2010 Fall Hip-Hop Preview

At the rate Lil Wayne has been releasing new music you'd think he was sitting in his Young Money office calling all the shots. Instead, Weezy's friends have made sure that fans stay saturated with his sound. His latest, the amazingly titled street album I Am Not a Human Being, is set to drop on Weezy's birthday, September 27. Physical copies will be available on October 12.

Release Date: September 27

Dictionary-toting, Eminem-obsessing, punchline-slingin’ lyricist Canibus returns with The C of Tranqulity this October. Canibus approached this album as if he still has to show and prove. He really put some thought into every aspect of the music, from album title and artwork to concept and sequencing.

Release Date: October 5, 2010

For reasons only an attention-hungry rapper can explain, Kid Cudi and Wale have been going at each other lately. Hopefully the release of Cudi's Man on the Moon 2 will help steer his attention back to music.

Release Date: November 9, 2010

Nelly spent much of the summer with his salesman hat on, as he promotes his celebrity workout DVD. So, you may be forgiven or forgetting that he used to be a rapper. Expect him to get back to music this fall, with the upcoming release of Nelly 5.0.

Release Date: November 16, 2010

After months of talking, David Banner and 9th Wonder now have an official release date for their collaborative album, Death of A Pop Star. The album will be issued on David Banner’s Big Face Entertainment November 9th, 2010. What started out as a mixtape quickly evolved into a full-length project when 9th and Banner realized that they wanted to make a statement with Death of A Pop Star. It tackles issues such as manhood, being black in America, and the state of black music.

Release Date: November 9, 2010

Pimp C died in December 2007 while putting finishing touches on his third solo album, The Naked Soul of Sweet James. This album is a tribute to his genius, with guest rhymes from Bun B, Drake, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Young Jeezy, Lil Boosie, Webbie, Devin the Dude and more.

Release Date: October 5, 2010

It's always disheartening to see mediocre rappers gain access to quality beats. So, the prospect of seeing veterans Smif-N-Wessun kick rhymes to what's sure to be first-class Pete Rock beats is appealing. Monumental will be issued via indie behemoth Duck Down Records.

Release Date: November 9, 2010

Ice Cube’s big screen maneuvers will have you believe he’s the most conflicted rapper ever. One minute he’s chaperoning toddlers on a fun adventure, the next he’s collecting bodybags on wax. Still, he does the latter with such unbridled authenticity that you can’t help but pay attention, as evinced on the lead cut from I Am the West, the vitriolic "Drink the Kool-Aid."

Release Date: September 28, 2010

When T.I. was serving time for a federal gun charge, he got down to business and went on a songwriting binge. He ended up with so much material that he had to dump some of them on a mixtape. His seventh album, King Uncaged, was planned for a September release. But with a probation violation case hovering over his head, the album's fate is uncertain. Still, anticipation for King Uncaged remains sky-high.

Release Date: Fall 2010

Kanye West's promotional vehicle has kicked into overdrive within the last few months or so. That can only mean one thing: his eagerly awaited 5th album is on its way. After bouncing a few ideas around, Kanye settled on the title Dark Twisted Fantasy. If Kanye's GOOD Friday series is any indication, expect a return to soul samples and pure emceeing.

Release Date: November 22, 2010