Shep's Top 5 - Most Anticipated.

I'll be honest, I haven't been that impressed with much of the material that has been released in the first quarter of 2012. I don't know if it's just because I don't get much time to "sit" with an album like we did before the digital age or if there genuinely wasn't any quality music released early this year. Regardless, 2012 is still very young and there is plenty of potential for some quality music. Here's a look at what I'm hoping will change my life for 2012...

Frank Ocean - This is easily my most anticipated album for 2012. It's no secret that Frank is poised to have an incredible year. His Nostalgia, Ultra still finds its way into rotation and the loosies that he has dropped since have all sounded very promising.

Fiona Apple - Ok, so I know I said Frank Ocean was easily my most anticipated but I must add that the return of Fiona Apple is monumental. This woman's Tidal album changed my life. It's been almost 16 years since that album dropped and even though she put out music after that, Tidal remains her most prized work. It's been 7 years since her last album and on June 26th of this year she will release the next addition to her catalog. Check out the first single below.

Kendrick Lamar - Kendrick has the entire hip hop world waiting. His debut album is already shaping up to be the years best with Dr. Dre helping him out on the album's first single. I haven't been this excited about a hip hop artist in a very long time. Kendrick won't disappoint.

Action Bronson - Action Bronson has it all. He has the charisma, the look and most importantly the lyrics to back it up. Blue Chips was one of the few mixtapes from the first quarter that actually got some burn for longer than a week in my rotation. The Queens MC is set to release a collaborative project with producer Harry Fraud sometime this year. Should be pretty ill.

Dirty Projectors - Oddly enough, I found out about the Dirty Projectors through co-workers facebook status. I've been following the band ever since and was pleased to hear some new material from them earlier this year. Their next album is set to release sometime this year and if the sounds of this first single are indication of what the album will be like, then I will be impressed.