Mostly Hip Hop features this week on videos with a little @mattandkim thrown in. I'm still kicking myself for the multiple times I've passed on seeing Matt & Kim on concert and they're getting dangerously close to being put on my concert bucket list with Rage Against the Machine. I enjoyed the refresher from @DONNISMUSIC with his Gimme video. I forgot how much I liked that track.
And who wouldn't want to see @SnoopDogg and @asvpxrocky play virtual soccer? Or even better, Amy Winehouse in action on a @Nas feature? Kind of eerie, but it was cool hearing hew vocals over a Nas track. Anybody else really enjoy the black and white style that @bobatl uses on the majority of his videos? #DesignLove
If there's one thing that @DONNISMUSIC has down pat is the ability to churn out singles. With the help of @jayantmusic and @IAMSU he did it again this week with a new upbeat, booty shaking track Absolutely. Even better, he let loose the Soundcloud link for you to cop for free because he knows you're gonna tell all your friends how much you like it and probably play it at your big house party this weekend when all your friends come back to campus.
The track below will be a part of Donnis's new Break Hundreds & Hearts EP is scheduled to drop on August 28th. Also on the EP will be his previous single Hello Kitty that can be found on iTunes. I'm hoping that with each EP, he gets closer to the full length studio album that will be his big break. He's got the Top 40 singles down pat, all he needs is a litle marketing effort to get heard by the masses.
Maybe 2012 will be his year? "#ABH we break hundreds and hearts"...
Whole lot of Hip Hop this week with some of my favorite rappers on set for videos and trailers. As a casual observer, it sounds like the Detox talk is heating up in the Hip Hop community with seemingly everyone from 50 cent to @kendricklamar (below) commenting on the mythical album. Feel free to fast forward to the 3:20 mark on the @justinbieber video to hear him getting after a few classics from Pac and Biggie. Everyone hates on Biebs rapping, but dude can handle his own. I mean he's not gonna battle rap @eminem anytime soon, but for a kid from the burbs, he isn't bad.
Anybody interested in seeing Wiz and Snoops new movie? (crickets?) We'll see, but I'll always favor them on the mic. Catch me at the @DonaldGlover show tonight in Philly if you're in attendance...#HollerAtchaBoy
Slaughterhouse feat Cee-Lo - My Life (Video)
Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa – Mac & Devin Go To High School (Trailer)
Justin Bieber Rapping 2pac and Biggie on the Angie Martinez Show
Donnis - Hello Kitty (Video)
Kendrick Lamar speaks on Detox and his debut album
Last week, Volume 1 of @donnismusic's three part Snack Pack series was a breath of fresh air and set the bar high for the next two. While I don't think Volume 2 was as off the charts dope as the first one, I'm still finding myself adding his new track Hoes to all of my new iTunes playlists. He had released a snippet video of the track last week, followed by the real thing this week. Shout out to @godspaparazzi on the beat. All I can say is can I get a tomahawk chop y'all???? Braves or Seminoles...#YouPick
The second track is pretty solid in it's own right with cameos from up and comers @jayantmusic_TPK and @iamsu. The quirky synths and rolling clap beat are cool when combined together with a little tempo. Everybody could use another fun way to say they keep it 100, right? #KeepItBenjaminFranklin
I can only hope that Volume three follows suit with the first two Snack Packs and continues to provide me with quality music to share with y'all. All I know is Bout That Life with @therealjuicyj sounds like a heat rock and I can't wait for it to drop this week...
Either way, it's about time ya boy Donnis starts to get some love for the nice streak of new music he's been releasing. You'd think a studio album would be the chronological next step, but it took Wiz Khalifa a whole lotta mixtapes before finally making it big. I can only hope for the same ending for Donnis...#2012BreakthroughArtistWatch
Man it seems like a really long time since we've heard anything new from @DONNISMUSIC. If you're paying close attention, April 2011 was the last time he released new music via his under-rated mixtape titled Southern Lights. Good news is, he's not going to let that happen in 2012 and to start with he's releasing a three-week-long series will each include two new songs via Snack Pack mini-mixtape/zips.
