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| Shout out to Kid Jims on the artwork |
Dom Kennedy
LT says: This dude is full of PURE INSPIRATION! He hasn't even "made" it yet, and he still might be the most insightful artist on this list. His most recent mixtape From The Westside With Love is good enough to be an album. An album that could really widen people's eyes to help them prepare themselves for Dom's takeover.
Twaan says: One of the hottest young talents representing the west coast (along with some down below), Dom Kennedy has proven, mixtape after mixtape, that he has the talent to make it big. He's got the smooth, laid back westside feel on lock, from reminiscing about his days growing up in Cali to his catchy hooks. Dom's been killin' it for a while now, yet still remains unsigned and under-appreciated.
KWT's favorite track: "Love the Future"
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LT says: Definitely a dude, in my opinion, that was completely slept on and shouldn't even be considered a "freshman" this year. He should have been on that XXL cover last year (this year?) with Wiz, Big Sean, and the rest of 'em. Not only is this guy smooth with the lyrics, but he is beast on the beats. Good things comin' soon from him, be on the lookout.
Twaan says: The Kid With the Green Backpack has been slept on for far too long. His witty, funny, and nerdy lyrics set him apart from everyone on their own, but the way he delivers 'em does even more so. Dude will kill anything he sets his creative mind to, but when he rocks to something made by his in-house producer, Seven, or his own production...whew, something crazy always results. Kansas isn't exactly a hip hop Mecca, but when 2011 is over with, their rep will have definitely gone up thanks to this guy.
KWT's favorite track: "I'm V!ZzY"
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Pac Div
LT says: You gotta be a damn fool if you have actually given them a fair listen and not liked what you heard. Everyone always says the cliches saying "they are saving hip-hop", well sorry folks but these three dudes are for real. I would highly recommend everyone downloading project from these guys.
Twaan says: Some more dudes reppin' the west coast are the LA trio Pac Div, made up of brothers Like (center) and Mibbs (left) along with long time friend BeYoung (right). After three mixtapes that can be described as nothing short of amazing, Pacific Division is slated to release their 4th project, Mania!, sometime this month along with their debut album, Grown Kid Syndrome, by the end of 2011. These dudes have recently spent studio time with The Neptunes and No I.D. and have been drawing comparisons to west coast legend Pharcyde with their California feel. Looks as though some people have finally started to recognize, but we think that by the end of this year, Pac Div will be a household name.
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Chip Tha Ripper
LT says: This Cleveland representer will be making his breakthrough with his upcoming project Gift Raps, slated for March 1st. I like that people have not completely stated him as Kid Cudi's little homie, cause he is much more than that. Sure him and the lonely stoner are buds, but what makes Chip different from the rest of em is his true hip-hop sound.
Twaan says: If any rapper puts on for his city it's definitely Chip Tha Ripp, as he's about a loyal a dude I've ever heard to his hometown Cleveland. With his drawl style spittin' and his smooth and rough but somehow smooth voice, Chip's lyrics cover everything from weed to money, women and, of course, Cleveland. With hip hop legend Hi-Tek, Kid Cudi, and Big Sean co-signing him, you know he's about to hit it big. Make sure to snag his latest project The Cleveland Show and head back here in March to grab Gift Raps...cause you're not gonna wanna miss these.
KWT's favorite track: "Waddup Bum"
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Mac Miller
LT says: All I have to say about Mac is newest favorite quote, "FUN IS 4 EVERYONE!" His mixtape K.I.D.S. is the bomb. If you haven't copped that one yet take a glance to the right and go get it! That is all, Twaan pretty much says it all...
Twaan says: Calls Pittsburgh home, reps Rostrum Records, and has Big Jerm backin' him up on the boards...we know what you're thinkin', Wiz Khalifa, right? Wrong. We're talking Mac Miller. This 19 year old is fresh outta high school and ready to take on the limelight on his own after what some people may describe as a period of being overshadowed by his star label mate. We don't think of him that way though, as dude's been killin' it ever since his early high school days. With a completely ill mixtape, K.I.D.S., some dope features, and tour slots, Mac is ready to prove to people that he is and always has been more than Wiz's homie.
