Artists That Need To Drop in 2026

2026 has so much potential to be an amazing year for music. Despite the ignorance going on in this world, one thing remains true, art is important in times like these. Whether the artists directly speak to the world and it's issues or create an escape for those who are experiencing this world, the art and it's creators will always be important. Over the years, some artists have been building momentum, while others have been off the radar completely. I decided to build a personal list of who I believe shoud give the world some new music this year, whether they do or not is up to them, but I feel like the culture would become a better place musically if these artists all released some form of music this year.

Honorable Mention:

J. Cole

Cole has been pretty quiet since the embarrassing second half year he had in 2024 after a strong build up. He released a solid project that year, still something that I enjoy, but the way he bowed out of the hip-hop beef he played a major part in dampened the momentum that Cole had with his rollout for the eventual projects It's A Boy & The Fall Off. Now of course, I still believe he'll release these projects (The Fall Off forsure, It's A Boy may be something that fades out due to the time that's passed), and they should be good given how solid his surprise project was in 2024. Also, Cole's actual skills aren't diminished, despite the way that the rap beef went on his end. Though I believe he wouldv'e lost against Dot, I don't think he should've engaged at all if he was going to bow out so quickly, as the track wasn't good (obviously rushed/inauthentic from the almost immediate retraction). I also feel that if Cole felt this way from the get go, he shouldn't have involved himself in or even left anything he rapped about leading up to the 2024 Big 3 debacle up to interpretation the way that he did. Now that some time has passed, I believe that J. Cole can return with a great project and get his legacy back on track. Given what happened in 2024, I'm not sure how well certain bars will be received, but I do know that Cole is still very capable of creating top tier hip-hop records. The way that he goes about this will be important though, given how things occurred the last time he had a chance to make a big statement.

Now that I've discussed Cole's potential in 2026, lets get to my ten artists that need to (or at bare minimum should) release a new project this year.

A$AP Rocky

Rocky has been focused on other things in recent years, as he's become a parent, and maybe some of Rihanna's non album dropping tendencies got to him for a while. While people love to shit on Rocky, he was at one point one of the top 10 in the space (and still has the potential to jump right back into that conversation with this project in my opinion). I have enjoyed some of the leaked music over the past few years, as Rocky's sound isn't necesarily set in stone, he's always experimenting and seems to enjoy trying out different sounds and other genres (while not disrespecting hip-hop, which is important). The recent release of two pretty good singles and the long awaited DONT BE DUMB scheduled for a drop this Friday, I think that Rocky is serious this time. On top of that, recent rumors of the album being leaked in full by someone who hacked and gained access to the files (allegedly) may have lit a fire under his ass (or it was a publicity stunt, a pretty good one if so). Despite the wait, I'm glad to see one of the most creative artists in the genre get back out here to give the fans what they've been waiting for. Rocky seems to be back, and we're gonna see his full vision this Friday (hopefullly).

Saweetie

This platform has a special history with Saweetie, those who've listened to the podcast from the beginning know how much we support her, as we followed her release of "My Type" all the way to double platinum status. However, there hasn't been success nearly to that level since then. She worked with Doja Cat on "Best Friend" in 2021, released mutliple EPs, other singles and has had some solid features here and there, but no debut album yet. After 9 years in the industry, it has reached a point where people have even asked her about why she doesn;t have one yet. The album Pretty Bitch Music never released in summer 2021 as it was slated, and according to Saweetie, her perfectionism lead to the lack of it's release. As of 2024, she said that the title may potentially not fit where she's at anymore (which is valid, as artists do grow as time passes). Last summer, we receieved her latest EP, Hella Pressure, and it wasn't that bad in my opinion, but I feel like it's time for her to take all she's learned over the past decade and release her debut album. Sometimes artists can overthink their way out of a good project, and I wouldn't want it to happen to a Bay Area artist that I've followed for so long. Saweetie is capable of making a full album worth of her fun hip-hop or even exploring something more deep if she would like, but this should be the year we finally get Pretty Bitch Music (if that still remains to be the title).

Baby Keem

Baby Keem has been out of the spotlight for a couple of years now, and it'll be 5 years since the release of his debut album in September...it's time for a return. I was honestly surprised that he didn't release anything in 2024, as Kendrick Lamar was back outside, and Keem had ample opportunity to release music himself. I do respect not wanting to piggyback off of his cousin though, and now would be his time to shine alone (though I would love another collaboration between the two, they haven't missed). I don't have much information on anything for Keem outside of a potential title, Child With Wolves. The fact that he's a headliner for the Governors Ball in New York this summer has the fans excited for a potential new project. I hope that Keem returns, as a five year hiatus can be a great period of time for growth, and with an artist like Keem, I truly can't wait to see the results of that.

Isaiah Rashad

It's been five years since we last seen Zay release a project as well, and I feel like it's about time he made a return. The smooth hip-hop pocket that Isaiah Rashad has mastered would be a welcome listen right now, as his last album, The House Is Burning, is still in my rotation, but I need something new. As long as everything in Zay's personal life is going smoothly and not impacting his creative process, the world needs a new album in my opinion.

