Top 10 New Releases for December 2009

As the title indicates, All World 2 is Cool J's second Greatest Hits compilation. The first installation of All World was released in 1996. All World 2 is meant to complement that set with familiar hits that highlight Cool J's long, influential career. The tracklist includes "Phenomenon," "4,3,2,1" (yes, the Canibus version), and "The Ripper Strikes Back."
Release Date: Dec. 8, 2009

Artists of great stature, from Eminem to Dr. Dre, traditionally employ compilation albums as a vehicle for introducing their associates to the music world. Lil Wayne continues this age old tradition with We Are Young Money, which gives Young Money artists (Drake, Nicki Minaj, etc) a chance to plead their case.
Release Date: Dec. 21, 2009

Montezuma's Revenge is Souls of Mischief’s first album in nine years. I commend the Oakland collective for finding a way to stay relevant that doesn’t involve contrived feuds or other corny gimmicks that have become the order of the day. For a sampling of their new work, here’s “Proper Aim,” the lead single from Montezuma's Revenge.
Release Date: Dec. 1, 2009

Can't get enough of Eminem's Relapse? A Refill is just what the doctor ordered for Slim Shady fans. Relapse: Refill is loaded with seven new tracks, including the single "Forever" and "Taking My Ball" (also released with the DJ Hero video game), and five never-before-heard tracks. "I want to deliver more material for the fans this year like I originally planned" Eminem says of Refill. "Hopefully these tracks on The Refill will tide the fans over until we put out Relapse 2 next year".
Release Date: Dec. 22, 2009

Snoop continues his run of playful album titles with his latest, Malice 'N Wonderland. The 14-track LP features guest appearances by The-Dream, R.Kelly and Soulja Boy, as well as production by The Neptunes and Nottz.
Release Date: Dec. 8, 2009

After a quiet departure from Shady Records, Obie Trice breaks his silence with a en album. Special Reserve, which was exclusively produced by MoSS, serves as a prelude to Trice's next LP, Bottoms Up, due out in 2010. There's only one guest appearance (by Deuce Wonder), so O.Trice fans will get a heavy dose of his lyricism here.
Release Date: Dec. 15, 2009

Despite the all-star cast on Gucci Mane's sophomore album (Shawty Redd, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, and Bun B, Soulja Boy, etc), it's the rapper's personal story that serves as a common thread. He even gets personal on a few songs and drops dimes on the perils of excess.
Release Date: Dec. 8, 2009

Shock Value II is the follow-up to 2007's Shock Value. Judging by Timbaland's recent work for other artists, including his mediocre turn on The Blueprint III, it's easy to dismiss his new album. Let's just hope he's been saving all the good beats for himself. Shock Value II's guest list includes: Jay-Z, Drake, Keri Hilson.
Release Date: Dec. 8, 2009

Til The Casket Drops is the first Clipse album that wasn't exclusively produced by Chad & Pharrell. Adding DJ Khalil and Sean C & LV to the production lineup helped breathe new life into the Clipse soundscape. It's a well-rounded, thoroughly enjoyable album, though their coke tales are nothing new.
Release Date: Dec. 8, 2009

After hearing Kanye's pop experimentation on 808s & Heartbreak, Lil Wayne decided to try his hands at a rap-rock foray. "It’s something different in just that whole 808s and Heartbreak, just throwing individuals off," Drake says of Rebirth.
Release Date: Dec. 15, 2009