Gym Class Heroes, 'The Quilt'

Backstory: As Gym Class Heroes lyricist-in-chief Travis McCoy transformed from unknown bedroom MC into the idol of a thousand bedroom MCs (a couple of VMAs in the boot will do that), he made a few famous friends along the way, many of whom show up on this fourth release for the emo-rap collective from upstate New York.

Why you should care: The time is now for Gym Class to bust the association with emo and make a break for the mainstream. McCoy is a bankable celebrity with a headlining tour with the Roots this fall. Plus, he’s dating Katy “I Kissed a Girl” Perry.
 
Verdict: Opening banger "Guilty As Charged" is as G-funk as it is immodest, with McCoy teaming with British singer Estelle while boasting "album of the year" predictions. First single "Cookie Jar" backs up the claim, with a little help from R&B king maker The-Dream and the Girl Scouts of America (he calls out Thin Mints among other favorite, er, after-school snacks). “Blinded by the Sun” has McCoy rapping over a classic two-tone beat all the way to the Patrick Stump (Fall Out Boy) chorus.
 
X-Factor: Busta Rhymes, k-os and Darryl freaking Hall all make appearances on the album.