To start with, check the partial video for his newest track, Hoes. My only question is where is the full version? Kinda strange to get a snippet video version of a mixtape track? #JustSayin
Anyways, my pick between the two tracks below is Gimme. The track is produced by @GODSPAPARAZZI and features @bsbdmusic. Until now I hadn't really heard of Blue Sky Black Death, but they're a young production duo out of Seattle. Always fun to learn about new up and comers, especially when they are a part of a noteworthy track. I'll put it this way, you'll listen to Gimme and the hook will stick to you like glue. There's something about the sweet melody that hits just right with the mellow vibe of the track.
On Bad as She Wanna Be, Donnis takes on more of his traditional role of talkin' shit on the mic and weaving together swagger laced one liners. I can see why a lot of others would pick this one as her favorite because of the repeat-ability and top notch verses with memorable bars like "Siri couldn't find her in a f'in pathfinder with a compass." Can't go wrong with either track below or his new song Hoes, which means Donnis is off to a quick start in 2012. #HeadsUpForVol2
Donnis - Gimme (prod by Gods Paparazzi)
Donnis - Bad as She Wanna Be (prod by Gods Paparazzi)
Like I alluded to about a week ago when I spoke of complete and utter disappointment when @donnisxdonnis's set got capped at the knees by the powers that be at Theater of the Dying Arts in Philly. I wish I woulda gotten to hear Donnis perform more than two songs from Southern Lights because it's got a few hidden gems in there if you give it a devoted listen. The track below is one of them and might be in contention for top pick on the mixtape with Me & My Boo.
The staggered, electronic sample on the hook mixed with the club bass is what drew me into this tracks. Daps & lbs are in order for @thecataracs who did the beat and did it well. I'm excited they're getting a chance to open for @UsherRaymondIV on tour. Definitely second guessing balking at seeing Ursher and Akon light it up onstage now that they're joining the tour.
Still ya boy Donnis shines on this one, calmly spittin' his southern slang all over the track. Even though my favorite tracks off Southern Lights can't even touch his best work on Fashionably Late, y'all should still give it a good listen because it's growing on me by the day. Also, if you're wondering what his favorites on the mixtape were, check out his recent interview with The Source.
About a month ago, during the heart of March Madness when the VCUs and Butlers were still wrecking shop on the industry heavywieghts, I ventured down to TLA to catch one of my favorite up and coming artists @donnisxdonnis. The irony on the timing of this review is that he just released his much anticipated Southern Lights mixtape yesterday via Karmaloop , which I'm still on my first full lap around as I write this. Sounds pretty dope so far, but you can be sure I'll find a way to run a mile around it before I make any judgments.
Alright, so, rewind back about a month and I find myself walking into Theater of the Living Arts confused as hell as I see @PETEWENTZ onstage with a girl I don't recognize and have never heard of before. As it turns out, he and Bebe Rexha recently former a band called the Black Cards and they were the openers for the opening act. Being a pretty hardcore Fall Out Boy fan at one point, I was happy to see Pete back in action, but at the same time mad as hell all over again because the group disintegrated. If you're curious how they sound, it's very upbeat, punk, reggae influenced music that sounds sorta like No Doubt. Not really my cup of tea, but it was sort of alarming when 90% of the crowd cleared the floor just to get an autograph from him, which left about 50 fans to watch the upcoming acts. Makes sense considering his 2.5 million followers, but to be honest (and he knows and admits this willingly onstage), it's weird to have a guitarist talk just as much or more than the lead singer between songs. Sorta goes against the whole hierarchy of tradition for band performances, but considering his popularity, I guess it's warranted?
