2008 is seeing more releases from OutHipHop artist than any previous year since maybe 2004. The first half of the year was slow by industry standards, with releases from Foxxjazell, Captain Magik, MC Flow, Melange Lavonne, and Goddes and She. However for a music genre that is still in it’s early years, it was plenty, nearly one new release every month.

The second half of 2008 will see almost TWICE as many releases, with some more of the biggest names in the scene, as well as some new faces and names as well. The remaining months of 2008 will see releases from Prince Cat-eyez, Johnny Dangerous, Bigg Nugg, Tori Fixx, Deadlee, MC Envy, Best Inda Game, Salvimex, and Soce the Elemental Wizard.

This week, we will highlight these nine forthcoming releases, with release dates, comments from the Artists, and for six of these, you will actually get to PREVIEW the new material from their new CDs.

July 7:

The Catastrophe – PRINCE CAT-EYEZ

We actually have a copy of this, and will be posting a review shortly. Prince Cat-eyez tells us this is his very first release, and this album represents something a long time coming.

“3 failed record deals and now I'm doing things on my own and getting results. This album is something for the streets but still a representation of urban out artistry.”

With a 20 song track list, we think there will be something here for everyone.

August 5 (tentative release date subject to change):

Not Out The Game – BEST INDA GAME

This is a revamped re-release of some previous material with a bunch of new songs. Best Inda Game is one of L.A.’s best kept secrets as far as talented out hip hop Lesbian artists go, but we think with this release, it won’t be a secret any more. Check out this two minute preview track of songs from the forthcoming release, “Not Out The Game”. You can also check out the video for “No Money Round Here” right here.

Best Inda Game’s “Not Out The Game” Preview Track (click or Right Click to Save Target As)

August 19:

“White Hot” – JOHNNY DANGEROUS

It’s literally been years in the making, and we think that the best thing we can do to say about this is to post what Johnny told us, verbatim:

"White Hot" is a sweet and sticky up-tempo record that includes many of what some people would perceive as many indulgent guilty pleasures.

This sophomore CD represents the many different dimensions of my personality. I elaborate on dealing with my celebrity, my sexuality-in and outside the bedroom, my personal experience with the media, jealous-ass haters and other new emcees trying to come up on my fame and what I started. Remember, I'm the FIRST and only dude who spit hot and raunchy X-rated rhymes that had everybody talking. Love me or hate me, my mark has been made and I set the bar highly. I feel untouchable with this release.

The theme of this album is "White Hot." What more can I say? I was told I recorded the tracks with a fierce and impassioned attitude. In doing so, I felt that as I recorded, each track was exceedingly getting hotter and hotter. When all was said and done, it was just so intense that I had to call it "White Hot." The album definitely has more of an electronic vibe rather than straight up hip-hop. I wanted my sound to mature with me, rather than let what made the original Johnny Dangerous sound define me. I also wanted to reach a wider audience. I don't only consider myself an emcee or rapper, but an entertainer and an artist. "White Hot" is all about reinvention, and I'm certainly taking this CD and my image to the next level.

I love this record! It's been a long time in-the-making, but I know it's worth it! Ever since "Curious" dropped last year, everybody's been checking for the record. And now with "Dirty Is The New Black" STILL in rotation on the Logo "Click List" countdown, people are definitely getting anxious. Well, wait no more... WHITE HOT drops August 19!!!

August 31:

“Do Not Approach These People” – MC ENVY

This UK MC is a new kid on the block, and rather than release a mixtape, he is releasing a song of ten original beats and rhymes. The fact that he produces music is probably something that makes him inclined to do that. Here is what he tells us about “Do Not Approach These People”:

“The release is made up of the ten of my best tracks which I have written and produced throughout the last two years. The album represents my life experiences, views and achievements. The theme is My Life. I think the album as a whole is diverse, influenctial and independant and that most people will be able to relate to it in one way or another.

This is my debut album and will be released on the 31st August 08.”

September 2:

Nugget, Vol. 1 – BIGG NUGG

This is Bigg Nugg’s 2^nd full length release, the follow up to last Spring’s “La Revolucion”. This CD, “Nugget, Vol. 1” is about breaking the mold of what people think "gay" should look like or sound like and the continual theme is self empowerment. The collection of songs for Volume 1 is about self-love, confidence and growth.

