Offset Throws Punch at Man After Cardi B Gets Sprayed With Champagne at Strip Club: 𝗩𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗢
In the early hours of Friday morning (Jan. 31), the Migos rapper and wife Cardi B were partying at Miami strip club Booby Trap on the River when things got a little out of hand. In video captured by TMZ, Offset can be seen jumping off stage to attack someone in the crowd after Cardi was sprayed with that person’s champagne.
According to the report, Offset’s flying punch landed, and he continued to swing until security pulled him away. At that point, he and Cardi took off.
This news comes just one day after Offset was reportedly detained by police at The Grove shopping center in Los Angeles. According to reports, the police were searching for someone who was spotted with a gun and had fled the scene when they stopped him. The “Ric Flair Drip” rapper and two of his associates were held in The Grove’s security center and then taken into the police station for further questioning.
In video of the incident, Offset can be seen being pushed up against a wall by an officer as the rapper yells out.
“I didn’t break the law, man!” Offset yells in the clip. “If you gonna arrest me, I ain’t gonna resist if you tell me. You gotta tell me now. You gotta tell me now. That’s your job as an officer.”
Offset was formally released hours later, but his associates were both booked on firearms charges after admitting to authorities that the two guns they found belonged to them.
You can watch a video of Offset and Cardi B’s strip club melee for yourself below. XXL has reached out to Offset’s camp for comment.
See 35 of the Most Anticipated Hip-Hop Albums
Drake, Title to Be Determined (TBD)
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Drake, Title to Be Determined (TBD)
Drake didn’t drop an album in 2019 but kept relevant with strong features, loosies and a revealing Rap Radar interview on Christmas Day. In said interview, he mentioned working on a new album and although there was no mention of a release date, it’s assumed it will drop some time in 2020. The album will likely feature both rapping and singing (something he mentioned in the RR interview), plus production from some of the usual suspects: Noah “40” Shebib and Boi-1da. If his most recent track “War” is any sign of what’s to come, fans can expect tenacious, U.K.-inspired rapping and, of course, some of the most audacious beats in the game.—Scott Glaysher
Playboi Carti, Whole Lotta Red
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Playboi Carti, Whole Lotta Red
After building a cult following with projects Playboi Carti (2017) and Die Lit (2018), />Playboi Carti fans have been doing a whole lotta waiting for his sophomore album. Carti revealed the title in August of 2018, and previewed two tracks during a concert a few months later, which boasted completely different vibes. Last summer, he gave himself a two-month timetable to put the album out and revealed it would be sans features. A cryptic Instagram post in October put fans on high alert but ended up being a false alarm. 2020 is now being targeted as the year everyone hears red.—C. Vernon Coleman
Cardi B, TBD
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Cardi B, TBD
Cardi B had one of the decade’s most impressive come ups. She went from meme-able reality show personality to full-fledged rap star in a matter of months. “Bodak Yellow” exploded in the clubs, playlists and beyond, ushering in her Grammy-Award winning debut album, Invasion of Privacy. Since that album’s release in April of 2018, Cardi has been relatively quiet with the musical releases. Of course, her and husband Offset became parents since her colossal debut LP, but the world is now feeling angsty for Kulture’s mom to drop a new project. Last year, she joked that the title of her sophomore album would be Tiger Woods due to the famous golf pro’s remarkable decade-long comeback in the court of public opinion; a feeling Cardi obviously connects deeply with.—S.G.
