Mos Def
Available June 9
After three years of making excellent movie trailers (and less excellent movies) Mos Def returns to rapping long enough to resolve the question of how he feels about Barack Obama's presidency. Tracks like "Life in Marvelous Times" may have limited appeal at RNC headquarters, but they're full of the rhythm, exuberance and wit Mos Def showed on his early records. Slick Rick, Talib Kweli, and the Neptunes' Chad Hugo all make guest appearances, but sorry Be Kind, Rewind fans, no Danny Glover.
Listen to TIME.com's Summer Music Preview:
TIME's 100 Most Influential People: Did Your Pick Make the Cut?