2019 was a slow and for the most part uneventful year for music. There were no big event albums and moments in music. We had sprinkles of greatness here and there but as a whole the year was very dull. This can largely be attributed to some of music’s biggest superstars extending their hiatuses between projects into the year and leaving a crop of newcomers to fill the voids they left in music. 2020 however, already seems to be a better year for music (at least on paper) as many artists have confirmed or been heavily rumored to make their return to the music scene this year. I’m excited about a number of releases spanning many genres so I’ve decided to compile a list of the eleven projects I’m most excited for this year so here we go starting with #11:
11. CARDI B– Tiger Woods – TBA Coming off of an unprecedented campaign for a female rap album, Cardi B had a relatively quiet 2019 that only saw the MC yield 5 singles (none of which have been attached to a supporting album as of yet including Top 20 hits ‘Please Me’ & ‘Press’). Cardi drew criticism over her use of a ghost writer and wether or not use of one should’ve eliminated her from the Grammy conversation – a conversation she’s have the last word in by winning the Grammy for Best Rap Album. She holds the record of most streamed female rap albums on Spotify and Apple Music and she’s become one of the highest selling female artists EVER, in only two years. We know Cardi isn’t going to let anyone or anything stop her shine and it will be interesting to see how it’s reflected in her music.
10. DRAKE – TBA – TBA Drake is Drake so we anticipate his albums just in principle. However, I feel like Drake sought out to make points and silence the haters with the release of 2018’s ‘Scorpion’. Unfortunately, that very underwhelming album left me needing Drake to do better especially when all of his peers have been releasing bodies of work that beat his by a landslide. Recently, Drake released a YouTube exclusive track called ‘War’ and if that single is an indication of the direction Drake is heading in, I’ll need him to go back to the drawing board and start over. Regardless, Drake’s album will have us all talking, using his lyrics as captions and wether good or bad will be a culture shifting moment.
9. KENDRICK LAMAR – TBA – TBA When Kendrick gets this quiet, you know that a storm is brewing. Even though the rapper curated and executive produced the Black Panther soundtrack in 2018, the world hasn’t received a proper set from Kung Fu Kenny since 2017’s ‘Damn’. Lamar’s last album to me really showed so much growth not only in his music but the visuals and the live performances that came to life via the albums tour. So naturally, I’m excited to see how Lamar will continue to grow as an artist and a brand, he’s one of the most exciting artists of this generation and if executed properly this next album could propel him to the legend status he’s inevitably bound for.
8. TAME IMPALA – The Slow Rush – February 14 I was introduced to Tame Impala not even 4 years ago when Rihanna included a cover of the band’s ‘New Person, Same Ole Mistakes’ which Rihanna shortened your just ‘Same Ole Mistakes’. Upon learning about the song’s origin I did a deep dive into Tame Impala’s discography and found myself marveling in their dreamy production, their whimsical vocal performance and their sharp songwriting ability. Tame Impala is sure to add another classic to their discography this February and I’m glad I get to experience the magic as a fully vested fan this time around.
7. ADELE – TBA – TBA November of this year will mark 5 years since Adele released her blockbuster album 25. The critically praised set broke records when it sold more than 3 million copies in the United States alone, a rarity during the streaming era. After wining 5 Grammys for the album, Adele went on a tour that spanned 3 continents and 120 shows over a year and a half before largely leaving the private eye. Word broke last year, that the singer and her husband were getting divorced so we’ll be on the edge of our seats to see if Adele channels her pain into her music which reportedly will see Adele tackle a new sound and direction. Don’t make us wait all year Adele!
6. JUSTIN BIEBER – TBA – TBA Justin Bieber announced his return to music last month and announced his lead single “Yummy” from his fifth opus which he’s described as being a return to ‘R&Beiber’ would be released at the end of that month. The single drew mixed reviews for sounding generic and not being different than most material Bieber has released in the past. Don’t get us wrong, Yummy is a cute song for what it is, but it reads more like a buzz track or an album filler and less of a comeback single after being gone for nearly five years. A release date hasn’t been set for the album but with Bieber’s tour starting early this spring, we’re willing to bet the album’s rollout is imminent. Mr. Bieber has a track record of releasing very sonically cohesive projects so we’re buzzed to hear what he’s cooked up.
