10 Most Wanted Hip-Hop Albums of 2008

The third installment in Lil' Wayne's Carter series has been in the making for more than two years now, but Wayne says it's well worth the wait. "It's one of those albums people are really waiting on," he told Billboard.com at the beginning of the year, "so I made it so that whatever is on it will stick with you forever." Don't they all say that?

Street Date: TBD

The major sentiment surrounding Game's third project, LAX, is "wait and see." Wait and see if the L.A. rapper will match the success of his first two albums. Wait and see if Dr. Dre, who backed down from The Doctor's Advocate, will assist with production this time. Wait and see how 50 Cent will react to that. Game has said that LAX will be his last album. Wait and see if he'll be the first rapper keep to honor a retirement commitment.

Street Date: TBD

Snoop's ninth album, Ego Trippin', will feature production from Pharrell, Teddy Riley and others. If "Sensual Seduction" is a sign of what's to come, then this should be a fun album.

Street Date: March 11, 2008

Powered by the lead single "That's Gangsta," II Trill marks Bun B's return to active recording since the death of his UGK partner Pimp C. Bun says he recorded most of the songs on II Trill earlier in 2007. This time, you can expect more from Bun than the braggadocios anthems that graced his solo debut, Trill.

Bun considers II Trill a message to the hood.

Street Date: April 29

With T.I. being one of hip-hop's best selling artists for the last five years, it's hard to imagine a year passing by without new material from the trapstar. While under house arrest in his Georgia mansion, Tip has been putting finishing touches on Paper Trail. The album is expect to drop sometime this summer.

Street Date: TBD

Saigon's major debut has been delayed so much that I'll have to see it to believe it still exists at this point. Despite the cloud of uncertainty hovering around Sai-Giddy's album, one thing's for sure: With Just Blaze manning the boards and Sai on the mic, anticipation for The Greatest Story Never Told remains at an all time high.

Street Date: TBD

OutKast's critically acclaimed double album Speakerboxxx/The Love Below was originally intended as two separate LPs. Apparently, packaging them jointly wasn't a bad idea, as that set went on to sell over 10 million units. There's no arguing that Big Boi and 3000 have been contemplating their respective solo albums for a long time. Thankfully, they two have confirmed that they're working on their respective solo projects, due later this year.

Street Date: TBD

Much like 2006's St. Elsewhere, Gnarls Barkley's latest album title is a play on a bygone TV show. Expect more of the same envelope-pushing musicology from the duo of Cee-Lo and Danger Mouse.

Street Date: April 15, 2008

Not many groups have managed to last 10 albums. Considering all the creative differences that exist among members and the diplomatic effort required to keep everyone on a level playing field, it's not news to hear of a breakup every now and then. But ?uestlove and co have overcome obstacles to consistently churn a flurry of street classics since 1993. Fans will be looking for them to deliver a stunning follow-up to 2006's Game Theory. Street Date: April 29

With L.A. Reid and others privately rejecting Nas' album title, N*gger's future hangs in the balance. But without a single music note or video in rotation, it's still the most buzzed about, most anticipated, and most wanted hip-hop album of 2008.

Street Date: April 22