Ice Cube

When it comes to discussing the history of hip-hop, rap legend Ice Cube is a name that cannot be left out of conversation. Although he has spent much of the last decade making movies, he still has not forgotten his roots as one of the pioneers of gangsta-rap. His new album, “Everythang’s Corrupt” will be release May 13 and is his first studio album since the release of “I Am West” in 2010. “Everythang’s Corrupt” takes Ice Cube back to his roots on the streets of Compton, Calif. as a member of N.W.A. The title track on the album calls out the political and social system currently set in place, and features Tom Morello, of Rage Against the Machine, on guitar.

Matisyahu

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For Hasidic Jew reggae-rap rocker Matisyahu, change and growth are two important aspects of his life. Matisyahu plans to continue growth as a musician early next month with his fifth full-length studio album, “Akeda,” which is set to release June 3. The versatile musician has come a long way since the release of his first album “Shake Off the Dust…Arise” in 2004. The new album was written while he was touring, and Matisyahu calls it his most introspective album to date. In a press release, the Grammy-nominated artist said, “This record and period of my life deal with madness, listening for and following the voice of God, the inner intuitive voice, a small still sound. This record deals with love, feelings of brokenness and humility, with humanity, struggle and sacrifice.”

The Roots

Since Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter formed Philadelphia based hip-hop/neo soul band The Roots in the late ‘80s, they have produced Grammy-winning music on more than one occasion. The Roots’ new album, “…And Then You Shoot Your Cousin” is set to release May 13 through Def Jam Records. It’s the band’s 11th studio album and the first group effort since 2011’s “Undun” and the 2013 collaborative album “Wise Up Ghost” with Elvis Costello. The Roots is a band that is consistently working; in 2009, they became the house band for NBC’s “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” and when he became the host of NBC’s “The Tonight Show,” the band followed.

The Antlers

Over the past few years, The Antlers have focused its indie rock sound into a dream-pop atmosphere. The band has been making use of heavy and slow melodies, which were made evident through its efforts on the 2011 album “Burst Apart.” The band then solidified this shift in sound with its 2012 EP, “Undersea.” The Antlers’ new album “Familiars” will release June 17. It presents this shift from rock to the dream-like with more complexity and grace. As of March 31, the band released a music video for “Palace,” the first song on its nine-track album.

Conor Oberst

Best known for his work with the indie folk band Bright Eyes, Conor Oberst is releasing his new solo album “Upside Down Mountain” on May 19. The album has a straightforward folk sound that is confessional and honest. It seems to present a sound about as intimate as what Bright Eyes put out on the album “The People’s Key” in 2011. Some tracks are quiet and calm and others filled with horns. “Upside Down Mountain” is as ambitious as Oberst’s solo work and the latter half of Bright Eyes’ musical repertoire. On that note, there is very little distinction from his past efforts, but Oberst is still consistently releasing new music.

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The Black Keys

The eighth studio album from American rock band The Black Keys, “Turn Blue,” will release May 12. The Black Keys came into mainstream success with 2010’s “Brothers,” which won three Grammy awards including Best Alternative Music Album, Best Recording Package and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, for the song “Tighten Up.” The follow-up album in 2011, “El Camino,” furthered the band’s success with another Grammy for Best Rock Album. As of March 24, the band released the album’s first single, “Fever.” If this song gives any inclination as to the epitome of the rest of the album, one should expect nothing less than perfection.

Both Kyle Sutton and Jake Saunders contributed to this story.

Kyle Sutton or Jake Sanders can be reached at 536-3311.