5. FRANK OCEAN – TBA – TBA Although Ocean releases music on his own accord and schedule, 2019 saw Ocean release many stand-alone singles that fans have suspected are connected to a parent album. Ocean has been announced as a headliner for this year’s Coachella in a rare move for the singer who rarely books live performances. Surely an album has to be on the horizon soon right? Time will tell if Ocean’s 3rd proper studio set can live up to their predecessors ‘Channel Orange’ and ‘Blonde’, both of which appeared on many decade-end publication lists.
4. MEGAN THEE STALLION – TBA – TBA It’s really hard to say the term ‘breakout year’ & not think of Megan Thee Stallion. Megan quickly became a topic of conversation, when her 2018 mixtape ‘Tina Snow’ began to chart on the Billboard 200 thanks in part to it’s single ‘Big Ole Freak’ experiencing newfound fame. Megan quickly capitalized on her momentum and released her ‘Fever’ mixtape which unarguably became the soundtrack of the summer. She put hot girls and sturdy knees on the map, collaborated with rap icon Nicki Minaj (more on her later), won a VMA, and got 3 platinum records. The H-Town Hottie also experienced loss when her mother and manager suddenly passed away this year. Megan has long been known for her party anthems but we can’t see how vulnerable this rising rap superstar will wax on her upcoming debut album.
3. NICKI MINAJ – TBA – TBA Nicki Minaj broke my heart in 2018 when she released her fourth studio album, Queen. The rollout was messy, starting with her album still being mixed and mastered at the time she initially wanted to premiere it on the debut of her Queen Radio show on Beats1 due to Minaj recording the album literally until the last minute. The wrong singles were picked, and the album as a whole was seemingly abandoned even though the album housed some of Minaj’s greatest solo work since her debut. Minaj released a series of freestyles and features throughout 2019 and teased her fifth studio album as being nearly done or complete several times but alas the year came and went and no new album from The Queen of Rap. Here’s hoping that 2020 not only brings with it new music, but also that Minaj brings with her the hunger she had a decade ago that made her the most sought out rapper in the game.
2. RIHANNA – R9 – TBA Rihanna has been subject to constant dragging and ridicule via social media for not dropping the most anticipated album of her career in 2019 as promised. Dubbed R9 by the star and her fans alike, the albums delay may have caused disappointment in some of her fans but I for one am excited. Rihanna used to be an artist who literally released an album every year like clockwork and while she was a mega star I always felt the overall projects she released were a bit lackluster. Then it all changed with Anti. Can we talk about that masterpiece? The sequencing, the production, the singles chosen, just the sheer legacy that album left behind! I think Rihanna knows you can’t follow a body of work like that up with just anything so I know that this project will be worth the wait. This project also has us buzzed because we don’t know what to expect. Sounds ranging from reggae to dancehall to pop have been associated with the album and many believe Rihanna is actually releasing a double album. Regardless, this album will be one of the event albums if the year so keep your eyes (and ears) out for Miss Fenty.
1. SZA – TBA – TBA When SZA dropped her long-awaited platinum debut ‘Ctrl’ in 2017 I was completing my first year of college. At first the album served as the soundtrack to the best summer of my life as it was the last one I got to spend with all of my best friends from high school. But in the 3 years that separates us from the album’s release and now it has come to serve as a living document regarding all things happening in my life. SZA put out a timeless body of work that is packed full of vulnerability and honesty that it made me feel heard, represented, and most importantly understood every time I listened to it. Don’t get me wrong, I’m very excited about every album on this list but if there’s one album I NEED? It would be this one. The singer has seemingly been teasing a release for the project and/or it’s supporting singles is on the horizon so here’s to hoping SZA’s sophomore is well on it’s way.
The Sounds of Music 