The Top 11 things I want to see happen in 2007 (and their chances of happening)

It was previously a top 10, but recent developments have brought about a change.

11) Another old head drops a classic - De La did it with The Grind Date, Masta Ace arguably did it with Disposable Arts and A Long Hot Summer, Busta Rhymes, CL Smooth and Dres held it down this year. Might someone from the golden age still have a smoking album left in them? Slick Rick, KRS-One, Rakim, Kool G Rap, what's popping? Chance: 38%

10) Eminem goes back to being the best in the game - Black folks hate him because he's white, black women hate him because he called one of them a bitch when he was 15. This doesnt take away from him being the best one doing it in his day, yes I'd even put him over Hova the God besides the fact that Jay has the stronger and lengthier catalogue. Chance: 20% because he's probably too wealthy and problem laden to really care about smoking out his competition

9) Talib Kweli makes a believer out of me again - The Beautiful Struggle lost me completely and I havent been impressed with his guest appearances since. But I've heard a few heatrocks from him recently so he may be focused with the forthcoming Eardrum. Chance: 45% because I'm still skeptical

8) A new Joe Budden album that was worth the wait - He's been promising The Growth was coming out for 3 years now. With Def Jam seemingly forgetting about him altogether he may be ill-fated to go to that big independent in the sky known as Koch. If he does come out this next year, will he really be able to release the album he wants to put out free of commercial records the label made him do? Doubtful. Chance: 40% because he may not come out at all.

7) Little Brother gets mainstream success - I'll consider 100,000+ copies sold to be mainstream success for a group of their stature at this point. They deserve it, people know their name but ultimately it's up to the push that the label gives. Supposedly things are gearing up to be a good look, but Phonte said he wont be shocked they're left out in the cold again. Chance: 60% because I want to be optimistic about this.

6) Saigon & Just Blaze to be the 2007 hardcore Gang Starr - He's a household name thanks to Entourage, with production from arguably the best producer doing it at the moment. Plus scary black rage is always a good look for corporate marketing. Chance: 80%, leaving the other 20 to unforseen circumstances.

5) Kanye West tops Late Registration - He's already said Common's Finding Forever is next year's best album, but we all know he laces himself with production that's better than what he gives anyone else. He topped College Dropout and left us all thirsty for more. When asked to speak on it Ye replied "I'm working on it, and it's very scary to anybody not involved with it". Graduation could seriously establish him as a hip-hop legend. Chance: 60% because he's reportedly getting help from Sa-Ra who are very hit or miss with me.

4) T.I takes his rightful place at Hip-Hop's helm since Jay-Z doesnt care for it anymore. - I've been saying it for years, he's the Southern Jay-Z. He's authentic to the streets and the mainstream (appearing on a Justin Timberlake single means you're major), he's released 4 solid albums (the first 2 are considered classics), sold 500,000 his first week this time around and heightened his validity by bringing us his protege Young Dro. With massive braggadocio and the lyrics to back it up, the game is pretty much his after this next album. Everyone from Puff to Jigga to Phonte recognizes that he's the one. Chance: 85%

3) Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2 to be better than Swift & Changeable (Ghost & Doom's album) as well as every Raekwon LP since the original - I may be asking for a lot but The Vatican 2 Mixtape was pure fire as was Rae's guest appearance on Busta's "Goldmine". An Aftermath LP pretty much means your production is amongst the best, let's just hope the Chef doesnt find a way to fumble. Chance: 40% because I'm a believer but I'm also using common sense.

2) We Got It 4 Cheap Volume 3 - I dont even have to worry about the quality, it's coming. Chance: 100%

The number one thing I want to see happen in 2007 (drumroll...)

1) Lupe Fiasco listens to Midnight Marauders - He made a blunder comparable to his hero Nas' worst. ?uestlove has tried to show him the light, hopefully the word will spread around the industry and rappers that he considers friends will have an intervention where he's forced to ingest this classic. I could place the album in his inbox, but who am I other than some kid on the internet with a blog claiming to know a thing or two? Chance: 29% because he seems stubborn and bullheaded. I wouldnt fault someone for creating http://smartenuplupe.com at this point.