2016 was one of the most star-studded years in music we have seen in quite some time.
Artists of all-genres released some of their finest and most appreciated material yet. From established pop stars like "Queen B" herself, Drake, Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Britney Spears to breakout chart toppers such as Alessia Cara, DNCE, 4-time GRAMMY nominee - Maren Morris, Shawn Mendas and Zayn. 2017 may not be quite as successful when it comes to music's finest returning at what they do best but, it's already been confirmed that it's going to be yet another rockin' year for fans of all genres. Here's why.
Here are the most anticipated albums from your favorite artist of 2017.
1. IGGY AZALEA
Since the rapper's 2014 release The New Classic (which produced hits "Fancy" and "Black Widow"), Azalea has released no new material. Her follow-up album, Digital Distortion was suppose to be released this fall after the album's first single, "Team". That was until her and fiancé, Nick Young split earlier in the summer. Azalea's team has promised fans that the album will be coming in 2017!
2. KELSEA BALLERINI
2015 was a really breakout year for the young lady who is being called the future queen of country by Rolling Stone. Her success this past year came from her widely successful #1 country hit "Peter Pan". The Best New Artist nominee at this year's Grammys has confirmed her sophomore album will be out in the Spring of 2017 and will feature songs titled "High School", "Roses" and "We Were Like".
3. KELLY CLARKSON
The American Idol alumni and 3-time Grammy winner parted ways with her record label since winning Idol in 2002, RCA after her 2015 release of Piece By Piece. She announced this past summer on Facebook live that she has signed with Atlantic Records and told her fans to be expecting a very soulful and emotional album in 2017.
4. DRAKE
Drake has been calling his upcoming release a "playlist", not even an album according to several sources. More Life was expected to be released in December after the rapper previewed four of the albums tracks - "Fake Love," "Sneakin'", "Two Birds, One Stone" and "Wanna Know." The album's release was pushed back into 2017 because Drake thought it needed "a little more tweaking".
5. FERGIE
The "Fergalicious" singer hasn't released a full-track album since 2006's The Dutchess. After the 2016 presidential election , Fergie released a sultry dance single titled "Life Goes On" as well as her summer hit, "M.I.L.F. $" earlier in the year. The two are rumored to be on her upcoming album that has been titled Double Dutchess, according to Yahoo!.
6. FIFTH/FOURTH HARMONY
Fifth Harmony confirmed on Twitter after their American Music Awards victory for Collaboration of the Year that they were currently working on their next album and that it was going to be "totally awesome" and their "best work yet", a
s sources have said. But after their split with member Camilla Cabello last month, this album could be called off.7. SAM HUNT
Sam Hunt has been stealing hearts in the country world for almost 3 years now. His 2014 release, Montevallo was one of the longest charting country albums for 2 years. It also produced the major #1 country/pop crossover hit, "Take Your Time". Hunt confirmed that his sophomore album is coming along but, he wants to release his new music in a different way this time. Whatever way this country stud decides, we know it will be breath taking.
8. LITTLE BIG TOWN
Yet another country album has got millions of fans anxiously waiting! Reigning ACM & CMA Vocal Group - Little Big Town released the first single off of their upcoming seventh country studio album titled The Breaker. "Better Man" was written by the group's good friend, pop superstar Taylor Swift and is currently climbing the country charts. The Breaker will be released on February 24th.
9. LORDE
2-time Grammy-winning pop star, Lorde broke out onto the music scene in 2013 with her chart-topping breakout hit, "Royals". Her debut album Pure Heroine was certified multi-platinum by the RIAA and was one of the year's best releases. In August, Lorde tweeted that her album was completely written and in the production stage. She also stated that she spent three days alone in the woods writing for the record. Talk about dark.
10. KATY PERRY
One of the world's biggest and top-earning pop stars - Katy Perry is expected to release her long-awaited fourth studio album in 2017. Perry's highly-anticipated upcoming album was set to be released in 2016 but, it got pushed back. Since after her release of the 2016 Rio Olympics theme song "Rise", the pop princess has been teasing new music all over her social media. Posting a tweet that said, "Ok back to the studio for me. 2017 is gonna [be] tight af." in October. Hang in there KatyCats, just a little bit longer!
11. TAYLOR SWIFT
Another major pop star, 10-time Grammy winner - Taylor Swift is also rumored to be releasing a new album in 2017. Swifties were expecting a surprise album drop back in October, since the star has released a new record every two years but, that's not quite what they got. Instead, Swift performed her only show in 2016 at the Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix and announced a behind-the-scenes partnership with AT&T. She also wrote songs for artists such as ex, Calvin Harris ("This is What You Came For") and country pals, Little Big Town ("Better Man"). Swift's new album will be her first since 2014's record-breaking pop release, 1989.
12. U2
One of the world's most beloved and awarded rock bands, U2 announced that they will be releasing the follow up album to their 2014 release, Songs of Innocence later this coming year. The band has reportedly written over 50 new songs for the upcoming project. The new album, Songs of Experience was produced by Danger Mouse, Ryan Tedder and Paul Epworth.
13. SHANIA TWAIN
The queen of country/pop and the artist behind the best-selling female album of all time (Come on Over), Shania Twain will finally be releasing new music this coming year! "I'm so overdue! I'm forever backing things up.", the former CMA Entertainer of the Year admits in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. Twain's upcoming fifth studio album will be her first release since Up! (which produced hits "I'm Gonna Getcha Good!", "Up!" and "Forever and For Always") in 2002.
14. JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE
Although there has been no confirmation yet, Justin Timberlake is rumored to be releasing his new collection of songs in 2017 as well. His song from the soundtrack of the hit movie Trolls, "Can't Stop The Feeling!" dominated the charts this past summer. If the pop superstar does release new music, it can be expected to do the same.
