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1. Justin Timberlake – The 20/20 Experience. I’ve been waiting for Justin to drop another CD since he dropped the classic Future, Sex, Love Sound CD in 2006. The 20/20 Experience takes you on a musical journey that tells an exceptional story with great versatility and superb production. JT’s smooth vocals over some of the best rhythmic beats turns this LP in to another classic JT CD in my opinion. It crosses all genres of music as it does all generations. 
2. The Foreign Exchange – Love in Flying Colors. I never hesitate to purchase their new projects. I was first introduced to this group in 2008 via their Leave It All Behind project. I was instantly hooked. Only 10 tracks long….but each track brings a real life perspective. I won’t go as far as to say that it’s a classic (as is Leave It All Behind), but it’s a great and solid CD. 
3. Miley Cyrus – Bangerz. Clearly this CD isn’t a masterpiece by any means but it’s fun and I think Miley Cyrus is talented. Like other aspects of entertainment, some music are not meant to be taken seriously. Miley Cyrus introduces us to her lyrical hip-hop side on many of the tracks. Wrecking Ball allowed me to see the pop star in a more serious and talented light. The track is versatile and fuses a little pop, rock, country and R&B. It’s a favorite. The singer also collaborated with hip-hop’s hit maker Mike Will Made It in the club banging hit 23. I keep this track on repeat while hitting the gym. It’s total motivation. Do your thing Miley. 
4. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – The Heist. From the first time I was introduced to this duo with their Thrift Shop anthem….I became an instant fan. The Heist is one of those albums that will be a classic for M&R. It’s a masterpiece in my humble opinion. Not to mention the message behind the music. Kudos to M&R on this LP. 
5. The Neighborhood – I Love You. I was totally surprised how good this Indie Pop Band’s CD was. They captivated me with their Sweater Weather single so much that I purchased the entire CD. I have no regrets. 
6. Eminem – The Marshall Mathers LP2. As a music fan, I have so much appreciation for this artist. You either love his music or hate it. Yes, he is gritty, dark and controversial. One can’t dispute that he is a lyrical mastermind that when it’s all said and done will go down as one of hip-hop’s greatest. Point. Blank. Period. This CD has great versatility. Great features and of course the lyrics….well, just pure genius wordplay. Bar none….it’s one of the best rap CDs out in quite sometime. Rap God? You be the judge!
7. Rebecca Ferguson – Heaven. Do you miss Amy Winehouse? Here’s your replacement. A little Aretha, Amy Winehouse, Jazz, Blues….it’s perfect.
8. Robert Glasper – Black Radio. OMG (I’m screaming over here). New millennium jazz is what I refer to his music as. This was one of my favorite LPs last year. This CD has some heavy hitter features like Bilal, Chrisette Michele, Lala Hathaway, Erykah Badu, Neshell Ndegeocello and others. Need I say more? With all of the collabos on this LP, the artist managed to make the overall sound his own. Stella LP.
9. Banks – London. There is no doubt that the UK has put out some of the best musicians as of late. Many of them made this list. I was introduced to this artist when she opened up The Weeknd’s recent tour. The only issue here is that I wish that it was a full LP rather than a four track EP. The four tracks on this EP just left me wanting more. Track #4, Change…..just touches the soul. I’m hoping the record label Execs take this artist seriously. I think she is a force to be reckoned with.
10. Jessie Ware – Devotion. Another London native with an absolutely beautiful voice. It’s a mix of 80’s, electronica and smooth soul. I personally believe that the production of many of the tracks were lackluster in comparison to the artist’s sultry vocals. I’d like to see better production that better suits her focal skills on her next project. However, this CD isn’t bad. It’s just not great. 
11. Wale – Gifted. I have so much love and respect for this artist. He brings thought provoking lyrics to hip-hop. I always listen ( I mean really listen) to artist that has something to say. Wale is certainly one of these artist. Wale digs deep from within his poetic soul and brings to us superb lyrical content with exceptional production. My favorite tracks have got to be 88, Love/Hate Thing, Vanity, Black Hero. Honestly, his 2011 Ambition LP is just as great if not better. The verdict is still out on which of the two is my favorite. 
12. Drake – Nothing Was The Same. I’ve always loved what Drake brought to the hip-hop genre when he entered the scene with his classic mix tape So Far Gone which catapulted him to stardom. The former Actor turn Rapper filled a void within the genre that was missing. I put Drake, Wale, J. Cole and a few others in a category that I like to call…sophisticated rap. It’s basically rap fused with R&B and jazz instrumentals. It’s a little less hardcore.
13. Emeli Sande – Our Version of Events. Yup, another UK artist with so much soul and talent. This CD features the hit single My Kind of Love which you’ve probably heard across the airways. This CD is emotional, soulful and amazing. This artist is a breath of fresh air. 
14. Raheem Devaughn – A Place Called Loveland. Clearly this artist is a big fan of love. From Love Experience, Love Behind the Melody and The Love & War Masterpiece, it’s no secret Raheem Devaughn embraces the heartfelt concept of love as described in all of his LP titles. I was introduced to this artist back in 2008 with his single Woman and was instantly captivated. The profound lyrical content and sultry vocals that he exudes makes him a breath of fresh air in a genre that was struggling to find new voices to keep the genre alive. If you are thirsting for real R&B….then search no further. This artist is just what you need.
15. The Weeknd – Kiss Land. I was introduced to this artist on Drake’s Take Care LP where the singer laid down sultry vocals on the Crew Love track. He then followed up with his first LP, Trilogy in 2012 which is a classic in my opinion. Kiss Land is a great follow-up to Trilolgy. He brings more electronica beats to this LP while singing from a dark and lonely place. It is R&B that is quite different from what yo hear on mainstream radio. I love this artist despite his dark point of view regarding love and relationships.