In my opinion, XXL does a great job with the drama and hype around their annual list. Even though I don't touch the majority of the stuff they paste on their cover, they do a decent job of tapping into what's hot and what people are tuned into in the blogosphere era. So, just to clear things up before we begin, this is not a combative response. This is not WhiskeyTeeth saying they got things all wrong. This is simply our take on their idea with the artists we enjoy.
I'm not quite sure the "guidelines" that XXL has with their list, but I do follow one for Got Next: The nominated artists must not have released a debut RETAIL album before the first day of the year (January 1st, 2012) [It's fine if their free release turned into a purchasable album] . I follow this guideline because, to me, that's a true "freshmen". A Got Next artist is an artist on the cusp of greatness; one that has impressed and shown great potential before asking for your cash; a "rookie" on the rise.
I love hip hop of all types, but I'm not here to celebrate the same batch of artists that the rest of blogs laud (although a few of these artists may get coverage there). These are 5 artists that I believe deserve your attention and are consistently shelling out staggeringly good singles, EPs, mixtapes, videos, free albums and deserve just as much praise and attention.
Here are the artists that WhiskeyTeeth believes-- GOT NEXT.
Chuuwee
I found out about Chuuwee because, at the time, I was following Lee Bannon's work as close as I could. His social networking broadcasts led me to this young MC from Sacramento and song called "6 Feet Deep" from their collaborative project, Hot N Ready. Ever since I heard "6 Feet Deep", Chuuwee has not stopped his onslaught. What I wrote at the end of November 2010 in a blurb about his Sunday Afternoon EP still rings true to me:
6 Feet Deep
Ever since Chuuwee flipped every up and coming youngin' on their ass and sent them 6 Feet Deep, I have been hooked on his golden era ethos and work ethic. Judging by his output over the last month, Chuuwee isn't here to pound his chest and rest easy over a few blog posts and props. He remains ravenous, aggressive, passionate, and in tune to the talent he possesses, which can be heard in every freestyle and leak he has dropped thus far. This rare mix of desire and effortless aptitude reminds me of another recent Northern California MC success story, but before I make that bold comparison I will let you listen to Chuuwee's latest free EP and form your own opinion.
Sunday Afternoon is a Mini-Tape Chuuwee compiled in one evening. The Tape follows the timeline of how long it took to record and finish each track and features what the 19 year old Sanchez Rivierra does best-- murdering beats while brewing scalding cauldrons of early 90's nostalgia.
This gives away my "bold comparison" from earlier, but-- imagine the possibilities if Chuuwee could find his Exile? (Lee Bannon?).
I was comparing him to Fashawn in case you didn't pick up on it and I stand behind what I was saying. Chuuwee has what it takes and his work ethic and output is just as strong. The only thing he's been missing so far in his young career is a high quality, one producer project that could catapult him into the next level. Other than that, Chuuwee is one of my favorite artists of the past two years.
Check out our coverage of Chuuwee (singles, videos, free albums, and more)
Nacho Picasso
I'm writing this on the eve of Nacho's highly anticipated Lord of the Fly record with Blue Sky Black Death and I can honestly say I've never been this hyped for a release in over 5-6 years. That's what Nacho Picasso's 2011 album, For the Glory, did to me.
Driven by the sublime slaps of sound from Blue Sky Black Death and Raised by Wolves, Nacho shocked me with a debut album that I could not stop listening to. At first, his nonchalant style came across a little mundane, but that ended up far from the case. Nacho Picasso is one of the wittiest and mentally penetrating new MCs I've heard all year. His clever writtens and rapping style match the reasons why rap fans love MF Doom and Danny Brown and the ethereal production provided by the incredibly underrated BSBD and company only help his genius reach divine levels.
Admittingly, I've been a beat first guy my whole life, which is why I bothered to mention it taking me a second spin to fully appreciate Nacho's genius. But in 2011 I took a turn towards the lyrical and I think that's exactly why I appreciate this combo so much.
Blue Sky Black Death and Nacho Picasso are the best new thing out in hip hop right now. Period.
Download: Nacho Picasso- For the Glory
aDaD
I've been highly anticipating aDaD's supposed collaboration album with Exile, but I have heard nothing about where that project is at. Despite the mystery, I'm still highly intrigued by aDaD as an artist. I've loved just about everything he has put out and would love to hear him on a polished, full length project. I first heard and wrote about him when I was doing posts for Potholes in January of 2010 with "Sky" (later on the song changed names to "Slowly"), where I said:
aDaD- Sky (Slowly) (prod. Exile)
Heralded by two of hip hop’s most celebrated producers in Madlib and Exile, wind burned Chicagoan MC aDaD is an artist to watch in 2010. Currently working on an exciting project with the aforementioned MPC masher, Exile, aDaD is a smooth spittin’ sensation with an infectious tumbling flow and singing voice. A perfect introduction to this future blog buzzed barnstormer is the track below, “Sky“, featuring Radio-like transmissions from the hottest producer in hop hop.
aDaD, sporadic as he might be compared to other artists, always impresses when he appears. I have a feeling 2012 is his year.
Mc ADad "Never Let Go" by allnaturalinc
Boldy James
I was majorly late to Boldy James' Trappers Alley: Pros and Cons Mixtape. So late I never posted anything about it or him on this site (my bad). I accidentally came across his music while listening to a few random tracks on YouTube, downloaded the tape, and wondered why he wasn't buzzing as hard as some of the extra soft acts that blew up in 2011 around the blogosphere. Boldy isn't my usual cup of tea, but he hits that coke rap guilty pleasure button that all of us white boys have and does it well.
Download: Boldy James- Trappers Alley: Pros and Cons Mixtape
KeithCharles Spacebar
Peace to their entire crew (If I had a producer Got Next list, Ethereal would be all over it), but I'm feeling KeithCharles the most. I'd love to hear a KeithCharles solo with all Ethereal production.
Blurbs from my BeforeCommonEra post:
I thought Ethereal's ▲ B S T R ▲ C T I C ▲ was a interesting. I thought SUPERBUDDAH's Watch the Couch was cool. I think KeithCharles Spacebar's new album, BeforeCommonEra, is the best thing to come out of that camp so far. Period.
This LP is high off the same type of blunted atmosphere the SUPERBUDDAH album was in contact with, but finds itself floating on another stratosphere. KeithCharles shines as a solo artist and BeforeCommonEra will undoubtedly have hip hop fans pressing CAPS LOCK to express their love for what the Spacebar provided.
Download: KeithCharles Spacebar- BeforeCommonEra
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