yU of the Washington D.C. trio Diamond District will release his sophomore album, The Earn on December 13. The Mello Music Group release will be available digitally, on CD and limited edition green colored vinyl. Largely self-produced, the 17-track album features contributions from Usef Dinero, Kev Brown and work with X.O. and Oddisee of the Diamond District.

Last year’s solo debut from yU, Before Taxes, was included in HipHopDX’s Top 25 albums of 2010.