7 Artists Who Should Drop A Surprise Album Like Beyoncé
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The Artist: Jay Z
Why A "Surprise Album" Would Work: In a lot of ways, Jay's most recent album, Magna Carta Holy Grail, was every bit as surprising as Beyoncé's new album. Jay gave us a little more notice. But he announced the album through a commercial that aired during the 2013 NBA Finals—and then dropped it less than a month later. So when it comes time for him to release another project, it's only right that he outdo that effort by stealing a page from Beyoncé's playbook.
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The Artist: Rihanna
Why A "Surprise Album" Would Work: Whether she's throwing singles at the strip club, doing a show in, like, Siberia, or just taking selfies for Instagram, people are interested in what RiRi is up to. Just check her mentions on Twitter or peep how many likes she gets on IG. With that in mind, people would definitely be all over a surprise album from Rihanna. Her popularity is ridiculous right now, so people would pick up an unannounced album just to see what it was all about. We're actually a little bit surprised that Beyoncé beat her to the punch.
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The Artist: Chris Brown
Why A "Surprise Album" Would Work: Much like his ex Rihanna, Chris Brown has a legion of diehard fans who will flock to anything that he does. So even if he doesn't give them any warning about an album, they'll buy it simply off the strength of his name. Breezy's next album, X, also seems to be stuck in a little of a holding pattern right now. So why not breathe some new life into it by finishing it, getting it exactly how you want it, and then releasing it, Chris? People want it, so give it to them.
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The Artist: Lil Wayne
Why A "Surprise Album" Would Work: Weezy's next album, Tha Carter V, is arguably the most important album of his career. If it's subpar like his last couple of releases, he risks becoming irrelevant in the rap world. If it's amazing, he'll be right back in the limelight. But regardless, it's a milestone. And he could make it extra special by dropping it on iTunes out of nowhere one day, just to appease all of the Wayne stans out there. Our suggestion: Put it on iTunes on June 29, 2014, which is the 10th anniversary of the original Tha Carter. Now that would make a statement.
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The Artist: Drake
Why A "Surprise Album" Would Work: Doesn't Drake already kinda, sorta do this? Every few months or so, he takes to his blog and posts, like, four new songs. So rather than doing that, why doesn't he save up 10 really good songs and post them as an album on iTunes? If he's going to give out music for free anyway, he might as well make some money off it.
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The Artist: D'Angelo
Why A "Surprise Album" Would Work: At this point, people have been waiting for D'Angelo's third album for so long that he's ultimately going to disappoint a lot of people out there with it. The immense anticipation of it is going to make it underwhelming, no matter what it sounds like. That is, unless he surprises us all and throws it up on iTunes without any warning. That would send D'Angelo fans running to their computers and put him in the spotlight for at least a day or two. It would also serve as the perfect present for all of his fans who have been waiting for more than a decade for new music from him.
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The Artist: Kanye West
Why A "Surprise Album" Would Work: Remember when Ye released his single "New Slaves" by displaying a video for it on the sides of buildings all across the world? Of course you do. It was crazy, and it got a great response from people. We think a surprise album would get the same kind of response. Give it some time, it might happen.
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