Hip Hop Album Releases for Dec. 2: Akon, Cadillac Records Soundtrack, Scarface

Cadillac Records Soundtrack [2 Disc Deluxe Ed.]

It's super quiet post-Thanksgiving in the land of new releases.

To receive this report separately each week, please visit Weekly Hip Hop Albums and sign up for our free weekly newsletter delivered every Monday with Tuesday's releases.

The following new releases are available from Amazon.

Akon - Freedom
Bloods & Crips: Bangin' On Wax [3 Disc Box Set]
Scarface - Emeritus
Soundtrack - Cadillac Records
Soundtrack - Cadillac Records [2 Disc Deluxe Ed.]
Soundtrack - Cadillac Records [LP]

For a database of upcoming and past releases with updates,
please see Hip Hop Albums @ netweed.

Hip Hop Album Releases for Nov. 24/25: 40 Cal, E-40, Evidence, Kanye West, Kid Sister, Ludacris, Reef The Lost Cauze, San Quinn

Reef The Lost Cauze - The Stress Files

To receive this report separately each week, please visit Weekly Hip Hop Albums and sign up for our free weekly newsletter delivered every Monday with Tuesday's releases.

The following new releases are available from Amazon.

11/24
Ace Hood - Gutta [2 LP]
E-40 - The Ball Street Journal
Kanye West - 808s & Heartbreak
Kid Sister - Dream Date
Ludacris - Theater of the Mind
Mos Def - The Ecstatic
San Quinn - From A Boy To A Man

11/25
40 Cal - Leader of the New School
ABK - Mudface
Aceyalone - The Lonely Ones
Cali Life Style - The Collection
Cali Life Style - The Foundation
DMX - Playlist Your Way [Circuit City Exclusive]
Evidence - The Layover [EP]
Jim Jones & Skull Gang - A Tribute To Bad Santa Starring Mike Epps
Reef The Lost Cauze - The Stress Files
Sheek Louch - Extinction Mixtape

For a database of upcoming and past releases with updates,
please see Hip Hop Albums @ netweed.

Kanye West: 808s & Heartbreak Album Cover Art

Kanye West - 808s & Heartbreak

Kanye West's 808s & Heartbreak is due Monday, November 24th on Roc-A-Fella Records, one of a number of albums getting an early start on the week.

A Deluxe 2 LP edition will be available December 23rd.

MySpace: Kanye West

Hip Hop Album Releases for Nov. 18: Ace Hood, Dubee, El Da Sensei & Returners, Eric Bobo, Pastor Troy, South Park Mexican, Wu-Tang Clan

El Da Sensei & Returners - Global Takeover

To receive this report separately each week, please visit Weekly Hip Hop Albums and sign up for our free weekly newsletter delivered every Monday with Tuesday's releases.

The following new releases are available from Amazon.

Ace Hood - Gutta
Ampichino - Mysery
AZ - Anthology: B-sides & Unreleased
The Best Of Latino Velvet
Darkroom Familia - Penitentiary Chances [10th Anniv. CD/DVD]
D.I.T.C. - The Movement
DJ Fakt - These Are My Beats: Volume 1
Dubee - Thizzmatic
El Da Sensei & Returners - Global Takeover
Eric Bobo - Meeting Of The Minds
Jak Danielz - Bar Hoppin
J-Love & Meyhem - Acknowledge Greatness
Juice - The Certificate
Lil Keke - Loved By Few Hated By Many
Mic Crenshaw - Thinking Out Loud
Nature - Pain Killer
N2Deep - The Movement
Pastor Troy - T.R.O.Y.
Serge Severe - Concrete Techniques
Shai Linne - Storiez
South Park Mexican - The Last Chair Violinist [2 CD]
Traklordz - Duffelbag Musik
Wreckelekt - Wreckreation
Wu-Tang Clan - WU: The Story of The Wu-Tang Clan

For a database of upcoming and past releases with updates,
please see Hip Hop Albums @ netweed.

Eric Bobo: Meeting Of The Minds Album Art & Tracklist

Eric Bobo - Meeting Of The Minds

Eric Bobo's Meeting Of The Minds is due November 18th on Nacional Records.

