The 50 Most Anticipated Albums of 2012

We went extra-hard on the research as we put together this list of The 50 Most Anticipated Albums of 2012.

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Intro

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Tyler, The Creator - Wolf

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#50. Tyler, The Creator - Wolf

Label: Odd Future Records/Sony/RED
Release Date: May
Likelihood Of Release: 65%

After sticking to more controversial subject matter on his first two albums—Bastard and Goblin— Odd Future leader Tyler, the Creator has been talking about moving into a different realm lyrically. He says he wants to brag a little bit more about his success and make "weird hippie music for people to get high to." Hmm, sounds like the 20-year-old will be maturing before our eyes. Whatever he comes with we'll be paying close attention. Say what you want about Tyler, but he's never boring.

Kreayshawn - Life With Loopy

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#49. Kreayshawn - Life With Loopy

Label: Columbia/Sony
Release Date: Summer
Likelihood Of Release: 60%

Kreayshawn blew up when her song "Gucci, Gucci" went viral last year. She managed to score a high-profile major label deal off the one song but since then, she's gotten into a number of controversies (notably, a feud with Rick Ross) but there hasn't been much music to show for it. Few details are known about her upcoming debut, but we're rooting for her to give us some music that's as cathy and infectious as "Gucci, Gucci."

RELATED: WHO IS KREAYSHAWN

Machine Gun Kelly - Lace Up

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#48. Machine Gun Kelly - Lace Up

Label: EST 19XX/Bad Boy/Interscope
Release Date: Fall
Likelihood Of Release: 70%

Recently crowned by MTV as the Hottest Breakthrough MC of 2011, Machine Gun Kelly is perfectly positioned to make a big splash with his Bad Boy debut. We're not sure what made Diddy decide to add him to a Bad Boy roster that includes French Montana and Red Cafe, but there's no denying that MGK's ever-growing fanbase, high-energy performances, and rapid-fire flow have impressed us enough to pay attention.

Skylar Grey - Invinsible

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#47. Skylar Grey - Invinsible

Label: KIDinaKORNER/Interscope
Release Date: January
Likelihood Of Release: 70%

Skylar Grey hit a hot streak last year after appearing on hit songs for Dirty Money, Lupe Fiasco, and Dr. Dre, but she cooled off shortly thereafter. We're looking for her to heat things up again with her major label debut, which will reportedly be produced entirely by Alex da Kid. Here's hoping for something that's both challenging and radio ready. Come on girl, we know you can do it. 

Fabolous - Loso's Way 2

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#46. Fabolous - Loso's Way 2

Label: Desert Storm/Def Jam
Release Date: Summer
Likelihood Of Release: 70%

The 2009 album Loso's Way saw a more mature Fab expanding on his core strengths—clever wordplay and records aimed at his female audience—to include glimpses of storytelling and more reflective, introspective rhyming. That combination made for the Brooklyn MC's most substantial artistic statement thus far. As of late, his once varied game has transformed back to the punchline-heavy style he's always been known for—particularly on his There Is No Competition mixtape series. This year, we want to see whether Fab pushes the limits on Loso's Way 2 or decides to build on the momentum he's gained by sticking with his bread and butter.

Justin Bieber - Believe

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#45. Justin Bieber - Believe

Label: RBMG/Island
Release Date: Summer
Likelihood Of Release: 90%

Whether you're a fan or not, you can't deny that any Justin Bieber album release is a pop music event. And even if you're not down with his catchy brand of bubblegum tunes, perhaps you've noticed young JB has been dropping some credible freestyles. Don't front—you have to admit it will be very interesting to watch this teen sensation mature as his career continues. Who knows, maybe he'll spit some bars on his new album, Believe.

French Montana - Excuse My French

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#44. French Montana - Excuse My French

Label: Bad Boy
Release Date: Summer
Likelihood Of Release: 60%

French Montana has spent a long time grinding in the streets before finally getting some due shine in 2011. The Bronx rapper has fed his fans a steady diet of mixtapes since 2007, but it wasn't until he sets the streets on fire with songs like “Shot Caller” and the “Choppa Down (Remix)” featuring Rick Ross and Wiz Khalifa that he was able to set off a bidding war between MMG, G.O.O.D. Music and Bad Boy (with whom he eventually signed) to get some proper distribution for his debut album. We're excited for French to play a big part in the resurgence of New York hip-hop this year. Expect more smash hooks and grimy but catchy rhymes in 2012.

