Lloyd aims for the crown with King of Hearts, his fourth album and first since 2008’s Lesson in Love, boasting a royal lineup including André 3000, R. Kelly, Chris Brown, Trey Songz, and Keri Hilson. The smooth operator and executive producer Polow Da Don craft a star-studded set featuring everything from the hilariously raunchy “Dedication to My Ex (Miss That)” to the politically-minded “World Cry.” Did he deliver a winning hand? Find out below.

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Eight years after launching her solo career with her Grammy-winning debut Dangerously in Love, Beyoncé remains one of pop’s most formidable forces. With the release of her fourth album 4 in stores today, the 29-year-old singer explores new territory—mixing the hypnotizing sounds of Diplo and Switch (“Run the World (Girls),” “End of Time”) with Diane Warren’s big ballad (“I Was Here”) and Kanye West and André 3000’s old school anthem (“Party”). How did the critics grade her latest work? Find out below.

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Lady Gaga gives birth to one of the year’s most anticipated albums Born This Way. After breaking records with the empowering title track and stirring controversy with the biblical-minded “Judas,” the 25-year-old pop provocateur pushes musical boundaries with her ’80s-inspired opus, weaving in themes of religion, sexuality, and politics set to bombastic electro-pop beats. Her Little Monsters will undoubtedly eat it up, but did the critics? Find out below.

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Odd Future brought the ruckus to New York City’s Highline Ballroom last night. The West Coast gang performed an adrenalized show for a raucous sold-out crowd, with members Tyler, the Creator, Frank Ocean, Hodgy Beats, and more inciting mosh pits and stirring up chaos.

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Odd Future mastermind Tyler, the Creator unleashes havoc on the music industry with his much-buzzed-about commercial debut Goblin, landing in stores today. On the 73-minute set, the 20-year-old L.A. native stalks a girl as she showers (“She”), stabs Bruno Mars (“Yonkers”), and boldly conveys his sexual fantasies (“Bitch Suck Dick”). Did the critics award or abhor his outrageous behavior? Find out below.

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Wiz Khalifa rolls out his Atlantic Records debut Rolling Papers to stores today featuring the No. 1 hit “Black and Yellow” and Stargate-produced follow-up “Roll Up,” plus appearances from Too $hort, Curren$y, and Chevy Woods. Did the weed-loving rapper spark a flame or burn out with critics? Find out below.

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The last two years have been anything but breezy for Chris Brown as he worked to repair his tarnished image and regain his following. After 2009’s underwhelming Graffiti, the R&B star bounced back to the top last summer with singles “Deuces” and “No BS.” Now he faces his critics once again with his fourth album F.A.M.E. (Forgiving All My Enemies), available now. Did they raise him up or tear him down? Find out below.

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A lot has changed since Jennifer Hudson released her self-titled debut in 2008. The Dreamgirl tragically lost her mother, brother, and nephew, wed WWE wrestler David Otunga, gave birth to her son, and shed 80 pounds, but one thing that remains constant is her powerful pipes. The Oscar winner triumphantly reemerges with her sophomore album I Remember Me, in stores Tuesday. Did the critics welcome J-Hud’s return to music? Find out below.

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Following a very public battle with his record label, which culminated in a fan protest, Lupe Fiasco emerges to release his first album in over three years, Lasers. The Chicago rapper describes his third effort as “more of a popular record.” So did the critics beam praise on Lupe’s latest? Find out below.

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