For me, Donnis, not @TRAVIEMCCOY was that someone who I'd made a point this year to somehow find a way to see. As he hit the stage with a burst of energy, I immediately felt like it was a great decision to pay the price of admissions. Despite the sound crew sabotaging his entrance by muting his mic and making him literally replay his walk out song, Donnis took it in stride and even joked about it as he continued on. One thing was for sure, the diminutive crowd wasn't gonna hold back the characteristically charismatic MC from creating a party atmosphere. Below are two of my favorite tracks he performed, Tonight and Gone ...
Donnis - Tonight at TLA
Donnis - Gone at TLA
Front to back, it was a greatest hits so far type of performance where he spotlighted damn near every song you may have heard from him. I got more videos of him doing his new track Me & My Boo as well as his first breakout single Over Do It, but the audio is waaay to heavy so it's more for visual. All in all it was a great performance EXCEPT he was capped at the knees early when the powers that be shortened his set for some probably terrible reason. He got to perform maybe 6 or so songs before being CUT, which pissed me off quite frankly. Even worse, I was actually looking forward to seeing @xtothev, but he was completely axed from even getting on stage. I don't know who made that ruling, but it was messed up and ultimately made me feel like the money I spent on the concert was mostly wasted. No disrespect to Black Cards or Travie McCoy, but I didn't come to watch them, I came to watch one of the game's up and coming stars and y'all cut him short. Oh hell-to-the-naw...#VenueFuckery
I don't wanna sound entirely negative either because Travie did his thing, he held down his live-band-style Hip Hop sound, was engaging and funny throughout the performance. You'll appreciate his rendition of Billionaire below...
Travie McCoy - Billionaire at TLA
The energy was high throughout the concert, which kept my attention and gave some entertainment value. Still, I expected more from the lineup and am more pissed off at the powers that be for pulling the wrong strings for seemingly no reason. I came away wanting to hear a lot more from Donnis and feeling like I wasn't as big of a Travie McCoy fan as I thought. To each their own though, if you like his music, you'll enjoy his live act, but it didn't end up bein' my favorite cup of tea.
What you need to do is download Donnis's Southern Lights mixtape though, it's well worth a download and multiple listens...
Yet another great track off @donnisxdonnis's debut Southern Lights. This all coming before his performance and video shoot for the Me & My Boo video in Hawaii. Looking forward to the video, especially the part where his credit card melts?
Til then, the mp3 will more than suffice as Donnis shows off a laid back, melodic side, mixing in a catchy hook over a simple, but bouncy beat delivered by @freeschoolmusic. Put it this way, shooting a video for Me & My Boo in Hawaii is perfect because it will match the calypso vibe the beat creates. I'm not sure y'all appreciate Donnis much quite yet, but that time is coming. Feel like it's my job to keep posting his continually dope tracks until he catches on and posting videos like the one below with him in studio goin' in on his previous track I posted, Blackberry Molasses.
Dude's got talent, the swagger of a veteran and to top it off, even served in the armed forces, holdin' down the Air Force in Japan for a few years. Are you still worried he's not gonna put in the hard work to become one of the best? Yea that's what I thought! (T.I. voice). Give it a listen and please add his debut album to the likes of J Cole and Wiz Khalifa's because he's got just as much goin' for him musically right now...
Put it like this, in my starting five of the hottest Hip Hop artists out, you've got @drakkardnoir, @WIZARDCUD, @bobatl, @JColeNC, and the latest addition, @realwizkhalifa. When any of those five release a track, mixtape, freestyle, shoot even a demo track, people make a point to listen because there's an expectation of quality they've established through their recently released music. How does this tie into a new @donnisxdonnis track? Maaaaan you can't have a starting five without a sixth man! In other words, I'm looking for big things from dude coming off the bench this year and that'll all begin with his new mixtape Southern Lights.
In fact if you're like me, you've proactively sought out the chance to see what he's got in concert on the Sgt Schlepper's Who Needs Hearts Club Band Tour with @traviemccoy. Now, with Blackberry Molasses, I have another track to add to the setlist wish list as Donnis takes a turn for the soulful on his new track. With rib cage rattling bass we've come to expect from Goodie Mobb and Outkast via the ATL based Organized Noize, the slow, steady 808 bass thumps through the speakers to provide a the heavy backbone for the soul resonating from the choir delivered hook. Sidebar: Hip Hop needs a Dungeon Family comeback collectively, especially now that @theladykilla is a household name with his latest solo project and we've been waiting on that new album from Andre 3000 and Big Boi for like 8 years now (Idlewild was more of a Soundtrack).
Be sure to take notice of @the_real_crada on the beat too, he's starting to pile up a nice portfolio of work. In case you missed it, he was in on Drake & Alicia's - Fireworks, as well as B.O.B. & Lupe's - Past My Shades. In 2010, we saw Hip Hop become even more worldwide with producers like Crada (from Germany) and Stargate (from Norway) producing top notch Hip Hop tracks. Pretty cool to see the world catching on to the genre of music that has become the driving force for pop culture...
Donnis - Blackberry Molasses (prod by Crada & Organized Noize)
This just might be my #1 track when I send out my monthly song list in a few days, ranking the best in new music. Before I preface why it's such a great track, click on the video below to see Donnis perform the track on BET's 106 & Park...it's a big reason why I started liking the track so much...
Between this track, Over Do It, Gone and Tonight, there's plenty of reason why I continue to speak of @DONNISXDONNIS in the same "Blow Up Watch for 2011" category that artists like J Cole and Wiz Khalifa are in.
The track below is off his Fashionably Late EP that was released back in September.If you read this blog frequently, you know that I tend to favor tracks that are high energy and give the listener a feeling like they enjoy and appreciate the art or music they are creating. That sort of qualifying statement is a great start in describing I Made It, which has this uplifting tone to it that's infectious. It perfectly embodies the excitement and unfiltered joy that anyone should feel when they've really made it, making it a picturesque anthem to personify the feeling.
To say it's a feel good track doesn't really do it justice, it's beyond that...kinda like saying Donnis is going to be a breakthrough artist...huge understatement and I'm still buying his stock, drinking his kool aid, whatever you wanna call it...I'm in and you should be too. Proofs in the pudding, press play below and prepare to nod your head and smile...
Enter Matt & Kim, a dance/punk duo that has been together for about 6 years now after forming in 2004. Really all you need to know is that Matt is from Vermont, Kim is from Connecticut and they met in Brooklyn at a party while attending the Pratt Institute. Matt handles the vocals and keyboard while Kim handles the drums, creating an energetic, loud mix of synth, indie, pop, rock dance music. My description was probably so vague, that it's best you hear Matt's description of their sound in an interview with thenewgay.net:
"TNG: How would you describe your sound?
Matt: As far as having a short-description genre we figured that we fit into the category of dance punk. We try not to pigeon-hole ourselves. Some bands only play with the same types of bands, but we play with all different types of bands from hip-hop, to punk rock, to dj’s — we’ve even played with metal bands; any place that people want to get wild. We did a tour with Against Me & in contrast to them we seemed like the quintessential indie dance band. Now doing a tour with Cut Copy we seem kind of like a punk rock band. -Source"
To get a glimpse of their personality, check out the interview below from 2007 at South by Southwest where they talk about how the concept of SXSW is like cramming fun down your throat.
To me it's just cool to see an artist, or in this case a group, be that visibly ecstatic about performing multiple times a day and genuinely seeing it as more of a fun opportunity than a burden. They just seem like two happy people who love making interesting, boundless music that refuses to be normal enough to be keyholed into a genre or category. And as "Indie" as their music may sound, it's starting to get the attention of a lot of people...and when I say a lot of people I mean Hip Hop in general, starting with @kanyewest. And what is Kanye most known for and takes most pride in musically? Being a maestro when it comes to laying down drums. So when he was gushing about the drums on a Matt & Kim track, it's worthy of note. Read below:
Give a look and listen to the song titled Daylight that Kanye was gushing about from their album titled Grand released Jan 2009.
