The 25 Most Anticipated Albums for the Rest of 2014

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During our midway round-up of the best albums of 2014, we lamented the fact that this year has been surprisingly slow in terms of music releases. That changes in the fourth quarter, where a number of high-profile artists are hoping to stake their claim before January 1, 2015.

Lil Wayne has every intention of dropping Tha Carter V, while Nicki Minaj looks to capitalize on her impressive string of remixes, freestyles, and singles throughout the year. Kendrick Lamar is also on the clock to drop his follow-up to the classic, good kid, m.A.A.d city, as promised by the CEO of TDE, Top Dawg. On the pop side of things, Taylor Swift, Charli XCX, and Jessie Ware are all set to have the winter on lock.

But there’s also a handful of sleepers. Logic’s Def Jam debut is on the horizon, Rick Ross is looking to sneak in his second album of the year, and although it’s been delayed forever and a day, we still have Jay Electronica’s first official release on our mind. From collaborative projects, solo heat, and everything in between, we have a lot to look forward to in the next three months. These are The 25 Most Anticipated Albums for the Rest of 2014.

25.Theophilus London, Vibes

Release Date: October 28

Label: Warner Bros.

Let’s just get this out of the way: A big part of the reason why we’re excited for Theophilus London’s next album is because Kanye West’s hands are all over it, as executive producer, “spiritual A&R,” and featured guest on “Can’t Stop.” But let’s also give London the credit he deserves. In between making moves in the fashion world, the Brooklyn-raised, California expat has perfected infusing smooth '80s dance music and groovy sensuality into a product we can only loosely define as hip-hop. “Do Girls” and the “Can’t Stop” snippet show not only that he’ll keep working with that formula, but that Vibes might give Theo his best results yet. —Ian Servantes

24.Joe Budden, Some Love Lost

Release Date: November 4

Label: Mood Muzik Entertainment

Joe Budden has a lot to say. He’s consistently been one of the most introspective rappers in the game, opening his world to listeners in a way that wasn’t cool until Drake hit the scene. But unlike Drake, Joe’s life is at times hopelessly dark. Lately, we’ve seen that play out in the news with him being chased by cops for various charges. Budden’s art very often imitates his life, so we’re interested in seeing what he has to say on his upcoming EP, Some Love Lost. —Damien Scott

23.Game, Blood Moon: Year of the Wolf

Release Date: October 14

Label: Blood Money/eOne

The torch Game carries for Compton may not flicker as bright as it did in the early stages of his career—Kendrick Lamar now holds that fire—but Jayceon Terrell Taylor is still a relevant fixture from the West Coast. That said, Game’s upcoming album Blood Moon: Year of the Wolf is another chance for him to do what he does best: Show off his Rolodex, name drop legends, and deliver a street narrative so hard, the hood gon’ love it. —Edwin Ortiz

22.Vince Staples, Hell Can Wait

Release Date: October 7

Label: Def Jam

Vince Staples is the future. If his mixtapes, features, and recent releases ("Blue Suede" and "Hands Up") haven't convinced you, we cannot relate. Gonna have to agree to disagree here. Hell Can Wait will be a seven-track EP of ghetto dope. The young Staples raps with the truthful viciousness of a righteous assassin that makes you wonder if he's been here before. We hope Def Jam will allow him to continue to make the music he wants to make. The genre will benefit from it. —Angel Diaz

21.Juicy J, Pure THC: The Hustle Continues

Release Date: TBA

Label: Kemosabe/Columbia

Juicy J surprised everyone last year with Stay Trippy, a high(ly) accessible project that reestablished his musical presence and emphasized his new role as a member of Wiz Khalifa’s Taylor Gang. The Memphis veteran hopes to continue that momentum with Pure THC: The Hustle Continues. The album already boasts “Low,” his glorious collaboration with Nicki Minaj, Young Thug, and Lil Bibby. If he delivers once again, gives us whatever he’s smoking. —Edwin Ortiz