KWT's favorite track: "Don't Mind If I Do"
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Big K.R.I.T.
LT says: Next KanYe as far as beats go? We don't know if we'll get that carried away, but he definitely knows how to tear it up lyrically and also with his productions. Again, Twaan says it all...(the downfall of writing last). No free download on this one, as K.R.I.T.'s most recent, and best, project was actually an album rather than a mixtape. We sent you the link to his iTunes page...so support the man and buy it.
Twaan says: This "King Remembered In Time" epitomizes southern rap and all that it stands for. His loyalty to his home state rivals that of Chip's to Cleveland, and his music shows it. Thanks to his debut album K.R.I.T. Wuz Here, this dude has been compared and influenced by OutKast and UGK and has been said to be the lone hip hop representative of Mississippi, a state that lacks a standout star emcee. But what makes him even more special is the fact that he has raw talent behind the boards too, as he produced every track himself on KWH. This makes him the most versatile person on this list, and that makes him poised to do big things in 2011.
KWT's favorite track: "They Got US"
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Hoodie Allen
LT says: Hoodie Allen. Wow. Probably the saddest thing about this guy is that he will be better than some of the fools on the XXL Freshman '11. Just another reason why we're better ;) but on the real Hoodie has some of the most witty lines I've ever heard. Every single song of his off Pep Rally is catchy as shittt, and with the indie sounds of all the samples this guy is a big time WIN! If you have not been introduced to Hoodie Allen, you really need to get acquainted. The download for Pep Rally is also on the right side of our blog, feel free to check it out.
Twaan says: This dude is about as passionate and driven as it gets when it comes to his music and his fans. What other artist is constantly releasing new music and is personally replying to every facebook post he receives? That's what I thought. After his most recent project, Pep Rally, which is clad with indie samples and witty punch lines, Hoodie has received about as much internet buzz as a new artist can. Definitely an artist who's comfortable in his own skin, Hoodie Allen's lyrics express his individuality as well as his life for music and life in general. It's time for ya'll to step up and realize real, and Hoodie Allen is as real as it gets.
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Shawn Chrystopher
LT says: I'm not going to lie, Shawn is probably one of the less known artists of this group to us. I have throughly enjoyed his most recent mixtape You, and Only You. Top to bottom this mixtape is amazing. My first day with the tape was an unusual one, in that I never once felt the need to skip a song. I played this tape over and over without skips all day long. We all know there are those duds in almost all tapes, and this one seems to lack them. We won't lie and have Twaan tell you about Shawn because well... He hasn't really listened to me when I say this guy is the real deal. He will though. Just hasn't come around to it yet. Don't get it twisted though, Shawn definitely belongs on this list and the XXL's. His mixtape is a must hear.
KWT's favorite track: "Be Famous"
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Theophilus London
LT says: Twaan was the first to write about Mr. London, and well... he pretty much said it all.
Twaan says: One of the most unique and original artists out there. He honestly is in a genre of his own. The dude can both sing and rap over some of the most strange and amazing production I've heard. Theophilus's sound seems like he's on a mission to merge hip hop with electronic music, and he's doing a damn good job. I can understand how a lot of you won't like him, but we think it's time to give him some credit.
KWT's favorite track: "Flying Overseas"
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Chiddy Bang
LT says: Chiddy Bang is one of the smoothest duos we at KWT have heard in a long time. The Philly band comprised of Noah "Xaphoon Jones" Beresin (beats) and Chidera "Chiddy" Anamege (vocals) have dropped two mixtapes: The Swelly Express and Air Swell. Both of which are must-cops. Be on the lookout for these guys.
Twaan says: This "genre-bending" duo first met on the campus of Drexel University, and were soon combining the likes of indie rock, eletronica, and hip hop to create the groundbreaking sounds of Chiddy Bang. Known for sampling "out there" artists and songs, Chiddy Bang truly have created their own genre, one that has been featured on MTV and respected by Kanye West. Their sound has been especially welcomed in Europe, but we see 2011 as their year to takeover the music scene here in the U.S.
KWT's favorite track: "Never"
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