Matt & Kim - Daylight
|Download
I can't really disagree with Kanye's assertion that the drums are sick, they remind me of a lot of Neptunes (now N.E.R.D.) produced stuff back in the day (like this one). That song went a long way to get them on the map and as a result, their new upcoming album Sidewalks, due out November 2nd, should be more widely received and acclaimed.
As icing on the cake, it was announced this week that one of my favorite up and coming Hip Hop artists, Donnis is going on tour with them for a few dates in October. He called them "the king and queen of hipster music" when asked to comment about the tour. If you are looking to see them, @donnisxdonnis will be on tour with them from Oct 14 through Oct 31.
Below is their new single titled Cameras, which has every bit as much of an awe inspiring drum loop to go with the jumpy, rhythmic synth (especially from the 2:20-2:45 mark). I was a big fan of Daylight but I'm even more of a fan of Cameras, where Matt's vocals are increasingly more harmonic than on previous tracks I've listened to. To me it sounds like they're taking a step up in overall song quality that will do nothing but increase their likability and fan base. You be the judge and keep an eye out for @mattandkim's new album Sidewalks out early November...
With the way Hip Hop music works these days and music frequently leaking, it's hard to find a track whose radio rip leaks then doesn't surface for 6 months. This here is the exception to the rule as I was head over heels for the radio version of this track in March and I alluded to it in a mid-May New Artist Spotlight I did on Donnis. Yea that's right I did wait intently for the no tagged version for 6 months, it's a really good track, I'm not playin'.
Truthfully I'm kinda mad at myself for missing Donnis opening forChiddy Bang and 2 AM Club in Philly last week at TLA. Assist goes to B, my eyes and ears on the ground in the Illedelph who is quite the fan of that group who did a track with MGMT. I'm diggin' that big head video by the way, between that and Cudi's All Summer Long video, that fad must be in.
As far as the track is concerned, the proofs in the pudding and there's plenty of evidence why I was so high on @donnisxdonnis's placementin this year's freshman class. I did have the audacity to rank him above @REALWIZKHALIFA at the time, but now I see them neck and neck for the 2nd spot behind the beast known as @jcolenc. But this track has a real hype vibe to it on the hook with the whole "Shut the city down, shut the shut the city down" lyrics that almost force you to rock back and forth with a drink in the air. #YallKnowWassup
I know y'all probably caught the tagged version on @DEEJAYILLWILL and @CLINTONSPARKS hosted mixed Fashionably Late, but to me it makes all the difference to have the tags taken off. This has the feeling of a lead single and to be honest it would be smart because it has some radio appeal, it's repeatable and catchy, all solid elements of a track that could start to get him some legit buzz. Truth be told I hope more buzz is created because Donnis is still flying under the radar a bit and shame on you if you haven't heard his single from 2009 titled Gone.
We've only begun to see the ceiling for Ladonnis Crump and this may be one of the final warnings before he becomes a household name...#BetterBuyStock....check it...
Why do I speak so highly of Donnis you may be wondering? For one he's got that ATL drawl that fits in well with his storytelling ways and creative ad libs. He mixes an unflappable swagger with a touch of harmony on hooks that take the edge of his energetic flow and in your face lyrics. To this date the track that best exemplifies his style and potential is his new single Gone. He recently shot a video for the track where he shows off his playboy lifestyle in the club, as well as his affinity for rocking hats allsortsof differentways...
