BIG KRIT 

The Mississippi native has proved countless times that he is a force to be reckoned over the years, however, many still haven’t gotten hip. His Southern tang is undoubtedly what sets him a part. Not only does Krit write all of his rhymes, as he mentioned before in countless songs, but he also produces most of his music as well. This month he released a mixtape, with a series of free styles, ranging from Erkyah Badu’s classic “Other Side of the Game” to Schoolboy Q’s “THat Part” that you can listen to for free on Soundcloud.

Bishop Nehru 

Working alongside the infamous MF DOOM, this 19 year old rapper from Nanuet, New York began his career at 13 years old. By 16 he had dropped his first mixtape, Nehruvia, with production from Madlib, MF Doom and many many more. Rapping over smooth jazz samples, he gives off a 90’s vibe and quite honestly has been beyond his time since he began his career. He’s received much support from Peter Rosenburg, the co-host for Ebro In The Morning, throughout his career. Nehru is still dropping new music and can also be found on Soundcloud and Spotify.

Bas 

Signed to J.Cole’s Dreamville Records and Interscope, Bas burst into the scene with his mixtape Quarter Water Raised Vol. 1  in 2013 followed by his first studio album Last Winter. This year he released his second album Too High to Riot and kicked his tour off on June 3rd. Bas is extremely lyrical, and much like his mentor, Cole, is excellent at telling relatable stories through his music. Whether it be witty, sad, or just the daily struggles.

Oddisee

An activist, producer and outstanding MC, Oddisee is a soulful artist that blends his passion of his culture and experiences in his music. The Maryland native has been rapping for sometime now, releasing mixtape after mixtape as well as performing on tours worldwide. In a recent video posted on his Twitter he stated “ I realize the very same thing that has me on tour right now (music) is my strongest weapon”. You can hear some of his latest releases on Soundcloud.

YGTUT 

Just a year ago, YGTUT debuted his mixtape Preachers Son. His voice is extremely distinct as he unfolds a story of growing up dealing with gun violence and gangs in his native Chattanooga, Tennessee, while also incorporating the soulful spiritual aspect of growing up in the church. Isaiah Rashad, who is also from Chattanooga, made a appearance on the tape, in the single “Sunday Service.“ Since then, Preachers Son has become available on iTunes, and he continues to drop new music as the Chattanooga native has a new project that is in the works.

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Oddisee during performance at Baby’s All Right

Today, Oddisee has surprisingly dropped his new self-produced EP, Alwasta. The 7 track EP blends the sounds of rap, funk, soul and jazz to give the MC an unique aesthetic of his own.

The DMV native has big plans for 2016. According to his bandcamp, Alwasta — which is an Arabic word that refers to a member of the community who acts as a connector using their wealth of social currency A.K.A. the plug —  is just one of two EPs dropping.

In May, Oddisee will be showcasing much more of his producer side with an instrumental tape right before he heads on tour with his band, Good Compny. As the tour wraps up in late July, he will work on his next solo album set to drop in the fall. The forthcoming project will be the follow up his 2015 critically acclaimed album, The Good Fight.

Stream and download Oddisee’s Alwasta below:

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There are many areas that are making hip-hop proud currently – “DMV” being one on the list. For those unfamiliar, it’s the area where Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia mesh, which naturally developed the now-universal byname. With its rather central location along the east coast, it’s safe and evident to say that musicians by way of the DMV area draw influences from above and below – and it’s something beautiful. It’s a bit tough to pinpoint a sound or specific influence as a whole when you hear it.

To name a few from surrounding pinpoints, do recall Wale, Pharrell, Clipse, Oddisee (as well as a good portion of Mello Music Group recording artists), Missy Elliot, Skillz, D’Angelo and many more. We’d say that’s quite a beautiful hybrid of artists, right?

Tef Wesley gave us the original “Gametime” treatment last year (2015), having released a video for it as well. Fast forwarding a year later to now Tef decided to round up fellow partners in rhyme Jered Sanders and Cane to paint the triumphant, guitar riffed, heavy drummed Grussle canvas. Grussle is an electrifying beatsmith, always paying homage to the traditional, neck snapping and atmospheric boom-bap-esque sound that we all love and want more of. DMV’s Dj Ragz (of the Jazz Addixx) brought his sharpest Ginsu knives to the table, per-usual. Do be alarmed. This joint is potent.

Lets not turn this into a long, exhausting review. Enjoy the record and be sure to keep up with the fellas as 2016 unfolds. Peace and love.

Tef Wesley | Jered Sanders | Cane | Dj Ragz | Grussle

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Purchase “The Feeling Of Flying” on Bandcamp – HERE

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Constantly on the road, it’s very fitting for Mello Music Group producer/emcee Oddisee to make a video to the aptly titled single, “Belong To The World.” On the track, Oddisee spits about the perils of growing up and not quite fitting in through his journey to feel at one with the world, while shunning politics, fame and all arbitrary labels. Directed by Zack Kashkett.

“Belong To The World” is off Oddisee’s recent album, The Good Fight, which features Grammy nominated singer Maimouna Youssef, DC vocalist Nick Hakim, Gary Clarke Jr. and Tranqill.

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Since releasing promotional single “Do Somethin’,” Boston’s G.O. has stayed relatively quiet. That won’t be the case for the next few months. With his official debut project The Hope near complete, the skilled lyricist plans to unleash a boatload of music throughout the summer and fall, leading up to its release. For the project’s first offering “I Wish,” the 22-year-old grabs veterans Oddisee and Fashawn for guest verses. Over production by fellow Boston representative Phenom, the trio of emcees put their lyrical ability on display and deliver rhymes about their wishes in life.

Take a listen to “ I Wish” below and stay tuned for more music from G.O. in the near future.

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Is Oddisee on your list? After his new release of his project “The Good Fight”, Oddisee should be on everybody’s list. If you never heard of Oddisee you could start at his instrumental project Rock Creek Park or his work with rap group Diamond District, where he contributes lyrics and production like majority of the projects he is involved in. Oddisee has created his own lane by having a variety of talents. Born Amir Mohamed el Khalifa in Washington,DC , Odd continues to be one of the most one electrifying independent artist if his time. A mystery to some because he doesn’t over saturate social media with meaningless post or dumb down his music to fit in. Underrated to others because he hasn’t reached a certain social peak. It has been 2 years since Oddisee last solo project Tangible Dreams, 2014 he released “March On Washington” with Diamond District leaving many fans with questions since no followup from the group as been made since the release. He says “It was all about timing” as I picked his brain about Diamond District , making 100k , wanting to work with Drake and more Listen Below:

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