Isn’t this time of the year the best? Hip-hop nerds spend the last few weeks of the year reminiscing on the good, the bad, and the ugly of what hip hop had to offer for the year, while foreshadowing what the next 12 months will have in store. It should be noted that 2013 was a great year for hip hop and was quite successful for music’s elite–Drake, Eminem, Jay Z, Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, Kanye West. Jay changed the game with his new rules-spawning Samsung collaboration for Magna Carta Holy Grail, where he successfully sold 1 million copies prior to the album release; Beyoncé just shocked the world with her surprise visual self-titled album; and Drake, Em, and JT all went on to go platinum with their respective LPs.

So, with only a couple more projects to look forward to for this year (Biebs, in particular), the question remains: Who’s going to take over 2014? Since the lane for artists to be creative and in control appears to be wide open, here are 5 predictions of who will have 2014 in a vice grip. – Jason Holzman

1. T.I.

With 5 platinum-selling albums and 2 gold records, Atlanta legend T.I. has been one of the most successful artists of our generation. About a month ago, T.I. announced that he would be signing himself and his label Grand Hustle to Columbia Records. The deal was influenced by Pharrell, who will be executive producing Tip’s upcoming album slated for an early 2014 release. It seems like a smart move for both Columbia and The Kang, and it’ll be interesting to see what the Trouble Man sequel has to offer. With the label switch, Pharrell’s involvement, and the need to show and prove, T.I. is bound to have a big 2014.

2. YG

West Coast hit maker YG is next up. Literally. His debut album My Krazy Life is set for a March 18 release under Def Jam and Jeezy’s CTE imprint. With his new DJ Mustard-produced banger “Left Right” and his very popular track “My Nigga” featuring Jeezy and Rich Homie Quan, the talented emcee was able to build a substantial buzz to close out 2013 and set himself up nicely for 2014. Oh, and don’t forget about the highly anticipated Drake feature that will appear on My Krazy Life; the snippet sounds crazy. If the end of 2013 wasn’t proof, 2014 may very well be YG’s year. The west is on the rise.

3. Wiz Khalifa

When Wiz Khalifa dropped his first three mixtapes–Flight School, Burn After Rolling and Kush & Orange Juice–you knew he was becoming a notable figure in hip hop and a potential star. After his commercial success with mega-hit “Black and Yellow,” the herb enthusiast dropped his debut and sophomore LPs, Rolling Papers and O.N.I.F.C. to lackluster reception compared to his ‘tapes. Because of that, Wiz might have something to prove in 2014 with his forthcoming project Blacc Hollywood. It can be impactful, similar to his 2010-2011 run. You heard it here first.

4. ScHoolboy Q

The TDE camp seems to do no wrong when it comes to breaking and promoting their artists. Kendrick Lamar garnered incredible success with his debut good kid, m.A.A.d city, and now it’s time for ScHoolboy Q, Soulo and Jay Rock to make their well-deserved noise. It appears that Q is up next since we’ve finally been given the official release date for his highly anticipated debut album Oxymoron (Feb. 25), as well as a few potential cuts including “Collard Greens,” “Banger (MOSHPIT)” and most recently “Man Of The Year.” Point blank, Q sounds hungry. And with TDE’s complete focus on him at the moment, 2014 is set up to be his year. Can he do what Kendrick did? We’ll have to wait and see.

5. August Alsina

Despite all of the great hip hop we can expect in 2014, it’s New Orleans R&B crooner August Alsina that remains a contender in the race. His released a critically acclaimed debut single “I Luv This Shit,” released earlier this year, topped the Billboard charts back in October, making him the first R&B artist to do so since Jeremih’s “Birthday Sex” in 2009. Def Jam is in full support of Alsina as his debut album, currently untitled, is set for an early 2014 release. The soon-to-be star says to expect more honesty with this album, which is expected in today’s artists. The way he closed out 2013, and with his plans for 2014, August Alsina is on his way to having a big year next year.