The Lowdown (12/22)

Young Money-We Are Young Money

Wayne's rise to fame has been quite a story, and it was only time before he would drop a compilation featuring his label and bundle of artists. Already with hype, Toronto rapper Drake seems to be the hottest emcee rookie in the game, with hype bigger than most artists out now, even without dropping a debut album. Wayne has also targeted the female fanbase, with femcee, Nicki Minaj who has created some buzz herself for her variety of characteristics and her Harajuku Barbie following. Mack Maine was featured on the "Got Money" remix, "whoooshing" his way with the money and is currently Young Money's president. Tyga who released No Introduction, last year, is also on Young Money. The disc features mixtape favorite, "Steady Mobbin'" featuring Gucci Mane and Wayne's hit line, "Futuristic handgun, if you act foul, you get two shots and one." The disc will introduce teensters, Lil' Chuckee and Lil' Twist, along with T-Streets, Gudda Gudda, Shanell, Jae Millz & Short Dawg.

Lead Single: "Every Girl (Lil' Wayne, Drake, Jae Millz, Gudda Gudda & Mack Maine)", "Bedrock (Lil' Wayne, Gudda Gudda, Nicki Minaj, Drake, Tyga & Jae Millz feat. Lloyd)"


Mary J. Blige-Stronger withEach Tear

Still solidifying her presence in R&B history, Mary J. Blige releases her ninth album after the solid, Growing Pains. Her new album features appearances from Drake, Trey Songz & T.I., and production work from the biggest of producers-Polow Da Don, Stargate, Bryan Michael Cox, to name a few. With a much more mature looking cover, the R&B hitmaker has already turned heads with the autotuned "The One" featuring Drake. Despite this, the album doesn't feature any other autotuned numbers, sticks to Mary's formula and is seemingly strong release.

Lead Single: "The One (feat. Drake)", "I Am"


Hurricane Chris-Unleashed

Unleashing out of his teen self, allowing the parental advisory to don on his sophomore album, Louisiana's own Hurricane Chris is back. With two major hits in "A Bay Bay" and "The Hand Clap" which caught fire on radio, the Ratchet movement representer is back, this time with a dance to accompany his slightly catchy "Halle Berry (She's Fine)." Keeping the album to a tight 10 tracks, bedroom single, "Headboard" with Plies and Mario aims for the charts, while throughout, street producers, Shawty Redd, Phunk Dawg and Mouse handle the heavy hitting club sounds.

Lead Single: "Halle Berry (She's Fine)(feat. Superstarr)", "Headboard (feat. Plies & Mario)"