September is set to be a huge month for albums, both in hip-hop and indie/rock. Well established artists such as The Roots, Jay-Z, Frank Turner, Basement Jaxx and Q-Tip vie with newbies Kid Cudi, Wale and The Big Pink. Read alot more inside...
Hip-Hop
September 11th
Jay-Z-The Blueprint³
Hugely anticipated 11th album from one of hip-hops greats, released exactly 8 years after The Blueprint. A huge amount of material has been made for this, with productions from Timbaland and Swizz Beatz expected to add to the wealth of tracks Kanye has produced. MGMT, Mr Hudson and Drake will be among the guests. No tracklisting as yet, but don't expect anything we've heard (except DOA and Run This Town); i'm pretty sure Jocking jay-z, history and brooklyn go hard wont be there. Dont be surprised if Jay-z creates another classic album to further promote his credentials as the Greatest Rapper Ever.
Sample Track: Jay-Z-Run this town feat. Kanye West and Rihanna
Excitedness rating: 10/10
September 14th/15th
Q-Tip-Kamaal/The Abstract
After 1999's Amplified, Q-Tip made Kamaal/The Abstract set for a 2002 release date. Arista then decided not to release the album because of it's lack of commercial appeal due to its alternative nature. Q-Tip later complained that what he was doing on Abstract was the same sort of thing that Andre 3K did on The Love Below (released on Arista 2 years later). Long story short, Q-Tip has negotiated the rights and will release Kamaal/The Abstract next month. I wonder if this will sound as alternative/new as it would have done in 2002, rap has changed a hell of a lot since then. Still, its a (sorta) new Q-Tip album, so i'm excited! Tracklisting here.
Sample track: Do U Dig U?
Excitedness Rating: 9/10
Kid Cudi-Man on the Moon:The End of Day
I had almost lost all faith in Cudi before Make Her Say; it had been so long since his 2008 Mixtape A Kid Named Cudi, that I had almost forgotten how much potential he has. Alot rides on this album, not just for Kid Cudi who goes up against fellow newcomers Wale and Drake in Autumn 09, but for mentor Kanye West. No official tracklist yet, and release date could well change, but expect productions from Mr West, Will.I.Am, Dot da Genius and Just blaze and features from MGMT, Clipse and Snoop Dogg. Not sure how MGMT are gonna fit into rap songs on both this and the blueprint 3, we will see.
Sample Track: Make Her Say
Excitedness rating: 8/10
September 21st
Dizzee Rascal-Tongue 'N' Cheek
After 2 (nearly 3) UK number 1's this could well be the album that cements Dizzee at the top of the Radio 1 Playlist, and the charts. Whilst a good dose of artistic integrity may have been lost, he still retains every bit of his energy and cheeky appeal that contributed to the fantastic Boy in Da Corner. Having led British grime for the last 6/7 years, he is now leading the recent wave of grime "sell-outs", far ahead of Tinchy Stryder, Chipmunk and even Wiley (whose last 2 albums, released within 7 months of each other, have both been very poor). Even if he is unashamedly poppy now, Dizzee Rascal is almost impossible to dislike. Tracklisting here.
Sample track: Dizzee Rascal-Holiday (feat. Chrome and Calvin Harris)
Excitedness rating: 7/10
Wale-Attention: Deficit
After being the next big thing for the last 2+ years, Wale finally releases his debut in September. He has released a mixtape every year since 2005, culmintating in the critically acclaimed "Mixtape About Nothing" in 2008 and "Back to the Feature" in June this year. This album promises alot, as Wale is probably the most talented newcomer around, and, whilst possibly lacking the raw energy of Kid Cudi, Wale is a better lyricist by a long shot. First single "Chillin" with Gaga is pretty diappointing, mainly due to the surprisingly awful Cool&Dre production. Kanye, Ronson, Q-Tip and 9th wonder are expected to join the duo on production duty for the album.
Sample Track: Wale-Nike Boots
Excitedness Rating: 8/10
September 28th/29th
The Roots-How I Got Over
In between being Jimmy Fallon's house band, the Roots have made their 9th studio album, How I Got Over. Black Thought has described the new album as more upbeat than their last 2 records, reflecting the band's relief at the end of the Bush administration. Guests are set to include Beanie Sgel, Chrisette Michelle and frequent collaborator Dice Raw. They have performed with a huge number of artists since they began on Jimmy Fallon, I am very keen to go and see them when they next hit Europe!
Sample Track: ">How I Got Over (live on Jimmy Fallon
Excitedness Rating: 8/10
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