New Music Releases – November 2014

Four years ago, Nicki Minaj was releasing her debut album, 'Pink Friday,' and Eminem was one of the many big name features ('Roman's Revenge') on the project. This didn't get as much attention as it should have; the music world was still in awe of the masterful 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy' released a few weeks earlier.

This year is different. Minaj and Eminem are competing for the biggest release of what's looking like a fairly dry month of music. Young Money's leading lady has stayed out of the headlines these past few weeks, so one can assume she's hard at work on her third album, 'The Pinkprint.' The possible return to her rap roots has been preceded by two pop singles: 'Pills and Potions' and 'Anaconda.' Thanks to the booty-filled video, the former became Minaj's highest-charting single at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Eminem's 'Shady XV' is a double-disc collaborative effort with the Shady Records crew. It's not two discs of new material, though: One is a greatest hits collection of Shady's biggest songs in commemoration of the 15th anniversary of 'The Slim Shady LP,' and the other features new tracks from Yelawolf, Bad Meets Evil, Slaughterhouse and Eminem himself.

Also, Raekwon's 'Fly International Luxurious Art' and 'Cadillactica' are the first big hip-hop releases of the month. Big K.R.I.T. has been carrying the southern legacy of OutKast and UGK with a modern perspective. It remains to be seen if he can pull it off on his sophomore effort, but 'Mt. Olympus' -- the lead single -- at least confirms he's putting his best foot forward on this one.

On the R&B front, Ne-Yo's sixth LP, 'Non-Fiction,' is on the way, featuring the Schoolboy Q-assisted track 'Run.' Mary J. Blige also delivers a new project with 'The London Sessions.'

Check out what's to come in November below.