Travis Scott – Utopia
Houston renegade Travis Scott has arguably Hip Hop’s most anticipated album since Drake’s 2016 opus Views, or Kendrick Lamar’s follow-up to 2017’s DAMN. To measure his album by this standard, goes the length to say this is one of the most critically acclaimed record of the ages and probably of the 20’s. It’s his My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy despite the conspicuous success grossed by his last solo effort, Astroworld. Travis has risen to the totem pole of Hip Hop since his last album with four No. 1 records including Drake assisted “Sicko Mode”, Kid Cudi featured “The Scotts”, Young Thug graced “Franchise” and his envious solo hit, “Highest In The Room.” Although his troubles have hovered around him since the tragic Astroworld Fest in November 2021, he is slowly redeeming himself with few and far between such as The Billboard Music Awards, and his fall shows in South America and London late last year. With teasers in “Cindarella” featuring Future, it’s been over a year since collaborator and producer Wheezy mentioned “Travis is putting final touches on Utopia in Mexico”. One thing is fosure though, fans cannot wait to hear what the enigmatic La Flame has been cooking.
Chlöe – In Pieces
One half of Chloe x Halle, Chlöe will be unleashing her solo debut In Pieces this spring, on a tentative March date. Chlöe who has been tearing up multiple award shows, singles and features while her better half and duo partner Halle was busy filming for Little Mermaid will come out of the gate ready to take her rightful place as one of the most furnished R&B recording and performing names in the business right now. After singles such as “For The Night”, “Surprise”, “Treat Me”, and “Have Mercy” have stirred the momentum for her bow in In Pieces, all eyes will be on the Beyoncé mentee to put on one of the most seminal bodies of work for the year.
Frank Ocean – TBD
One of the more mysterious faces in the music and pop culture realm, expectation is pregnant for a new album offering from Frank. The former Odd Future member last released a project dated 2016 with Endless and the cultural classic, Blonde. With his return primed for around April when he will be in the spotlight among the contingent headlining Coachella in the desert, it’s expected that he will be releasing an album with a rare outing not likely to come without baring gifts.
Rihanna – TBD
It’s Super Bowl weekend and finally the world can breathe again. Billionaire Badgirl Riri will be hitting the stage and while we can salivate for a gyrating performance from the pop music matador that is Riri, fans will be hoping for just a little bit more in an album. Since 2016’s record-breaking ANTI, Aunty has been far from concerned from feeding her fans music. From transitioning into a tycoon with her beauty and cosmetic behemoth Fenty, Riri has been more infatuated with commerce and business, letting music take the back burner, but all hints suggest she will be releasing something in the shape of a musical body of work around her Super Bowl blockbuster.
Playboi Carti
Having evolved to one of Hip Hop’s most innovative, disruptive and freshest superstar, headline billing acts, Carti has gained the respect from peers and legends alike in his iconography and art presentation. Challenging the norms with his unconventional style, Carti is among the most interesting Hip Hop acts of this generation inspiring originality and verve to go against the grain. The pariah-like attitude, cavalier performances, unbridled fashion sensibilities he exudes, Carti has cultivated a cultic fan base that laude his every action. Following the boisterous Whole Lotta Red, he has already accumulated the attention necessary for his next project staked for this year.
Gunna
The embattled rapper should have a lot to say on his next project following claims of being disloyal to his mentor, Thugger. Gunna who beat The Weeknd to a No.1 last year before things went completely south will be aiming for a Dark Knight Rises return to the thick of things. Already renown as one of Atlanta’s tastemaker’s, his reputation is in the crosshairs and his remarks on this are imminent. Fans and critics in the same vain will be observing for one of the hottest comeback stories in Hip Hop lore, or maybe one of the most repugnant responses from the hip hop community in solidarity with Thugger.
Rae Sremmurd
Another group that has been subjected to Hip Hop’s bedeviled behavior to end careers shortly. A healthy break from their 2018 smash SR3MM, a lot of speculation around a split and the two Missouri rappers going solo has been circulating. Rejuvenated as ever, single “Torpedo” and Mike Will back outside are enough banners to state they are going nowhere and there will be some more “Black Beatle” joy incoming.