RELATED: WHO IS FRENCH MONTANA?

Chromeo - TBA

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#43. Chromeo - TBA

Label: Atlantic
Release Date: Summer
Likelihood Of Release: 65%

Chromeo's currently untitled fourth album will be the '80s-loving duo's first since 2010's Business Casual, a spirited romp led by the killer party jam "When the Night Falls." Details remain slim on what we can expect on the Montreal electrofunk enthusiasts' new project, but we expect nothing less than huge hooks, booty-shakin' beats, and straight-up good times.

Big Krit - Live From The Underground

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#42. Big KRIT - Live From The Underground

Label: Def Jam
Release Date: January
Likelihood Of Release: 60%

The pinnacle of Big KRIT's rise to prominence was the brilliant 2010 mixtape Krit Wuz Here. His follow-up, Return Of 4eva, didn't make as big a splash, but still showed the rapper/producer at his most versatile. We're hoping Live From The Underground will be the record that fuses the best of both projects, incorporating the laid-back Southern storytelling of Krit Wuz Here and the more aggressive and energetic aspects of Return Of 4eva. Talent certainly won't be the issue, but we hope to see KRIT carve out a clear direction to grow into in 2012.

Ratatat - TBA

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#41. Ratatat - TBA

Label: XL Recordings
Release Date: Summer
Likelihood Of Release: 60%

Little is known about Ratatat's fifth album, likely to be titled LP5. But if the Brooklyn duo of Mike Stroud and Evan Mast has proven anything, it's that they can remain relatively mysterious while letting their hypnotic blend of wailing guitars, thick synthesizers, and huge drums do the talking. Whenever this album drops, we'll be blasting it at our next party.

Sean Price - Mic Tyson

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#40. Sean Price - Mic Tyson

Label: Duck Down
Release Date: Spring
Likelihood Of Release: 40%

Hip-hop fans should know what to expect when it comes to Sean P. The guy stays faithful to the grit and grime of the '90s, spitting that unapologetic rude-boy flow as well as anyone you can name. With the critically acclaimed Random Axe project of 2011 keeping his skills sharp, Sean should have a lot in store when he finally unveils his long-awaited album.

RELATED: SEAN PRICE BREAKS DOWN HIS 25 ESSENTIALS

Future - Pluto

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#39. Future - Pluto

Label: Sony
Release Date: February 21
Likelihood Of Release: 55%

Future had a hell of year, going all the way back to his feature on YC's “Racks.” Then he blew up with his own hit, “Tony Montana,” and has continued to make waves with “Gone To The Moon,” “Go Harder,” and “Magic (Remix)” featuring T.I. Future seems to know how to pull fun, catchy, radio-ready singles together in his sleep. With Pluto expected to drop in January, the correct roll-out will allow Future to establish himself as rap's next big thing.

Major Lazer - TBA

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#38. Major Lazer - TBA

Label: Downtown/Interscope
Release Date: Fall
Likelihood Of Release: 80%

Sound the airhorn, because Major Lazer—the dancehall-loving production duo of Diplo and Switch—is prepping a second full-length album. It's said to feature vocal contributions from No Doubt, Jahdan Blakkamoore, Vybz Kartel, and Dirty Projectors' Amber Coffman. With a lineup like that we're already intrigued—but man, did you hear their lead single "Original Don"? This album can't get here soon enough.

Nas - Life Is Good

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#37. Nas - Life Is Good

Label: Def Jam
Release Date: Fall
Likelihood Of Release: 70%

Since the May 2010 release of Nas and Damien Marley's Distant Relatives, Nas has been in a great creative space. With impressive showings on “Nasty,” “Tower Heist,” and Common's “Ghetto Dreams,” the legendary rapper has us fiending for a new project. All of the aforementioned songs gave glimpses of a reinvigorated MC with something resembling a hunger to rhyme. It's hard to experience a rebirth 18 years into your career, but if anyone can, it's God's Son.

2 Chainz - TBA

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#36. 2 Chainz - TBA

Label: N/A
Release Date: Summer
Likelihood Of Release: 75%

2011 was a rebirth for 2 Chainz, who previously went by the moniker Tity Boi of Playaz Circle fame. Building on the success of his single “Spend It,” the Atlanta rapper started to catch fire in ATL. He went on to drop stellar verses on guest spots throughout the year before releasing one of the year's best mixtapes, T.R.U. Realigion. With all of hip-hop watching to see what he delivers in 2012, we expect 2 Chainz to keep the momentum going with some absolute bangers on his much-anticipated solo album. The only question is if he plans on signing a major label deal or not.

