The 20 Most Anticipated Summer Albums

Music we can't wait to bang this season.

The 20 Most Anticipated Summer Albums - They don't call them "winter bangers," do they? Summer has always been a time for the best music, and this year is looking even more enticing than usual. There are several promising, hyped-up rap rookies finally unveiling their debut full-lengths, a few out-of-favor vets looking to resurrect their legacies, a handful of pop-n-B superstars taking important next steps and more. Some will succeed, some will fail, but either way, your ears are going to have a busy season. Click on for BET.com's countdown of Summer 2012's 20 most anticipated albums. —Alex Gale  (Photos: John Ricard/BET; Arnold Turner/Getty Images; Erika Goldring/Getty Images)

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The 20 Most Anticipated Summer Albums - They don't call them "winter bangers," do they? Summer has always been a time for the best music, and this year is looking even more enticing than usual. There are several promising, hyped-up rap rookies finally unveiling their debut full-lengths, a few out-of-favor vets looking to resurrect their legacies, a handful of pop-n-B superstars taking important next steps and more. Some will succeed, some will fail, but either way, your ears are going to have a busy season. Click on for BET.com's countdown of Summer 2012's 20 most anticipated albums. —Alex Gale  (Photos: John Ricard/BET; Arnold Turner/Getty Images; Erika Goldring/Getty Images)

Juvenile, ReJuvenation (June 19) - Juvie reportedly reunited with his old cohort Mannie Fresh for the majority of ReJuvenation — the same tag team that delivered classics like "Back Dat Azz Up." And if the LP sounds anything like the Rick Ross–assisted lead single "Power," we're in for a treat.(Photo: Courtesy Rap-A-Lot Records)

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Juvenile, ReJuvenation (June 19) - Juvie reportedly reunited with his old cohort Mannie Fresh for the majority of ReJuvenation — the same tag team that delivered classics like "Back Dat Azz Up." And if the LP sounds anything like the Rick Ross–assisted lead single "Power," we're in for a treat.(Photo: Courtesy Rap-A-Lot Records)

Slaughterhouse, Welcome to: Our House (June 12) - After years of being overlooked and underrated, this supergroup of high-powered spitters is poised to break through on their sophomore effort by aligning with Emimen's Shady Records. If you saw their show-stealing appearance at the BET Hip Hop Awards, you already know what to expect: bars upon bars upon bars.(Photo: Chris McKay/Getty Images)

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Slaughterhouse, Welcome to: Our House (June 12) - After years of being overlooked and underrated, this supergroup of high-powered spitters is poised to break through on their sophomore effort by aligning with Emimen's Shady Records. If you saw their show-stealing appearance at the BET Hip Hop Awards, you already know what to expect: bars upon bars upon bars.(Photo: Chris McKay/Getty Images)

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DMX, Undisputed (June 26) - It's been six years since X last dropped a true album — six years filled with jail time, drug abuse and downright crazy behavior. As you may have seen on VH1's Couples Therapy, the fallen superstar has a lot to get off his chest, and his long-delayed new album is the perfect place to do so.(Photo: John Ricard/BET)

Photo By John Ricard/BET

"The Funeral" - Fif displays his storytelling prowess as he details the death of young a wannabe who meets the Grim Reaper after trying to hang in the streets and bark with the wolves. "The shootout s--t happens, the sister read the eulogy/Couldn't help but think, ''N---a better you than me.'''  (Photo: dpa /Landov)

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50 Cent, TBA (July 2) - After several delays, 50's newest album finally has a release date — though the lack of an official title still makes us a bit skeptical. But with last year's unexpectedly awesome The Big 10 mixtape plus a highly touted Gangsta Grillz project dropping later this month, Fif seems like he's finally regaining some of his early-2000s hunger and buzz, and just at the right time.  (Photo: dpa/Landov)

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'How to Hate'  - What's love without hate? This companion piece to "How to Love" shows a vengeful Weezy and his auto-tune idol, T-Pain, lashing out after having their hearts broken.(Photo: Jeff Daly/PictureGroup) 

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Lil Wayne, I Am Not a Human Being II - Baby has been insisting in interviews that Weezy is dropping this sequel to his 2010 album this summer. Though the last edition was below his usual bar for mixtapes or Tha Carter, Weezy is perhaps hip hop's most dynamic MC, even when he's resting on his laurels somewhat.(Photo: John Ricard/BET)

Looking 4 Myself, June 12, 2012 - Usher is releasing his much-anticipated seventh studio album, Looking 4 Myself, today, June 12.(Photo: Courtesy RCA)

