Wired 25: 25 Of 2015’s Most Anticipated Albums

We’re just about one month deep into 2015, which means it’s time for artists to ramp up the pace at which they release new music. Big Sean already kicked off the week by releasing info about his new album.

But what do we have to look forward to for the next 11 months? You know Kendrick is coming, and Jay Z is going to turn on the hype machine for what you hope won’t be another Magna Carta Holy Grail? Between now and then, here are 25 of 2015’s most anticipated albums to look forward to. Hit the jump, peep them out, then argue about the choices in the comment section, via Twitter, and on Facebook.

—
Photo: Instagram

photo: WENN

A$AP Rocky – TBD

If “Lord Pretty Flacko Jodye 2” was any indication, we’re gonna have a problem on our hands. And you know the late A$AP Yams is gonna have an influence on this.

photo: WENN

Jay Electronica – TBD

This probably isn’t happening, but we can dream right?

Big Sean – Dark Sky Paradise

The king of making low key, pretty good albums is back with Roc Nation and G.O.O.D. Music behind him.

Beyonce – TBD

That surprise, self-titled visual album is going to be a hard album to top. But in 2015, we can all admit only one member of the Carter family is consistently making dope albums.

photo: WENN

Juicy J – Pure THC: The Hustle Continues

You need that turn up, but you don’t trust Migos or Future to make a whole album you can listen to, and DJ Paul kind of weirds you out. That’s why you need that Juicy J in your life.

photo: WENN

Jay Z – TBD

We all know we’re not getting Reasonable Doubt material here. But after a bunch of product placement, it’s about time for Jay to come through with the goods. No one wants to live in a world where Funkmaster Flex’s rants start making sense.

photo: WENN

Lil Wayne – Tha Carter V

Sorry 4 The Wait 2 proved Wayne still has punchlines for days. If he and Birdman can sort out their legal issues, this could be the best Wayne since Tha Carter II.

Scarface – Deeply Rooted

Name one Scarface album that wasn’t dope. It’s cool, we’ll wait.

photo: WENN

Kanye West – TBD

Let’s collectively breathe a sigh of relief knowing that Paul McCartney will not be producing the entire album and try to figure out where West is going post-Yeezus.

BADBADNOTGOOD & Ghostface Killah – Sour Soul

Adrian Younge showed us what Ghost can do over some trippy live production. Why wouldn’t anyone want more of this?

Fashawn – The Ecology

Nas and the same label that brought you Run The Jewels is putting the stamp on Fresno, California’s finest. Act like you know.

G-Unit – The Beast Is G-Unit

Hopefully 50, Buck, Yayo, Banks, and Kidd Kidd capitalize on all the momentum from 2014 with this one.

Jay Rock – TBD

Surely another year can’t pass with everyone in TDE except Jay Rock dropping an album.

photo: WENN

Miguel – TBD

Do remember that Miguel came in the game singing on tracks with Blu and Exile before all those chart-topping singles. Expect him to emerge from the lab with some heat.

Action Bronson – Mr. Wonderful

Go back and listen to Saaab Stories so you remember that Bam Bam cooks up heat in the booth as well as the kitchen.

photo: WENN

Wale – The Album About Nothing

From Ambition through that Festivus mixtape, Wale has been on a roll.

photo: WENN

Mac Miller – TBD

Larry Fisherman is a problem, and the fact that he looks like that guy you bought some recreationals from at a music festival doesn’t change that at all.

photo: WENN

Kid Cudi – Man On The Moon III

We’ll all put that wack Twitter beefing aside if Cudder delivers on the promise of his debut by reconnecting with Plain Pat, Emile and A Trak.

photo: WENN

Pusha T – King Push

Pusha T is taking his time to find the right mix of Pharrell and Kanye West tracks with some surprises too. Let that marinate.

Chance The Rapper – Surf

After to acclaimed mixtapes, it’s time to see what Chance does with an album.

Drake – Views From The 6

We’ll gladly sit through (or skip) those mopey ballads, since Drizzy is gonna drop another time-stamped heater from some city just like “9 am In Dallas.”

photo: WENN

Nas – TBD

On one hand, Nasir is out in these streets rhyming over Dilla instrumentals. But this is his final Def Jam obligation, and we know the history (Nastradamus anyone?). Fingers crossed.

photo: WENN

Meek Mill – Dreams Worth More Than Money

Time and perspective can heal a lot of the problems Meek encountered on Dreams And Nightmares.

photo: WENN

Frank Ocean – TBD

Frank said the stuff that emerged on channel ORANGE was old, and that he’s found a way to give listeners more of what they liked while pushing the sound forward.