RELATED: WHO IS 2 CHAINZ?

Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles III

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#35. Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles III

Label: Fiction
Release Date: Fall
Likelihood Of Release: 65%

What's in a name? In 2008, Crystal Castles gave us their self-titled first album. In 2010, we got another self-titled album, referred to by fans as Crystal Castles II. So it only makes sense that 2012 will bring a third eponymous release. What they lack in album title creativity they make up for with brutally erratic tracks powered by Alice Glass' punk spirit and plenty of electronic chaos. Every two years or so we could use some of that chaos in our lives.

Rick Ross & Drake - YOLO

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#34. Rick Ross & Drake - YOLO

Label: Cash Money/Maybach Music Group
Release Date: Summer
Likelihood Of Release: 75%

Frequent collaborators Drizzy Drake and Rick Ross first announced this bad boy back in November. They initially intended for it to be a mixtape then decided to make it a full-length album. With Drake fresh off of his sophomore album and Rozay finishing up God Forgives, I Don't, we expect these two to bring some summertime heat and spark some debate about whether the throne is really for the taking or not.

RELATED: THE 25 BEST RICK ROSS VERSES OF 2011

The Killers - TBA

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#33. The Killers - TBA

Label: Island/Vertigo
Release Date: Summer or Winter
Likelihood Of Release: 90%

Nothing against Brandon Flowers' solo work, but what we've really been waiting for is a follow-up to The Killers' Day & Age, the 2008 album that brought us soaring hits like "Human" and "Spaceman." According to Flowers, the band is going to focus on what they've done best on all their albums and bring it together on their still-untitled 2012 project. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

BoB - Strange Clouds

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#32. BoB - Strange Clouds

Label: Grand Hustle/Rebel Rock/Atlantic
Release Date: March 13
Likelihood Of Release: 80%

Much like Kid Cudi before him, B.O.B. has made a career of going against the grain. At times, the Atlanta rapper makes music that's more pop with hip-hop influence than it is pure rap—but he manages to pull it all off without ever sounding forced. He's as talented a musician as we have in hip-hop, and we expect Strange Clouds to be perfect for this generation of music fans, who have grown up listening to all types of music and championing risk takers.

MGMT - MGMT

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#31. MGMT - MGMT

Label: Columbia
Release Date: Fall
Likelihood Of Release: 75%

MGMT made an incredibly strong first impression. Oracular Spectacular had three huge singles with "Kids," "Time To Pretend," and "Electric Feel," and the album instantly put MGMT on the map. Part of the strength of that album was that it was all over the place—a frenzied mix of rock, electro, funk, and pop that made for a crazy ride. We were excited for the band's second offering, Congratulations, but while more cohesive, it lacked those big songs we could really sink our teeth into. Plenty of great acts fall victim to the sophomore slump, but this third album is going to be make or break. We're placing our bets that the psychedelic kids are going to pull through.

T.I. - Trouble Man

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#30. T.I. - Trouble Man

Label: Grand Hustle/Atlantic
Release Date: February
Likelihood Of Release: 65%

Up until two years ago, T.I. was working on one of the most successful careers in hip-hop history. But since a series of legal setbacks, he's struggled a bit to regain dominance. Unlike the last time he returned from prison and released his album No Mercy, Tip has been building a buzz with freestyles, guest features, and his recently released Tear Da City Up mixtape. Luckily, his strength is making great commercial records. If he's able to capitalize on that with Trouble Man, Tip could be back atop the rap game in no time. After all, he's done it before.

Santigold - Master Of My Make Believe

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#29. Santigold - Master Of My Make Believe

Label: Downtown/Atlantic
Release Date: Spring
Likelihood Of Release: 60%

You can't rush perfection, but this album has been a long time coming. The artist formerly known as Santogold dropped her brilliant, genre-blurring debut back in 2008. Since then, she's kept the creative juices flowing through collaborations with Kanye West, Pharrell, Julian Casablancas, M.I.A., and Lykke Li, but it's been four years and we still don't have that second album. Santi has admitted that she's bit of a control freak, so we're hoping that she's taking all this time to make Master Of My Make Believe everything we hope it will be.

Tyga - Careless World: Rise Of The Last King

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#28. Tyga - Careless World: Rise Of The Last King

Label: Young Money/Cash Money/Universal Republic
Release Date: January 24
Likelihood Of Release: 80%

As a longtime role player on a roster that's chock-full of mega-stars, Tyga's follow up to 2008's No Introduction is long overdue. Still his personality, aesthetic, and association with Young Money have enabled him to build a solid fanbase over the last few years—mainly consisting of kids that have yet to graduate from college and have no qualms about spending their parents' money. With the proper push and a hit record in “Rack City” to guide him into Careless World, we predict that Tyga will see his biggest success in 2012.

50 Cent - TBA

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#27. 50 Cent - TBA

Label: G-Unit/Shady/Aftermath/Interscope
Release Date: Spring
Likelihood Of Release: 40%

Since the phenomenon that was Get Rich Or Die Tryin', 50 Cent's rap career has been a bit of a roller-coaster. Many would attribute his relative lack of musical success in recent years to the fact that 50's focus was elsewhere, specifically in acting and business. But in 2011 he redirected his energy toward music, and it showed. His latest mixtape The Big 10 shows 50 is only a hit away from shaking the rap game up once again. If he ever stops feuding with his label Interscope, we're hoping Curtis can hit the streets with that aggressive content we live for. Just don't call it a comeback.

M.I.A. - TBA

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#26. M.I.A. - TBA

Label: Interscope
Release Date: Summer
Likelihood Of Release: 70%

M.I.A. always gets people talking whenever she hits the studio. All those colorful conversations (and fashion choices) aside, we can always count on Maya to bring progressive, forward-thinking music to the forefront of popular culture. Can she do the same on the follow-up to 2010's /\/\ /\ Y /\? Yes, We believe she will.

Slaughterhouse - TBA

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#25. Slaughterhouse - TBA

Label: Shady/Interscope
Release Date: April
Likelihood Of Release: 75%

With everyone in the Slaughterhouse crew having solid individual 2011s, we suspect the carryover will make for some great records in the new year. Having some of the best sparring partners in the game has kept each member lyrically sharp. With Eminem overseeing the project, Slaughtherhouse will represent for the camp nicely this year.

Wiz Khalifa - O.N.I.F.C.

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#24. Wiz Khalifa - O.N.I.F.C.

Label: Rostrum/Atlantic
Release Date: Fall
Likelihood Of Release: 80%

By the time Wiz Khalifa's major label debut Rolling Papers dropped in 2011, his knack for writing hooks and creating a melody—whether by rapping, singing, a combination of the two—had made him a star. Since then, he's learned how to incorporate all of those strengths, showcasing them on multiple songs with Curren$y and Big Sean and Snoop Dogg. As Wiz keeps building with his in-house producers—Pittsburgh's own ID Labs—he continues growing as a writer. We expect fans who were disappointed by Wiz's pop-friendly approach on Rolling Papers to jump back on board as he shows off his versatility on O.N.I.F.C..

Bloc Party - TBA

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#23. Bloc Party - TBA

Label: Wichita
Release Date: Fall
Likelihood Of Release: 75%

The past year has been a rocky one for Bloc Party. At the end of 2011, lead singer Kele Okereke revealed that he wasn't even sure if he was part of the band anymore. For fans who'd been following the British rockers since their phenomenal Silent Alarm, the future was looking dismal. Then, out of nowhere, Kele announced that the band was back together and planning a new album for 2012. We love a good surprise.

Lil Wayne - I Am Not A Human Being II/Rebirth 2/I Can't Feel My Face

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#22. Lil Wayne - I Am Not A Human Being II/Rebirth 2/I Can't Feel My Face

Label: Cash Money/Universal Republic
Release Date: Summer/Spring/Winter
Likelihood Of Release: 50%/20%/10%

He may be prone to pushbacks, but Weezy is never not working. We're expecting him to drop something this year—we just don't know what. A sequel to 2010's I Am Not A Human Being would pacify fans of Wayne's current rapping style. while the long-awaited Juelz Santana collaboration I Can't Feel My Face would be perfect for those who've been fiending for some vintage Weezy. And Rebirth II would be a treat for all the Wayne fans who can't get enough of his rock star antics and leopard-print pants. We've heard rumblings about all of these albums, but we're just going to have to wait and see.