Future, TBD
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Future, TBD
Coming off a year in which he earned his sixth No. 1 album (The Wizrd) and kept his foot on the pedal with another quick-strike release (Save Me), Future is primed to kick off the new decade in dominant fashion. The first order of business appears to be the sequel to his melodically-driven, 2017 offering Hndrxx. “I absolutely have to make another #hndrxx album,” he wrote in a post on Instagram in February of 2019. Future’s off-hand comment made headlines and caused fans to clamor for the finished product. The project, which was reportedly completed and set to drop that same month, was ultimately pushed back, but snippets, like the one that surfaced in March of last year, and fake tracklists have many forecasting the liberation of “Hndrxx 2” in 2020.—Steven “Preezy” Brown
Juice Wrld, TBD
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Juice Wrld, TBD
Before his tragic death of a drug overdose on Dec. 8, 2019, Juice Wrld had been gearing up to release his as-yet-untitled third studio album. Speaking with XXL for Juice’s Fall 2019 cover story, his engineer, Max Lord, said Juice’s new LP deals with his post-rise state of mind and how the handled the added pressure. Elsewhere in the story, it was confirmed that the album would feature production from Nick Mira, Metro Boomin and a guest appearance from Young Thug. While the exact sonic makeup of Juice Wrld’s first posthumous LP isn’t known for sure, leaked songs showcase Juice’s rock-leaning side as he belts out vulnerable tunes over sullen guitar strings. As tight-knit as Juice’s team was during his life, it’s safe to say they’ll deliver on the sound that made the Chicago rap star a platinum-selling artist.—Peter A. Berry
Rico Nasty, Nightmare Vacation
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Rico Nasty, Nightmare Vacation
Rico Nasty has been dropping well-received mixtapes since 2014, with her breakout 2016 project Sugar Trap setting the tone for her brand of rage rap. With a solid following and a 2019 XXL Freshman stamp under her belt, the Maryland rhymer is finally ready to put out her official introduction to the world via her debut major label album, tentatively titled Nightmare Vacation. Ahead of its release, Rico dropped her Anger Management collab project with Kenny Beats last year. The effort, featuring Jay-Z’s “Dirt Off Your Shoulder” sample, an EarthGang collab and her cheeky vibes, proved nine songs just wasn’t enough to keep fans satiated. Let the nightmare begin.—C.V.C.
Kendrick Lamar, TBD
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Kendrick Lamar, TBD
Perhaps the most secretive artist on this list is none other than Kendrick Lamar. The Pulitzer Prize winner not only takes substantial breaks between album releases, but also keeps everything CIA-level confidential until he’s just about ready to drop a project. However, he has been booked to headline some massive festivals this summer including Lollapalooza Stockholm, NOS Alive and Rock Werchter, which is a signal new music is on the way. On top of this speculation, former Billboard editorial director Bill Werde claimed he was told the album is done and features “rock sounds.” Breaking new ground and reinventing his sound is something Kendrick is all too familiar with, which makes this easily one of the most highly anticipated albums of the year.—S.G.
Meek Mill, TBD
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Meek Mill, TBD
Turning tragedy into triumph has become a familiar theme for Meek Mill, who bounced back from his legal issues last year to release the most successful album of his career with the Grammy-nominated Championships. The effort also stands as the Philly rhyme animal’s most cohesive work to date. While the Dreamchasers leader has spent the majority of the past year on tour and contributing to criminal justice reform efforts, he’s also been in the studio prepping his as-yet-untitled fifth studio album. Meek initially shared the LP could be arriving before the New Year via Twitter this past November, however, that announcement proved to be premature. Little may be known about this forthcoming album, but songs intended for the collaborative project he intended to release with Nipsey Hussle could end up on the tracklist and make it worth the wait.—S.P.B.
J. Cole, The Fall Off
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J. Cole, The Fall Off
Unlike his past few albums that have been surprise drops, J. Cole’s upcoming The Fall Off album was announced over a year and half ago, leaving fans anxiously awaiting its release. The album will serve as the follow-up to 2018’s KOD, and there’s a good chance it gets released in 2020. During Cole’s set at the Day N Vegas Festival in November of 2019, a satirical presidential ad campaign was shown on the stage behind him. The words “The Fall Off 2020” appeared on the screen along with a voice stating, “We need someone with big ideas and bold solutions. An expert in diplomacy. A candidate that can heal the inter-generational war.” Given J. Cole’s recent feature verse run last year and the strength of Revenge of the Dreamers III, there is no doubt The Fall Off will feature that classic J. Cole magic—with no features.—S.G.
Joyner Lucas, ADHD
Twenty Nine Music Group
Joyner Lucas, ADHD
Nearly three years removed from 2017’s critically-acclaimed 508-507-2209, Joyner Lucas has delivered a consistent stream of quality music. Even his loosies have earned big accolades. After scoring a 2019 Grammy nomination for Best Music Video for his gold-certified single, “I’m Not Racist,” Joyner capitalized on the momentum, announcing his debut album, ADHD, in October of 2018. The project, which faces the disorder head on, will continue Lucas’ trend of conceptual long players, with songs like “I Love,” “Devil’s Work,” “Broke and Stupid” and the title-track all slated to appear on the tracklist. In addition to guest appearances from Logic (“ISIS”) and Timbaland (“10 Bands”), the album is slated to include production from Boi-1da, CorMill, DRTWRK, Highself, Jahaan Sweet, NextLane Beats, Nox Beatz, Rocktee, Sonorous, SoSpecial, TheSkyBeats, and Timbaland. And if his recent appearance alongside Eminem on the Grammy nominated track “Lucky You” is any indication, ADHD should take Joyner’s profile to the next level.—S.P.B.