20.Shady Records, Shady XV

Release Date: November 24

Label: Shady/Interscope

Shady Records is a dynasty. In the same way Phil Jackson and Michael Jordan dominated the NBA, Paul Rosenberg and Eminem commanded hip-hop and popular music during the aughts. From 50 Cent’s “In da Club” to Eminem’s “Lose Yourself,” the house that he and Paul built was the movement to move with. That’s why it’s so perfect the label is celebrating their 15-year anniversary with Shady XV, a double-disc compilation album. One disc will feature the label’s greatest hits, while the other will be comprised of new joints from Shady Records’ current roster, including Eminem, Slaughterhouse, Bad Meets Evil, D-12, and Yelawolf. —Brian Padilla

19.Rick Ross, Hood Billionaire

Release Date: November 24

Label: MMG/Def Jam

Leave it to Rick Ross to drop the surprise of the fourth quarter. After Ross released Mastermind in March, it would’ve been fair for him to go through the motions of a typical album cycle (promo, touring, single releases; etc) and then hibernate for the winter. Instead, Ross is coming alive again with his second full release of 2014, Hood Billionaire.

Is Hood Billionaire a quick retaliation to the tepid response of Mastermind and Ross’ waning star? (Or worse yet: an album of Mastermind leftovers?) Or is Ross committed to driving his music in a fresh direction—away from the signature bombastic (but stale) sound coming from MMG? Rick Ross has thrived for a decade now by reinventing himself and adapting to changing landscapes and more contemporary sounds. (His ear for beats is still one of his strongest skills.) Hood Billionaire could serve as the start of Ross returning back to form. —Justin Block

18.Tyga, The Gold Album: 18th Dynasty

Release Date: November 18

Label: Young Money/Cash Money/Republic

YMCMB fans have plenty to be excited about for the remainder of 2014, as Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, and Tyga are all slated to drop their new albums. What does Tyga's upcoming project have that the other two don't, though? Kanye West is attached and heavily involved as an executive producer. Because of this, and the fact that Tyga has quietly released a few bangers this year—most notably “Hookah” with Young Thug—the expectations are sky high for The Gold Album: 18th Dynasty.

Other than a teaser for his upcoming single, “40 Mill,” which is produced by 'Ye and Mike Dean, Tyga has kept the details of the album relatively close to his chest. But based on Tyga's strong track record with projects in the past, and the potential that Kanye brings to the table, it would be no surprise if this album exceeds the already high expectations. —Zach Frydenlund

17.Charli XCX, Sucker

Release Date: December 16

Label: Neon Gold/Asylum/Atlantic

There's more to Charli XCX than "Fancy" and the mega-hit "I Love It" that she penned years ago for Icona Pop, and fans are crossing their fingers to hear everything she's bringing to the table on Sucker. She's called the album "raw," she's worked with everyone from Stargate to Rivers Cuomo and Vampire Weekend’s Rostam Batmanglij, and with the leading single "Boom Clap" at the top of the charts, Sucker will finally show the world just how talented Charli truly is. —Lauren Nostro

16.DJ Premier & Royce da 5'9”, PRhyme

Release Date: December 9

Label: N/A

Of all the rappers DJ Premier has worked with in his 30-year career, Royce da 5’9” makes the most sense this side of Guru (R.I.P.) to collaborate with on a full-length project. They’ve already built up an impressive repertoire together, shelling out modern street classics like “Boom,” “Second Place,” and “Shake This.” The two look to capitalize on their chemistry with PRhyme, which will also feature a murderers’ row of lyricists (Jay Electronica, Common) to boot. Be ready to wave your #RealHipHop banner with pride when this drops. —Edwin Ortiz

15.Action Bronson, Mr. Wonderful

Release Date: TBA

Label: Atlantic/Vice

Action Bronson is as eclectic as they come. He’s a gourmet chef, he regularly body slams fans during his shows, and he raps to old people at retirement homes. There is no other MC who operates within the same realm as Bronsolinio. Not one. But his extracurriculars aren’t what make us excited for Mr. Wonderful. It's because he’s a phenomenal rapper whose vivid imagination comes up with shit like face-to-face toilets as a gift for your significant other. That’s genuine romance.

As of now, the only track Bronson has released is the psychedelic “Easy Rider,” produced by Party Supplies. We know that Kool G Rap and Mobb Deep are set to be on Mr. Wonderful, and we’ll probably hear production from frequent collaborators Harry Fraud, The Alchemist, and Statik Selektah. But no matter who’s behind the boards, Action Bronson will come with some of the most insane bars on wax, and we can't wait. —Brian Padilla

14.Lupe Fiasco, Tetsuo & Youth

Release Date: December 2

Label: 1st & 15th/Atlantic

The pressure of commercial success has always weighed heavily on Lupe Fiasco, despite the critical success he’s achieved. Whether it's a series of project delays, fan feedback, or his own obsessive meticulousness, Lupe's creative/commercial struggle is almost as much a part of his personal narrative as the actual music he makes. Having already compared his forthcoming fifth studio album Tetsuo & Youth to his debut classic Food & Liquor, Lupe just might provide us with that which has so far remained elusive to him since: A project that satisfies fans, recruits nonbelievers, and leans away from the extracurricular creative distractions, thematically and literally.

With singles like “Mission” and his Ty Dolla $ign collab “Next To It” it’s still unclear what sonic landscapes or lyrical directions we're gonna encounter on Tetsuo & Youth. Also, consider the one-off joints he’s dropped like “Pu$$y” and the roster of confirmed feature artists enlisted like Chris Brown, Ed Sheeran, and Rick Ross: If they offer any insight, it’s maybe that Lupe isn’t sticking to any preordained compass at all. But (for better, or worse) directionlessness has come to define Lupe and his work. It's easy to label his ideas as conflicting and messy, but for an artist who in need of a fresh start, a lack of definition might be the best playing advantage he has.

For those who've been left hungry every since that first serving of Food & Liquor, this is either a last hope, or the first sign of new nourishment from one of rap's most unique talents. Get hungry. —Brandon Jenkins

13.Big K.R.I.T., Cadillactica

Release Date: November 11

Label: Def Jam

Consistency has been a strength and weakness for Big K.R.I.T. As he’s demonstrated over several mixtapes, the Mississippi native knows how to serve up Southern comfort, and do it with style. However, his debut album Live From the Underground suffered from this consistency, giving listeners a similar narrative already heard in the past. K.R.I.T. looks to break this mold on Cadillactica, as evidenced by his latest single “Pay Attention,” featuring the smooth sounds of Rico Love. Additional guests on the project include Wiz Khalifa, Lupe Fiasco, E-40, and Raphael Saadiq. K.R.I.T. has the opportunity to go from the people’s champ to a bona fide rap star with his sophomore release if done right. —Edwin Ortiz

12.Logic, Under Pressure

Release Date: October 21

Label: Def Jam

Anyone who frequents rap blogs has probably been hearing the name Logic for a while now, but we’re pretty sure plenty of people assumed he was another corny looking white boy and kept scrolling. But, as we’ve tried highlighting in the past, Logic isn’t like the frat rappers that are seemingly popping up overnight. Instead, he has a unique, traumatic life story that’s darker than anyone would have imagined. A life story that comes into focus on his Def Jam debut album, Under Pressure (you can read a breakdown of the album right here).

Logic may not have any radio hits, but rest assured he has a strong fanbase that goes nuts on social media and buys tickets to his sold out shows. Those fans are the reason why when Logic says he wants to sell 100K his first week it doesn’t sound like a stretch. If it all goes according to plan, Logic can win a lot of people over with the depth and darkness of his debut as it contextualizes his life story in a way his previous work never did. So take a couple weeks and decide whether or not you’re gonna hop on the Logic bandwagon before everyone starts asking how a rapper who dropped four mixtapes since 2010 “blew up overnight.” —Insanul Ahmed

11.Taylor Swift, 1989

Release Date: October 27

Label: Big Machine

Taylor Swift has not released a bad album. I would know because I own them all. Don’t worry about it. She started as a country star with pop leanings, and has since become a pop star with country leanings. Swift dabbled in dance, pop, country, and folk on 2012’s outstanding, something-for-everyone Red. On “Shake It Off,” the first track we’ve heard from her upcoming fifth album, 1989, she tries to rap, something she should never ever do again. Like ever. “Shake It Off” is a definite cousin to “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” which is a strong sign for this album, and as long as she promises not to use the words “sick beat” anymore, 1989 will be huge. —Christine Werthman

10.Wale, The Album About Nothing

Release Date: TBA

Label: MMG/Atlantic

The Album About Nothing will be a dream-turned-reality for Wale, as the D.C. rapper finally gets the opportunity to work directly with the man that inspired his 2008 breakout mixtape. Jerry Seinfeld’s involvement can only enhance the direction of the project, but it will inevitably be on Wale's shoulders to deliver on the lyrical end. He’s already released the project’s first single, “The Body,” a lush rap ballad featuring Jeremih. Usher will also be included on Wale’s fourth album, and you can expect his MMG team to be scattered throughout as well. —Edwin Ortiz

9.Run The Jewels, Run The Jewels 2

Release Date: October 28

Label: Mass Appeal

Run The Jewels is an unlikely combo, but it works incredibly well. The two joined forces on Killer Mike's stellar solo album R.A.P. Music in 2012. They enjoyed each others company so much the odd couple decided to become a tandem—a tenacious team made up of Killer Mike's freight train raps and El-P's signature futuristic sounds. The sequel to the action movie that was Run the Jewels is sure to be as daring as its predecessor. This album will be beautiful if only because it will be released independently. And El-P can certainly teach a class on how to make a beautiful independent album. —Angel Diaz

8.Jessie Ware, Tough Love

Release Date: October 13

Label: PMR/Island/Interscope

Jessie Ware’s debut album, Devotion, was simply gorgeous; an intoxicating mix of two parts smooth and soulful R&B, one part dreamy electronics. She set her own bar pretty high with an album like that, so for her sophomore release, Tough Love, she’s called in the reinforcements: Miguel for the woozy "Kind Of Sometimes Maybe," Dev Hynes on "Want Your Feeling," “Hold On We’re Going Home” co-producer Nineteen85, and a handful of others with proven track records. Everything that’s come out so far from Tough Love is more expansive and seductive than anything from Devotion. Now let’s see if anything sticks quite as strongly as “Wildest Moments.” —Christine Werthman

7.Metro Thuggin, Metro Thuggin

Release Date: TBA

Label: N/A

Young Thug and Metro Boomin have steamrolled through 2014 with authority, establishing themselves as the leaders of new Atlanta. Because both have been busy with their own endeavors—Thug with Rich Gang and Metro producing hits for Future, Travi$ Scott, and iLOVEMAKONNEN—it’s easy to forget they dropped two heaters earlier this year with “The Blanguage” and “Cash Talk.” Both songs are from their upcoming collaborative project, Metro Thuggin, which is still tentatively scheduled to drop this year. We’re keeping our fingers crossed. —Edwin Ortiz

6.Jeremih, Late Nights: The Album

Release Date: October 7

Label: Def Jam

Despite Jeremih cooking up heat for himself and others, a well-balanced album has eluded him. Late Nights: The Album, an extension of his excellent 2012 mixtape, is prepped to be that project. The album’s lead single, “Don’t Tell ‘Em,” peaked at No. 9 on the Hot 100 and has gotten steady play in clubs across the country. But he’s been on a roll all year: He blessed fellow Chicagoan Tink with the best song of her career so far and dropped an amazing EP with Calif. producer Shlohmo. It may finally be Jeremih's time to eat. —Damien Scott

5.Jay Electronica, Act II: Patents of Nobility (The Turn)

Release Date: TBA

Label: Roc Nation

Will it come? Who cares at this point? Well, we do because we feel it will be important, given his track record of making dope shit. If it's good, everyone will forget that it took nearly half a decade to drop. If it's trash, he'll probably wander the planet again. Either way, all we could do is keep putting it on this list until we stop caring. —Angel Diaz

4.T.I., Paperwork

Release Date: October 21

Label: Grand Hustle/Columbia

T.I. heads into his ninth studio album with quite a bit of momentum. The Atlanta veteran dropped “No Mediocre” this past summer, which has steadily climbed the Billboard Hot 100, as well as “About the Money,” his high-octane collaboration with Young Thug. What’s more, Tip isn’t facing any legal troubles, a setback that has cost him in the past. T.I. has described Paperwork as a continuation to Paper Trail, his biggest commercial release to date. With additional features from Jeezy, Pharrell, and The-Dream, Paperwork will be another opportunity for T.I. to paint his street aesthetic all over the charts. —Edwin Ortiz

3.Lil Wayne, Tha Carter V

Release Date: October 28

Label: Young Money/Cash Money/Republic

After promising fans last year that he would work harder as an artist, all eyes have been on Lil Wayne as he prepares to release his alleged final album, Tha Carter V. The build up to its release has been nothing short of dramatic, with sports giants like Kobe Bryant and Floyd Mayweather promoting the album on social media. Wayne has followed up on his promise as well, delivering impressive verses on “Believe Me” and “Grindin” while also squaring off against his artist, tour buddy, and current hip-hop king, Drake. The biggest question about Carter V: Will Wayne go out with a bang or a whimper? He’s been a polarizing figure musically since his return from prison a few years ago, but if his recent dedication to his bars are any indication, we should be in for a treat nonetheless. —Justin Davis

2.Nicki Minaj, The Pinkprint

Release Date: November 24

Label: Young Money/Cash Money/Republic

Nicki Minaj has spent the last two years spitting guest verse after guest verse for your favorite rappers, and laid down a handful of the year's hottest tracks simply because she felt like it. Now, she's spending her days in the studio wrapping up her third studio album, The Pinkprint, a blueprint, of sorts, for all female rappers, and really any females in the game. She's tight-lipped on the features—and while Drake and Rihanna have been rumored guests on the album, she'll refute it until the singles drop. And with two of the most polarizing back-to-back singles this year, "Pills N Potions" and the record-breaking hit "Anaconda," fans truly don't know what to expect this time around besides a much more personal Onika. —Lauren Nostro

1.Kendrick Lamar, N/A

Release Date: TBA

Label: TDE/Aftermath/Interscope

Kendrick Lamar’s next album is easily one of the most anticipated albums in recent memory for three reasons. The first and most important is that Kendrick is coming off of a certified classic, his 2012 major label debut, good kid, m.A.A.d city. Any time you release an album like that, the pressure is on for your follow-up. The second reason is the scarcity of new Kendrick Lamar music. While his contemporaries flood the scene with mixtapes, remixes, and loosie tracks, Kendrick has remained lowkey save for a few choice guest verses (like you know, that “Control” song that fucked the entire game up) and his excellent single “i.” He’s kept the people waiting and now they're salivating.

But the other reason is that the writing isn’t on the wall for Kendrick just yet. The last rap album as well received as good kid was Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy—but that was his fifth album, and by then we knew what Kanye was capable of. Meanwhile Kendrick is still pretty early in his career. So what does he have up his sleeve for his next trick? No one knows. But that only makes it more exciting because your imagination runs wild with possibilities—everything is in play. Kendrick isn’t trying to assert himself in the rap game anymore; he has to assert himself in the pantheon of rap and build on the foundation of a legacy that good kid provides. At this point, the one thing that’s for certain is that Kendrick’s only competition is himself. —Insanul Ahmed