We’re officially past the “Best of 2012” list season and off to a fresh start in 2013, with lots of new music coming. All kinds of websites, blogs, and magazines have put out their respective lists for some of the most anticipated albums of 2013. Judging from what is on these lists, there will be no shortage of new music…I’m talking ‘RAP’ music from some huge artists as well as some up-and-comers looking to make their mark in the 14th year of the new millennium.
 
With the music business and industry continuing to revamp itself in the wake of a failing business model Errr continuously sluggish economy and the attention spans or ADD of music consumers waning, the music environment is sure to be more competitive then ever in 2013.
 
These are the artists/titles that I’m most excited for in 2013.
 
Dr Dre ‘Detox’
Detox is like hip hop’s ‘Chinese Democracy’. A long, LONG wait for a supposedly perfectionist set, but in the back of our minds we kind of know that it’s going to be a let down when it does finally see the light of day. The LP/EP/whatever it is at this point in and of itself has transformed into myth like status. Whereas myths are used to teach us about greed (King Midas and gold) or hubris (Icarus flying to close to the sun), ‘Detox’ has taught us all patience.
 
But man, ‘2001’ came out in 1999???
 
While his priorities may be above music at the moment, the reference track ‘leaks’ were still BETTER than most of the polished garbage that has come out in the past couple of years. Even if ‘I need a doctor” sounded like something that was shat on the cutting room floor of Eminems ‘Recovery’. I know those ‘Beats By Dre’ headphones are killing it right now, but I want beats by Dre in my headphones. Whether ‘Detox’ ends up being three tracks, five tracks or 12…I still want this to happen. I mean, I want this to happen THIS year. Ice Cube has been quoted saying ‘What Would You Rather Sell Somebody: $300 Headphones Or A $10 Download/Tape/CD?’ Touché.
 
Jay Electronica ‘Act II: Patents of Nobility’
Any artist, rock-rap-polka-whatever, that references Nolans’ ‘The Prestige’ in the title…has my attention. This is an album that fans have been eagerly awaiting for quite some time. For a while many of us had given up hope, then Jay Electronica caught the attention of all of us when he unveiled the tracklist for the official project (Google that). Although we are still anxiously awaiting the announcement of an actual release date, Jay-Z mentioned that ‘Act II’ is ‘Good…scary good’.
 
Doomstarks ‘Swift & Changeable’
The thing with super groups is super groups are kind of a double-edged sword, because on one hand, they’re sort of unburdened from any sort of expectation. They can do whatever they want. The problem with that is that they’re unburdened for many expectations and can do whatever they want.  At this point, I’m not sure if ‘Doomstarks’ (MF Doom & Ghostface Killah) was more than just a single. But I am hoping. I’m not the only one wishing either as Okayplayer linked up ‘The Prequel Mixtape’ Free DL http://www.okayplayer.com/news/audio-doomstarks-swift-changeable-the-prequel-mixtape.html
 
Black Milk ‘Untitled’ TBA
Twenty twelve was a quiet year for Black Milk. A year previous, his Random Axe super group (also featuring Guilty Simpson and Sean Price) dropped their debut LP, and Milk teamed up with Brown again for a natty 10 track LP. Oh, and there was that collaboration with Jack White (White Stripes). Milk did say via Twitter that an album and ‘more’ would be released in 2013. He also hinted at an Instrumental LP named ‘Synth Or Soul’. I’d buy that based on the title alone.
 
Deltron 3030 ‘Event II’ 
The on-again, off-again dark sequel to 2000’s Deltron 3030 will finally see the light of day. ‘Event II’ brings back producer Dan the Automator and turntablist Kid Koala & Del The Funky Homosapien on mic control and has been in the works since 2006. Fortunately, we won’t have to wait much longer to hear it. ‘Deltron 3030: Event II’ picks up a decade later in a more desperate and dystopian society…a much-anticipated soundtrack for the year 3040. Youtube that single they dropped two weeks ago, ‘Pay The Price’. Stupid FRESH.
 
Other notable releases:
Pusha T ‘My Name Is My Name’
Ab Soul & JMSN ‘Unit 6’
Talib Kweli ‘Prisoner Of Conscious’
 
What new tunes are you looking out for in 2013? let me know.

-Dagobot
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