Drake and Future, TBD
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Drake and Future, TBD
Few duos have been as dynamic as Future and Drake, who sent the music world into a state of euphoria with their 2015 collaborative effort, What a Time to Be Alive. With the fifth anniversary of the album looming this coming September, the pair initially hinted at a sequel to the project in a video posted on Instagram last year. Future previewed snippets of songs (“I Know,” “Doing Too Much”) and other tracks like “Big Mood” leaked online. However, when “Life Is Good” dropped, the new Future song with Drake billed as a feature (along with its accompanying video), the anticipation for What a Time to Be Alive 2 boiled over to a fever pitch. And while details are scarce, Freebandz producer ATL Jacob reportedly some scored tracks for the upcoming effort.—S.P.B.
Lil Uzi Vert, Eternal Atake
Atlantic Records
Lil Uzi Vert, Eternal Atake
Had it not been for very public label feuds and constant album delays, the world might already have heard Lil Uzi Vert’s long-awaited album Eternal Atake. Talks of the album started in 2018, when he released the title, but it wasn’t until 2019 that Uzi dropped anything concrete from the album. “That’s a Rack” and “Sanguine Paradise” were released in mid-2019 and served as teasers to what was to come on the EA album. Before 2020 arrived, Uzi capped off 2019 with “Futsal Shuffle 2020,” his newest single produced by Brandon Finessin, Starboy, Mayyzo and Loesoe. The song, which also arrived with an accompanying dance created by Uzi (don’t sleep on his b-boy skills), is heavily infused with electronic dance music and is the biggest indication of what Eternal Atake will actually end up sounding like.—S.G.
Pusha-T, TBD
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Pusha-T, TBD
More than a year removed from serving defeat on a cold dish to a rap demigod on his acclaimed 2018 effort, Daytona, Pusha-T has returned from his victory lap in better form than ever. Unveiling a pair of songs, “Sociopath” and the Lauryn Hill-assisted “Coming Home,” last August, the brother Thornton subsequently announced that his next album, which is set to be produced entirely by Kanye West, was slated to drop before the ball on New Year’s Day. While that deadline was missed, the album, which Pusha has reportedly recorded as many as nine songs for and describes as “unorthodox hip-hop with a bit of a groove,” is slated to be released in 2020 and may include contributions from Pharrell Williams and Tyler, The Creator.—S.P.B.
Kanye West, Jesus Is King 2
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Kanye West, Jesus Is King 2
Kanye West’s penchant for announcing musical projects that never see the light of day precedes him, but when the G.O.O.D. Music head honcho announced that he and Dr. Dre would be working together, the news triggered an amount of intrigue that’s only reserved for when two of the greatest boardsmen of all-time combine their talents. Following the October 2019 release of his gospel-inspired album, Jesus is King, Yeezy went to his Twitter account a month later in November to spill the beans on a forthcoming sequel. This time, it would be alongside West Coast icon Dr. Dre. While Kanye’s impulsive declarations and Dre’s reclusive nature may result in some skepticism, the latter’s repost of the announcement on social media was all the confirmation many needed. Looks like this album will see the light of day this year.—S.P.B.
A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Artist 2.0
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A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Artist 2.0
A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie promised he would deliver Artist 2.0, the follow-up to Hoodie SZN, right after he put out that Billboard chart-topping sophomore album in December of 2018. First slated for a 2019 Valentine’s Day release, Boogie’s the album was pushed back to perfect the melodic sounds he’s become synonymous with. The Bronx rapper previously stated that Artist 2.0 will follow many of the same themes and vibes heard on 2016’s Artist mixtape. The project may feature the Lil Uzi Vert collab “Reply,” which has already earned 28 million streams on Spotify. Looking back on the first Artist release, expect 2.0 around Valentine’s Day.—C.V.C.
Westside Gunn and Madlib, TBD
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Westside Gunn and Madlib, TBD
With the Griselda Records takeover in full swing and his impending retirement around the corner, Westside Gunn has geared up to make 2020 a memorable one. Coming off the release of his Hitler Wears Hermes 7 album, the FLYGOD has reportedly locked in with producer Madlib for a collaborative project that looks to pick up where the pair left off on Gunn’s 2019 album, FLYGOD Is an Awesome God. The chemistry between Madlib and his Buffalo counterpart on tracks “Gunnlib” and “Ferragamo Funeral” is so effortless that it prompted the two to join forces for this upcoming LP. Slated to drop in 2020, the as-yet-untitled project has the potential to be one of the year’s best.—S.P.B.
