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10. Pharoahe Monch - Desire
Led by the soulful single "Push,"Desire is Monch's first album in eight years. The title track was produced by Alchemist.09. Eminem - TBA
Em has orchestrated two sub-par albums in the last two years or so. Usually, that means a potential "comeback" is in place.08. Redman - Red Gone Wild
Red Gone Wild is expected to arrive in March 2007, according to a message on Red's official website, Reggienoble.com.The first single will be produced by Timbaland.
07. Rakim - The Seventh Seal
When I caught up with Rakim back in September, he swore The Seventh Seal will be in stores the first quarter of 2007. Mark your calendars.06. Talib Kweli - Ear Drum
Led by the K-1-produced single, "Listen!!!," Ear Drum vows to be Kweli's most alluring effort in years. Norah Jones, UGK, and Musiq are on board for the project.05. Joe Budden - The Growth
Budden once threatened to slice his wrist if The Growth didn't make it to the stores by October 2006. Jay-Z swears Budden's album isn't finished. Someone's definitely lying. Regardless, Joey has managed to keep his buzz alive by unleashing lyrics of fury on mixtape after mixtape, like the outstanding Mood Muzik 2 that had the 'Net going nuts for months.04. Raekwon - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II
Now signed to Dr. Dre's Aftermath imprint, The Chef is ready to drop the sequel to his 1995 masterpiece Only Built 4 Cuban Linx.03. Common - Finding Forever
Following up an excellent album is typically a thorny task.Comm's last album, BE, was lauded by critics around the world, not to mention the various accolades he bagged afterwards (including four Grammy nominations). With Kanye West steering the production wheel once again, Forever, shows glimpses of another solid entry by Chicago's finest.
02. Kanye West - Graduation
Speaking of Mr. West, now that he's conquered sophomore jinx by following up his College Dropout masterpiece with the equally opulent Late Registration, will third time be the charm? Let's just hope his reputation for generous self-appraisal doesn't precede his, um, Graduation.01. Dr. Dre - Detox
Put it this way: Dr. Dre will dictate the hip-hop soundscape of 2007 (see No. 26, 25, 15, 11, 9, and 4), so he'll have very little time left to devote to Detox. Regardless, one quick glance at the Doc's history and you're almost bought on the fact that Detox will hit shelves sometime in '07--Dre only releases an album every seven years. Especially now that his artist-molding days are over.Video: Dr. Dre and Bishop Lamont: "Detox in September 2007"