Albums To Look Out For In 2022

With the release of her debut album Invasion of Privacy, Cardi B broke so many records that even diehard fans found it hard to keep up. The dominance of the album, in addition to the handful of big singles she’s released since have made people forget that we’re nearing four years since she had any kind of new project out. 2022 should be the year though, because a week and a half before Christmas, the rapper went live on Instagram and talked about how things have been going for her. “It’s been a lot trying to balance out my motherfucking life,” she said. “I’m in a lot of positions and that requires a lot of my time, on top of that I gotta put out this album next year” she continued. It sounded like she was feeling the weight of success and parenthood, but was ready to use the booth as therapy too. Rappers, be warned. Cardi’s coming.

This is a name that you could roll your eyes at seeing on a list like this. Truthfully, Frank Ocean has likely made “most anticipated albums of the year” lists for three or four years running now and he hasn’t done a thing yet. The last time we heard from him was one he delivered one of the best one-two punches in music history, dropping Endless and Blonde just days apart. That was in 2016 and although there have been some dry patches since then for fans, it’s looking like 2022 could indeed be the year. No, really. Reports surfaced late last year that Frank was shopping his album around to major labels, likely looking for a distribution deal. He’s also set to headline Coachella in 2023, so chances are he’ll release something before the year’s over… right?

For a while in December, it was looking like Freddie Gibbs was going to hit a buzzer-beater and drop his Souls Sold Separately album before 2022 rolled in, but he kept his cards close to his chest, and instead, it feels like he could put the album out any week now. The list of confirmed producers looks like something out of a dream – the Gary, Indiana rapper has announced that Madlib, The Alchemist, Pharrell, Jake One, Boi-1da, Kenny Beats, and J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League have beats on the album, to name a few. With his recent track record of murdering everything in sight, it’s hard to feel that Freddie’s prediction of S.S.S. being the “album of the year” won’t come true.

The Never Story was the first time that most of us ever heard of J.I.D. and it was a great introduction to the wit, charisma, and seemingly effortless skill that has fans heavily anticipating the album’s sequel, The Forever Story. He just dropped off the first single – ‘Surround Sound’ with 21 Savage and Baby Tate – and it looks like the album will drop in the first quarter of 2022. The Never Story was his J.I.D. announcing himself. DiCaprio 2was him putting his flag down in Hip-Hop. The Forever Story will be the Atlanta rapper’s final exhibition as to why he should be considered amongst the elite in the genre. We can’t wait.

Last year saw the release of Kanye West’s DONDA after literal years of false release dates and hype constantly building itself up only to go up in flames. The album, despite its aching length, was a swift reminder of why musically, very few are on the Chicago artist’s level. Its bright spots were some of the brightest in the last decade for Ye and if the recently announced DONDA 2 can come close to its predecessor, it’ll be a treat for us all. Of course, this is Kanye West we’re talking about, so perhaps by the end of the year, the album won’t be anywhere near completion. Better yet, it likely won’t even be called DONDA 2.

On Baby Keem’s ‘family ties’, Kendrick Lamar rapped “2021, I ain’t taking no prisoner”. Some of us saw that as confirmation that the most highly anticipated album in music had to be dropping before the year’s end. Those that did were disappointed as instead, another year rolled in without an album from the Compton MC. Regardless, 2022 should see Kendrick drop his final album on Top Dawg Entertainment and he has built up such a track record, that surely it could never match our expectations… then again, that’s what we said a couple of classics ago.

The release of Pusha T’s last album, DAYTONA, saw him get his flowers in a way that perhaps even he couldn’t have predicted. It was half to do with the immense quality of the album and half to do with his dismantling of arguably the biggest rapper of all time, but flowers are flowers and they all smelt sweet to the Virginia rapper. He was supposed to release his next album last year, but presumably got held up in crafting it. Not long ago, an apparent leak from YouTube Music supposedly gave away the title, It’s Not Dry Yet. Push was also seen shooting a video with Kanye West a few days ago, so it feels as though things are coming together for him to drop an album very soon. It’s perfect too because we’re just about ready for our fix of luxurious drug rap.

If SZA’s debut album hadn’t been so damn good, the fact that she hasn’t put out an album since 2017 would have been a far greater sin. Ctrl still gets frequent spins from us, but even still, a new album from the TDE songstress would be great around now. In the spring of last year, she voiced her frustration with her label not pushing her ‘Good Days’ single enough, and it seemed these barriers were the same ones that were holding her sophomore album hostage, in many people’s eyes. It’s somewhat optimistic thinking, but 2022 could be the year that SZA finally appeases everyone and drops a full-length project.

THE BUTCHER COMIN'! The newly signed Def Jam artist and proud representative of Griselda & Black Soprano Family simply never misses. Tana Talk 3, Burden of Proof, and his 38 Spesh collaboration Trust the Sopranos proved that Benny's lyrical wizardry is worthy of our respect. His amazing solo work, song-stealing features, and amazing ear for beats also mean we have good reason to look forward to Tana Talk 4. The recently released "Johnny P's Caddy" featuring J.Cole proves that the rest of Benny's next LP will most likely be another bonafide classic. We're fully prepared to wear that ugly Pusha T scowl while we get caught up in Benny's street tales.