Childish Gambino, TBD
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Childish Gambino, TBD
Childish Gambino is way more than a rapper these days, which means we aren’t getting music from the Atlanta artist as frequently as we used to. Fans of the multitalented entertainer are hoping 2020 is the year he returns to the mic. Supporters have been waiting for a follow-up to the critically acclaimed Awaken, My Love! album since it was delivered in 2016, and the release of the multiple Grammy-winning song “This Is America” in 2018 has only added to the anticipation. Gambino has since premiered a track called “Algorithm” but has yet to update fans on a new album, which he’s teased as being his last.—C.V.C.
Yo Gotti, Untrapped
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Yo Gotti, Untrapped
Yo Gotti has been in the game for nearly two decades, and he’s still got a lot more game to give. That’s a point he wants to ring home with his forthcoming album, Untrapped, which he’s been teasing since 2018. He kicked off serious promotion for this album with the bass-heavy, Lil Uzi Vert-assisted single “Pose” in 2019. In recent weeks, he’s helped shed light on the plight of prison inmates, which could be something he addresses on his new LP, set to drop on Jan. 31. The project, titled Untrapped, will be his first album since 2017’s I Still Am.—P.A.B.
Run The Jewels, Run The Jewels 4
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Run The Jewels, Run The Jewels 4
Run The Jewels duo Killer Mike and El-P’s undeniable chemistry has made them one of hip-hop’s most beloved dyads. Since the two haven’t dropped a project since 2016, their forthcoming Run The Jewels 4 album is highly anticipated for the thrilling beats and poignant bars. Plans for RTJ4 were first announced in 2017. A year later, El-P updated fans saying the group was working on the “grimiest, rawest record we possibly can” and stamped 2019 as the year it would drop. Now 2020 seems to be go time. The LP, which reportedly features an assist from Rick Rubin, already has the group calling this new installment the best album in the series.—C.V.C.
Kid Cudi, Entergalactic
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Kid Cudi, Entergalactic
Kid Cudi is seemingly in a healthy spot moving into this new decade. He’s battled with mental health issues in the past and took a break from releasing solo music. However, two years ago, he linked up with Kanye West in 2018 for the seven-song Kids See Ghosts album, which, as expected, received rave reviews from fans and critics alike. Now he’s set to drop his eighth studio LP, Entergalactic. On top of that, Cudi and Netflix will be releasing an adult-focused animated music series also titled Entergalactic to pair with the album. This will be a boundless outlet for Cudi to bring his creative vision to life on more than one platform.—S.G.
The Weeknd, TBD
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The Weeknd, TBD
It’s no secret The Weeknd has made a name for himself by keeping himself away from the spotlight as his fame continues to grow. But moving into his fourth studio album cycle has found him being more of an open book. His interactions with fans on social media are more frequent and he’s continued to hint at what’s to come with his new music. The My Dear Melancholy follow-up was first announced in November of 2018. Last summer, Abel deactivated his Instagram account, sparking rumors that the LP would arrive back then—this new project will be his first since 2016’s Starboy. The Canadian crooner kept fans waiting but closed out 2019 by releasing the assumed album singles “Heartless” and “Blinding Lights,” the former of which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The current promotional push means the new album should be dropping sooner than later.—C.V.C.
Lil Yachty, Lil Boat 3
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Lil Yachty, Lil Boat 3
Lil Yachty is trying to recapture the mystery, magic and momentum he garnered from his debut mixtapes, Lil Boat and Summer Songs 2. He’s managed to drop some relevant singles over the past few years and subsequent albums, but there is no doubt he’s looking for Lil Boat 3 to put him at the forefront of hip-hop conversations once more. Yachty confirmed with XXL that he’s already worked with lauded producer The Alchemist, in addition to spitting over beats from Ronny J, Pi’erre Bourne, EarlThePearll and Mitch GoneMad. There is no exact release date or a confirmed single from the upcoming album, but if the history of his past albums have taught fans anything, it’s that his uber-cocky alter-ego Lil Boat will be taking the reins on this one. So expect big beats and even bigger braggadocio.—S.G.
