Hip Hop's Anticipated Summer Albums

This summer, three of my favorite Hip Hop artists will be releasing their highly anticipated albums, Wale, J. Cole, and Kanye West. I suspect that all of these projects will be of great contribution to the music world.

http://www.behance.net/gallery/Wales-Album
-Cover-(THE-GIFTED)/7891393 (2013)

One thing I’ve liked about Wale’s recent projects is the marketing strategy behind each one. His marketing team always used techniques that would help bring a high anticipation for the project. For example, looking back at 2011 when Wale dropped his mixtape The Eleven One Eleven Theory, he utilized the date of his release as a great marketing tool. Throughout the various social media platforms the catchy numerical sequence flooded timelines, until it got to the point where you had to check out the mixtape when the release date finally came.

Wale has taken a different approach with his new album The Gifted. He has made miniature video promos that give quotes and clips of some of the worlds most successful individuals. For example, Michael Jordan, Michael Jackson, Muhammad Ali, Steve Jobs, Mike Tyson, and Barrack Obama can all be seen in these webisodes. This is a great technique because he is giving you the definition of the word “gifted” by showing you who he admires, or who he considers to be gifted. The Gifted is expected to be release on June 25th,2013.

http://www.bet.com/news/music/2012/11/06/j-cole-
announces-sophomore-album-born-sinner-for-january.html (2013)

For J. Cole, this will be his 2^nd studio album entitled Born Sinner. J. Cole held a listening session in a few specific locations. The Roc Nation artist originally planned on giving his fans a live stream to promote the album. The live stream was available in Atlanta, Boston, New York, Chicago, Toronto, Houston, Los Angeles, and Fayetteville, North Carolina. Unfortunately the album ended up getting leaked, and is available through the Internet.

Many listeners don’t understand the time and effort required in creating a quality project. So I encourage you all to still go out and purchase J. Cole’s album in respect of the art. His album will still be released on June 18, 2013.

http://www.rap-up.com/2013/05/18/kanye-west-to
-release-new-album-yeezus-on-june-18/  (2013

On the same day, Kanye West will be debuting his 8^th studio album entitled Yeezus. The title of this album has received much publicity by itself. Lately Kanye West has been using risky imagery along with Bible depictions in his artwork, lyrics and videos. It is no secret that Yeezus sounds incredibly similar to the spelling and pronunciation of Jesus. But has Kanye West ultimately crossed that thin line between creativity and disrespect with his new album title Yeezus? I encourage all of my viewers to analyze the situation, and his lyrics for yourselves and see if you are in support of Mr. West’s new album.

Mr. West also had an incredible performance at the Governor’s Ball on Randall’s Island this past Sunday. Kanye gave his fans a early listen to some of the new tracks included on his new album.

I have been a fan of all three of these Hip Hop artists, Wale, J. Cole, and Kanye West. My final hopes for these albums are.

1.I would like to hear Wale maintain his lyrical and poetic flow as usual, while still giving the fans something to groove to.

2. I would like for all the fans to go out and purchase J. Cole’s album, despite it being leaked on the Internet.

3. I would love for Kanye West to give the fans a quality album like he did with The College Dropout.