Heavy Hitters in ’99 Lineup

The Artist Formerly Known as Prince isn’t the only one looking forward to partying in 1999. Record companies are hoping they’ll be able to celebrate the success over the next few months of some promising newcomers and some successful veterans.

Among the artists who are expected to have albums headed our way over the next six months:

Silkk the Shocker (No Limit): Last year, it seemed as if everyone who recorded for rap impresario Master P’s No Limit label became an instant hit. “Charge It 2 Da Game,” Silkk’s No Limit debut album, sold almost 1.5 million copies, making it one of the label’s biggest-selling albums of 1998. With Master P reportedly retiring from solo recording to focus on running his music and film company, Silkk, who is Master P’s younger brother, is expected to become the label’s No. 1 star. That means his new album, titled “Made Man,” should rack up even more impressive numbers. (Due in stores Jan. 19.)

TLC (Arista/LaFace): This Atlanta-based trio has endured a turbulent hiatus since the 1995 release of “CrazySexyCool,” an album that has sold an estimated 10 million copies. For starters, band member Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes was accused of burning then-boyfriend Andre Rison’s house to the ground in 1994 (she subsequently served a sentence for first-degree arson). Shortly thereafter, the trio filed for bankruptcy, which delayed any immediate plans for a follow-up album. Now that their personal and financial setbacks are behind them, TLC could reclaim their position as hip-hop’s top female trio with their third album, which was produced by the same dream team--Babyface, Dallas Austin and Antonio “L.A.” Reid--that produced “CrazySexyCool.” (Feb. 23)

Beth Orton (Arista): The 29-year-old British artist caused quite a stir among critics with “Trailer Park,” a 1996 album debut that fused traditional folk, stark electronic instrumentation and Orton’s haunting vocals. Her stunning sophomore effort, “Central Reservation,” is also her first for a major label. With the right promotion behind her, Orton could position herself as the mainstream’s hipster alternative to the Lilith Fair’s singer-songwriter cabal. (March 23)

Neil Young (Reprise): Not even his label really knows what Young has in store for his 35th album. The only thing for certain is that it was recorded without Young’s semi-regular backing band Crazy Horse. The rock legend’s music output has been wildly erratic as of late. After a remarkable string of creative gems, Young’s last album, 1996’s “Broken Arrow,” was anemic from both an artistic and commercial standpoint. But don’t count him out: Young is still capable of producing masterpieces. (March 23)

Tom Petty (Warner Bros.): Petty’s new album will mark the first time he’s recorded with the Heartbreakers since 1991’s “Into the Great Wide Open.” Label reps are tight-lipped about the sound of the new album, which was co-produced by Petty, Rick Rubin and guitarist Mike Campbell. But if history tells us anything, the singer-guitarist most likely won’t be venturing too far astray from languid folk-pop. (April)

Pavement (Matador): The venerable indie-rock quintet continues to produce provocative avant-pop. For their new album, this notoriously self-sufficient band has hired an outside producer for the first time, 27-year-old ubermensch of the moment Nigel Godrich (Beck, Radiohead), so expect a few new sonic wrinkles. (April)

The Backstreet Boys (Zomba/Jive): The Florida-based singing quintet made the world safe for peach-fuzzed heartthrobs again last year with its self-titled debut album, which continues to fly out of record stores despite having already sold more than 6 million copies. Subscribing to the “strike when you’re hot” theory of supply and demand, the Backstreeters are primed to release their second album in April, which raises the question: Now that nuevo-teen sensations ‘N Sync have made inroads into the Boys’ turf, will the little girls still understand? (April)

Chris Cornell (A&M;): The former Soundgarden frontman has been one of rock’s most charismatic and compelling figures for well over a decade, but it’s always risky for artists when they launch solo careers. Recorded with L.A. trio Eleven in their home studio, the album promises to be a radical departure from Soundgarden’s majestic grunge sound. (May)

Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott (Elektra): Elliott’s 1997 platinum-selling debut, “Supa Dupa Fly,” hit the hip-hop world with a seismic impact. A fresh and relentlessly inventive exercise in R&B-flavored; rap, “Supa Dupa Fly” offered streetwise irreverence and skittish beats that turned the Virginia native into a hip-hop power playa. Her as-yet-untitled second album--which, like “Supa Dupa Fly,” was co-produced by hip-hop’s reigning rhythm merchant, Tim “Timbaland” Mosely--may well surpass “Fly” in sales and secure Elliott’s position as one of pop music’s boldest talents. (May)

Tim McGraw (Curb): The goateed vocalist has been one of country music’s A-list artists for much of the ‘90s. His last three albums have sold more than 12 million copies combined, and he’s logged 11 No. 1 singles. Given his stellar track record, McGraw’s upcoming release, “A Place in the Sun,” should be one of the genre’s blockbuster albums of ’99. (May)

Nine Inch Nails (Nothing/Interscope): Trent Reznor has certainly taken his time making the follow-up to 1994’s “The Downward Spiral,” one of the most acclaimed albums of the decade, but it looks as if the rock auteur is finally ready to face those enormous expectations. (May)

Rage Against the Machine (Epic): Expect plenty of impassioned screams and depth-charge guitars on the politically slanted Los Angeles quartet’s third album. Like the group’s double platinum “Evil Empire” in 1996, it’s produced by Brendan O’Brien, whose credits also include Pearl Jam and Pete Droge. (May)

Live (MCA/Radioactive): Live’s last album, 1996’s platinum “Secret Samadhi,” solidified the Pennsylvania quartet’s reputation as the pop world’s leading arena-rock spiritualists, but that album sold only a fraction of 1994’s breakthrough “Throwing Copper.” In what may be an attempt to recapture some lost market share, the band has reunited with “Throwing Copper” producer and former Talking Heads keyboardist Jerry Harrison for its new album. (June)

Mary J. Blige (MCA): Hip-hop sex bombs such as Lil’ Kim and Foxy Brown may have stolen some of her thunder, but Blige is still Miss Thang when it comes to sales muscle. Her last studio album, 1996’s “Share My World,” sold more than 2 million copies. Last year’s lackluster live album should do little to dampen the enthusiasm of Blige’s largely female, largely teenage loyalists. (June)

In addition to this cross section, look also for new collections from Sting, Peter Gabriel, Nas, Sophie B. Hawkins, Blur, Collective Soul, the Cranberries, Tracy Bonham, Bush, Blackstreet, Blondie, D’Angelo and a second “Trio” album from Linda Ronstadt, Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris.