Hip-hop has always been at its best in the face of adversity. Whether it was the despicable conditions of 1970s Bronx or the violent streets of Compton in the late '80s, rap thrives when weaker worlds would wither and wilt. 2007 has been the year when rap fought more battles on more fronts than at any point in its history; critics panned it, fans passed on it and the law pounced on it. But out of that manure, the last three months of this year will sprout highly anticipated releases jam-packed into a span that hasn't been witnessed in a New York minute. Odds are, it'll be a good fourth quarter...but how does each release stack up? Call us The URB Bookie, as I'll set the line for the chances that each release will see the store shelves before the New Year and whether it'll just sit there because it sucks. Note, the URB Blog doesn't endorse gambling, but if you know a place where we can bet on things like this, let us know.

Jay-Z: American Gangster

Odds on being released 1:1

Odds on being good 1:1

The line on this record has long been closed, but Hov found the inspiration that was lacking on Kingdom Come to create an album that immediately hops into his all-time greatest efforts. When you're Jay, you're only compared to yourself.

Nas: Nigger

Odds on being released 15:1

Odds on being good 3:1

Nas often struggles in supporting his always-controversial theses when he tries really, really hard (Hip-Hop Is Dead) and succeeds when he lets the smaller details drive his point (Illmatic). Under that criteria, it would seem like Nigger didn't have a shot, but it does. With a lot of ammunition and plenty of eager detractors, expect Nas to step up to the challenge. Just don't expect to see it before 2008.

Wu-Tang Clan: The 8 Diagrams

Odds on being released 5:1

Odds on being good 2:1

Wu-Tang releases never drop on time--and 8 Diagrams has already been pushed at least twice--so the line on its release certainly bucks tradition. Maybe it's the anticipation, or just gullibility, but our first two glimpses ("Watch Your Mouth" and "My Heart Gently Weeps") at Wu's first record in half a decade have been enthralling.

Ghostface: The Big Doe Rehab

Odds of being released 3:1

Odds of being good 2:1

It may seem odd that a Ghostface record would have the edge over a Wu record, but RZA has said that he pushed 8 Diagrams out of respect for the Ironman. Ghost has been the most consistent member of Wu-Tang since Supreme Clientele and while More Fish was too rushed, he's had plenty of time to work on his seventh solo album.

Lupe Fiasco: The Cool

Odds on being released 8:1

Odds on being good 10:1

Lupe has sophomore slump written all over him. Lead single "Superstar" features a fake Chris Martin on the hook and the only thing worse than the actual Coldplay lead singer on a track is using a grating imitation. Disrespecting the hip-hop gods, aka A Tribe Called Quest, doesn't do much for his karma, either.

Mike Jones: The American Dream

Odds on being released 3:1

Odds on being good 250:1

Asylum/Warner Bros. has been trying to release this record for nearly a year now, and that never bodes well for the artistic potential from a rapper who never cared about the artistic side of things anyway. It's been over two years since the Houston rapper gave out his phone number to his fans, but people are still asking, "Who is Mike Jones?" However, their tone has changed from curious to could give a f**k less.

David Banner: The Greatest Story Ever Told

Odds on being released 2:1

Odds on being good 5:1

No one is madder about hip-hop's outside-looking-in detractors than David Banner and no one is more articulate about voicing that displeasure. If Banner can keep his pulpit performances inspirational and not condescending, Mississippi's ambassador has the potential to release an album so important that a terrified mainstream media will be forced to bury it.

Saigon: The Greatest Story Never Told

Odds on being released 8:1

Odds on being good 6:1

That's not a reprint or even a response to David Banner's album title, but for Saigon, his debut was seemingly one delay from being called The Greatest Story Never Sold. But with his musical director being super-producer Just Blaze, the gritty NYC emcee who guest starred on an arc of Entourage is aiming to release an unveiling for the ages.

