WIZ KHALIFA
BLACC HOLLYWOOD (Rostrum/Atlantic, September)
The pop-rap star hopes to keep his career burning with his third studio album in four years. The single “We Dem Boyz” dominated the urban charts and there are rumors that both Adele and Miley Cyrus will appear on Blacc, making it his most daring offering yet.
T.I.
PAPERWORK THE MOTION PICTURE (Grand Hustle/ Columbia, September)
Any time Trouble Man’s name appears in controversy, an album typically follows. His upcoming release is a magnum opus comprised of three albums, or chapters, and a movie to round it out. T.I. is said to have recorded 750 songs for the project.
LENNY KRAVITZ
STRUT (Roxie Records, October)
After the funk stylings of 2011’s Black And White America, Lenny returns with a stripped down rock sound for his 10th studio album. Minimalism may have been the best move for this set, which he recorded while filming The Butler and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.
JOEY BADA$$
B4.DA.$$ (Cinematic Music Group/Pro Era, Fall)
Heralded as being the keeper of that old New York sound, this 19-year-old rap artist’s debut album, B4.Da.$$, may spark debate. The talk is that it’s the last real chance at bringing back that classic “boom bap” sound.
CHRIS BROWN
X (RCA, Fall)
After releasing a string of singles and dropping cameos on multiple hits in 2013, plans for Breezy’s new album were derailed when he was sentenced to rehab and then jail. His single “Loyal” blew up while he was away, indicating that Brown will fall back from his recent pop sound and lean right into the R&B style he began with more than a decade ago.
SMOKIE NORFUL
FOREVER YOURS (Motown Gospel, August)
The emotional first single “No Greater Love,” from Norful’s first studio album in eight years, shows us that he hasn’t missed a step and may be back to his Grammy winning ways.
JHENÉ AIKO
SOULED OUT (Def Jam, Fall)
Her 2013 EP Sail Out scored thanks to the hit single “The Worst” (yes, the “I don’t need you” song) which is still going strong on urban airwaves. Aiko is considered by some as the millennial Sade, but her long-awaited debut has had a sliding release date since January. Her ever-evolving fanbase has their fingers crossed this time around.
KEYSHIA COLE
POINT OF NO RETURN (Interscope, August)
Keyshia Cole’s fans made it clear that they prefer her music when she isn’t in a happy relationship. Now that she’s announced her plans to divorce former NBA player Daniel Gibson, Cole’s album is expected to provide more of the angst that her fans adore.
-By Maurice Coleman
MAROON 5
V (Interscope, September)
Thanks to lead singer Adam Levine’s profi leboosting role on NBC’s The Voice, Maroon 5 nearly became an afterthought. But their new album may return them to their soul-pop prominence with longtime keyboardist Jesse Carmichael rejoining the fold.
THE GAME
YEAR OF THE WOLF (eOne, September)
After rumors of signing with rap powerhouse Cash Money Records proved false, The Game decided to release his newest compilation independently. His gangster persona softened a bit after his VH1 reality show Marrying The Game, but if his fi rst single “Bigger Than Me” is any indication, he’s still up to his name-dropping, beef-baiting ways.