Black Star, TBD
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Black Star, TBD
If you could generate a backpacker’s most vivid fantasy, it would look a lot like a project that Yasiin Bey—formerly known as Mos Def—teased two years ago. That’s when he announced that Black Star, a duo comprised of himself and Talib Kweli, was teaming up with Madlib to create their first group album since their 1998 debut, Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star. With dynamic rhymes and socially conscious fare, Black Star’s first LP was a foil to the post-East Coast-West-Coast rap wars. In the years since, it’s become a question of what would happen if Bey and Talib gave it another go. In 2020, fans might finally get their answer.—P.A.B.
Kanye West and Chance The Rapper, Good Ass Job
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Kanye West and Chance The Rapper, Good Ass Job
Good Ass Job was supposed to be the aptly titled final entry into Kanye West’s The College Dropout series, but instead it’s apparently morphed into a theoretical union of master and pupil—a.k.a, Kanye and Chance The Rapper. Kanye himself announced the joint project during Chano’s Chicago open mic session in September of 2018. During an appearance on The Joe Budden Podcast a month later, Chano confirmed that work the project had yet to begin. It’s hard not to be tantalized at the thought of Chance and Kanye linking for an entire project, especially with the way both infuse their music with gospel. With Chance’s nimble rhymes and Kanye’s vow to refrain from making secular music, fans could be in for an entire album’s worth of “Ultralight Beam”-esque vibes, and that’s something everyone should be here for—P.A.B.
Ski Mask The Slump God
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Ski Mask The Slump God
It’s been just over a year since Ski Mask The Slump God dropped his revelatory Stokeley album, a project boasting the platinum-selling “Faucet Failure” and gold-selling songs “Foot Fungus” and “Nuketown” featuring Juice Wrld. Through his latest single, “Carbonated Water,” his typical Instagram Live studio sessions and a November 2018 interview with XXL, Ski has offered fans an impression of what’s to come on his new LP. The Ronny J-produced “Carbonated Water” features some heavy bass and a trippy flow that calls to mind Ski Mask’s previous collabs with XXXTentacion. However, speaking with XXL, The Slump God said he would use Stokeley as launchpad to more screamo and singing tracks in his career, so there’s a good chance fans get more music in that vein with this new album. —P.A.B.
Tierra Whack, TBD
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Tierra Whack, TBD
Tierra Whack’s 2018 Whack World project introduced the Philly rapper to the masses and earned her an induction into the 2019 XXL Freshman class. Her impressive XXL Freshman freestyle proved why she was a top pick, officially putting heads on notice that she could spit. Last year, she set herself up for a bigger breakout with the singles “Gloria,” Wasteland” and “Unemployed.” Then there was a huge cosign from Meek Mill, who called her the best female rapper in the world. Next for the Interscope Records artist is her anticipated as-yet-untitled sophomore album, which is slated to come out this year.—C.V.C.
Big Sean, TBD
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Big Sean, TBD
Big Sean had a banner 2017, dropping two commercially and critically successful albums along with a headlining world tour. He was set to go out on tour again in 2018, to keep the momentum going but decided to cancel to focus on his new music. When the tracks didn’t come as fast as fans wanted, Sean Don stated he was concentrating on mental health—all valid reason to disengage and reconnect with health, family and inspiration. Fans rejoiced when the Detroit rapper dropped two tracks this past summer that were some of his best work to date. “Overtime” and “Single Again” showed growth in his bars and delivery, not to mention getting fans extra excited for a brand new album hopefully to be released in the coming months.—S.G.
Migos, Culture III
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Migos, Culture III
From 2011 to 2018, Migos took the industry by storm and released 20 projects as a group including their most recent 2018 album, Culture II. Since then, the Atlanta trio of Quavo, Offset and Takeoff have focused on solo releases and touring. That changes in 2020, when the Quality Control artists release their long-awaited Culture III LP. Not much is known about the album, which was supposed to drop last January before being pushed back. Offset recently revealed it will be the “final chapter” and could include a guest appearance from the late Juice Wrld.—C.V.C.
DJ Khaled, TBD
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DJ Khaled, TBD
“Another one” started off as DJ Khaled’s infinitely meme-able catchphrase, but it’s also an accurate summation of his year-in and year-out approach to dropping new music. Since 2006, Khaled has dropped 11 compilation LPs. After 2019’s Father of Asahd, Khaled’s gearing up for another huge album. While he’s been promoting the newly released Bad Boys for Life movie soundtrack more than anything else—he executive-produced the project—Khaled’s habit of dropping at least one album every two years is a hard one to break. Considering that he’s just welcomed a new baby boy with his wife Nicole, there’s a chance he keeps things on brand and titles the new LP after his newborn son, Alam.P.A.B.