Meeting Of The Minds Tracklist:

1. M.O.T.M. ft. Tony Touch, Thurstin Howl III, Hurricane G. & Willie Bobo
2. Fiesta ft. Cultura Londres & Kemo The Blaxican
3. Apocalypse Now ft. B Real, Sick Jacken & Ill Bill
4. The Good, Bad & Ugly ft. The Hoodcats
5. Wake Up ft. Northern Alliance
6. Muevelo ft. Outthere, Minus P, and Unkwon
7. Mucho Calor ft. Sonidero Nacional
8. 4 Short Of 80 ft. Minus P
9. Ink On The Concrete ft. Enmicasa & Zed
10. Crawling ft. Death By Hollywood
11. Aqui Estoy ft. Andie
12. Bobo Meets Rhettmatic ft. DJ Rhettmatic (of the World Famous Beatjunkies)
13. Chicken Wing ft. The Demigodz
14. En Mi Barrio ft. Mellow Man Ace
15. Tread ft. keen (of the Subliminal Orphans)

MySpace: Eric Bobo

EPMD: We Mean Business Album Cover Art

EPMD - We Mean Business

EPMD's We Mean Business is due December 9th on EP Records.

MySpace: EPMD

Pastor Troy: T.R.O.Y. Album Cover Art

Pastor Troy - T.R.O.Y.

Pastor Troy's T.R.O.Y. is due November 18th on Madd Society Records.

MySpace: Pastor Troy

Los Traficantes de Darkroom Familia: Conecta Del Norte Album Art

Los Traficantes de Darkroom Familia - Conecta Del Norte

Los Traficantes de Darkroom Familia's Conecta Del Norte was released October 21st on Darkroom Studios.

MySpace: Los Traficantes de Darkroom Familia

Grits: Reiterate Album Cover Art

Grits - Reiterate

Grits' Reiterate was released September 30th on their own Revolution Art and is also available as an MP3 album.

MySpace: Grits

Jim Jones/Skull Gang's Tribute to Bad Santa Art

Jim Jones & Skull Gang - A Tribute to Bad Santa

Jim Jones and Skull Gang's A Tribute to Bad Santa Starring Mike Epps is due November 25th on Koch.

Over at Hip Hop Press:
Jim Jones, Skull Gang and Comedian Mike Epps Set to Release
"A Tribute to Bad Santa"

Plies: Da Realist Album Cover Art

Plies - Da Realist

Plies' Da Realist is due December 16th on Atlantic.

Plies also got the Vibe December cover.

Myspace: Plies

NOW That's What I Call Music! 29 Art!! Tracklist!!!

NOW That's What I Call Music! 29

NOW That's What I Call Music! 29 is due November 11th and it's chock full of great hits just in time for the CHRISTMAS SHOPPING SEASON!!!

On a side note: My mom bought her first stocking stuffer this week!!!

That's means she's already ahead of many of you!  So get to shopping!! The economy needs you!!!

NOW That's What I Call Music! 29 Tracklist!!!:

1. Pink - "So What" (ZOMBA)
2. Katy Perry - "Hot & Cold" (EMM)
3. Pussycat Dolls - "When I Grow Up" (UMG)
4. Rihanna - "Disturbia" (UMG)
5. Ne-Yo - "Closer" (UMG)
6. Chris Brown - "Forever" (ZOMBA)
7. Kardinal Offishal w/Akon - "Dangerous" (UMG)
8. T.I. - "Whatever You Like" (WMG)
9. Lil Wayne w/T-Pain - "Got Money" (UMG)
10. Savage w/Soulja Boy - "Swing" (UMG)
11. Young Jeezy w/Kanye West - "Put On" (UMG)
12. Yung Berg w/Casha--"The Business" (SONY/BMG)
13. Jordin Sparks - "One Step at a Time" (ZOMBA)
14. Leona Lewis - "Better in Time" (SONY/BMG)
15. Boys Like Girls - "Thunder" (SONY/BMG)
16. Saving Abel - "Addicted" (EMM)
17. Daughtry - "What About Now" (SONY/BMG)
18. Matt Nathanson - "Come On Get Higher" (EMM)
19. Darius Rucker - "Don't Think I Don't Think About It" (EMM)
20. Keith Anderson--"I Still Miss You" (SONY/BMG)

Related Coverage at ProHipHop:
Now That's What I Call Music Faces The Future

Hip Hop Album Releases for Nov. 11: Blue Sky Black Death, Dom Pachino, Jedi Mind Tricks, John Robinson & MF Doom, Ping Pong Playa, T-Pain, Vanilla Ice

John Robinson & MF Doom - Who Is This Man? [Import]

To receive this report separately each week, please visit Weekly Hip Hop Albums and sign up for our free weekly newsletter delivered every Monday with Tuesday's releases.

