1. JAY-Z

The Blueprint 3
Jay’s 11th studio CD will also be his final album for Island Def Jam. His next album will be released by Live Nation. It’s reportedly being released in February 2009.

2. KELLY CLARKSON

Title TBA
Rumor has it that her fourth disc will be a lot like her fantastic 2004 CD, “Breakaway”, and nothing like last year’s disastrous “My December”. Her album is rumored to be set for release on March 17, 2009. Her first single, My Life Would Suck Without You will begin radio rotations on January 19th.

3. EMINEM

Relapse
At first there were rumors that Em was going to drop this album in December of 2008. His spokespeople said the rumors were unfounded. So, let’s hope we get to hear “Relapse” soon. He previewed a track from the album, “I’m Having A Relapse”, on his Sirius radio station.

4. MAXWELL

Black Summers’ Night
Via his Myspace page, he doesn’t say exactly when the album is going to drop, but we’ve heard that the fourth CD will drop this spring or summer.

5. LILY ALLEN

It’s Not Me, It’s You
The album’s not due out until Feb. 9, but the first single, “The Fear,” is already getting heavy rotation on my iPod. I didn’t really like the song at first, but then it grew on me.

6. KERI HILSON

In a Perfect World
This album might as well be called: “Keri Hilson: The Pushback”. It was originally slated to be released in 2007, but was pushed back several times. Now it’s rumored to be set for release early this year. I’ll believe it when I see it.

7. D’ANGELO

Title TBA
There’s no doubt in my mind that this CD is going to be well worth the exhaustive eight-year wait. It’s set for release early this year and features guest appearances by John Mayer and Raphael Saadiq.

8. MISSY ELLIOTT

Block Party
The first single, “Ching-a-Ling,” dropped a year ago…and we’re still waiting for the album to follow. It’s scheduled for release on February 10, 2009, but it’s another one that’s been pushed back since May, 2008.

9. ERYKAH BADU

New Amerykah, Pt. 2: Return of Ankh
The hip-hop soul mama has a new baby and another CD on the way in 2009. The new album is set for release on February 17, 2009.

10. DR. DRE

Detox
Is this CD ever coming out? It’s like Dr. Dre is the new Axl Rose and Detox is his Chinese Democracy. We’ve heard over and over that it’s being released. Don’t make us get Dr. Pepper involved here.