The year 2010 brought Jersey punk rockers Titus Andronicus into the spotlight with its American history-themed The Monitor. There was also Kanye’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, maybe the hip-hop masterpiece of the decade. The year ahead promises more – much more – where that came from:

It’s been eight years since the Brooklyn trio released a rap album (in 2007, they released the all-instrumental The Mix-Up). Last June, Adam “MCA” Yauch announced he had a tumor in a lymph node, which delayed the album but also adds some specialness, since Yauch is now reportedly doing well. In this case, Part 2 comes before Part 1.

It was hard to conceive that Radiohead could come close to matching the exquisiteness of Ok Computer, but they did with In Rainbows. So it’s only natural that there’s excitement surrounding the Oxford quintet’s forthcoming record. The famously reclusive band hasn’t divulged a title or set an exact release date, though guitarist Jonny Greenwood confirmed in November that it’s “almost finished.”

It will be difficult to craft something as masterful as Fleet Foxes self-titled 2008 album, but these bearded hipsters are too talented to be written off as one-album wonders. Frontman Robin Pecknold has said that many of the tunes are inspired by trips to Big Sur.

After tossing recordings made earlier in the year, The Strokes will still release their first album since ’06 as planned. The self-produced 10-track LP was recorded at guitarist Albert Hammond Jr.’s home studio in the Catskills.

Nothing can stop Weezy: After a year in prison, the lyrical guru is prepping his follow-up to Tha Carter III, which sold more than 3.5 million copies in the U.S. Wayne has already released online the bass-heavy “6’7,” the album’s lead single.

Sonic Youth frontman Thurston Moore scored Beck to produce his third solo album. The pair has worked together before on projects including a cover of Yanni’s Live at the Acropolis. Benediction will feature harpist Mary Lattimore, violinist Samara Lubelski and even Beck on a few tracks.

This is the longest Dre has taken to make a record but it’s hard when you’re one of hip-hop’s busiest producers. Expect appearances from Jay-Z, Lil Wayne and Nas. Following the release of Detox, Dre announced he’s quitting the rap game and sticking to producing.

Just when you thought Perry Farrell and the gang were finished, they’re planning on their first new album since 2003. Duff McKagan, of Guns N’ Roses fame, was brought on to replace former Jane’s bassist Eric Avery and Rich Costey (Weezer, Muse) will produce.

This will mark the Peppers’ 10th album, but their first with new guitarist Josh Klinghoffer, John Frusciante’s replacement. Famed producer Rick Rubin – who produced several of the band’s albums including the genius Blood Sugar Sex Magik – reunites with Anthony, Flea and the gang on this one, three years after he produced their double LP, Stadium Arcadium.

“I wanted to make a record that was modern-sounding and steer clear of some of my tendencies, melodically,” frontman Conor Oberst – seen locally at Fernwood this past fall – told Billboard.com about The People’s Key. The singer-songwriter has also stated that the new tunes diverge from the country roots of past Bright Eyes work.