Every year, Hip-Hop news magazine, XXL releases a roster of around 10 to 12 young rap-proximate artists who show promise as the next big Hip-Hop stars. Since 2007, the popular mag has executed a colorful rollout of their artist predictions titled The Freshman Class, with teaser videos, provocative cyphers, react content and the annual, highly […]
Read More INTROSPECTIVE: XXL’s 2020 Freshman ClassPsychadelic rap trio, 14 Trapdoors have added a new dimension to what Buffalo’s brand of Hip-Hop looks like. Their self-proclaimed sound, New Trap Boom Bap, combines the heavy-hitting style of risque punchlines to the whimsical ends of party culture. Releasing their highly-anticipated EP, Brain Aquarium last month, the group’s satirical banter and playful productions makes […]
Read More #BUFFACOLD: 14 Trapdoors drops “Brain Aquarium”With standing room only, groups of people squeezed into Bridge Studios last week to hear Classical Gifted for the first time. As smoke permeated the air, and hoodies fell over faces, the space seemed to get menacingly intimate. Blasting combinations of piercing drums, oozy synths and nostalgic samples from old cartoons, Cee Gee led his […]
Read More #BUFFACOLD: PRODUCER CEE GEE DROPS “CLASSICAL GIFTED”2019 was a year of growth for music. From Lizzo’s “Truth Hurts” to Roddy Ricch’s “The Box,” music was all about authenticity. Many of our urban faves scored hits that were made with an experimental steez, but also genuine intention. Sound Cloud rappers came out of the woodworks, album releases dominated social media, and R&B […]
Read More 2019: A Year of Unconventional ProgressIts been a while since my last post, and for everyone whose been wondering what Ive been up too – I’ve been writing about my favorite, and Buffalo, NY’s most notable female rappers over on QweenCity.com! The grand finale to my four part series will come to an end tomorrow and I will be back […]
Read More #Buffacold: QWEENCITY’S #FIERYFEMCEESIn the very short time that I’ve learned and discovered urban artists in Buffalo, one trait has stood clear here in the Nickel City, and that is originality. The heavy influence and competition coming from rhymers, singers and poets just eight hours south in New York City creates a sense of urgency here- And Hefebossup […]
Read More #BUFFACOLD: Buffalo’s Bad Boy, HefebossupBuffalo has it’s own fascinating coexistence. When my parents moved here from New York City over 20 years ago, their idea to settle down and start a family soon took its own interesting form. Their undying faith in God and unwavering passion in outreach had them and their three very young daughters (* at that […]
Read More #BUFFACOLD: A.I The Anomaly releases “Sippin My Tea”Many times after a rapper reaches success, their focus not only becomes music but of enterprise. The rise and fall of Hip-Hoppers in history has taught us that establishing businesses guarantees longevity in the music industry. Like Jay-Z and Kanye West, who have created brands for themselves down to the late Nipsey Hussle who has […]
Read More #BUFFACOLD: An Interview with Emci KyngThe Chicago-based rapper ups his eccentric creativity with a just over minimal array of sounds; from a salt-shaker to light piano reverbs. The adventure-time inspired tune dives deeper into Lou’s whimsical, yet aggressive world of sheer bravado and playful banter. The three-minute track enters with a woman’s vocals reinforcing the chorus to come; “I’m a buff baby but I dance […]
Read More #NEWVIBES:Tobi Lou’s “Buff Baby”With all the clout chasers and mumble rapping running Hip-Hop’s new school, sometimes it’s hard to decipher what music is genuine, even if it sounds good. A quick listen to “Loose,” creates a grey area of this constant debacle. The fourth mixtape by Louisville rapper Jack Harlow takes shape initially with a sparkling non-chalance and […]
Read More #NEWVIBES: JACK HARLOW’S “LOOSE”