The following new releases are available from Amazon.

Blue Sky Black Death - Slow Burning Lights
Cyne - Pretty Dark Things [2 LP]
Dom Pachino - Power Rules
Generation 88.2, Vol. 1 [Import]
Jedi Mind Tricks - A History of Violence
John Robinson & MF Doom - Who Is This Man? [Import]
Jurassic 5 - Jurassic 5 [Deluxe Reissue, 2 CD/1 DVD]
Kurupt Co-Starring Roscoe - The Frank and Jess Story
Locke - Close To Home
Mr Capone-e - Dedicated 2 the Fans [CD/DVD]
Mr Criminal - Hood Affiliated
NOW That's What I Call Music 29
Psychopathic - Let Em Bleed, Vol. 3
Soundtrack - Ping Pong Playa
Styles P - Phantom Gangster Chronicles: Vol. One
T-Pain - Thr33 Ringz
T-Pain - Thr33 Ringz [Deluxe Packing/Bonus Audio]
Trick Trick - The Villain
Vanilla Ice - Vanilla Ice Is Back!: Hip Hop Classics
Virus Syndicate - Sick Pay
The Wages of Syntax, Vol. 2

For a database of upcoming and past releases with updates,
please see Hip Hop Albums @ netweed.

Blue Sky Black Death: Slow Burning Lights Album Art

Blue Sky Black Death: Slow Burning Lights

Blue Sky Black Death's Slow Burning Lights is due November 11th on Babygrande.

MySpace: Blue Sky Black Death

Wu: The Story of The Wu-Tang Clan Album Art

Wu: The Story of The Wu-Tang Clan

Wu: The Story of The Wu-Tang Clan soundtrack album is due November 18th on Sony Legacy.

Related ProHipHop Coverage:
Wu: The Story of the Wu-Tang Clan DVD & Soundtrack

88-Keys: The Death Of Adam Album Cover Art

88-Keys - The Death Of Adam

88-Keys' The Death Of Adam is due November 11th on Decon Records.

MySpace: 88-Keys

Related ProHipHop Coverage:
88-Keys on Cover of URB Magazine

k-the-i???: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow

k-the-i??? - Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow

k-the-i???'s Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow was released November 4th on Mush and is also available as an MP3 Album.

MySpace: k-the-i???

Big Shug: Otherside Of The Game Album Cover Art

Big Shug - Otherside Of The Game

Big Shug's Otherside Of The Game was released November 4th on Traffic Entertainment.

MySpace: Big Shug

Little Brother: Separate But Equal (Drama Free Version)

Little Brother: Separate But Equal (Drama Free Version)

Little Brother's Separate But Equal (Drama Free Version) was released November 4th on Hall of Justus.

MySpace: Little Brother

Unk: Second Season Album Art

Unk - Second Season

Unk's Second Season is due November 4th on Koch.

Fat Pat: I Had A Ghetto Dream Album Cover Art

Fat Pat - I Had A Ghetto Dream

Fat Pat's I Had A Ghetto Dream is due November 4th on Screwed Up Click.

MySpace: Fat Pat

Illa J: Yancey Boys Album Cover Art & Tracklist

Illa J - Yancey Boys

Illa J's debut album Yancey Boys is due November 4th on Delicious Vinyl and is fittingly available in vinyl.

The release comes with quite a backstory/product description, given that Ila J is the late J Dilla's younger brother:

"When Jay Dee passed away from complications relating to lupus in February 2006, he left behind an extraordinary legacy of production work, including hits for Common, Janet Jackson, and Busta Rhymes. One mother lode of previously untouched beats dates from his time working on the Pharcyde's sophomore album 'Labcabincalifornia' (1995)."

"As DV owner and founder Michael Ross explains, 'From '95 through '98 Jay Dee was my go-to guy for hot beats and remixes. He was always making beats, always. So there was a select amount of tracks that he composed for me during that time, tracks as good as anything he'd done, only they never got used. When I finally met Illa J last year, I gave him a CD containing those unreleased beats.'"

"It was a case of pure serendipity, since 21-year-old Illa J had just relocated to Los Angeles and constructed a studio built around Jay Dee's own recording equipment, dubbing it Yancey Boy Studios in tribute to their fraternal bond."

Yancey Boys Tracklist:

1. Timeless
2. We Here
3. R U Listenin'? feat. Guilty Simpson
4. Alien Family by Frank Nitty
5. Strugglin
6. Showtime
7. Swagger
8. Mr. Shakes (Skit) aka Affion Crockett
9. DFTF feat. Affion Crockett
10. All Good
11. Sounds Like Love feat. Debi Nova
12. Everytime
13. Illasoul
14. Air Signs

MySpace: Illa J

LoDeck & Omega One: Postcards From The Third Rock

LoDeck & Omega One: Postcards From The Third Rock

LoDeck & Omega One's Postcards From The Third Rock is due November 4th on Groove Attack in a 2 cd set.

MySpace: LoDeck ~ Omega One

Hip Hop Album Releases for Nov. 4: Abd Al Malik, Big Shug, DJ Screw, Illa J, K-the-I???, Little Brother, Lodeck & Omega One, Q-Tip, Sadat X, Tassho Pearce, Unk

Throwback - Ballin' Since Birth

To receive this report separately each week, please visit Weekly Hip Hop Albums and sign up for our free weekly newsletter delivered every Monday with Tuesday's releases.

And, if you're wondering what I'm up to with my album and mixtape cover choices for this weekly report, since I've been posting so many album covers individually, I'm now featuring lesser known artists here as well as, when possible, album and mixtape covers that include money in some form.

In contrast, the Weekly Hip Hop Albums report features top selling albums and/or albums with interesting art.  On a related note, I am going back to posting a larger number of album covers in that report for those that enjoyed that approach.

Lil Keke - Only The Strong Survive

The following new releases are available from Amazon.

11/4
Abd Al Malik - Dante [Import]
Big Shug - Otherside Of The Game
DJ Screw - 11-16-00, Volume 3
Fat Pat - I Had A Ghetto Dream
Goldtoes Presents 18 Reasons Compilation [2 CD]
Illa J - Yancey Boys
Illa J - Yancey Boys [2 LP]
K-the-I??? - Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow
Lil Keke - Only The Strong Survive
Little Brother - Separate But Equal: Drama Free Edition
Lodeck & Omega One - Postcards From The Third Rock [2 CD]
Ludacris & DJ Drama - The Preview
Q-Tip - The Renaissance [currently via Circuit City]
Q-Tip - The Renaissance [LP]
Sadat X - Generation X
Tassho Pearce - The Opening Act
Throwback - Ballin' Since Birth
Unk - Second Season

11/5
E Reece & Core Elements - L.I.S.n 2 This Live.In.Studio. [Import]

For a database of upcoming and past releases with updates,
please see Hip Hop Albums @ netweed.

Blaq Poet: Blaq Out Album Cover Art

Blaq Poet - Blaq Out

Blaq Poet's Blaq Out was released october 28th on Poppyseed and is also available as an MP3 album.

MySpace: Blaq Poet

Sadat X: Generation X Album Cover Art

Sadat X - Generation X

Sadat X's Generation X is set for a CD release November 4th on Affluent Records/Select-O though the MP3 album appears to have been available for quite awhile.

MySpace: Sadat X

Juan Gotti: The Chronicles Of Juan Ramos Album Art

Juan Gotti - The Chronicles Of Juan Ramos

Juan Gotti's The Chronicles Of Juan Ramos was released Tuesday on Jake Records.

MySpace: Juan Gotti

Ludacris: Theater of the Mind Album Cover Art

Ludacris - Theater of the Mind

Ludacris' Theater of the Mind is due November 25th on Def Jam.

Also available: 2 LP Edition

MySpace: Ludacris

Scarface: Emeritus Album Cover Art

Scarface - Emeritus

Scarface's Emeritus is due December 2nd on Asylum Records.

