October's top new rap releases include Devin the Dude's 'Landing Gear' and Alchemist's 'Chemical Warfare'.
10. 88 Keys - 'The Death of Adam' (Decon)
Influenced by Prince Paul and A Tribe Called Quest, producer/MC 88 Keys keeps his sound drenched in atmospheric production and witty rhymes. On Death of Adam, 88 teams up with Kanye West, Phonte, Bilal, and Redman.
Street Date: October 28
Street Date: October 28
9. Doom - 'Born Into This' (Lex)
According to Amazon and other reputable music sites, MF DOOM will release an album titled Born Into This on October 28, 2008. Excuse the skepticism, but I'll believe this one when I see it.
Street Date: October 28
Street Date: October 28
8. DJ Babu - Duck Season 3
Now more than a decade into his career, Los Angeles' DJ Babu has gradually evolved into a veritable producer. The third installment of his Duck Season series finds the Dilated Junkie turntablist teaming up with veterans (Sean Price, M.O.P.), as well as newbies (Termanology, Bishop Lamont).
Street Date: October 28
Street Date: October 28
7. The Knux - 'Remind Me in 3 Days' (Interscope)
Ever since the Knux joined Interscope's prestigious roster in 2006, they've made it their goal to craft an album worth listening to from start to finish. The New Orleans brothers relied on their own production on Remind Me in 3 Days to create a thoroughly cohesive longplayer.
Street Date: October 14
Street Date: October 14
6. Black Milk -'Tronic' (Fat Beats)
Black Milk continues the sonic joyride that made Popular Demand a 2007 favorite. "Give the Drummer Sum," the Tronic's first single, finds the Motor City star stacking his much improved rhymes atop live horns and gritty drums.
Street Date: October 28
Street Date: October 28
5. Jake One - 'White Van Music' (Rhymesayers)
Jake One's brief stint as a member of G-Unit's production crew gave him access to some major players. White Van Music is a living testament to the clout of this young producer, with MCs like Talib Kweli, Young Buck, and MF Doom making strong appearances. The true magic of the album lies in Jake One's ability to pair the right artists with the right beats.
Street Date: October 7
Street Date: October 7
4. The Alchemist - 'Chemical Warfare' (Koch)
Though Alchemist made his mark mixing up dangerous chemicals in the production lab, he's occasionally proved that his mic skills are almost as sharp as those board skills. Chemical Warfare, Al's second solo entry, finds him splitting airtime with some familiar collaborators. The lead single, "Key to the City," features Nina Sky and Alc's favorite collaborator Prodigy.
Street Date: October 28, 2008
Street Date: October 28, 2008
3. The Foreign Exchange - 'Leave It All Behind' (HOJ)
Little Brother MC Phonte returns for another stellar collaboration with Dutch producer Nicolay. The two met online in 2002, but Nic has since relocated to Wilmington, North Carolina. Leave It All Behind, the follow-up to 2004's Connected, comes loaded with a double-disc limited edition which includes bonus full instrumental album.
Street Date: October 14
Street Date: October 14
2. Statik Selektah - 'Stick to the Script' (Brick)
It's easy to dismiss Statik Selektah's Stick 2 the Script as just another pointless mix CD. In reality, it's a star-studded compilation with plenty of memorable moments. For this go-round, Statik reached out to Talib Kweli, Cassidy, Q-Tip, Saigon, Joell Ortiz, Consequence, and many others.
Street Date: October 21
Street Date: October 21
1. Devin the Dude - 'Landing Gear' (Razor & Tie)
Landing Gear is Devin's first album since leaving Rap-A-Lot Records earlier this year and his fifth solo effort in 10 years. His last LP, Waiting to Inhale, was widely praised for its lung-cracking stories and witty anecdotes. In true Dude fashion, there's plenty of odes to blunts, booze, and boobs on Landing Gear. Guests include: Snoop Dogg and the Odd Squad.
Street Date: October 7
Street Date: October 7
