While predictions are being made for the XXL Freshman 2014 class and voting is underway, it would be appropriate to compile a list that notes some artists that did not make the ballot and are also unsigned. Those listed for the 7 Most Promising Unsigned Artists of 2014 have, over the past year, created a buzz and a fan-base for themselves and have been mentioned on numerous discussion boards around the net. All of the artists display unique personalities that are easily distinguishable from the masses and are well deserving of some shine.

YC The Cynic

YC The Cynic is a golden nugget that should definitely be mentioned here. The Bronx, NY emcee has a few projects under his belt, but released his debut album, GNK, in 2013. He’s noted for being socially conscious and on GNK he thoroughly focuses on religion, race and power. His lyrical content will leave listeners pondering for days over various topics and may even strike up debates. It would be very interesting to see him collaborate with TDE’s Ab-Soul on a track or two just to see what the lyrical conversation would sound like.

Luckie Eck$

In recent years, Chicago’s new wave of talent has been steadily rising. There have been artists who have experimented with trap music as well as those who have followed in the footsteps of Kanye West and Common. Luckie Eck$ is a new artist from Chicago that is in his own lane. His Alternative Trap mixtape, released in 2013, displays his unique sound and lyricism. He recently released a song and an accompanying video entitled “Boomin.” Cloud Sessions directed a mini-documentary entitled, Still Stuck In These Troubles,  that shows the making of  “Boomin” and delves a little more into the personality of Luckie. He describes the production that is orchestrated by Plu2o Nash, as “ versatile with the best of trap and the best of alternative.”  We’re keeping our ear to the Chi and looking for great things from Luckie Eck$ this year.

Rochelle Jordan

We had to throw a curveball onto the list. Even though she isn’t a rapper, it wouldn’t be right to not include her in the mix. Rochelle Jordan, a Toronto native, has been around since 2011, releasing her first mixtape entitled ROJO and has since released P R E S S U R E in 2012 and the single “Follow Me” in 2013.  She embodies true R&B and has proven that she has what it takes to lead the genre. Billboard even placed her #1 on their Next Big Sound list earlier this year and hopefully we will soon get a new project too.

Marc Goone

With an album entitled, “I Am Not A Lobster OK” who wouldn’t want to listen?  The St. Louis rapper released his LP in 2013 and serves up some pretty down to earth lyrical content that is comical and entertaining. “Hunger,” “25 Bills” and “Chasing Rainbows” featuring Gloria Kim are all stellar tracks that standout. “I  Am Not A Lobster OK” is available for purchase and download via iTunes.

Denzel Curry

Denzel Curry’s name has been thrown around a lot in the blogosphere and most would have been willing to bet money that he was going to be on the XXL Freshman list this year. The Miami rapper, heated things up with the release of his Nostalgic 64 mixtape and he can only get hotter from here on. The SpaceGhostPurp affiliate was featured on the Get In The Game segment of MTV’s Rap Fix where he showcased his video, “Threatz,” which has over a million views on Youtube.  Nostalgic 64 features Lil Ugly Mane, Robb Bank$ and more. Denzel’s album is available for purchase and download via iTunes.

Michael Christmas

Boston’s Michael Christmas released his Is This Art? mixtape early this year, which generally received positive reviews. His sense of humor, meshed with old school bebop production, adds to the uniqueness of his sound and lyrical ability.  He’s one of the few rappers that comes across as funny while delivering clever punchlines at the same time. Michael Christmas pulls it off in a cool way.

Macon Hamilton

Macon Hamilton’s sound may remind you of Outkast’s pre-Stankonia days. Some of the production on his mixtape, Macon Going Ham, is reminiscent of Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik even though his flow doesn’t sound like a typical southern artist. The 19-year-old Georgia rapper is multi-talented, being that he writes, produces and engineers most of his own work.  He frequently freestyles over sampled beats with one of his hardest to date being over Kendrick Lamar’s “Rigamortis”.  Even though he’s already being compared to a young K.Dot, we’ll see what this year will bring for Macon. His upcoming project Rich By 19, Wealthy By 21 is scheduled to be released June 15, 2014.

Who did we miss? Tell us in the comment section below.

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What is more soothing than Rochelle Jordan crooning over an Illangelo beat? Illangelo and Rochelle Jordan have teamed up to produce “What The Fuss,” a short track that exhibits both artists stylistic abilities that mesh considerably well. Rochelle’s echoes can be heard over the beat that gives off a futuristic, dismal vibe, which is reminiscent of the sound that Toronto is currently exhibiting.  Illangelo is mostly known for his production with The Weeknd on Trilogy, as well as Echoes of Silence, but by listening to this track, he clearly has plenty of chemistry with Rochelle, also.

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When you think of regions with a heavy hip-hop influence, thoughts run to New York, Detroit, Chicago, even San Francisco–rarely Portland.  However, Portland-bred MC Wingate, is hoping to change that with his latest release, All Too Well.  The MC, who is a frequent collaborator with Canadian beauty Rochelle Jordan, has been working on his LP for over a year and a half, and the end result is a project with great songwriting, nice production and well-used collaborations. Listen to the stream below, and make sure to download the project as well.

The post Mixtape Download: Wingate – All Too Well appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The mysterious Twigs strikes again. Known for her provocative music videos and sparse, aching vocals, she continues to live up to her mystique. In this video, her vocals glide over the Arca-produced track as an aqueous being continuously dissolves and reforms into abstract shapes.

Sonically, the song is reminiscent of a distant trip-hop song or Rochelle Jordan‘s “How to Feel,” but when paired with such striking visual art, the comparisons weaken. Twigs isn’t branching off: she’s in an entirely different forest. Watch below and check out her bandcamp.

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As YouTube playlists, Soundcloud links, and Tumblr memes are becoming the dietary norm – what happens when the Internet comes of age alongside a generation of musicians who have grown up online? Red Bull Music Academy‘s new online mini series, HASHTAG$,  has taken the time to wrestle with this important question while exploring some of the most fascinating music to emerge from the digital ether. Going from the URL to the IRL, HASHTAG$  chronicle some of the most fascinating themes emerging from the web in recent times, from #cloudrap and #seapunk to #postdubstep and #trap.

The pilot episode dives into the world of #AltRnB  with a cast of alternative R&B artists like Miguel, How To Dress Well, Rochelle Jordan, KLSH, BadBadNotGood, and the former half of The Weeknd, Jeremy ‘Zodiac’ Rose. In a documentary like fashion, the musicians fill us in on their underground subculture of rhythm and blues and speak on the influence of the interweb in repurposing a genre many believed was on the verge of death. All this in under twelve minutes? Now Red Bull has got us hooked on something more than their drinks. Check the trailer and pilot after the jump, and stay tuned for the second installment. Each full episode will premier Tuesdays starting this week!

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Yeah, we’ve pretty much all accepted that Canada has taken over pop music.  As Nero put it to me, the American sound is kinda exhausted…  the consumers are ready for something more.

Enter Rochelle Jordan, hailing from Toronto, who’s just released this cut off her upcoming album ROJO.  It’s called “Sing,” and it features rapper Jon Connor from Flint, Michigan.

That In Search Of… x Radiohead album that Pat Preezy told us about?  It’s been “put aside.”

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