Quoteables from the track:
In the middle of the club blowin indo
rolling up a swishers sweet, as fat as Mr Winslow
cause right now only family matters
I came to shout at haters dreams kill they self esteem
don't try to make up now my ni**a this ain't maybelline
My momma asked me is the bragging really necessary
I say no but this sh*t is gonna make me legendary
and I apologize for cussing, but when it come to rap I don't apologize for nothing
I really did shortchange that track when I found it last August and completely slept on it for a solid 9 months. What I didn't sleep on was the first track that put his name firmly on my radar titled Over Do It. It's hard not to be somewhat awe inspired of the raw energy he bring to this track. He brings that "take no prisoners" style in his self righteous rhymes, proving that if you want to eventually live it, you have to talk like you're the best. All the greatest do it and have done it from the start of their careers (Jay-Z, T.I., Lil Wayne, Drake etc)
They don't wanna give it to me,
Ok fine I take it,
My momma told me that this life is only what you make it,
So I don't wanna blow no mo
I'ma over blow it
Do the type of shit that get her front row at the Oprah show
The passion is palpable, he's got that gangster edge to his rhymes that blends witty, intelligent, coherent rhymes, which set him apart from the average southern rapper who lacks in lyrical content. Verses and well done, change of pace hooks aside, his draw is the delivery, which is best exhibited on Over Do It.
The above tracks qualify as more "street singles" due to the somewhat abrasive, non-contemporary lyrics, which aren't as radio friendly. Enter his new song Tonight, which takes the same energy he brings to all his tracks, but channels it in a more contemporary direction. When I say that I mean he's not n-wording every bar, opting instead to go for more of a "Tonight we're gonna shut the city down" party vibe that fits well with the braggadocios swag.
This is the year that I've been waitin' on,
knew that it was comin'
been readin' my own palm
Now call me Dionnie Warwick,
readin' my own fortune
I'm bout to go corporate"
Look for this track to be his landing point in the pop culture eye as more and more people become familiar and recognize his growing talent and undeniable vigor. Check it...
Gonna be a fun summer sitting back and watching Cole and Donnis compete the way Drake and Cudi did last year for Freshman of the Year. Cole may have more raw talent and conventional ability as a lyricist, but whatever Donnis lacks in traditional measures he more than makes up with energy and swag. Tight race so far, we'll see who continues to get their name and tracks out there this summer....
Fast forward about two months and that has all changed as I've grown a much deeper appreciation for a few of the artists and can give more of an opinion. Before you read what I think, you have you watch a quick video where each of the artists perform a 1 min clip of their most well known tracks at a XXL promo concert...check it:
After watching that video, I went back to check and see if I had grabbed a few of the tracks that were performed and I found a few of them in the library, but had neglected to give them more than one listen. Weird how watching one performance of a song can take a track from "completely passed over" to "my new favorite track". Here's where I think they're at right now:
1. J Cole - Definitely my favorite of the group and the one who seems to have the most "backing" from other "veteran" artists like Jay-Z. For example, who else on this list got to drop a verse on Blueprint 3? Yep, that's what I though...but that verse and respect from the "elders" isn't why I think he's the best. The proof is in the pudding as I dissected a few of his most recent leaks on my New Artist Spotlight, with Who Dat and Grown Simba being the two best reasons why I think he's at the top of this class.
2. Donnis - Hailing from the ATL, he has recently risen to the top of this list with his upcoming single Tonight. That new single came after two of my favorite tracks in the past year with Gone and Over Do It. Donnis hasn't had the quantity of tracks you'd look for, but I'm eagerly anticipating his Fashionably Late mixtape due out sometime this summer. Make sure and check out his performance of Gone in the video above...I literally watched him performed that, then went and found the track, which I had put on my August song list and then re-ranked it in the top 5 of the April song list I just sent out.
3. Wiz Khalifa - About a month ago if you would have asked me who my favorite was out of this group it would have been Pittsburgh native Wiz. Feels like way over a year ago when he came on the scene with his Say Yeahtrack, sampling Alice Deejay's Better Off Alone. Not many people recognize he has already dropped two albums, with his most recent being Deal or No Deal, which reached #1 on iTunes for a hot minute. Real big fan of the first single off that album titled This Plane. Look out for that second single Red Carpet (Like a Movie) produced by none other than Ryan Tedder.