Robert Glasper's musical accolades are many. And through his commendable efforts, he's managed to build a solid fanbase and the trust of some of the biggest names in hip-hop and R&B. 2020's Dinner Party was a supremely slept-on album that excelled thanks to strong production, beautiful instrumental arrangements, and solid features. Black Radio III may just be more of what we got and that's why we can't wait to vibe out to everything it has to offer. With confirmed features from the likes of Big K.R.I.T., H.E.R., Q-Tip, and Ty Dolla Sign, we just know that Glasper's latest LP will be one of the year's best. Check out the song "Black Superhero" to see what all the hype around Glasper is about.

One of Griselda's other crucial MCs is the great Conway The Machine. Everything on his 2020 effort From King to a God banged tremendously - like his fellow group member Benny, Conway has a penchant for rappin' his ass off over some of the most powerful beats known to man. Now that he's ready to come back with a vengeance and drop God Don't Stop Mistakes, we're fully expecting him to produce plenty of shock and awe with his furious raps. "John Woo Flick" featuring Benny the Butcher and Westside Gunn is one of the hardest records of the year thus far. Here's hoping all the fresh tracks coming from Conway are just as memorable on this new album.

The super tough tune "Draft King" put an even bigger spotlight on Mr. Polo Perks. That song ended up on his November 2021 album i.c.f.m. Pt. 3 / fortheonesiilost, which plays host to even more bass knockers such as "ThraxxPunkk" and "Partners." Now we're set to get even more joints off the LP'ss upcoming deluxe edition and we're pretty amped to hear what else Lil Polo Tee has in store with (hopefully) producers such as TommyToHotty and Evil Giane back in the rotation.

If you don't know her by now, you'll quickly get familiar and catch a vibe from paopao's infectious tunes after we put you on. Her credentials certainly speak for themselves - Paola Nicole Marrero Rodríguez is Puerto Rican Latin Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter that drops fire Reggaeton/Alternative Pop tunes. Now in 2022, she's set to do something major for Women's History Month by giving us all an EP that features female artists from across the globe. This internationally influenced project sounds like it's going to be something super monumental.

Fase Yoda is one of those rapper/singer hybrid artists that you have to keep an eye on. His single "Butterflies" is proof of just how efficient he is when it comes time to craft an infectious single that sticks with you long after your first listen. Now Fase is ready to drop a solo album titled Fallen Angels - we hope there are even more mellow tunes to bask in on this one that sound like his aforementioned track and his other equally catchy single "Messed Up."

Besides her flair for the most fly fashion choices imaginable, Millie Go Lightly also turns heads thanks to her energetic delivery of hip-hop/R&B tunes with a London twang. She hails from West London, made a special appearance on Young Thug's album Beautiful Thugger Girls, and has super dope singles like "Drillie Go Lightly" & "Right Time" out in the musical hemisphere. Her still-untitled album is on our radar as one of those upcoming projects that will likely propel her level of popularity to the moon.

Mexico's very own Lil Benjas has garnered himself a good look thus far thanks to hit singles such as "Lluvia," "Nadie Como Tú" featuring Jay Lee, and "Plugg" featuring Neqer. The young up-and-comer is set to drop a full project that we're sure will be full of even more vibe-setting tunes that will hopefully push him to the same heights Bad Bunny has ascended to.

Hailing from Brooklyn, T:ME and his spirited R&B performances have captured our attention as they've put forth super chill vibes and even upbeat tones that we can't get enough of. With his upcoming EP, T:ME is looking to widen his reach as a crooner that you'll soon become addicted to. Sample tracks like "The Unknown," "Same Room," and "Good/Rear View" to hear what we like about the guy so much.

First thing's first - RIP to the Queens, NY hip-hop legend Phife Dawg, who passed away in 2016 due to complications related to diabetes. The Tribe Called Quest member who's proudly referred to as the "Five-Foot Assassin" is being honored with a posthumous project that's been kicking around in the vault for much longer than expected. Forever will definitely be worth the wait as evidenced by the album cuts "Nutshell Pt. 2" featuring Busta Rhymes & Redman and "French Kiss Trois" featuring Redman & Illa J.

NIGO seemingly does it all - he's a fashion guru that gave rise to the urban clothing line A Bathing Ape, DJ for the Japanese hip hop group Teriyaki Boyz, and a record producer. And now in 2022, he's ready to give the world a brand new LP packed with superstar features. A$AP Rocky flows so wonderfully on the album's first single "Arya," plus the likes of Pharrell, Pusha T, and Kid Cudi are said to be providing their own heat on the LP as well. I Know NIGO is the one hip-hop compilation we're dying to hear in 2022.

It's hard to think of an artist who has picked up as much hype as Yeat did throughout the latter half of 2021. The album is the follow up to the Irvine-born rapper's last project “Up 2 Me" from last year, which received a co-sign from Drake himself. There are tons of rumors swirling around regarding who will be featured on the up and comer's project, which should release later this week.