Get ready to spice up your hip-hop collection this coming month. With new albums from N.E.R.D., Lil Wayne, and Immortal Technique, you'll have plenty to choose from no matter your hip-hop leanings. I give you June's hot new hip-hop releases.
1. N*E*R*D* - 'Seeing Sounds'
Seeing Sounds is the energetic comeback album from alt-hip-hop group N.E.R.D. Led by the bass-heavy single "Everyone Nose," Seeing Sounds is N.E.R.D.'s first full-length release since 2004's Fly or Die. That Zune commercial you saw on TV in between NBA playoff games? That was "Spaz," one of several funky drum-based songs on the album.
Street Date: June 10
Street Date: June 10
2. Lil Wayne - 'Tha Carter III'
You may be excused for thinking that Lil Wayne's much ballyhooed Carter III album is a myth. It's been postponed time and time again, but with "Lollipop" sitting atop Billboard's Hot 100, Carter III just might be on its way. Guests on Tha Carter III include Jay-Z ("Mr. Carter"), Busta Rhymes ("LA"), and T-Pain ("Got Money").
Street Date: June 10
Street Date: June 10
3. Immortal Technique - 'The 3rd World'
After a four-year hiatus from rap, Immortal Technique returns with his third LP, The 3rd World. In true Technique fashion, the album sees him mixing street tales with vivid political commentary. With the likes of Crooked I, Chino XL, and Ras Kass contributing verses, you can rest assured that there's no shortage of lyricism on The 3rd World.
Street Date: June 24
Street Date: June 24
4. Vast Aire - 'Dueces Wild'
Vast Aire earned his stripes as a Definitive Jux soldier (or jukie as they're called). Teaming up with Vordul Mega under the moniker Cannibal-Ox, they dropped Cold Vein, one of the best hip-hop albums of 2001. Three years later, he followed with the much heralded Look Mom...No Hands. Long story short, Aire knows his way around the microphone. Dueces Wild is largely produced by Melodius Monk, with Pete Rock contributing a beat. CanOx co-founder Vordul Mega appears on "Mecca and the Ox," while Copywrite drops by on "Give Me the Mic."
Street Date: June 24
Street Date: June 24
5. KRS-One - 'Maximum Strength'
Maximum Strength is a compilation of unreleased KRS-One material dating all the way back to 1999. Notable tracks include: "Better Run (Rock On)" with Wyclef Jean, and "Protect Yourself (Ghetto Lifestyle)," alongside Tragedy Khadafi.
Street Date: June 10
Street Date: June 10
6. Little Brother - 'And Justus for All'
One of this month's new hip-hop releases also happens to be a highlight from last year. Little Brother previously released And Justus for All as a buildup to their third album, The Getback. This new version is slightly different though, as it's been stripped of skits and now includes a couple new songs.
Street Date: June 10, 2008
Street Date: June 10, 2008
7. Tanya Morgan - 'The Bridge EP'
© Loud Minority
With a name like Tanya Morgan and a female pictured on the cover of their debut album, you can't blame people for thinking that Tanya Morgan must be a female solo singer. In actuality, it's a group of three guys (Ilyas, Von Pea, and DonWill). Earlier this year, the hip-hop trio released a mixtape called Tanya Morgan Is a Rap Group to shed light on the confusion. As you can see from the artwork, the new album also features the three fellas on the cover.
Street Date: June 17, 2008
Street Date: June 17, 2008
8. Keak Da Sneak - 'Deified'
© KOCH
The sustained popularity of Bay Area icon Keak da Sneak proves that hip-hoppers still enjoy his music. Following his memorable appearance on E-40’s monstrous single "Tell Me When To Go," Keak is now making his KOCH Records debut with Deified. Guest appearances come from Daz Dillinger, Mr. Fab, Prodigy (of Mobb Deep), Alchemist, and Chingo Bling.
9. Three-Six-Mafia - 'Last 2 Walk'
Conventional wisdom suggests that by the time Last 2 Walk finally drops, it should stink of expired milk. Previously slated for release in 2006, it was later postponed to May 2007 and is now expected to arrive (*fingers crossed*) on June 24. Guest artists include: UGK, Project Pat, and Good Charlotte.
Street Date: June 24
Street Date: June 24
10. Pimp C - 'Greatest Hits'
Fondly known as the Prince of the South, Pimp C passed away in December 2007. This compilation, the first since his demise, consists of solo favorites like "Knocking Doorz Down" and the Tom Petty-sampling "Free."
Street Date: June 3
Street Date: June 3