Vince Staples, TBD
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Vince Staples, TBD
Fans have gotten a new Vince Staples project every year since 2011, but 2019 was the first off year for the Long Beach, Calif. rapper in nearly a decade. The last offering Staples released is 2018’s FM!. Last summer, he inked a deal with Motown Records, which fans assumed would be followed by an album. With a year off to focus on things outside recording new music, 2020 is the year fans are hoping Vince locks down in the studio and drops a new LP.—C.V.C.
Young Thug, Punk
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Young Thug, Punk
Many would agree that Young Thug’s So Much Fun was arguably one of the best albums of 2019. On what was technically his “debut” studio album, Thugger delivered catchy hits and zany deep cuts to satisfy the streets and suburban moms alike. Then he wasted no time in announcing another album, Punk, due in 2020. In an interview with The Fader, he claimed that the album would be coming in February and it would dive deeper into his personal life and inner psyche. Whether or not he’ll stick to that release date, Thugger appears to be in rare form and the game is ready for all the quotables he has to say (or mumble).—S.G.
Lil Baby, My Turn
Quality Control / Motown
Lil Baby, My Turn
Lil Baby grew into a viable artist in 2018, by dropping three solid releases including his debut album Harder Than Ever, which is why his lack of an album in 2019 has fans anxiously waiting for more. Supporters of the Atlanta rapper won’t have to wait long as he’ll be putting out his sophomore project, My Turn, in February. The Quality Control rhymer has released three singles off the album, “Out the Mud” featuring Future, “Whoa” and “Sum 2 Prove,” which will feature production from Quay Global, Twysted Genius and more.—C.V.C.
Ab-Soul, TBD
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Ab-Soul, TBD
It’s been nearly four years since Ab-Soul dropped his Do What Thou Wilt album, and die-hard Soulo fans are getting restless. Luckily for them, they might not have to wait all that long. While he hasn’t given too much insight into his forthcoming project, the top-notch TDE wordsmith’s been hard at work in the studio to prep for a big 2020. After delivering an epic, mid-set freestyle at a show in November of 2019, Soulo announced his new LP. There’s no telling when it will drop this year, but when it does, fans can expect the same tongue-twisting rhyme schemes and deft wordplay they’ve grown to love.—P.A.B.
Megan Thee Stallion, Suga
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Megan Thee Stallion, Suga
Despite having plenty of music dispersed across her various projects and collaborating with plenty of fellow rappers, Megan Thee Stallion has yet to drop her full-length studio debut. Last year’s project Fever was technically labeled as a mixtape even though it pumped out a strong balance of hits and deep cuts. Those tracks, along with some stout feature verses and viral freestyles, made her a force to be reckoned with and her 2020 debut, Suga, should be just as fierce. The album’s first official single, “B.I.T.C.H.” dropped just last week and if it’s anything like what’s to come on Suga, there will be real talk and raw rhymes.—S.G.
Lil Wayne, Funeral
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Lil Wayne, Funeral
One doesn’t need to be a Wayniac to know that Lil Wayne used to be notorious for announcing albums and never releasing them. However, lately he’s been keeping his word with the releases of 2016’s 2 Chainz joint effort Collegrove, 2017’s T-Pain collab project T-Wayne and, of course, Weezy’s solo LP, Tha Carter V, in 2018. Funeral is another album that was announced over three years ago that seemed to have no drop date in sight—until now. Officially scheduled for a Jan. 31 release, Funeral will be Lil Wayne’s 13th solo studio album. The only question that remains is how the album will actually sound? Will it be death-themed? Is this his way of retiring? Those questions and more will be answered very soon.—S.G.
Partynextdoor, TBD
OVO Sound / Warner Records
Partynextdoor, TBD
PartyNextDoor is one of Drake’s OVO Sound greatest success stories. His self-titled album series, along with a small handful of EPs, made a serious impact on the hip-hop and R&B landscape during the 2010s. His stellar songwriting was used not only to great effect in his own music but for the benefit of other musicians across all genres. PND finally broke his silence last year and promised a new album in January of 2020. To make the announcement feel a little more real, he also dropped two tracks that will likely make the new album’s final tracklist. “The News” and “Loyal” with Drake are some of his best songs in years and guarantee a mix of dance and darkness on the new project. Now, with the album title announced as Partymobile and a February release date in the works, looks like the official celebration is closer than expected.—S.G.