RELATED: THE 25 BEST LIL WAYNE VERSES OF 2011

Miike Snow - Happy To You

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#21. Miike Snow - Happy To You

Label: Downtown/Universal Republic
Release Date: March 27
Likelihood Of Release: 95%

It's been three years since the Swedish trio Miike Snow released their debut album, but it doesn't feel like that long. Their self-titled album was only 11 songs deep, but it was that rare type of project you could play from start to finish over and over, emerging with a new favorite song every time. The trio's producers Bloodshy & Avant are the guys who made Britney Spears' "Toxic," so they obviously know their way around a pop song—but they've also got a more experimental side that leads to their most interesting work. After three years without a new Miike Snow album, we're sure those two are boiling over with ideas for Happy To You. How Swede it is.

Lupe Fiasco - Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album

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#20. Lupe Fiasco - Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album

Label: 1st & 15th/Atlantic
Release Date: Winter
Likelihood Of Release: 50%

Many of Lupe Fiasco's longtime supporters felt abandoned by last year's Lasers, but that probably had more to do with Lupe's label than his own creative vision. Either way, he still managed to move an impressive amount of units. Now Lupe has come to a fork in the road. He'll have to figure out what's most important to him as an artist: the respect of hip-hop heads or commercial longevity. If we don't get to hear the sequel to his debut anytime soon, chalk it up to more creative tension with Atlantic Records. In the meantime, there's still his group SNDCLSH (consisting of himself and DJ Sky Gellatly) and their project Don't Drop The Flag which seems quite likely to drop this year. Best of all? The 100% of the profits will be go to helping kids.

Nicki Minaj - Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded

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#19. Nicki Minaj - Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded

Label: Young Money/Cash Money/Universal Republic
Release Date: February 14
Likelihood Of Release: 90%

Now that her debut album Pink Friday has helped Nicki Minaj cross over into pop-superstardom, Young Money's First Lady must figure out how to continue her assault of the Billboard Top 40 withou losing her hardcore rap fans. As unpredictable as Nicki is, it's impossible to know what to expect. However, she does so many things so well that only a fool would bet against her.

Sleigh Bells - Reign Of Terror

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#18. Sleigh Bells - Reign Of Terror

Label: Mom+Pop
Release Date: February 21
Likelihood Of Release: 95%

The noisiest pop duo around has promised another album full of loud, melodic speaker destroyers for their sophomore album. Their first single "Born To Lose" hints at a slightly crisper sound, but with a title like Reign Of Terror, we're pretty sure this release is going to do some major damage.

Pusha T - TBA

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#17. Pusha T - TBA

Label: G.O.O.D./Re-Up/Decon/Def Jam
Release Date: Fall
Likelihood Of Release: 85%

With the release of last year's Fear Of God II: Let Us Pray, Pusha proved he could stand on his own two. In 2012, we expect him to pick up where he left off, at the peak of his powers as one of the most feared lyricists in the game. Will the Virginia native takes more chances this time around or simply stick to his strengths? We can't wait to hear.

The xx - TBA

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#16. The xx - TBA

Label: Young Turks
Release Date: Spring
Likelihood Of Release: 70%

When The xx released their self-titled debut in 2009, not many people knew what they were all about, but the slightly dark, minimalist vibe and subtly sexual boy/girl vocals caught on quickly. Since then, producer Jamie xx has gone on to become a pseudo-celeb of the indie world. He even managed to land himself a spot on the production credits of Drake's Take Care. They've come a long way already, and their next step is going to be a big one.

Kendrick Lamar - Good Kid In A Mad City

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#15. Kendrick Lamar - Good Kid In A Mad City

Label: Top Dawg Entertainment
Release Date: Fall
Likelihood Of Release: 75%

The stakes are high for Compton's own Kendrick Lamar. After putting one of the best rap projects of 2011, he's got his listeners expecting an elite-level product. Look out for more witty wordplay and deep, thought-provoking lyricism on Good Kid In A Mad City. It should be interesting to see how Kendrick handles the challenge of simultaneously pleasing his core fanbase—who praise his storytelling skills and complicated rhyming techniques—and the considerably larger audience he'll need to reach in order to move units. If J. Cole can do it, Kendrick can do.

Duck Sauce - TBA

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#14. Duck Sauce - TBA

Label: Fool's Gold
Release Date: Summer
Likelihood Of Release: 85%

To the hip-hop crowd, A-Trak might be best known as a turntablist prodigy or as the co-founder of Fool's Gold, the label that brought Danny Brown into the spotlight. But over the years A-Trak has made it clear that he's about more than just scratches and boom-bap. With "Barbra Streisand," he and Armand Van Helden—collectively known as Duck Sauce—made one of the best dance songs of the year, topping charts worldwide and receiving a Grammy nomination. They've already got our attention again with "Big Bad Wolf." When their full-length drops, it's going straight to our summer dance party playlist.

Danny Brown - TBA

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#13. Danny Brown - TBA

Label: Fool's Gold
Release Date: Summer
Likelihood Of Release: 80%

Danny Brown's XXX was one of our favorite albums of 2011 so we're definitely looking forward to whatever the Motor City madman cooks up next. With support from Fool's Gold and a bugged-out voice that we can't get enough of, 2012 looks like it's Danny's for the taking. If we don't get another album from him this year that will be a bitter pill to swallow.

GOOD Music Compilation - TBA

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#12. GOOD Music Compilation - TBA

Label: G.O.O.D. Music/Def Jam
Release Date: Spring
Likelihood Of Release: 70%

With successful outings from Kanye West, Big Sean, Pusha T, and Kid Cudi over the past year or so, G.O.O.D. Music has established itself as undeniably one of the best crews in hip-hop. With John Legend on the hooks and Hit-Boy and S1 pitching in behind the boards, this compilation could be one of the most sonically adventurous posse albums hip-hop has ever heard.

Frank Ocean - TBA

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#11. Frank Ocean - TBA

Label: Odd Future Records/Sony/RED
Release Date: Fall
Likelihood Of Release: 80%

After shooting to fame with nostalgia, ULTRA. and a couple of high-profile guest spots on Watch The Throne, Frank Ocean has everybody waiting on his full-length debut album. Look for Mr. "Novacane" to build on what he did the first time around—bold songwriting, sensitive vocals, and relentless experimentation. Oh, and look for Def Jam to finally take his career seriously after already screwing up the rerelease of nostalgia,LITE.

Waka Flocka Flame - Triple F Life: Friends, Fans And Family

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#10. Waka Flocka Flame - Triple F Life: Friends, Fans And Family

Label: 1017 Bricksquad/Warner Bros.
Release Date: Spring
Likelihood Of Release: 75%

Waka Flocka's energy is what made him a star. The same energy that helped spawn upbeat jams like “O Lets Do It” and “No Hands” could be equally as powerful in fueling his contempt for the hip-hop industry. Brick Squad's breakout star made it clear last year that he'd had enough of all the BS that goes with being a famous rapper. Watch for an aggressive, considerably darker tone on Triple F Life. In other words, Waka will be going harder in the paint than ever.

The Throne - Watch The Throne Part 2

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#9. The Throne - Watch The Throne Part 2

Label: Roc-A-Fella/Roc Nation/Def Jam
Release Date: Winter
Likelihood Of Release: 40%

After releasing Watch The Throne to critical acclaim last year, Jay-Z hinted that he and Kanye were "in Throne mode" and might just drop another album together in 2012. If so, the WTT sequel would mark the first opportunity for The Throne to grow and evolve as a unit. Although seasoned as solo artists, they are even more adventurous as a duo. Expect them to make a conscious effort to disrupt the status quo on WTT2 while continuing to build on their chemistry together. But since both Jay and Ye have so many other projects lined up, we have a feeling that we may be watching—and waiting—for a while.

Eminem - TBA

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#8. Eminem - TBA

Label: Shady/Aftermath/Interscope
Release Date: Winter
Likelihood Of Release: 40%

Eminem had another strong outing in 2011 but with Yelawolf's album out the door, Slaughterhouse putting the final touches on their project, and Detox nowhere in sight, we're hoping Em has time to focus on his own project. Having turned over a new leaf before the release of 2009's Relapse and the even stronger 2010 Recovery, Eminem's next album should continue the upward trend. He's constantly in the studio, so the only question is when he will decide to bless us.

A$AP Rocky - TBA

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#7. A$AP Rocky - TBA

Label: A$AP Worldwide/Polo Grounds/RCA/Sony
Release Date: Summer
Likelihood Of Release: 75%

Coming out of nowhere with hugely popular singles in “Peso” and “Purple Swag,” A$AP Rocky won over any remaining skeptics with last year's mixtape Live.Love.A$AP. This year Rocky and his crew face the challenge of crafting some new magic for his debut album. We predict that Harlem's youngest in charge will prove to doubters that he's here to stay.

RELATED: WHO IS ASAP ROCKY?

