In just three years, Wale went from virtual unknown to hip-hop eminence. He's dropped three notable mixtapes, four singles, and a gazillion shoe references in that time. 2008's A Mixtape About Nothing was impressive. Still, I wondered how much of that lyrical jewel would end up on the only thing that will matter years from now, his debut album. The wait is over. Here's the verdict on Wale's Attention Deficit.

Album art © Interscope

Nicki Minaj has emerged as one of the most prominent new faces in hip-hop, thanks, in part, to an enviable roster spot on Lil Wayne's Young Money Entertainment.I caught up with the self-proclaimed Harajuku Barbie to pick her brain on music, courage, and everything else. In this About.com exclusive interview, she talks about her songwriting process, the first hip-hop album she ever bought, and her Top 5 MCs of 2009. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the First Lady of Young Money, Nicki Minaj.

Related Content:

• A Brief Bio of Nicki Minaj
• Nicki Minaj in Photos

Photo © Young Money Ent.

Since I somehow managed to omit J.J. Brown's Connect The Dots from November's Top 10 Rap Releases, I've decided to make amends by using his album art as the lead pic for this post, in addition to offering up my left hand for sacrifice. Seriously, JJ Brown is as underrated as they come. His production on Louis Logic's Misery Loves Comedy helped me get through most of 2007. Connect The Dots makes its debut today via Well Done Entertainment.

Also in stores today are:
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Raekwon has unveiled a new music clip for "Catalina," a song off his highly praised Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II LP. "Catalina" was my least favorite cut on Cuban Linx 2. That Dr. Dre concoction stuck out like a sore thumb.

Here's the video: Raekwon - "Catalina" (Ft. Lyfe Jennings)