Year, New Music - Pt. II

Check out what 2018 has in store for us, or might. Here are both definite and possible releases for the new year.

By Sadé SanchezPublished 6 years ago 10 min read
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2017 was a great year for music. When you thought the mumble rappers were going to take over, in comes the lyricists. When you thought the industry forgot all about R&B, in comes a slew of R&B releases from both oldies and newbies. Streaming sales took over the game, podcast-galore, and well, the memes were downright legendary. Let’s not forget when the rest of the world seemed to catch up with us when it was announced that Hip Hop became the dominant genre of the country. Uh, duh.

Now it’s 2018! There aren’t too many projects confirmed for this year, but conclusions have been drawn and clocks are a-tickin’. And I for one have a feeling 2018 might just snuff out 2017. Kidding! I know, “How do you beat out releases from Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, SZA and the rest of them?” Well, we shall see.

Don't forget to check out the first part.

Lil Wayne

Tha Carter V & Funeral - TBA

Confirming three projects by the start of last year, Lil Wayne finally dropped one on Christmas, Dedication 6: Reloaded. One down, two to go - left standing are Tha Carter V and Funeral. Although his Carter series, which dates back to 2004, is his most reputable series, V specifically has found itself in the middle of a war between Lil Wayne and Birdman/Universal. While he has still teased the release of the album, it’s safe to assume it will be a long time from now. So Funeral it is! No release date in sight, of course, but it should be dropping sometime this year. Keep your eyes open!

Astroworld

Astroworld - TBA

It’s been a little over a year since Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight, and Travis Scott is still riding that wave with non-stop tours and even performing at Diddy’s New Year’s Eve party. His recent collab with Quavo, Huncho Jack, Jack Huncho, debuted at No.3 on the Billboard 200. Without a doubt, Scott has been busy in the studio, but when is Astroworld dropping? Describing Birds as a “stepping stone” to Astroworld, Travis Scott has yet to allude to a release date. C’mon Travis, we’re waiting.

ScHoolboy Q

TBA

Although his Blank Face LP didn’t gather as much commercial success as his TDE labelmates Kendrick Lamar and SZA did this year, it was still critically acclaimed and a great project overall. He headed right back into the studio to work on the LP’s follow up. In February, he sat down with Zane Lowe to say, “I’m halfway done with it already. I’ve never been this inspired that fast.” He’s dropped several hints after the release of SZA’s CTRL, and even took to Instagram to say “New album 2017 f--k a break I'm already ready.” Not to mention his time in the gym when he said he wouldn’t go back until his album was 90 percent done.However, there has been no music. Instead, he’s been quiet just spending time with his daughter. With experimenting with new sounds and content as reported and its long delay, you have to wonder what the album will be about? ScHoolboy Q is talented, we all know that. This new project could be diving deeper into his life and show another side of him. Top Dawg is extremely strategic and methodical about his artists' releases, but let’s have it already!

Nicki Minaj

NM4 - TBA

After dropping an album every two years since making it big, Nicki Minaj has ended that streak with skipping 2017 altogether. However, she’s been far from quiet. 2017 for Nicki has been filled with a slew of features, music videos, both a beef with Remy Ma and very public break up that creatively gave birth to a trio of songs that charted pretty well. Little is known about NM4, if that’s even the name, but she did talk about her plans in her interview with Dazed: “That’s why I’m not rushing the album, because it means so much to me. I have to release a classic at this point.” She’s clearly been hard at work in the studio. Perhaps with everything that happened last year, it was strategic thinking to move up the album’s release date to this year. We shall see.

Migos

Culture 2 - TBA

The trio rose to a new level of success with their No. 1 phenomenon “Bad and Boujee,” and their sophomore effort Culture which also made its way to No. 1. And after a crazy year, Migos looks likes they’re ready to take over 2018 with tracks taking over the chart. Culture 2 for sure is on the way with their lead single “Motorsport” debuting high on the Hot 100. We’ll be watching.

Anderson .Paak

TBA

Arriving on the scene in 2016, the triple threat singer/rapper/musician, Anderson .Paak peaked our interests with projects Malibu and Yes, Lawd! However, since signing to Dr. Dre under Aftermath, .Paak has yet to release an album. Surely it’s intentional, as a close source said, “It’s going to come out when it feels right.” Let’s hope Anderson .Paak chooses to bless us this year.

EarthGang

Royalty? Mirror Land? - TBA

Made up of Doctur Dot and Johnny Venus, the Atlanta duo have yet to release a full project since signing to Dreamville. 2017 EPs Rags and Robots were both critically acclaimed, offering fans a taste of what’s to come. Their EPs let you into their world full of soul and thought-provoking bars. Their poetic style weaved in their inventive sound, they are labeled as outcasts of the Atlanta rap scene. Although not trying to be OutKast, EarthGang is reminiscent of their predecessors.

“EarthGang has always been open-minded and free with their sound, but their new music has a sense of concentrated experimentation. This isn't music made by randomly pouring chemicals into a beaker—they sat down to create a Frankenstein.” - DJBooth

The above quote is taken from their interview with DJBooth’s Yoh. An interview that goes in depth of the dynamic duo, definitely worth a read. EarthGang are clearly conceptual artists, as each project is not only well thought out but concise in its story-telling.

“Essentially, these EPs are like a deconstructed album. What I’m interested to see if how many people play ‘em all back and play the story through and see … Those kind of conversations are my favorite. Those are the people that pick out the details and interpret shit their own way.” Dot, HipHopDX

Upon the release of Rags in September, the duo let on that it would be the first part of a trilogy that follows one story and all act as a prelude to their debut full release. The second, Robots, dropped in October. However, the third and final EP, Royalty, was never released. While it was promised to release by year’s end - well, this is awkward - it’s January. So, do we wait for Royalty or are we getting straight to MirrorLand? I can’t wait to write a full piece on the trilogy going into MirrorLand. Let it be soon, please!

