10 Things to Expect in 2011

As 2010 comes to a close, the old adage "out with the old, in with the new" comes to mind. Over the last 12 months, hip-hop and R&B has been inundated with refreshing tunes, solid albums and drama. The BoomBox loves its fair share of controversy, but we're also focused on the good things to come in 2011. From highly-anticipated releases to singers posing nude, here's 10 things we look forward to in the new year.

Artists on the Silver Screen

Screen Gems

In 2011, fans of Ludacris, Bow Wow, Tyrese and Justin Timberlake are in for a treat that doesn't come in the form of a stage show. The entertainers are all set to star in an array of movies ranging from romantic comedies to action thrillers. Luda rides fast in the car flick 'Fast Five,' Bow Wow joins 'Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family,' Tyrese carries a gun in 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon' while JT rules over students in 'Bad Teacher.'

Cory Gunz Showing and Proving

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This year, Cory Gunz officially signed with the mecca of rap imprints, Lil Wayne's Young Money label. As of late, the Bronx lyricist has proven his position on the roster, rhyming alongside Weezy on '6 Foot, 7 Foot' -- the first single off 'Tha Carter IV,' and Weezy's first track post-prison. With Gunz' double-time flow and pompous raps ("N----- think they high as I, I come laugh at your ruler"), he's already on course to kill the competition.

Gov't Releasing Seizure on Hip-Hop Sites

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In November, when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) seized the domain names owned by two hip-hop websites -- OnSmash.com and RapGodfathers.com -- to combat piracy and online file-sharing, the 'Net started taking sides: record labels vs. blogs. While the legitimacy of the government's hold is still up for debate, we're anticipating the website owners will once again dish out exclusive tracks for the masses.

Rihanna's Next 'Do and Tattoo

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Chances are, even if you're not a Rihanna fan, you still pay attention to her steelo. When she first broke through, Rihanna was all long hair and sugary sweet, but once the good girl went bad, a short, sassy 'do and a body full of tattoos were more her style. While some say she's sporting the look of a Fraggle these days, next year RiRi may just chop it all off and go bald to show off that Matt Kemp ink she'll most likely get on her neck.

Joe Budden Keeping His Chick

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Joe Budden's rhymes are tight but the New Jersey native seems to draw more attention for the women he dates rather than his music. In 2009, after ending a five-year relationship with model Tahiry, the Slaughterhouse member moved on to model/rapper Somaya Reece. Short-lived as that romance was, Budden then found love, and a whole lot of cleavage, in model Esther Baxter. We wish them the best, but Joey's track record proves he could be on to the next by V-Day.

Rappers and Singers Returning to Jail

2010 saw a multitude of rappers and crooners sitting inside a prison cell, which is why we're sure 2011 will be chock full of the same. T.I. and DMX must've bought time-shares in the slammer seeing as both have returned to lock-up. Yet, it's artists like Waka Flocka Flame who could possibly join the ranks of jailed rhymers in the coming weeks, after cops recently raided his Atlanta home and found handguns, marijuana and prescription drugs on the premises.

Lil' Kim and Nicki Minaj Making Peace

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Hip-hop beef hasn't been this entertaining since Jay-Z and Nas declared verbal war on one another in 2001, with a feud that lasted until the rap stars called a truce via handshake on stage during a 2005 concert. But we don't see the Queen Bee and Head Barbie dragging out their tiff like that. By 2011, Nicki's increasing album sales and MAC collaboration should allow her to afford Lil' Kim's $7 million offer to collaborate on a track.

Mariah Carey's Twins

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Since rumors surfaced that the five-octave singer was carrying a bun in the oven, paparazzi never cut Mariah Carey nor her husband, Nick Cannon a break. In early December, the couple satisfied inquiring minds by officially announcing they were expecting not one child, but two. With twins on the way, we're wondering which will score the good looks and which will carry on with the corny jokes.

Ciara Posing Nude for a Magazine

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In 2008, Ciara graced VIBE magazine's October cover in a shocking display of nudity. Though controversy erupted after the issue hit stands -- Ciara reportedly said her clothing was airbrushed away -- the 'Basic Instinct' songstress now tells Us Weekly that, for the right publication, she wants to bare it all. "Then when I'm 50," she continues, "I can look back and say, 'Girl, you did your thang!'"

Albums From Lil Wayne, Dr. Dre and Lupe Fiasco

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Highly-anticipated auditory pleasure. That's what fans are looking forward to with the releases of Wayne's 'Tha Carter IV,' Dr. Dre's 'Detox' and Lupe Fiasco's 'Lasers.' The three albums consistently made headlines this year even before official songs made their rounds around the blogosphere. Alas, singles '6 Foot, 7 Foot,' 'Kush' and 'The Show Goes On,' respectively, are temporarily satisfying hungry rap fans until the trio of main courses drop next year.

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