Lana Del Rey - Born To Die

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#6. Lana Del Rey - Born To Die

Label: Stranger/Interscope
Release Date: January 27
Likelihood Of Release: 95%

In 2011, there was no more enigmatic figure in music than Lana Del Rey. In a matter of months, the beautiful melancholy chanteuse was catapulted into the spotlight, dissected by the blogosphere, and then dragged into an ugly media tug-of-war. But once you turn down all the noise and actually listen to the music, you'll find that it's very, very good. So forget all the drama. Lana's an undeniable talent, and when Born To Die debut drops, it should shut a lot of people up. We can hardly wait.

Rick Ross - God Forgives, I Don't

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#5. Rick Ross - God Forgives, I Don't

Label: Maybach Music Group/Warner Bros.
Release Date: Spring
Likelihood Of Release: 90%

Rick Ross's album-to-album evolution throughout his career rivals that of any MC in recent memory. 2010's Teflon Don showed new levels of maturity in both rhyme schemes and wordplay. Rozay shined on virtually every record he spit on over the last 12 months. We expect more of the same from Rozay in the year to come. In fact, settling into his place as one of hip-hop's biggest and most respected stars may inspire him to start rapping from a different perspective. We're excited for his Forever Rich tape to drop today, but since he was aiming to release God Forgives... last year, we suspect the album is already mostly completed. Lengthy delays would be unforgivable.

RELATED: THE 25 BEST RICK ROSS VERSES OF 2011

Jay-Z - TBA

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#4. Jay-Z - TBA

Label: Roc Nation
Release Date: Summer
Likelihood Of Release: 50%

Jay-Z built his career around a facade of being virtually infallible, but on last year's Watch The Throne he was surprisingly revealing. Songs like “New Day,” “Why I Love You,” and “Welcome To The Jungle” revealed a new side of Shawn Carter. We're hoping Jay continues to peel back the layers in 2012, setting the stage for the next phase of his career as he enters fatherhood. Jay has already confirmed that he's got a few songs done for his next album. Knowing how fast he works once he's in his zone—and how much he loves to drop hits for the Summer—we wouldn't be surprised if the whole album gets done in six months.

The Weeknd - TBA

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#3. The Weeknd - TBA

Label: XO
Release Date:
Likelihood Of Release: 80%

The Weeknd's 2011 mixtape trilogy helped redefine R&B by giving the genre a completely new lane. Each era of R&B has been dominated by a single sound. For example, many recent R&B songs have been written with lyrical structures that could easily pass for rap songs.

The Weeknd broke free by blending elements of multiple eras and genres, keeping it all cohesive with a sultry mood that was suitable for lovemaking. Details are still sketchy about young Abel Tesfae's follow-up to the brilliant House of Balloons, which Complex selected as our album of the year for 2011. But whatever The Weeknd chooses to do, we're sure to be listening.

Kid Cudi & Dot Da Genius - WZRD

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#2. Kid Cudi & Dot Da Genius - WZRD

Label: Wicked Awesome/HeadBanga Muzik/Universal Republic
Release Date: January 30
Likelihood Of Release: 80%

Kid Cudi rose to prominence by creating his own lane. His formula of sing-rapping over rock and pop-infused beats was atypical in hip-hop, and as he's grown into his sound he's continued to experiment even more. We expect that his punk-rock influenced WZRD project with Dot Da Genius will see Cudi fusing the most reliable aspects of his work thus far with new sounds like the electric guitar—which he only started playing about a year ago. It's a risky move, but Cudi's eclectic taste and willingness to take risks is what made us such big fans in the first place.

Kanye West - TBA

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#1. Kanye West - TBA

Label: G.O.O.D. Music/Def Jam
Release Date: Summer
Likelihood Of Release: 60%

Kanye's got a lot on his plate right now. The G.O.O.D. Music compilation is slated to drop this year, then there's that Watch The Throne sequel, and he'll presumably play a role in Jay-Z's next album, as well as overseeing projects from everyone else on the G.O.O.D. Music roster—not to mention DJing as YEEZY WORLD PEACE. But not to worry; the guy's a workhorse.

We suspect he will draw inspiration from all of those projects when he finally settles into a creative groove for his follow-up to the stellar My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, which was released back in 2010 but still sounds fresh. Kanye reinvents himself with every album, and we don't see that stopping in 2012. We just hope he brings back G.O.O.D. Fridays.

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