T.I.

Dime Trap - TBA

Earlier this year, T.I. got on The Breakfast Club to talk about a final album: "I'm ready to get the hell outta [the rap game], though. I got this next album, I got three albums in my head I've already conceptualized. Once I get them out, I'm done.” He continues on to reveal that those said three albums will be his "Trap Muzik 2017” titled Dime Trap, a love project “as it pertains to a dope boy," and then the third and his final will be Kill the King. He definitely put thought into this, since his last three albums come full circle. Dime Trap will be a modern take on his second album, Trap Muzik, and the final album’s title circles back to his first, King of the South.

As far 2018 goes, we should be seeing the release of Dime Trap first since he told XXL that the album “has been ready for a while.” However, with everything going on with T.I. in his personal life, there has been some delay of course. Everything seems to be going much better for the Atlanta legend, and not to rush his retirement, but let’s get the ball rolling. It’s about time we hear new music from T.I.

Kamaiyah

Don’t Ever Get It Twisted? Woke? - TBA

After releasing her 2016 tape Good Night in the Ghetto, Kamaiyah gained a lot of attention, even making it to the XXL Freshmen List. It was expected that the rising Oakland MC would go on to release a full debut album last year. While highly anticipated, the album was put on hold over some sample clearance issues. Yikes. To hold over her fans in the meantime, she released a mixtape in lieu of the album, Before I Wake. And while sample clearances take damn near forever, might as well scrap the whole damn thing, Kamaiyah decided to make Before the first of a two-part series. “I’m working on putting two projects, Before I Wake and Woke,” she told GQ in November. “Conceptualized! No features. All me. I’m picking up my speed.” Whether it's Woke or Don’t Ever Get It Twisted, 2018 will for sure see new music from Kamaiyah.

A$AP Rocky

TBA

Since his 2015 At. Long. Live. A$AP., A$AP Rocky has yet to release a full body of music. An entrepreneur, jack of all trades going into fashion, but now it’s time for Rocky to come back to the game. In an interview with GQ’s Will Welch last year, Rocky had this to say to those who doubt he could drop an album after venturing into fashion: "I really wanted to take time out to show people I was an entrepreneur. I'm a businessman—you gotta take me serious….But this year, I’m showing niggas stop playing me, stop sleeping on me. I’m the god of this shit.” He has done features here and there, but they’re selective tracks. A taste here, offering there, it’s a good play on the Mob’s part. Putting out enough verses to scratch that music itch while giving his fans just enough to hold them over. The GQ interview was insightful yet misguiding. When asked if the album was coming out “this year” (2017), Rocky agreed. But it’s January, and well, you know how these artists can get. However, perfection does take time.

“My new album is really about testing new sounds. People are scared to test new sounds, so they go with what’s current ‘cause it’s the easy thing to do. … I prefer to experiment and have a crowd grow with me and to reach new crowds. I don’t just rap - I actually make music. That’s why it takes time. These sonics represent me.” GQ

On Thursday, Jan 4th, Rocky took to his Instagram story to share some new music. New sounds but they still have that Rocky-flare to it - as he says, they "represent me.” Does this mean his third studio really on the way? Let’s hope, but for now, we have tastes and offerings. While his Instagram has been cleaned out, thank A$AP God for fan pages, check out the snippets (1) and (2).

Frank Ocean

Tumblr

Whenever the hell he feels like

Another honorable mention is Frank Ocean. Who never stops making music, he just stops releasing his own. He dropped his second album Blonde in 2016, four years after his debut, ChannelOrange. Now for his third? Mmm? He took to Tumblr with a cryptic message that I won’t bother with. I love me some Frank but he’s too unpredictable. If he wants to surprise his fans, then let him surprise us.

Childish Gambino

TBA

We may also see a release from Childish Gambino, who’s leading a very busy life at the moment as Donald Glover. With the second season of Atlanta airing in March, the prepping for the show seems to be over and done with, yet Glover goes from show busy to newborn busy. He and his wife just had their second child, too busy or mature content for the new album? And, let’s not forget that he is set to perform at this year’s Grammy Awards show later this month. Yeah, we shall see. He did tease about making new music last summer, maybe just maybe we’ll see the follow up to Awaken, My Love!

Oh, did you think I would miss Black Panther: The Album? Since it was announced that Kendrick Lamar and SZA were contributing to the content of the album, I have been especially paying attention. Top Dawg is looking to conquer 2018 too, I see. While the movie hit theaters February 16th, its highly anticipated soundtrack releases a week prior, on the 9th. Listen to the movie’s first track above starring Kung Fu Kenny and SZA.

New Year, New Music – Cheers!

Back to possible releases, we are still waiting for Danny Brown. The Detriot-native told Complex just a few months ago the album was underway, and it was produced entirely by one “legendary producer.” With no mention of a release date or even a title, it has been two years since his last project so let’s hope he puts something out this year. As far as set releases we have Maxo Kream, Evidence, Sonny Digital, SHIRT, and more all in just the first two months.

Now let the rest of the year surprise you. No worries, I’ll be right here following it all.
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About the Creator

Sadé Sanchez

I'm a 20-something year old who's obsessed with music, and sometimes I write about it. I hope you enjoy my ramblings.

IG: @writtenbysade

@thelyricalfixpod

@checkit.openmic

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