MySpace: Scarface

The Gigantics: Die Already Album Art & Tracklist

The Gigantics - Die Already

The Gigantics' Die Already was released September 16th on Camo Bear:

"The Gigantics is a five-man production team assembled by Onry Ozzborn (a.k.a. Reason and Count Draven of Grayskul/Oldominion). Die Already is their debut and features the voices of over 50 of the most influential and talented people in independent Hip Hop today..."

"Among the many outstanding individuals appearing here are Aesop Rock, Murs, Mr. Lif (Def Jux), Swollen Members, Eligh (of Living Legends), Pigeon John (Quannum), P.O.S. (Rhymesayers), Solillaquist of Sound, Josh Martinez, and Awol One."

Die Already Tracklist:

1. Die Already - The Gigantics, Williams, M.
2. The Explanation - The Gigantics, Bavitz, I.
3. Ball & Chain of Squares - The Gigantics,
4. Biological Nothing - The Gigantics, Page, J.
5. Memories - The Gigantics, Bautista, J.
6. Ghettoblastertelevision - The Gigantics, Martinez, Michael S
7. Mr. Anaya - The Gigantics, Martinez, Michael S
8. 10 Brovas Strong - The Gigantics, Batton, J.
9. Keep Walking - The Gigantics, Haggerty, B.
10. Safe - The Gigantics, Kelly, J.
11. Shut Up - The Gigantics, Carter, N.
12. The Redtown - The Gigantics, Newton, J.
13. Grownfolks - The Gigantics, Page, J.
14. So You Suffer - The Gigantics, Hendriks, K.
15. Memory Loss - The Gigantics, Dust, John
16. Deadpeoplerally - The Gigantics, Martinez, Michael S
17. Slicktalk - The Gigantics, Martinez, Michael S
18. Poor Thing - The Gigantics, Kimber, Matthew
19. Medicine - The Gigantics, Curry, N.
20. Faingool - The Gigantics, McGhee, Z
21. Don't - The Gigantics, Ocana, A.
22. Electric Men - The Gigantics, Oramas, D.
23. Time's Still Up - The Gigantics, Jace
24. Las Vegas Swimming Pool - The Gigantics, Williams, M.

MySpace: The Gigantics: Die Already

Akon's Freedom & Hip Hop's Most Omnipresent Vocalists

Akon - Freedom

Since I posted T-Pain's Thr33 Ringz, I've got to give Akon's Freedom, due December 2nd on Universal, some equal time.

It's weird that the most omnipresent vocalists in hip hop are two singers.  Lil Wayne's their biggest competition but that's more of a mixtape thing.

Hmmm, do musical genres get the vocalists they deserve?

MySpace: Akon

Hip Hop Album Releases for Oct. 28: Black Milk, Blaq Poet, Coolio, DJ Babu, I-20, Juan Gotti, The Knux, Kottonmouth Kings, Paris, Ruste Juxx

MMO - Opomonopo

To receive this report separately each week, please visit Weekly Hip Hop Albums and sign up for our free weekly newsletter delivered every Monday with Tuesday's releases.

The following new releases are available from Amazon.

Black Milk - Tronic
Blaq Poet - Blaq Out
Coolio - Steal Hear
DJ Babu - Duck Season, Vol. 3
I-20 - Blood In The Water
Jay Street - Jay Street
Juan Gotti - The Chronicles of Juan Ramos
The Knux - Remind Me In 3 Days
The Knux - Remind Me In 3 Days [2 LP]
Kottonmouth Kings - The Green Album
Kottonmouth Kings - The Green Album [2 LP]
Mellow Man Ace Presents: La Familia Volume 1 [MP3]
MMO - Opomonopo
Paris - Acid Reflex
Paris - Acid Reflex [LP]
Ruste Juxx - Indestructible
Z-Ro - Crack (Chopped & Screwed)

For a database of upcoming and past releases with updates,
please see Hip Hop Albums @ netweed.

E-40: The Ball Street Journal Album Art

E-40 - The Ball Street Journal

E-40's The Ball Street Journal is due November 25th on Reprise Records.

MySpace: E-40

Kid Sister: Dream Date Album Cover Art

Kid Sister - Dream Date

Kid Sister's Dream Date will be released on November 25th on Downtown Records.

MySpace: Kid Sister

Mike Relm: Spectacle Album Cover Art

Mike Relm - Spectacle

Mike Relm's Spectacle is due October 21st on Radio Fried Records.

