FIVE HIP-HOP ALBUMS TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2015 by Francisco Castro
Kendrick Lamar
Undisputably one of the most important faces of the hip-hop game in the last three years, Kendrick has promised to release new work some time this year. Little is known about the name, date, and overall aspects of the album, but rumors have surfaced that collaboration with the west coast’s DRE and Snoop Dee Oh Double Gee can be expected. In an interview with Pitchfork, Kendrick mentioned that close to 40 songs have been written for the GKMC follow up. Singles like “i” may imply a new, more instrumental vibe from his previous work, but according to TDE affiliates and the recently released “The Blacker the Berry,” we can expect the same uncompromising narrative and social commentary that has come to define him as an artist
Pusha T
After the success of My Name is My Name, Pusha T is set to release King Push sometime in the Spring of 2015. If his latest single “Lunch Money” can serve as evidence for what is to come, it is clear that he is slowly committing his sound to that of Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. MUSIC collective. We can definitely expect some Yeezy influenced work. The Virginia-born artist has expressed a more solo approach to his newest release. In a Rolling Stone Magazine interview, Pusha is promising to keep his following, the haters, and everyone in between on the edge of their seats. “Now, I feel like people don’t know where the hell I’m going to go on the next record. And that’s where I want them to be.”
A$AP RVCKY
The Harlem native has not gone anywhere and the rumors of his sophomore album have turned into facts. After A$AP Yams (R.I.P.) declared 2014 as “the worst year for hip-hop,” the Mob is taking it upon themselves to bring back what’s been taken from hip hop. The release of “Lord Pretty Flacko Jodye 2” is a banger, and we can expect a whole lot of purple, a lot of Houston, and a lot of the self-reflective bars that make A$AP what they are. Ferg is rumored to have something in the works as well.
Travi$ Scott
Set to be released sometime in March of this year, it logically follows that Travi$ Scott’s Rodeo will be a sort of continuation of 2014’s Days Before the Rodeo. Scott has not revealed much about the new work, but promises to give a carnival experience not unlike “a Beyoncé concert.” To tease fans about the new album, Scott dropped two tracks (featuring Young Thug and Future) titled “High Fashion” and “Nothing But Net.” Both tracks have a very ambient, almost psychedelic vibe, so it will be interesting to see how they will be incorporated in the record.
Chance the Rapper
The acid-dropping-Chicago-born-chain-smoking rapper has confirmed the release of Surf some time this year. Chance has proven his melodic, lyrical, and narrative talent with Acid Rap, but his recent collaboration with The Social Experiment, his touring band, should bring an interesting perspective to the new work. As it was with his previous album, Surf is meant to be dropped as a free listening experience. Features to be excited about include Donnie Trumpet and Francis Starlite from Francis and the Lights. Seriously, y’all. I expect nothing less than success from this new work.
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