Much like last month, April sees the release of several highly-anticipated albums. The Coup, Mobb Deep, Bubba Sparxxx, and LL Cool J are all hitting shelves this month.
1. Mobb Deep - Blood Money
After the label politics that saw Jive Records barely promoting Mobb Deep's last album Amerikkaz Nightmare, Havoc and Prodigy defected to G-Unit. Blood Money is their first album on 50 Cent's G-Unit empire.
The album features production by Dr. Dre, The Alchemist, Sha Money XL, and Mobb's chief boardsman, Havoc. Guest emcees include Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo, and of course 50 Cent.
2. The Coup - Pick A Bigger Weapon
Revolutionary hip-hop crew, The Coup, has returned with one of the most anticipated albums of 2006 - the aptly titled Pick A Bigger Weapon. The album features guest appearances by Talib Kweli, Black Thought (of The Roots), Jello Biafra, etc.
3. LL Cool J - Todd Smith
No year is complete in hip-hop without an LL Cool J release. This time, hip-hop heads are curious to know how Todd Smith would fare under "The Carter Administration," a Jay-Z moniker that seems to accompany every Def Jam release these days.
4. Bubba Sparxxx - The Charm
After he split with mentor and producer, Timbaland and his defunct Beat Club, Bubba Sparxxx hooked up with Big Boi of OutKast for his third release, The Charm. Guests include Petey Pablo, Cee-Lo, Scar, Killer Mike, and Frankie J.
5. Wordsworth - Mirror Music
Halftooth Records' recent addition of burgeoning hip-hop producer Oddisee to their roster came along with many rewards. The deluxe edition of label-mate Wordsworth's Mirror Music is one of them. Packing a lengthy 30 tracks and 2 CD's, this re-issue features one disc of original material, and a disc full of remakes by the remix prince, Oddisee. The original album features Masta Ace, Kenn Starr, Ayatollah, etc. The remix itself is a testament to Oddisee's unparalleled sense of musical composition.
6. Pastor Troy - Money and Power
Pastor Troy's integration of consciousness into the southern style of rap makes him stand out from the crowd. With Money and Power, Troy powers on with his dichotomous mix of street tales and religion.
7. Soul Position - Things Go Better With RJ & Al
Stylishly representing the underground hip-hop scene, producer extraordinaire, RJD2, and partner-in-rhyme, Blueprint are back with another sure-shot. Things definitely go better with this pair.
8. Da Back Wudz - Woodwork
Dirty south rap crew, Da Back Wudz, features Nas, Slim Thug, Killer Mike, Big Gipp, Sleepy Brown, Bo Hagon, on their new album.
9. Spice 1 - Life After Jive
This collection of potent tracks is a verbal applause of Spice 1's impressive rap sheet. Spice 1's west coast peer - MC Eiht - is featured prominently on Life After Jive.
10. MC Eiht - Affiliated
Speaking of MC Eiht, the westcoast rapper best known for his role in pioneering gangsta rap, has returned with an arresting release of his own, Affiliated.