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Usher, Looking for Myself (June 12) - Usher's already dropped three singles from his new album, and it's obvious that even after almost two decades in the industry, he's more focused than ever. He made some unexpected choices by reaching out to alt-dance gurus like Swedish House Mafia and Diplo for production, but he's also reportedly reuniting with the Neptunes — all great things. (Photo: Courtesy RCA)

French Montana, Excuse My French (July 17) - With a guest spot on the mega-hit "Stay Schemin'" and a standout, bear-skinned appearance on XXL's Freshmen cover, Frenchie has his ducks in a row leading up to the release of his debut album. Bad Boy's the label, Rick Ross is executive-producing and Lex Luger is contributing behind the boards — expect big things.(Photo: John Ricard/BET)

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French Montana, Excuse My French (July 17) - With a guest spot on the mega-hit "Stay Schemin'" and a standout, bear-skinned appearance on XXL's Freshmen cover, Frenchie has his ducks in a row leading up to the release of his debut album. Bad Boy's the label, Rick Ross is executive-producing and Lex Luger is contributing behind the boards — expect big things.(Photo: John Ricard/BET)

Justin Bieber, Believe (June 19) - Will Justin Bieber be yet another tween sensation who can't make the transition to long-term, all-grown-up superstardom? Considering his new LP's high-powered lineup of collaborators — Timbaland, Drake, the Neptunes, Kanye — we'd say he's playing with house money.(Photo: EPA/ADE JOHNSON/Landov)

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Justin Bieber, Believe (June 19) - Will Justin Bieber be yet another tween sensation who can't make the transition to long-term, all-grown-up superstardom? Considering his new LP's high-powered lineup of collaborators — Timbaland, Drake, the Neptunes, Kanye — we'd say he's playing with house money.(Photo: EPA/ADE JOHNSON/Landov)

Big K.R.I.T., Live From the Underground (June 5) - K.R.I.T.'s last three mixtapes have been nothing less than astonishing, raising the bar for other free releases with album-level quality. With that consistent track record, we don't see how the Mississippi rapper-producer could disappoint on his heavily hyped Def Jam debut.   (Photo: Courtesy Def Jam)

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Big K.R.I.T., Live From the Underground (June 5) - K.R.I.T.'s last three mixtapes have been nothing less than astonishing, raising the bar for other free releases with album-level quality. With that consistent track record, we don't see how the Mississippi rapper-producer could disappoint on his heavily hyped Def Jam debut.  (Photo: Courtesy Def Jam)

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The Evolution of Waka Flocka Flame - Waka's next album, Flockaveli 2, is expected Oct. 5 with features from at least Timbaland and Wyclef Jean. The guests may be symbolic of Flocka's new lease on life. This year, the Atlanta native also signed up to help promote non-violence in Chicago, a city that has been plagued with shooting deaths as of late.  (Photo: Courtesy Warner Music Group)

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Waka Flocka Flame, Triple F Life: Friends, Fans and Family (June 12) - After a hard-up 2011 that saw him contemplating retirement, getting into brawls and suffering the senseless murder of his friend Slim Dunkin, Waka is poised to take out his frustrations on the mic with his second album, even if he is branching out and growing up a bit. (Photo: Courtesy Warner Bros.)

T.I., Trouble Man  - After his second prison sentence in as many years, T.I. has a whole lot to say and a whole lot to prove with his new album. And his recent F--k Da City Up mixtape showed that the King of the South isn't ready to give up his throne just yet. (Photo: Courtesy Atlantic Records)

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T.I., Trouble Man  - After his second prison sentence in as many years, T.I. has a whole lot to say and a whole lot to prove with his new album. And his recent F--k Da City Up mixtape showed that the King of the South isn't ready to give up his throne just yet. (Photo: Courtesy Atlantic Records)

Meek Mill (@MeekMill) - Tweet: "Winners table ‪#mmg‬ http://instagr.am/p/MWdRtOikIm/" Meek Mill with his MMG crew, Wale, Omarion, Rick Ross and Stalley.(Photo: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)

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Meek Mill, Dreams and Nightmares (August 28) - Meek Mill's "I'ma Boss" pretty much ran things last summer, and his just-dropped Dreamchasers II literally crashed the popular mixtape website DatPiff. But with Rick Ross overseeing things, the Philly spitter's years-in-the-making debut could very well exceed sky-high expectations.(Photo: Courtesy Maybach Music Group)

Nas, "Another Black Girl Lost" - In April, Nas leaked "Another Black Girl Lost." The Hit-Boy-produced song is a follow-up to his 1996 cut "Black Girl Lost," and was slated to appear on his upcoming 10th studio album, Life Is Good, though it didn't make the final cut.(Photo: Rob Loud/Getty Images for Bacardi)

