2016 saw a tremendous release of top notch albums that rocked music lovers, fans and pundits with the likes of Drake, Beyonce, Justin Beiber, Rihanna, The Weeknd, J Cole among others giving music in the real sense. Forbes has listed what it terms “8 Of The Most Anticipated Hip-Hop Albums Of 2017”. And guess who made the list. Read below:
Nicki Minaj

Drake
The hip-hop star said he was going to release a “playlist project” in December, but it didn’t take long for that to be changed to January at the earliest. It sounds like More Life will contain new music from Drake himself and those on his record label, OVO, but he hasn’t yet confirmed who will be featured or what exactly the album-like item will look (or sound) like. Because his name and his music are attached to it, there’s a pretty good chance this will be another No. 1 for Drake, but it might not be his only one. In fact, the rapper, who is known for his incredible level of output, could have a few releases in 2017.
Wale
Shine, the D.C.-based rapper’s next studio album, was expected at some point in 2016, but it never materialized, so now his fans are prepared to have to wait until 2017 for a new collection. The record’s lead single “My PYT,” which is something of an homage to Michael Jackson, performed very well in terms of the charts and sales, and hopefully Wale will still be able to capitalize on the popularity of the song when he finally drops Shine, which still doesn’t have a release date.
Jay Z
By the time 2017 rolls around, it will have been four years since Jay released an album, so it’s about time for some new music to come from him in one form or another. There are rumors that his new solo effort is already done, so that might point to a drop sometime earlier in the year. There have also been many stories written about a potential joint album between the rap mogul and his wife Beyoncé that is an answer to her beloved Lemonade record. Jay is notorious for being tight-lipped on what’s next, so the world probably won’t know what’s coming until it’s out.
Big Sean
Set to be titled I Decided, Big Sean’s fourth full-length on his own is scheduled for February 3, and fans can already hear a handful of the songs he says will be on the title. Lead single “Bounce Back” broke into the top 40, and Sean surely has plenty on the way that will please those in the hip-hop world and beyond. If he plans things right, I Decided could become his second chart-topper, following 2015’s Dark Sky Paradise.
Iggy Azalea
The controversial “Fancy” singer and rapper has been working on what can now be called a comeback for some time, but sadly it keeps enduring delays with what seems like every turn. So far, the album, which she is calling Digital Distortion, has spun off the single “Team,” which was fairly well-received, but which failed to reach the same heights as her previous hits like “Black Widow” and “Fancy.” Azalea has something of an uphill battle ahead of her, as she needs to appease the pop-loving masses while still holding onto her street cred in hip-hop, something that most artists struggle to do.
Fetty Wap
The rapper has only released one album, but things went so well the first time around, expectations are very high for this second proper studio effort. King Zoo is slated to drop less than two years after his self-titled debut, but so far he’s had a difficult time charting a serious hit, which seemed to come so easily the first time around. Fetty Wap ended up featuring three top 10 smashes, including his signature tune, “Trap Queen,” but so far the biggest tune from King Zoo is “Wake Up,” which peaked at No. 50 earlier in 2016. The sophomore effort is reportedly coming in late January, so hopefully he has another smash in his back pocket ready to go.
Fat Joe & Remy Ma
One of the big surprise comebacks in hip-hop in 2016 was that of both Fat Joe and Remy Ma, who partnered together and delivered one of the most beloved tracks of the year. Both artists had somewhat disappeared from the mainstream (though they were still favorites of many in the industry), but the song “All The Way Up” broke into the top 40 and earned the duo a Grammy nomination at the upcoming ceremony. Plato O Plomo, the album the two have in the works, will be released in February, and it will mark a welcome return for the two musicians.
Forbes went on the earmark others they tagged “Keep An Ear Out For” see them below also:
Rick Ross has also announced a new album, and there are a handful of artists that should have new collections this year, though anything is possible. A$AP Rocky and French Montana are due for full-lengths, though nothing has been announced. Kanye could have a project out, though what form it will take is anybody’s guess. It might not be time for a solo effort, but perhaps a joint album with Drake, or his long-awaited Cruel Winter label compilation? Only time will tell, or perhaps he needs to take things a bit slower after canceling a tour and spending some time resting due to exhaustion.
Source: Forbes