10.The RootsGame Theory
Label: Def Jam
Beats: Artist, J Dilla
Features: Mos Def, Saigon, Peedi Peedi, MF Doom, Danger Mouse, Jill Scott, Lunna E of Cirius, MFSB Orchestra, Truk North
First Single: Don’t Feel Right
Sales Pitch: “We still put 100 percent of our effort into making what we feel is wuality hip-hop. I think if people really believe in wuality and have patience, then we’re worth the purchase.”
9. LudacrisRelease Therapy
Label: DTP/Def Jam
Beats: Timbaland, Shondrae, LT Moe, Organized Noize, Ice Drake
Features: DTP Family
Sales Pitch: “You ‘re gonna get your money’s worth and then some. Real music is all about emotion. Whether it make you laugh, reminisce, cry, get motivated to get a damn job, or tell people you love them; you’re going to feel this muthafuckin’ album.”
8. Busta RhymesThe Big Bang
Label: Aftermath/Interscope
Beats: Timbaland, Dr.Dre, Neptunes, Scott Stroch, Nottz, J Dilla, Swizz Beat, Sha Money XL, Jelly Roll, Denaun Porter, Just Blaze, Rashad Smith, Hill
Features: Stevie Wonder, Rick James, Raekwon, Nas, Dr.Dre, Eminem, Q-Tip, Notorious BIG, Flipmond Squad
First Single: Touch It
Sales Pitch: “Busta Rhymes has never not been the most consistent mutherfucka around. Busta Rhymes has always carried the torch for what’s hot in the street. And even though the South has been making those records that make you wild out in the club, I’m here to give you that raw New York club banger.”
7. Ghostface KillahFishscale
Label: Def Jam
Beats: Pete Rock, Mf Doom, J Dilla, Madlib, Moss, Lewis Parker, Studio Beatz
Features: Wu-Tang Clan, Theodore Unit, Ne-yo
First Single: Back Like That
Sales Pitch: “Fishscale is like dopest shit that’s on the block right now. It’s like I got the hypest dope. When niggas taste that shit, they gon’ fiend for it”
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6. T.I.The King
Label: Grand Hustle/Atlantic
Beats: Rick Rubin, The Neptunes, Just Blaze, Hi-Tek, Kwame, Fury, DJ Toomp. Don Cannon, Chad West, Khano, Keith Mack, Lil’ C, Black Mob, Big Resse
Features: Jay-Z, Young Jeezy, P$C, Lil’ Wayne, B.G., Alicia Keys, Young Dro, Governor
First Single: Ride Wit Me
Sales Pitch: ” Trap Muzik laid the foundation, but missed a couple mainstream recors. Urban Legend was great, but it missed the creativity people wanted from me. King is my most well-rounded project since I’m Serious.”
5. OutkastIdlewild
Label: Jive
Beats: Artist, Organized Noize
Features: Sleepy Brown, Janelle Monae, Scar
First Single: Big Boi’sThe Train and the duo’s Idlewild Blues will be released simultaneously
Sales Pitch: “With us you have to expect the unexpected,” said Big. “This is the next thing you could do after doing a double CD where two group members were doing solo CDs. The fans expect nothing less than what we’ve been giving them for the past decade, and that’s some funky-ass shit”
4. Mobb DeepBlood Money
Label: G Unit/Interscope
Beats: Havoc, Dr.Dre, Alchemist, Sha Money XL, J.R., Red Spyder
Features: G-Unit
First Single: Put ‘Em In Their Place
Sales Pitch: “If there’s one thing you can say about Mobb Deep it’s that we’re consistent,” says Havoc. “We’re gonna come with that music that you’re gonna be able to play in your car for years. We wanna be a part of this because it’s a part of history.”
3. Cam’ronKilla Season
Label: Asylum
Beats: Ebonikz, Pro V, Black Key, Stay Gettin, Blackout, Versatile Productions, Wattz
Features: Juelz Santana, J.R. Writter, Hell Rell, Jaheim, Webbie
First Single: Do Your Thing
Sales Pitch: “I got the passion back back because Hell Rell and J.R. are starting to get buzz they’re getting. It’s like process that Jim, Juelz and I went through starting over, getting on mixtapes. I’m hyped again.”
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2. Nas TBD
Label: TBD
Beats: DJ Premier
Features: All Mr. Jones offers is, “I’m almost done [working] on a Queens anthem with another big Queens dude.”
First Single: TBD
Sales Pitch: “Cop it to see where dude’s head is at and where I’m taking it this timearound. This will be the next step for me. I bridged the gap between generation on my last joint, this one is going fuurther ahead creatively than what I did last time.”
1. The GameThe Doctor’s Advocate
Label: Black Wall Street/Aftermath/Interscope
Beats: Dr.Dre, Hi-Tk, Kayne West, Just Blaze, Nu Jerzey Devil
Features: Nas, Damiain Marley, Snoop Dogg, Mary J.Blige, Lauryn Hill, Mariah Carey
Sales Pitch: “I’m still there with Dre making the greatest album of all the time. My first album was a classic. This one is about upping the ante and making something better than a classic – on my own.”