“I feel this is my best work to date,” Bigg Nugg tells us. “I have put a lot more time and scrutiny in this album. I feel that I have selected the best tracks possible to start this "NUGGET' series.”

The album will be available on CD, and also a LIMITED EDITION DVD with bonus material only on the DVD. (Live video footage, personal photos, and more!)

Bigg Nugg is one of the artists who was able to get us a PREVEW. Check it out:

Bigg Nugg’s Nugget Vol. 1 Preview (click or Right Click to Save Target As)

September 16:

Couture (CR-2) – TORI FIXX

To say we are excited about this CD would be an understatement. We’ve heard over TEN full tracks from this DOUBLE CD, and let’s just say, we’re hot and bothered about it. Music critic Ernest Hardy called Tori Fixx “the most ready for Prime Time” in his review of L.A.’s HomoRevolution Tour in The Advocate, and this CD delivers on that premise of greatness.

Here is what Tori tells us:

“Couture (CR-2) is a fashionable body of work that's not Hip-Hop, House or R&B. It's all of the above and more. It is the completed version of my CD entitled Code Red which was rush released last year whereas now all of the songs are unedited and finished to my liking and desire. This album represents all things trendy, funky, fast forward and queer. There are 2 storylines going throughout this record the first follows the path of a man who's finally given up on love and is struggling with the process of becoming a very cold person (when it comes to all things romantic). The other theme is the battle against racism and oppression within the queer community. This is all done in and over lush moog sounds, killer melodies, catchy hooks and of course the beats are as hard and funky as ever. Every song has some assertiveness and bite to it which brings the songs together nicely. I am most pleased with this body of work and it is my most aggressive to date. All six of my CD releases have led up to this perfect 7th.”

He has provided a three minute preview of it for us:

Tori Fixx’s Couture (CR-2) Preview (click or Right Click to Save Target As)

September 30:

Life of Sin – DEADLEE (featuring Downlow)

This is the first release of new music from Deadlee since his now four year old sophomore CD, “Assault With a Deadlee Weapon”. Since Deadlee was catapulted to worldwide exposure in both the heterosexual and gay hip hop scenes last year, there is definitely a lot of expectations and anticipation for this release. Whether or not Deadlee and his producer/ collaborator Down Low will deliver is yet to be determined, but Deadlee tells us he is aware of the high expectations and He and Down Low have no intentions of letting anyone down.

"Life of Sin" is not the actual follow up to "Assault with a Deadlee Weapon",  but the introduction of his and DownLow's record label, Clyde&Clyde. It's a CD that features new material from Deadlee and introduces the artists on the label, including new songs from Deadlee, Down Low, and QPid aka Yung Shortee. Special guests will include the UK's QBoy and Salvimex with Guest Production from T.Fixx and DJ Pain 1. Deadlee has more info on this release in a comment to this post. Apparently the offical third Deadlee solo CD will come out in 2009.

The tracks for this CD have been closely guarded, besides what has been played on his MySpace (Bang!!!), we have only heard one full completed track and another piece, which is what makes up the preview track you are about to hear now.

Deadlee’s Life of Sin Preview (click to play or Right Click to Save Target As)

Fall, 2008:

Master of Fine Arts – SOCE THE ELEMENTAL WIZARD

Soce has not been able to pinpoint a date, but we are told it is a couple of months away. We are just going to lump this release under Fall, 2008.

Master of Fine Arts is his 3rd release (the first and second were “I'm in My Own World” and “The Lemonade Incident”; Dream de la Dream was a clean version of I'm in My Own World).

Soce says: “This album represents a deeper, more mature sound as I look out to breaking the typical molds and refocusing on building up a career both in and outside of hip hop, mixing in comedy and storytelling and adding in a slew of special guests, both gay and straight.”

You can check out his preview here:

Soce’s Master of Fine Arts Preview (click to play or Right Click to Save Target As)

November, 2008:

Rustico – SALVIMEX

The Spanish hip hop trio that contains “out” homosexuals merging cultures of Mexico and El Salvador but do not rap about being gay, but most people might not know, as their raps are in Spanish. This is the follow up to 2005’s “UNIENDO FUERZAS”. The CD features more beats from DJ Pain 1 and a number of collaborations. The CD is only half way completed, yet Salvimex was more than happy to provide us with a clip featuring four of the songs that will be on the CD, and are confident of the release month. Check it out: