My favorite info service, TWITTER, now has something called Trending Topics, which informs you about the most twitted topics of the time.
So who are the "trending artists" in hip-hop right now?
the most blogged about
the most twitted about
and hyped about artist on campuses
Big Sean
Big Sean hailing from Detroit is one of the newest artists on Kanye West's GOOD Music record label. He met Kanye West in 2005 and had his song 'Getcha Song' featured on Kayne's mixtape, since then he has also worked with Pharrell Williams. His first mixtape, Finally Famous Vol. 1 was released in 2007 and his second mixtape, Finally Famous Vol. 2 was released this past April. His album, Finally Famous is planned to be released this year as well.
Big Sean - Supa Dupa (mp3)
Big Sean - Who Knows ft. Mike Posner (mp3)
Big Sean -- Finally Famous Vol. 1 (mixtape) (zip)
Big Sean - U Know Big Sean Finally Famous Vol. 2 (mixtape) (zip)
Drake
I feel like Drake is the most hyped artist right now. I think he definitely has the potential to crossover into an arena where all types of fans will like him. I first heard of Drake in the spring 2008, when I heard his verse for 'Overdose On Life', which also features, Travis McCoy and Mickey Factz. After hearing him spit, I knew the kid was a true MC. My research showed me that he was Jimmy (kid the the wheelchair) on the popular Noggin teen show Degrassi. I then download his 2006 mixtape release, Room For Improvement and his his 2007 mixtape Comeback Season. Since then he has released Heartbreak Drake and So Far Gone, which has gained the attention of the mainstream audience. I have noticed that there has been a little change in his sound over the years, but I know he will become SUCCESSFUL if he stays true to who he is. When I think of Drake, I think of a attractive young guys, who hails from Canada, but in greatly influenced by Houston rap and artists like Lil Wayne and Trey Songs. Drake has managed to gain suburban teenage fans who know him from Degrassi and urban fans who know him from the songs he has been featured on with Lil Wayne. It is rare to see a young artist with such a broad following before releasing an album. Drake is a triple threat because of his singing, rapping, and acting, which he all does very well. If he could also dance, he would be the male Beyonce. lol
Drake -- Take You Down (mp3)
Download all his mixtapes at the mixtape section on the right
The artists above are all talented, but I am always most impressed when an artists has talent and originality. This because a lot of people can lyrical skill, but it real artistry when you can make your music your own.
So here is my list of upcoming musicians who will "change the game":
Kid Cudi
I'll make this brief, because you probably have heard of his name, but you haven't heard of ALL of his music. He was made popular, when Crookers did a remix of his single, Day n Nite. In 2008, he released the mixtape, A Kid Named Cudi exclusively at 10.Deep's website. In April he released Dat Kid From Cleveland. As the title of the mixtape says, Kid Cudi is showing the world that good hip-hop comes from places in the midwest besides Chicago. He chooses to rap over all times of beats like LCD Soundsystem, Ratatat, and N.E.R.D without name dropping to gain popularity. Kid Cudi is a breath of fresh air to the rap game, from his Justice x Surface 2 Air leather jacket, to his lyrical content to his remixes. Kid Cudi is not a one his wonder, he is just wondering why you haven't tried to hear the rest of his amazing music.
His album, Man on the Moon, will be released August 25th
Kid Cudi -- Plain Pat & Emile Presents a KiD named CuDi (mixtape) (zip)
Kid Cudi -- Dat Kid From Cleveland (mixtape) (zip)
Kid Cudi -- The Anthem Mixtape The Best of Kid Cudi (w/ music, video, pictures and wallpaper) (zip)
via Cudi Fresh
Hollywood Holt
As a resident of Chicago, I could never forget to mention the Hollywood Holt. This dude doesn't try to be anyone but himself. That means he is a breakdancing, moped riding, four-finger ring wearing, tatted up rock star who loves to juke them hoes. This summer he is touring with Lady Sovereign and Chester French and in the past he toured with Kid Cudi.
Hollywood Holt -- Hollywood (mp3)
Hollywood Holt -- Throw A Kit On That Bitch (mp3)
His mixtape, Holt Goes To Hollywood is no longer downloadable, but you can still hear all of his tracks online.
Ninjasonik
Hailing from Brooklyn and expressing it to the fullest, Ninjasonik is a hip-hop group who has a punk rock lifestyle. Ninjasonik is the group that tours with REAL punk rock bands. They have shows with the same face to face contact as a basement rock show, they crowd surf all the time, and they even skateboard and drink Sparks. They also have songs about their extremely tight pants and their love of art school girls. They have released the Tight Pants EP on Brooklyn's Cheif Records and are constantly releasing new songs on their myspace page. So check out their music, check their twitter and go to one of theirs shows, because they are a force to be reckoned with.
Buy The Tight Pants EP HERE
Ninjasonik -- Tight Pants (mp3)
Ninjasonik -- Negative Thinking Tight Pants (mp3)
Ninjasonik -- The Mix 1 (mixtape) (zip)
Ninjasonik -- The Mix 2 (mixtape) (zip)
via Ninjafahkinsonik Youtube Page
Theophilus London
Theophilus London is another artist that proves that Chicago's biggest competition for having LEADERS OF THE NEW SCHOOL is Brooklyn artists. He is the type of artist that makes you forget completely about what genre of music you are listening to, until you are woken up by his fierce rhymes and flow. Theophilus takes MCs to a new level by using classic beats in a very unconventional manner. He recently modeled the Fall '08 line for the popular streetwear brand, Rocksmith and is known for having his own unique fashion style.
Theophilus London - JAM! (mp3)
Theophilus London - Leader of the New School (mp3)
Theophilus London -- Jam! (mixtape) (zip)
Theophilus London--This Charming Mixtape (mixtape) (zip)
Travis McCoy
He is currently the rapper/lead singer of upstate New York's Gym Class Heroes, which is a band that had a lot changes in the way that they sound since their first independently album, ...For The Kids came out in 2004, whether is is personal "maturity" or industry influence, the group has went through a lot of transformations. However outside of his main project, Travis McCoy has had several impressive side projects over the years. One project is Bernie Allen with DJ Sie-1, who produced the mixtape, Who Is Bernie Allen. The other is Tequila Mockingbird with Nicholas Scimeca (partner of the successful music oriented Angel & Kings nightclubs). Besides his work with others, he is venturing out on is own with a solo career and he already has a deal on T-Pains record label (whom he toured with this past winter).
Travis McCoy -- Can't Wait feat. Stress (mp3)
Travis McCoy -- Let's Get In On (mp3)
Bernie Allen -- Who Is Bernie Allen (mixtape) (zip)
Tequila Mockingbird -- Snowglobe (mp3)
Gym Class Heroes -- ...For The Kids (1st GCH album that is not sold in stores) (zip)
via 2dopeboyz
Tyga
He is Travis McCoy's cousin and is an hip-hop artist on Lil Wayne's Young Money Entertainment and also Decaydance Records, which mostly supports alternative bands. The fact that Tyga is signed to two very different record label shows that he is a very unique rapper and that he has the opportunity to do things that have never been done before. He is best known for his song, 'Coconut Juice', which features Travis McCoy. I read a YouTube comment for the video, that said it was confusing for Lil Wayne to be in the video because Tyga was a 'rocker', which meant he couldn't be a rapper. It is very rare for someone so mix up a rapper with a rock musician, so I was impressed to see he achieved such a mix up. Tyga shows his fans that your image is unrelated to the musical content you put out.
Buy his album, No Introduction HERE
Download all his mixtapes at the mixtape section on the right
via 2dopeboyz
Shwayze
Shwayze is hip-hop musician from Malibu, California that connects hip-hop with alternative music. Shwayze is technically the name of a solo artist, but all of his songs feature Cisco Adler. They are best know for their song, Buzzin and they had a MTV reality show with the same name. When people think of California hip-hop, they think about the gangster rap of Oakland and Longbeach, but Shwayze makes music that goes with the laid back side of California is that usually represented with more rock artists than hip-hop. Shwayze's first studio album, Shwayze, got a lot of attention and reached to the 10th Billboard chart position. It rumoured that their new single 'Rock n Roll', which has been remixed by Kanye West and The Knux will be on a new album titled that will be released in May.