4. Big Sean - Coming out of the mean streets of Detroit, it seems Sean has become good friends with Mr West. Oh yea, he also toured and became friends with Drizzy along the way and recently did a track with him titled Made It. I like his new track Bullshittin' more than the Drake collab though...sky's the limit with his talent and the group of friends he hangs around with.
5. Nipsey Hustle - This was actually the only pic I could find on the 'Net where Nipsey isn't throwin' up a set reppin' the 6 0 crips. Guess the gang life is still alive and well in South Central LA. Yet again, I gained a frame of reference with Nipsey on a track that he and Drake did titled Killer, where he absolutely stole the show from Drake. Most recently he caught my eye with this Run This Town (freestyle)...he's got that West Coast, Snoop Dogg diction that is every bit OG as his lyrics are thought provoking and creative.
6. Jay Rock - Another West Coast native, Jay Rock hailing from Watts, CA is starting to make some waves outside of the left coast. Truth be told, its a complete toss up between he and Nipsey for that #5 spot, but in my opinion they're both bringing some vitality back to West Coast rap that has been taking a nap for a number of years now. Favorite track from him is his new one Know Who to Trust, that epitomizes the classic West Coast sound with the haunting organ and strings (sounds slightly Dr Dre-esque). He's probably most well known for his collabo with Lil Wayne titled All My Life. His harsh, raspy dialect takes a little getting used to, but I wouldn't consider myself a huge Gangsta Rap fan, which is why I'm still warming up to him.
7. Freddie Gibbs - Freddie probably grew up in the harshest of living conditions, calling Gary, Indiana home for most of his upbringing. Recently being ranked in the Top 5 most Un-Safe cities, Gary isn't what you'd call a vacation spot. Right now I feel like I'm shortchanging him the most out of all 10 artists because many people believe he sounds like a young Tupac, showing he clearly has a lot of talent. As evident, witness his newest track The Ghetto. In my opinion, he brings a true Hip Hop sound that you'd liken to any NYC artist, very East Coast in delivery. My guess is he'll end up being in the top 5 out of this list before long after his new mixtape Str8 Killa No Filla and album The Devil's Palace (which is going to be produced by the legendary Alchemist).
8. Pill - Out of this list, you won't find a more unapologetically in your face artist like Pill. He also calls the ATL home and it isn't hard to tell with that Southern drawl of his. Interesting combination of wit and vulgarity, especially on his freestyle over Usher's Lil Freak. That track had me laughin' at some of the one liners like "And I only go Ham I go AbraHAM Lincoln" and "everybody done had her like corn in can". He's most well known for his booty shakin' Trap Goin' Ham song, where it's really convenient to compare him to a young ATL trapstar, T.I. It remains to be seen if he can evolve the way Clifford did, but getting on this list is a good start.
9. OJ Da Juiceman - Lord knows you've already heard the well-know "Eh Eh Ok" in the background of damn near every song Mr Vitamin C has been a part of (look at that damn orange chain above...smh). Judging by the copious amounts of gaudy jewelry and being a protege of Gucci Mane, you probably already guessed what I think about OJ. I still have mad love for that Supaman High track he did with R Kelly though, that beat goes HAARRDD and was a pleasant surprise. Still not exactly my bag of doritos if ya know what I'm sayin....
10. Fashawn - Really the only reason he's 10 is the lack of familiar material I've heard from Fashawn, who reps Grizzly City, CA (aka Fresno). Here's the best example I could find of his talent as a artist on his track F.A.S.H.A.W.N. Clearly he has a lot of respect for Hip Hop having paid tribute to Nas's Illmatic and he similarly takes pride in being a lyricist rubbing shoulders with Talib Kweli on Life's a Bitch. Definitely an artist that deserves daps & lbs for keeping it real and not needing the commercial success to validate his talent personally. He's already years ahead of Pill and OJ now that I've given a more thorough listen...keep that in mind cause this cat is talented.
released Jan 2009.
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