Rihanna

This entry on the list may be the least likely, as we've only gotten a short feature on PND's album a couple years back and two singles for the Smurfs & Black Panther sequel soundtrack in the past decade. The issue with Rihanna's discography isn't that it could end at Anti (it would be an amazing final album, a certified classic) but the fact that we've been lead on for this past decade by her and other hopeful fans. I'm not sure if she's started the project over again, there's a single in the works, or if she is fully dedicated to her businesses and motherhood. I have no issue with that at all, as her Fenty business has been amazing, creating a great makeup/skincare line as well as good clothing for both women and men. I feel like RiRi has to let us know if she's gonna do both again or if she's fully transitioning as a businesswoman (as she damnear has already). I'm at the point where I don't even beilieve she's releasing anything new until I can press play myself, though I selfishly still think that she either will or should. I just feel like the legend still has plenty left to give...but at the end of the day, it's up to her to give it.

Chloe & Halle

The Bailey sisters have been through a lot since their amazing Ungodly Hour album in 2020. Chloe has released two solo projects and gotten into acting, while Halle has also gotten into acting, starring for Disney's Little Mermaid remake, and released her first solo project last October. While the duo has made solid music separetely, I still believe that we haven't gotten everything they could accomplish together post 2020. The duo had a great run through the pandemic, and I thoguht that they'd do much more as a duo once the world opened back up. Again, I've enjoyed the solo work from them both, it can easily could be discussed in depth separately, but I feel like they still have so much to give as a duo. I understand that life happens, and with the sisters so much has happened to create conflicting scheduling, including Halle's new life as a mother, but I think that now they have both done at least one solo project, it might be time to get back together. In this specific case, I don't think that we'll get a full album this year, but maybe a new single leading into the next era of Chloe x Halle could happen? I hope so, because the Bailey sisters are beyond talented, and they need to give their best for this Parkwood Records deal that they signed (Beyoncé's label could also do better at promoting them).

Doechii

Doechii has been such an amazing story to follow for the past 5 years. I first heard her on Zay's "Wat U Sed" on the above mentioned The House Is Burning, and since that moment I remember telling my friends (and possibly mentioning on the podcast during the time) that she should be signed by TDE. After Top Dawg did in fact sign her, she went on a run that culminated in what I consider a classic mxtape, Alligator Bites Never Heal. After a victory lap and more industry success in 2025, Doechii ended the year with a solid single featuring SZA, on which she mentioned her upcoming album. With that, I'm almost positive that she's releasing it this year, and while I don't know the exact date, I'm excited for whenever that may be. The hip-hop crown is up for the taking, and I wouldn't bet against Doechii at this point, she has everything that hip-hop culture has needed: someone who loves the history of hip-hop and the importance of black culture. It's a breath of fresh air to see a newer artist care so much, and I can't wait to see what that level of care becomes in a major label debut album.

Frank Ocean

Frank Ocean and the reason why we haven't gotten new music is a lot more complicated of a topic than Rihanna's. While both artists haven't dropped much of anything in the past decade, Frank was in the middle of an album rollout in 2020, but dealt with a family tragedy and has been off the radar (minus a controversial headlining of Coachella in 2023 that was cut short by injuriy and very lackluster overall). As much flack I did give him for that performance, there clearly has been a major change in his life with the loss he suffered. I do still believe that there comes a point where you need to step up and release new music as an artist, but he's not the same person, nor should he be. I appreciate the re-release of old vinyls and not being fully dormant, but it is time for something new. He's beyond capable and one of the most talented acts in the industry, but if he doesn't release anything else, the three albums we have are gonna have to be enough it seems. In my opinion, he's not Lauryn Hill, this isn't the same music landscape that we had in the early 00's, Frank is in full control of his legacy. I give him a huge pass and understand grief is different for everyone, so this is in respect to that, but if he's doing better in life and mental health wise (which I truly hope he is) then it's time to make a return to music. He doesn't even have to release a full project this year, i think that's far off, but maybe a couple of singles to lead into the next era like I mentioned for Chloe x Halle.

Roddy Ricch

Long story short...this may be Roddy's last chance legacy wise. Not only was his sophomore projcet a flop and major disappointment given his debut's profound success, this third project, THE NAVY ALBUM, has been pushed back a full year at this point. There aren't many more excuses for Roddy, as to my knowledge there aren't any outside circumstances that could impact the release, so all i have to say is...drop the album.

HER

HER is another Bay Area artist that has been pretty active but lacks the discography (album wise at least). We did get her debut album in 2021, Back of My Mind was solid, however, it's coming up on that 5 year mark. Five years seems to be the mark of a new era for a lot of the artists on this list, and I'm hoping to see some growth in HER's music after so long. That's not to say that she's stagnant or anything, I just feel like after half a decade, there needs to be some sort of new aspect to your artistry in a way. I've seen that she's been in the studio recently, so hopefully that means a project is coming soon, as the sophomore album is an important step for an R&B artists legacy.

Kehlani

My reasoning for the need of a Kehlani album is two fold: the success that she's been having lately with "Folded" and some redemption for the debacle that occurred during her last album release. I remember the bad interview that she had, the backlash and lack of eyes on her last project as a result (which was really solid in my opinon) but the way the media rollout went, it left a bad taste in everyone's mouth. This can easily be redeemed (and seems to have been) with her latest rollout so far, as two great singles have been circulating and the R&B world's eyes are all on her. Folded was my song of the year, and I feel like she's very capable of a top album this year.