Official Site: Mike Relm

Sapient: Letterhead Album Cover Art

Sapient - Letterhead

Sapient's Letterhead is due October 21st on Sandpeople Music.

Already Available at Amazon: MP3 Album

MySpace: Sapient

Eagle Nebula: Cosmic Headphones Album Cover Art

Eagle Nebula - Cosmic Headphones

Eagle Nebula's Cosmic Headphones is due October 21st on Epistrophik Peach.

Also at Amazon: LP

MySpace: Eagle Nebula

Prodigy: Product of the 80's Album Cover Art

Prodigy - Product of the 80's

Prodigy's Product of the 80's is due October 21st on Dirt Class Records.

Hip Hop Album Releases for Oct. 21: Eagle Nebula, Lil Rob, Mike Relm, Prodigy, Sapient, Statik Selektah, Tuff Crew

Tuff Crew - DJ Too Tuff's Lost Archives

To receive this report separately each week, please visit Weekly Hip Hop Albums and sign up for our free weekly newsletter delivered every Monday with Tuesday's releases.

The following new releases are available from Amazon.

Bomb Hip Hop Compilation: Volume 2
Eagle Nebula - Cosmic Headphones
Eagle Nebula - Cosmic Headphones [LP]
I.C.E. - Frozen Dreams
Jay Tee - AKA Jaime Trago
Junclassic - Overqualified
Jus Bleezy - Go Hard or Go Home: The Mixtape [2 CD]
Lil Rob - Twelve Eighteen Part II
Mac Dre - What It Thizz?
Mike Relm - Spectacle
Now On - Tomorrow Already
Prodigy - Product of the 80's
Sapient - Letterhead
Statik Selektah - Stick 2 The Script
Tuff Crew - DJ Too Tuff's Lost Archives
Yo Majesty - Futuristically Speaking...Never Be Afraid [LP]

For a database of upcoming and past releases with updates,
please see Hip Hop Albums @ netweed.

Vanilla Ice Is Back!: Hip Hop Classics

Vanilla Ice Is Back!: Hip Hop Classics

Now I can get my Christmas shopping done early!

Vanilla Ice Is Back!: Hip Hop Classics is due November 11th on Cleopatra and, yes, the rumors are true.  There are three remixes of Ice Ice Baby in addition to the original.

Also at Amazon: MP3 Album

MySpace: Vanilla Ice

Diamond D: The Huge Hefner Chronicles Album Art

Diamond D - The Huge Hefner Chronicles

Diamond D's The Huge Hefner Chronicles is due October 14th on Babygrande Records.

MySpace: Diamond D

Jedi Mind Tricks: A History of Violence Album Cover Art

Jedi Mind Tricks - A History of Violence

Dark but excellent cover art.

Jedi Mind Tricks' A History of Violence is due November 11th on Babygrande Records.

MySpace: Jedi Mind Tricks

KJ-52: The Yearbook w/The Missing Pages Album Art

KJ-52 - The Yearbook w/The Missing Pages

KJ-52's The Yearbook w/The Missing Pages is due October 14th on BEC Recordings/Emd.

MySpace: KJ-52

Ping Pong Playa Soundtrack Album Cover & Tracklist

Ping Pong Playa Soundtrack

Ping Pong Playa, the movie, opened in the U.S. in September.

The Ping Pong Playa Soundtrack is due October 28th on Lakeshore Records.

Tracklist from Amazon's MP3 listing:

1. Chinese School    Chops     4:30
2. HK Superstar    Far East Movement feat. Jin the MC    3:25   
3. My Rims    Chops & Lil Weavah    3:39
4. Oh Oh Oh    Kebyar    3:33   
5. Gotta Give It To 'Em    Lexicon    4:08
6. I Like Cereal    Chops    3:26
7. Goin' Dumb    ATG    3:27
8. I Wish    Far East Movement    3:07
9. Swing Baby Swing    The DNC    3:45
10. Work    Far East Movement    3:20
11. The Whistle Song    The Pinkertones    3:50
12. Who Wants To Party    The Cobalt Party Revolution    3:07
13. My Spot    ATG    3:56
14. I'm A Champ    Far East Movement     3:15

The Ping Pong Playa Score was released September 9th.

Official Site: Ping Pong Playa

Movie Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes