In 2016, new artists of all genres emerged on the music scene with more talent than ever. While more established artists continued to push the boundaries, resulting in some of the year's most captivating albums. The abundance of great music released could easily make it seem as if there isn't enough time to check it all out. Along with that, many artists have been touring since the release of their new projects, which could easily mean there would be no new music for a while. However, many artists have given us no sign of slowing down this year. From Chance The Rapper to Syd Tha Kid, folks have made it clear that they're pulling up to center stage once more this year. With that said, peep the 11 albums we are looking forward to. 

1. Chance The Rapper

Photo: Frank Hoensch

Chance The Rapper left quite an impact on the music world in 2016 with the release of his album Coloring Book. The project sported many features from the likes of artists like Kanye West, Kirk Franklin, Noname, and more. Since then, there have been rumors of Chance and Donald Glover aka Childish Gambino coming together for a collaborative project. In January, Chance posted a photo with Glover saying "Hawaii then LA, back to work #roscoeswetsuit." There's no word on a release date, but at least we can now see that it's in motion.

2. KING

Photo: Sharon Esquivel

The trio's rise to notoriety has been a slow-but-active bubble since the release of their 2011 EP The Story, which was subsequently sampled by Kendrick Lamar for his Section.80  track "Chapter Six." Since then, the trio released their full-length album We Are KING in 2016, which received acclaim for their pop-sensible vocals and soul-piercing songwriting over airy, spaced-out beats. Along with acclaim, the trio received a Grammy nomination. Their 2016 album was years in the making, but it feels as if they have their formula down to a science. It may just be enough to come back in 2017 with another full-length project. 

3. Kamaiyah

Photo: Hive Society

2017 is looking up for the Oakland rapper, whose A Good Night In The Ghetto mixtape along with her appearance on the hook for the heavy-hitting YG and Drake track "Why U Always Hatin'" has pushed her into the spotlight. The light was so bright that it actually landed her a deal with Interscope Records. Since then, she has taken to Instagram to confirm that she's been recording and new music is on the way. Let's get it! 

4. SZA CTRL

Photo: Afropunk

After venting about the status of her album via Twitter, SZA recently announced that her CTRL album is set to be released on February 3, 2017. Although the songstress made appearances on projects including Rihanna and Kendrick Lamar in the past few years, she is ready to give fans her full-length debut. If her lead single "Drew Barrymore" is an indicator of what is to come on her album, we're here for it. 

5. Sampha Process

Photo: Francesco Nazardo

Last year, Sampha teased fans with the tracks "Timmy's Prayer," and "Blood on Me" which left many yearning for more. After that, the singer made it known he had plans to release a 10-track album titled Process. This has been a long time coming, as his music has been in demand for some time. Even Kanye West and Drake tapped Sampha for his services on their records. Process is set to drop on February 3, 2017, via Young Turks. 

6. Bryson Tiller True To Self

Photo: Johnny Nunez

After gaining acclaim for the 2016 release of his T R A P S O U L project, Bryson Tiller took the time to tour and continue creating. In that time, he collaborated with Gucci Mane and even announced that he would be working with Drake. Since then, Tiller took to Twitter to announce that he has a new album on the way, along with the title which is True To Self. There's no word on who will be featured, but Tiller made it known that he would be working on the project non-stop until it was completed. 

7. Anderson Paak

Photo: Anderson Paak

Last year, Anderson Paak released two albums that garnered much attention from fans: Malibu and a collaborative album with producer Knxwledge titled Yes Lawd!. In the midst of that, Paak has been touring with his band The Free Nationals, who are every bit as talented as he is. Recently, Paak took to Twitter to announce that the band and himself are releasing an album this year. There's no set release date, but this is an album you need to set an alert for. 

8. Robert Glasper

Photo: John Rogers

The Robert Glasper Experiment's 2016 album ArtScience featured no vocalists but managed to include legendary musicians like Herbie Hancock, Terry Lewis and more. As one should expect, the musician and the group have been touring as well as working on new music. Glasper recently tweeted about the beauty of spacing when playing church chords, which seems like he pays much attention to other musicians, and is possibly in album mode. Stay tuned. 

9. Flying Lotus

Photo: Flying Lotus

After releasing You're Dead! in 2014 and blessing fans with random tracks via Adult Swim Singles Program, Flying Lotus made it known that a new project was on the way. There has been much speculation as to if his alter ego, Captain Murphy, would be releasing an album, which he confirmed with the release of the single "Crowned" via the Adult Swim Singles Program 2016. The Captain Murphy album is allegedly titled V and was set to be released by the end of 2016 according to the producer. Since that didn't go down, that leaves an open schedule for 2017. 

10. Jay-Z

Photo: Kathy Willens

Beyonce's Lemonade album released in 2016, which was followed by reports of Jay Z potentially putting together a response album. Since then, Jay-Z has been pictured in the studio with rappers like Rick Ross and producers like Zaytoven, so one can only imagine what is in store for Hov's upcoming project. 

11. Syd Tha Kid Fin

Photo: Deshaun Craddock

Many know lead singer Syd's airy and angelic voice from her group The Internet, but now the vocalist is gearing up for a solo outing with the album Fin. According to Syd, the solo album will be "a lot more mainstream" than the content she became known for through The Internet's 2015 album Ego Death. Syd's first single "All About Me" is an audible declaration of independence from the Ego Death sound, which is not necessarily a bad thing for the frontwoman. 

2017 may not be so bad after all. And if it is, at least we'll have a dope soundtrack. Is there anything on your radar that's worth including? Put us on, fam! Let us know who you're looking forward to hearing from this year.