Make way for the new kids on the block
With 2011 coming to an end, I felt it necessary to go through a few of this year’s biggest new coming artists to the Hip-Hop scene. I’ve narrowed it down to five and it wasn’t an easy task. Throughout the year we’ve experienced artists who started from scratch recording songs in their makeshift garage studios, all the way to the young protégés of Jay-Z and Kanye West. So without further ado we’ll get started. (Keep in mind these aren’t in order of my own personal preference or their current chart sales.)
1) OFWGKTA (Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All)
The Californian rap collective OFWGKTA, have dropped on the underground rap scene like a nuclear bomb, wreaking havoc to everything around it. The 40 member strong group, which strangely only contains about 12 rappers and producers, released a bucket load of free albums and mix tapes around February. Creating a huge internet following, videos of their crazy on stage antics went worldwide. They aren’t only in this group for their shear shock factor either; it’s their diversity that won me over instantly. One member who goes by the name Frank Ocean, writes tender love songs and sings with a gentle and soft voice. Granted some are sprinkled with sexual exploits and drug use, his mellow and relaxing songs are not what you’d expect from these guys. On the other end of the spectrum we have Tyler the creator and Hodgy Beats, both overly hyperactive giddy teenagers. They’ve said themselves their music is simply “a mix between Hitler and Dr.Seuss”, I’ll let you work that one out for yourself. Other members include Mike G and Domo Genesis, creating a mix between up tempo bass engulfed beats and chilled out “stoner music”, as they like to call it. Overall the group is a breath of fresh air to the Hip-Hop scene, the type of air filled with obscenities, rebellion and carefree attitudes.
2) The Weeknd
The Weeknd is a Canadian Hip-Hop artist, who’s real name is Abel Tesfaye. He kind of crept up onto the scene this year, releasing a small mix tape late last year, and another full album in June this year, both free of charge of course. The singer/producer’s style can’t really be put into a box, purely because of its originality and distinctive sound. Upon first listen his songs are calm, heart-felt and amicable, until you study the lyrics. Another sprinkling of drug use and even more sexual exploits are uncovered. Although this time not in such a demeaning manner, if it’s possible to justify an album named after cocaine and cannabis at all. The 21 year old half cast Canadian has already teamed up with global superstar Drake, on his latest album “Take Care”. He appears on two tracks, and produces a third. His smooth and sensual voice combined with his distinguishable production skills result in some immaculate tracks, instantly addicting.
3) A$AP ROCKY
Rakim Mayers, who goes by the name A$AP ROCKY, is a New York rapper from Harlem that jumped onto the underground scene in October. His album “LiveLoveA$AP” received numerous praises for its grittiness and rawness, capturing his hard upbringing and struggles in New York City. The 23 year old lived in shelters with his mother for years after his father was jailed for selling drugs and his big brother shot in the street. He got his name from the group he joined back in 2007 called “Always Strive Always Prosper” when he began to rap. Although young and inexperienced, critics have tipped him to be a success after signing a $3 million record deal with Sony. The young New Yorker has a good production team behind him, with many of the beats from his album gaining extreme popularity worldwide. However his lyrics fall short on some tracks and repetition becomes a problem with some of his phrases. None the less, A$AP is an inventive artist and currently touring with Drake. His music varies from dark and heavy bass infused tracks, to more upbeat and lyrically powerful tracks. His fearlessness and in your face carefree attitude earns him a place in the top five.
4) Childish Gambino
Childish Gambino, real name Donald McKinley Glover, is a 28 year old rap artist raised in Georgia. Surprisingly he is also a well-known comedian in America and has appeared on many comedy sketches. Donald Glover has released music in the past too, such as his album “Sick Boi” and “Poindexter”, along with two mix tapes. However he has since moved onto more personal subjects such as alcoholism, child bullying, suicidal thoughts and relationships. He claims he wanted to move on from his foolish ramblings of his youth and onto more intimate matters. Gambino has many impressive freestyles circling around the internet, and is known for his solid identifiable flow of lyrics. His voice is quite recognizable as well, and he pokes fun of it in some of his songs. While sometimes hard to take seriously, there’s no doubt he has an abundance of talent is an ever progressing artist. The production on his most recent tracks has been seen as being a lot more polished and professionally constructed work. Although slightly older than the other artists in this list, Childish Gambino is certainly maturing as an artist and beginning to gain respect in the Hip-Hop community. He consummates a mix between smooth and quick vocals alongside up tempo beats very confidently, the sound of a snare drum appearing quite frequently. Glover will be in demand quite soon.
Kendrick Lamar is a 24 year old MC from Compton, California. He’s released previous mix tapes and an album in 2010, making his name in the Hip-Hop scene years ago. However, it’s only recently that the young Californian has come into the limelight. His last album “section.80” gained a lot of respect and positive reviews in the rap community and across the internet. Instead of going down the road of rapping about violence and excessive drug usage like his predecessors such as Snoop Dogg, Dr.Dre and Game have, he’s decided to take the other route. Well known along the West Coast for his powerful lyrics and intellectual ability when composing rhymes, he’s becoming a very promising young talent. Granted one or two of the tracks from his recent album have come under slight criticism, the all-round consensus was that it was a very well constructed piece of work. The beats on the album definitely compliment the lyrics and stand up well. Organ sounds, synthesizers, and bass were all used very effectively, fading into some jazzier tracks when Kendrick switches it up a little bit. It’s clear to see from his previous tracks and the producers he’s worked with that he has a unique talent, which is beginning to be commended by many in the music industry. Destined to work with some of the bigger names in the music industry soon, Kendrick just needs more publicity, and from there his career will take off. 
http://twitter.com/kendrick_lamar
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