2Pac: The Best of 2Pac

Odds of being released 1:1

Odds of being good (no line)

Nothing can be counted on like posthumous 2Pac releases. It's now up there with death, taxes and bad Christmas movies. The tracklist makes a few interesting choices, but it can't escape the fact that it just feels like yet another tarnish on the man's legacy.

Beanie Sigel: The Solution

Odds of being released 2:1

Odds of being good 8:1

The Roc is in the building! And so is a crummy first single featuring R. Kelly. Beans' record won't move a ton of units, but it will be packed with plenty of dangerous street narratives and more moody broody than you can shake an emo kid at.

Freeway: Free At Last

Odds of being released 2:1

Odds of being good 8:1

It's a return to form for Roc-A-Fella, where every three weeks sees the release of another must-purchase; this one is from the gravelly-voiced emcee from Philadelphia. Freeway's record is co-executive produced by Jay-Z and 50 Cent, a fact that would've meant more three years ago, but is still pretty promising today.

Busta Rhymes: Back On My B.S.

Odds on being released 100:1

Odds on being good 10:1

Busta's release date has been so quiet (in terms of hyping the Internuts), that it just doesn't seem feasible to release it in the busy fourth quarter. Sharing a single title with the superior Wu-Tang song ("Watch Yo Mouth"), doesn't bode well either.

Wyclef Jean: The Carnival II: Memoirs Of An Immigrant

Odds of being released 2:1

Odds of being good 10:1

The original will.i.am is always dependable for moving big units and while he'll probably come out on top on this busy December 4th Tuesday, expect a sharp drop off in week two. Unless there's some amazing second single up his sleeve-featuring Lauryn Hill.

DJ Drama: Gangsta Grillz: The Album

Odds of being released 5:1

Odds of being good 5:1

Proper albums from mixtape DJ's aren't supposed to be good, but DJ Drama isn't just another mixtape DJ. The guy who helped make T.I. and Young Jeezy's careers, as well as ignite Lil Wayne to one of his best releases (Dedication 2), "Mr. Thanksgiving" will certainly pack his official release with rap's greatest.

Lil Wayne: Tha Carter III: The Leak

Odds of being released 2:1

Odds of being good 3:1

This mixtape collects all that's leaked from Weezy's exhausting output from the sessions that were supposed to comprise his official, first quarter release of a similar name. While some have shown an overworked artist, others have proved Wayne to be one of the most adventurous and talented emcees in the game.

Hi-Tek: Hi-Teknology 3: Underground

Odds of being released 5:1

Odds of being good 7:1

One of the most versatile talents in hip-hop production, Hi-Tek takes his two-for-two series in the opposite direction. By moving away from the big names that dominated his first albums, Tek will shine the light-and his daft musical touch-on emcees who may not have the star power, but will attempt to prove they have the chops.

Q-Tip: The Renaissance

Odds of being released 50:1

Odds of being good 4:1

Q-Tip has the worst track record when it comes to getting his records released-at all-never mind, on time. But as one of the game's greats, and probably the only rapper able to bring out Stevie Wonder for an encore (as he did in LA this fall), I can only doubt him so much. Look for this one to drop next spring (maybe).

Dr. Dre: Detox

Odds of being released 2001:1

Odds of being good (no line)

Dre already told the LA Times that he won't be releasing his swan song in 2007, which makes it more and more possible that he released his fair-well album in 1999.

Styles P: Supa Gangsta, Extraordinary Gentleman

Odds of being released 3:1

Odds of being good 9:1

It's an album, coming out from a member of the LOX. He's been dicked around by the industry. He's allegedly solid. He may be worth a click or two.

Scarface: MADE

Odds of being released 3:1

Odds of being good 8:1

Did the line "Scarface the rapper did more than Scarface the movie did to me," burn a bit of the pinache from Houston's OG? ‘Face invented the paranoid realism that is all the rage these days, but it's hard to imagine a single song from this release making any sort of impact. But it's guaranteed to make the heads ring.