The 50 Most Anticipated Albums of 2017

From Kanye West's sure to be scrutinized 'Turbo Grafx 16' to debut albums from Young M.A and Lil Yachty, these are the most anticipated projects of 2017.

most anticipated albums of 2017
Image via Complex Original
most anticipated albums of 2017

By all measures, 2016 was a bountiful year for music. Stars from every genre—though especially hip-hop—came through with new (and often great) albums, and up-and-comers emerged from all corners. There was simply more good new music than there was time to listen to it, at points. All of which would suggest that we're headed for a drought in 2017; there just can't possibly be any more to listen to.

But, as we survey the coming year, conventional wisdom appears to be incorrect—or, at the very least, it could be incorrect. There are a ton of albums that are on the horizon: Some with firm release dates, some with growing rumors, and some that are simply a gut feeling. And, looking at it that way, there's plenty to get excited about this year. These are our most anticipated albums of 2017. 

 

 

50. G.O.O.D. Music, 'Cruel Winter'

GOOD MUSIC

49. Meek Mill

meek

48. Rick Ross

rick ross

47. Joey Badass

joey badass

46. Charli XCX

charli xcx

45. Kodak Black

kodak black

44. Wale, 'Shine'

wale

43. The xx, 'I See You'

the xx

42. Young M.A

young ma

41. Lil Wayne, 'Tha Carter V'

lil wayne

40. Earl Sweatshirt

earl sweatshirt

39. Kelela

kelela

38. Ty Dolla Sign

ty dolla sign

37. Lil Yachty

lil yachty

36. Future & Young Thug

future young thug

35. The Internet

the internet

34. Swae Lee and Slim Jxmmi

Rae Sremmurd Pedicure Without Technicians

33. Migos, 'Culture'

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32. Anderson .Paak

anderson paak

31. Future

future

30. Haim

haim

29. Desiigner, 'The Life of Desiigner'

desiigner

Some thought Desiigner would be a run-of-the-mill one-hit wonder, destined to fall off quickly after the meteoric success of "Panda." As we all quickly learned, though, there's nothing typical or ordinary about Desiigner. The G.O.O.D. Music rapper followed up "Panda" with "Tiimmy Turner," a much stranger song that nonetheless hit the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. He's reportedly hard at work on his debut album, and with most of the Future comparisons played out at this point, the naysaying has been replaced by a genuine interest in what he's cooking up—especially if G.O.O.D. Music family like Pusha T and Kanye West are in the mix. —Zach Frydenlund

28. 2 Chainz, 'Pretty Girls Like Trap Music'

2 Chainz

27. 21 Savage

21 Savage

26. Kehlani, 'SweetSexySavage'

kehlani

25. Syd Tha Kid, 'Fin'

syd

24. Vince Staples

Vince Staples Complex

23. ASAP Rocky

asap rocky

22. Lorde

lorde

21. Kamaiyah

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20. SZA

SZA

19. Lil Uzi Vert

lil uzi vert

18. Pusha T, 'King Push'

pusha t interview 2016 cover story

17. Sampha, 'Process'

Sampha 2

16. Kanye West & Drake

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15. Eminem

eminem

14. Childish Gambino & Chance the Rapper

donald glover chance the rapper

13. Drake, 'More Life'

drake

12. Travis Scott, 'Astroworld'

travis scott

11. Young Thug, 'Hy!£UN35'

young thug

10. Big Sean, 'I Decided'

big sean

9. Rihanna

rihanna

8. Beyonce & Jay Z

beyonce jay z

7. André 3000

andre 3000

6. Nicki Minaj

nicki minaj

5. Taylor Swift

taylor swift

4. Chance the Rapper

chance the rapper

3. Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar

2. Jay Z

jay z

1. Kanye West, 'Turbo Grafx 16'

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