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Nas, Life Is Good (July 17) - Nas is one of rap's all-time greats, so all of his albums come with a certain degree of hype. But his forthcoming album Life Is Good feels different. He's already released two fresh singles, "Nasty" and "The Don," that feature the Queensbridge MC in top-notch vintage form over dusty, throwback Salaam Remi beats — a good combination by any measure.(Photo: Rob Loud/Getty Images for Bacardi)

Maybach Music Group, Self Made Vol. 2 (June 26) - Last year's Vol. 1 made Maybach Music one of the hottest brands in hip hop, finally establishing Meek Mill and Wale as stars in their own right. With those two reaching their potential and Ross as consistent as ever, Vol. 2 could be the exclamation point on another huge year for the Bawse and company.(Photo: Courtesy Maybach Music Group)

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Maybach Music Group, Self Made Vol. 2 (June 26) - Last year's Vol. 1 made Maybach Music one of the hottest brands in hip hop, finally establishing Meek Mill and Wale as stars in their own right. With those two reaching their potential and Ross as consistent as ever, Vol. 2 could be the exclamation point on another huge year for the Bawse and company.(Photo: Courtesy Maybach Music Group)

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A$AP Rocky, LongLiveA$AP (Summer) - With the reported $3 million dollar deal Rocky signed with RCA in the wake of his acclaimed LiveLoveA$AP mixtape last year, he certainly has some big expectations — and bank accounts — to fill. But if the first single from his major label debut, the Hit-Boy–produced banger “Goldie,” is any indication, A$AP's rising to the occasion.(Photo: Courtesy Polo Grounds Records)

Fortune Debuts at No. 1 - Chris Brown’s fifth album, Fortune, debuted at No. 1 when it was released on June 29, 2012. The album went on to achieve gold status, moving 500,000 copies and included the hit singles “Turn Up the Music” and “Sweet Love.”Fortune was also Brown’s first No. 1 album in the United Kingdom. (Photo: RCA)

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Chris Brown, Fortune (July 3) - Released in the face of widespread media scrutiny, 2011's F.A.M.E. nabbed CB his first No. 1 album and his first Grammy. How will he respond to this unexpected success? You don't have to be one of his rabid Team Breezy fans to want to find out.(Photo: Courtesy RCA)

Road to the BET Awards 2012 - Born Tauheed Epps, 2 Chainz is one of rap’s hottest rising acts to come from the Dirty South. Originally rapping under the moniker Tity Boi, 2 Chainz got his start in the late '90s by forming the group Playaz Circle with fellow rapper Dolla Boy. Since going solo, he has garnered a reputation for releasing high-energy mixtapes suitable for both the club and car rides, which has helped boost his career and put him on the track for rap superstardom.(Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images)

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2 Chainz, Based on a T.R.U. Story (August 14) - With two kick-ass mixtapes last year and a bevy of pitch-perfect features, including Nicki Minaj's "Beez in the Trap," 2 Chainz is batting a thousand. After resurrecting himself from record-industry limbo, we don't see him striking out now. (Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images)

Rick Ross, God Forgives, I Don't (July 31) - Hip hop's most consistent superstar, Ross' January mixtape, Rich Forever, showed a master at the top of his craft. And now, after delaying his fifth album in the wake of health problems, he's had even more time to perfect his product. (Photo: Courtesy Maybach Music Group)

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Rick Ross, God Forgives, I Don't (July 31) - Hip hop's most consistent superstar, Ross' January mixtape, Rich Forever, showed a master at the top of his craft. And now, after delaying his fifth album in the wake of health problems, he's had even more time to perfect his product. (Photo: Courtesy Maybach Music Group)

Big Sean the Don and Kanye West - G.O.O.D. Music's golden child Big Sean is one of the flyest dudes in the biz when it comes to fashion, but he's also a go-to lyricist that fans can count on for thoughtful and punchline bars. This is probably why Kanye West took him in, nurtured his talent and unleashed a beast!   (Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

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G.O.O.D. Music, TBA  - This album doesn't need a release date or a title to top this list. With "Mercy," "Way Too Cold," and the "I Don't Like (Remix)," Kanye and crew have already delivered three of the most buzzed-about songs of the year, and they exceeded the hype each time. With an all-star lineup that includes Big Sean, Pusha T, Kid Cudi, John Legend, Common, Q-Tip and guests like 2 Chainz and Jadakiss, this album may seem unwieldy, overwrought and over-the-top at first glance, but that's what Kanye, pop music's foremost maximalist, does best.(Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage/Getty Images)

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