Buy the self-titled album, Shwayze HERE
via Rah Almillio twitpicsThe Knux
Hailing form New Orleans but commonly associated with Los Angeles, The Knux takes their individuality to a whole new level. Best of all, its not superficial by any means. This can be told from their music, they ability to play instruments, their associations with people like Steve Aoki, and from personal conversations I had with the guys. These fellas are no joke. This is the type of hip-hop group that can name their favorite old-school hip-hop artists, punk rock bands, indie bands and the biggest house and Drum n Bass songs without blinking an eye. They talk about they're real life experiences and even throw in New Orleans references that might seem esoteric to some fans. They have opened shows for Q-Tip, Lupe Fiasco, Common, Nas, The Roots, Shwayze and The Cool Kids; and now they're finally headlining their own shows.
Buy the album, Remind Me In Three Days HERE
Curren$y
Truthfully, I have never been a fan of many artist that come out of the south. Its not like there's not a lot talent, because it definitely exists. But the rap that is usually produced isn't my cup of tea. In a recent live interview I saw Curren$y conduct with 2cents and Crescent City Radio, he admitted that in past he tried to be a person that wasn't himself and now he's finally being himself. Now I know this is a line that commonly quoted by artists of all genres, but I believe it from Curren$y. I can tell from his lyrical content to the people featured on his NEW album. His first official album, This Aint No Mixtape, features fellow up-and-coming artists like Mickey Factz, Trademark Da Skydiver and Amanda Diva. Until now, Curren$y was known for his MANY mixtapes like 'Independence Day', 'Life At 30,000 Feet', and 'Fast Times At Ridgemont Fly'. The song that really sold me was 'Modern Day Hippie' from the mixtape, Fast Times At Ridgemont Fly. It's a quality song that he used the term 'hippie' and not an overworked term like 'rocker'' to express his individuality. Hippies were known for being nonconformists who took drugs and that's a simple way to describe Curren$y. Curren$y is the type of rapper than you'll randomly see in New Orleans at Fresh Prince night at The Republic or at Streetwear Sundays. He was also featured in 10.Deep's "Nineteen Ninety-Now" lookbook for their Spring '09 collection. To New Orleans he's a common face, but in the future I know his music will be known all over the place.
Download his mixtapes HERE
Buy his new first official cd, This Aint No Mixtape HERE
omg what a coincide?
THE KNUX, CURREN$Y AND TYGA will performing TOGETHER
in NEW ORLEAN'S HOWLIN WOLF ON THIS SATURDAY MAY 9 AT 8 PM.
The event is called the Grand Expo Benefit Concert. It will feature The Knux, Tyga, Curren$y, Slang Angus, S.O.U.L. FRESH, Team Robot and N.O. Capo. The host will be Wild Wayne from Q93 and Force Feed Radio and Dj Spin will dj. The Howlin Wolf is at 907 SOUTH PETERS in New Orleans, Louisiana and it will be extremely packed. All proceeds of this benefit will go to the 7th Ward Neighborhood Center, which helps restore New Orleans' 7th Ward. The event will also have free giveaways from Nike SB, Crooks N Castles, Married To the Mobb, Fresh Produce Daily and Fat Kids With Cake.
Before the show, The Knux will be on channel 6 at 9:30 am for an interview, then they will be PEACHES RECORDS for a meet & greet at 2pm. After the show, there will be an afterparty at The Republic (828 South Peters St) with special guests The Knux, Tyga, Curren$y, Drake, Dee-1, Team Robot, S.O.U.L. Fresh, Scooter and Detroit.
Cypher -- Forty Four Tours (mixtape)
S.O.U.L FRESH--I Don't Want To Grow Up (mp3)
TEAM ROBOT
S.O.U.L. FRESH
Photos via STICKYFINGERZ
Melknee the RnR Ninja
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