Sales Showdown: The Race For Fourth Quarter Dominance

The busiest sales period of the year is about to begin! Many of the most renowned names in Urban music are preparing to release new albums in a effort to capitalise on the fourth quarter – October to December – sales rush, fueling what will likely be one of the most exciting eras of 2011. Yet, who will rule the roost?

Below is a list of the 10 most anticipated albums of  the remainder 2011. Check out the lineup and cast your vote in our mega poll:

September 27

J. Cole – ‘Cole World: The Sideline Story’

J. Cole made waves last year with his ‘Friday Night Lights’ mixtape and now, after months of mounting excitement, he is finally ready to release his ‘Cole World: The Sideline Story’ debut album. Featuring an appearance from Jay-Z on ‘Mr. Nice Watch’ and ‘Can’t Get Enough (Ft. Trey Songz)’, the record has already received several endorsements from critics.

Jason Derulo – ‘Future History’

Jason Derulo has scored several monster hits across the globe yet he has not been as successful with his album sales. However, the club-favourite is ready to try agin with his ‘Future History’ LP. The record incorporates 12 songs, including ‘Make It Up As We Go’, ‘Pick Up The Pieces’ and the smash hit ‘Don’t Wanna Go Home’.

October 24

Drake – ‘Take Care’ (Editor’s Choice)

Drake has been the darling of both critics and consumers since his breakthrough hit ‘Best I Ever Had’. Now, with the assistance of Stevie Wonder, he is motivated to take his success to new heights with ‘Take Care’. If his ‘Headlines‘ lead single, which has thus far peaked at #39 on the Billboard Hot 100 without any promotion, is any indicator, Drake will easily dominate all other contenders in the race for the top spot.

November 15

Nicole Scherzinger – ‘Killer Love’

Nicole Scherzinger amassed success across Europe and the UK with her hit singles ‘Poison’ and ‘Wet’. However, the Britney Spears impersonator has been unable to score similar accomplishments in the US so she is preparing to give it yet another try with a revamped version of her ‘Killer Love’ LP, which will feature her first Billboard Hot 100 top 40 hit, ‘Right There’.

November 21

Mary J. Blige – ‘My Life II: The Journey Continues (Act I)’

Mary J. Blige will release the followup to her classic ‘My Life’ album just days ahead of its 17th anniversary on November 29th. ‘My Life II: The Journey Continues (Act I)’  is already being lauded as a return to form for the undisputed Queen of Hip-Hop/Soul and will include the songs ‘Masterpiece’, ‘Midnight Drive’ as well as her new single, ’25/8′.

November 29

Monica – ‘New Life’

Monica has delayed the release of her ‘New Life’ album by just 2 weeks so that she could benefit from the peak activity of the Christmas sales rush. Comprising the controversial lead single, ‘Anything (To Find You)’ and the surprising ‘Until It’s Gone’, the project will follow her gold-certified ‘Still Standing’ LP.

December 6

Leona Lewis – ‘Glassheart’

Leona Lewis has declared that her ‘Glassheart’ album will showcase a more honest and vulnerable sound than we have ever witnessed from her. Preceded by the Dance-themed ‘Collide’, the record is reportedly a new musical direction for the UK’s leading songbird. Judging by the sound of the project’s title track, that may indeed be true.

Melanie Fiona – ‘The MF Life’

Melanie Fiona refuses to be classified as a one-hit wonder so she has promised to deliver the best she material that she has to offer on her ‘The MF Life’ LP. Armed with an edgy new look and the passionate ’4 AM’, the singer seems primed to break the dreaded sophomore jinx.

To be announced

Rihanna

With the premiere of Rihanna’s new single, ‘We Found Love’, merely hours away, the anticipation for her new album is definitely at an acme. Benefiting from the momentum of her ‘Loud’ project, which has produced 3 #1 singles from 4 top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, the Pop star is ready to battle for what could be her first #1 album on the Billboard 200.

Maxwell – ‘blackSUMMERS’night’

Maxwell has been avoiding the spotlight since his last televised performance on ‘Vh1 Storytellers’ in June. However, the R&B crooner’s absence from the music scene is simply increasing the already unbearable excitement for his ‘blackSUMMERS’night’, which remains on course for a late 2011 release.

So now that you’ve seen what the list of contenders, which new album do you think will dominate the fourth quarter? Make your predictions!