The consensus says Run the Jewels killed the game when they dropped their sophomore album, 'Run the Jewels 2,' in October. But like a Marvel character, the hip-hop game doesn't stay dead. New heat is dropping to close off the year.

Nicki Minaj's 'The Pinkprint' is clearly the biggest mainstream release to drop in December. Her singles haven't garnered as much acclaim as the stream of loosies and freestyles she opened the year with, but she will definitely sell units if the success of her singles are any indicator. Each of the singles she's released off the LP have charted, and 'Anaconda' is the highest-charting of her career at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Expect more than 100,000 copies sold in the first week when 'The Pinkprint' drops on Dec. 15.

Lil Wayne's 'Tha Carter V' is scheduled for Dec. 9, if you're still interested. The rapper has been promoting -- and delaying -- the effort for quite some time. He's got some bangers on his hands with songs like 'Krazy,' 'the Drake-assisted 'Believe Me' and 'Grindin'.' Weezy also has 'Gotti' with the LOX and the super sexual 'Day Off' featuring Flow.

Then there's J. Cole's '2014 Forest Hills Drive.' There hasn't been an announced single or much promotion -- just anticipation and the hope that his social consciousness translates into great music. His third album debuts Dec. 9.

Those who err away from the mainstream will get their treats, too. Kevin Gates' 'Luca Brasi 2' -- the sequel to his 2013 work, 'The Luca Brasi Story' -- drops on Dec. 16. Wu-Tang Clan's 'A Better Tomorrow' arrives Dec. 2 to less noise than the intragroup turmoil that preceded it. YG will also come through with a soundtrack to his short film, 'Blame It on the Streets.'

Ghostface Killah's '36 Seasons' and power duo DJ Premier and Royce da 5'9"'s 'PRhyme' close out December's spate of notable releases.

Santa is looking out for the streets. Check out all of the new music releases below.

  • Warner Bros.
    Warner Bros.
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    1

    December 2

    Wu-Tang Clan, 'A Better Tomorrow'

  • jcolemusic.com
    jcolemusic.com
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    2

    December 9

    Ghostface Killah, '36 Seasons'
    J. Cole, '2014 Forest Hills Drive'
    Lil Wayne, 'Tha Carter V'
    YG, 'Blame It on the Streets'
    E-40, 'Sharp on All 4 Corners'
    PRhyme (DJ Premier & Royce da 5'9"), 'PRhyme'

  • Young Money
    Young Money
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    3

    December 15

    Nicki Minaj, 'The Pinkprint'

     

  • Atlantic
    Atlantic
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    4

    December 16

    Kevin Gates, 'Luca Brasi 2'

  • Craig Barritt, Getty Images
    Craig Barritt, Getty Images
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    5

    December 23

    Tyga, 'The Gold Album: 18th Dynasty'

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