"MOST ANTICIPATED" OF 2010

5. Dave Young

Dave Young's powerful vocals were first heard on "Alone," a dope album cut from Mary J. Blige's "comeback LP" The Breakthrough. Since 2005, Dave Young has been signed to the Queen's imprint Matriarch Records, and Mary released two studio albums since then, and Dave has released none. Sooner than later, a debut LP should surface.

4. Marsha Ambrosius

After news circulated about Dr. Dre singing Marsha to his label, Floetry split-up immediately. Since then, Marsha has made her rounds as a featured vocalist, songwriter, producer, and even vocal producer on some of the decades' biggest R&B albums. Marsha's impressive vocals and delivery made Floetry hot, so her solo debut is certainly long overdue.

3. Johnta Austin

Producer/songwriter Johnta Austin penned some of the greatest R&B records of all time (i.e. Mariah Carey's "We Belong Together, Mary J. Blige's "Be Without You," etc.) working under super producers Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox. Since 2006, Johnta has been trying to bring his own project to light, and finally, his debut set Ocean Drive is slated for a tentative release. With impressive vocal chops, and an innate hit-making ability, Austin could make a strong impression amongst the masses, while music lovers and critics will be pleased with any outcome.

2. Erykah Badu

2008's New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) may have been too militant for the masses, but was a dope album nonetheless. Erykah recently disclosed in an interview that her new album New Amerykah Part Two: The Ankh is slated for a 2010 release, with a sound reminiscent of her debut set. Last time around, Erykah claims she was in a different place and very unhappy. Now things have changed for her and the joy she once had while recording her new album has been rejuvenated.

1. Fantasia

After the disappointment of her last studio effort and some personal and financial trials and tribulations, Fantasia is ready for a comeback and slated to release her third studio album in 2010. Reports suggest that Fantasia initially wanted to take a stab at recording "the vintage soul album," famously done by the likes of Amy Winehouse, Joss Stone, and most impressively Raphael Saadiq. Hopefully, she sticks with that motif. If done right, I'm imagining Fantasia giving us the 2009 version of Aretha Franklin's 1968 Lady Soul LP, or something darker in the vein of Nina Simone's civil rights period pieces.