Maintaining momentum is one of the hardest things to do in today’s music industry. We have new budding artists, competing with one-hit wonders, competing with veterans! Not to mention, with iTunes and online file sharing, the cost of music is at an all-time low --if not free. So far in 2012 the prospects look good, with major first quarter releases on deck for February. With Van Halen’s big come back, we’ve got our eyes on what other veterans are creating a buzz about a comeback in 2012!

 

Van Halen

Van Halen's new album, A Different Kind Of Truth, has debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. The rockers were expected to battle for top spot with singing sensation Adele, and that’s exactly what happened.

Van Halen’s album sold 187,000 copies in its debut week. It’s safe to say if it wasn’t Grammy week, Van Halen would have been sitting on top of the charts! Van Halen may still hit #1 with the launch of its 2012 tour. This reminds us of when Van Halen’s 1984 topped out at #2, never reaching the top of the charts because Michael Jackson‘s Thriller was cemented there.

This was an amazing comeback considering they haven’t released an album since Van Halen III on March 17, 1998. Rock fans all around are ecstatic to see a “real rock album” on the charts.

 

Madonna

The time has never been better for Madonna to reclaim her throne! Dance music exploded into the heart of America’s music scene in 2011, but Madonna has been drawing inspiration from dance floors for over two decades. Madonna's next album will be called MDNA, the singer has revealed. It is her 12th studio album, which will be followed by a major tour. With MDNA, she stands a very good chance at winning over a new generation of house and pop fans this year. It is said that MDNA not only refers to Madonna's name –the more controversial meaning is wordplay of to the drug ecstasy, aka MDMA. And just this title has fans tweeting things like “I can’t wait to be addicted to MDNA.”

 "Gimmie All Your Luvin" ft Nicki Minaj and M.I.A is her first single. It dropped at the end of January, prior to the star’s phenomenal Super Bowl halftime performance on Feb. 5. Fans, new and old are now patiently waiting in anticipation for this album to drop in March 2012.

 

 

 

 

 

Janet Jackson

Superstar sister of the great MJ, Janet Jackson, is rumored to be releasing a new album sometime in 2012. Her last release was Discipline back in '08 before leaving Island Def Jam. But don't look for a new Janet Jackson album anytime soon. She has been on a world tour supporting her 2009 compilation Number Ones and Discipline; and she has extended her world tour to February 2012. This makes us think she will be straight back in the studio as soon as the tour has wrapped!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DMX

Away from music for a few years, rapper DMX is planning a comeback with a spring 2012 release of his album. Scheduled for March 27, DMX’s seventh studio album, Undisputed, is being released through United Music & Media Group. Aside from his history with drugs and being in and out of prison, fans know DMX for his sincerity and honesty in his music and live performances. There is no doubt this element has been lacking in the hip-hop world for a while now, and hip-hop heads all around are taking DMX back in with open arms!

After being released from an Arizona prison over the summer, the rapper has been carefully planning a comeback, performing at the BET Hip-Hop Awards and doing an interview on 106 & Park. He also revealed a video for single Last Hope, which features a beat previously used by Drake. Let's hope it’s a better year for him than 2009 was. Fans are excited!

 

 

 

 

So, who do you want to hear from in 2012?!