Every day our networks are flooded with submissions from artists of all genres and popularity levels, and, while we also make sure to feature mainstream artists, we pride ourselves in giving those lesser known artists a stage on which to present themselves to the blogosphere.
Over the past year or so, we've discovered a number of artists and groups that we feel are more than talented enough to be marketed not only on KWT, but on an even bigger scale. While KWT is more than excited to have featured, contacted, and in some cases, even worked with these artists, we realize that these dudes are creative and talented enough to make the move from overlooked to overbooked.
Featured below are our eight favorite "discovered" emcees and hip hop groups that we feel warrant a much more widespread following. Follow them on Twitter, tell a friend, share them through social networks, but just remember where you found them first.
Artist: Jimmy Astro
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Follow: @SirJimmyIsDope
KWT's Favorite Joint: "The Diner"
A Tennessee college student who's just as unique and creative behind the boards as he is with his songwriting, Jimmy Astro is a dude that we've messed with for a while now. Since the days leading up to his sophomore mixtape Jimmy, we've been tight with this crazy talented emcee/producer, and we were even fortunate enough to host one of his dopest projects in his August 2011 EP French Fries. With a sound that somehow encompasses Danny Brown and Drake, we feel that with slightly more exposure Jimmy Astro's distinctive and unprecedented style will carry him to high levels.
Artist: The League
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Follow: @TheLeagueLA
KWT's Favorite Joint: "Don't Matter"
Despite being a very recent addition to KWT, this Los Angeles duo is definitely one of our favorite young, up and coming talents out of the West. Put on to us via the dudes of hip hop trio and fellow LA natives Pac Div has a style that is very similar to that of Like, Mibbs and BeYoung. Though we've only heard one project from P. Cool and J. Wax in Junior Varsity, the tape knocked from front to back, leaving us wanting more from the Cali twosome. With cosigns from some of the state's great emcees and a great market for new hip hop to call home, we're positive you'll want the same after giving The League a look.
Artist: The 2 Of Diamonds
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Follow: @The2OfDiamonds
KWT's Favorite Joint: "This One's For You"
Chicago hip hop duo The 2 Of Diamonds are buzzing as much as ever following a 30 day onslaught of the blogosphere, releasing a track a day for an entire month, dubbing it the #30for30 series. Partially presented by us at KWT, the series and eventual mixtape was a previously unheard of promotion and featured such artists as Kidz In The Hall's own and fellow Chicagoan Naledge as well as rappers and singers from all over the nation. With an obviously impressive work ethic and seemingly natural song-writing and flowing talents, Myke Boogie and Dee Rush are climbing the Chi-Town hip hop ladder as we speak. With recent features at Fake Shore Drive, you better hop on the bandwagon with us quick.
Artist: Space Academy
Hometown: New York City, NY
Follow: @PrinceLouisXVI
KWT's Favorite Joint: "Sean Connery" (feat. NLX)
One of the first artists to ever hit up the KWT inbox was the young New York emcee Space Academy, who impressed us with his then recently released-on-iTunes single "Sean Connery." While the single still remains our favorite joint from the art enthusiast today, the dude has been slowly but surely piecing together his debut album, keeping it mostly to himself. This makes us want Space's music even more,but we'll man up, give him his space (ha, pun), and wait to be perplexed by the mysterious dopeness of La Galerie D'Art when it eventually drops in full.
Artist: K.i.D
Hometown: Ventura, CA
Follow: @SuperDuperKyle
KWT's Favorite Joint: "We Can"
Straight outta Ventura, California, K.i.D is described by many of his fans as "if Kid Cudi and Drake had a baby." If that's not enough for us to get you to listen to him, check the joint "We Can" above, which is at least MY favorite from Super Duper Kyle. Managed by a dude who runs with Pac Div, K.i.D is blessed with that unique but hot ability to both rap and sing on his tracks, allowing him to punch out dope verses while smoothing things down through the hook. We definitely think this guy's got what it takes to blow up big, and with huge numbers on his music videos, we think the revolution may have already began.
Artist: Kj Hamilton
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Follow: @_KjHamilton
KWT's Favorite Joint: "Get Up, Get Out" (Freestyle)
I think it's safe to say that anyone who can do a classic OutKast beat justice deserves a good look, so listen above and thank us and Kj later. The 20 year old NYC native by way of Atlanta remains southern strong while still remaining influenced by such artists as Yeezy, Hov, and many of the genre's classic acts. Hamilton's got this old school vibe to him, and, in today's new school era, it definitely sets the dude apart from others. And isn't that the main goal of most artists? If the above freestyle doesn't convince you, we've got you covered with Kj's latest project Aspiring MC, Vol. 2.
Artist: Trizz
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Follow: @Tr1zz
KWT's Favorite Joint: "Sleepless In California" (feat. Roc$teady)
An artist that I almost didn't include on this list due to his recent blow-up, Trizz is probably the most well-known out of these "discoveries." He recently opened up for Pusha T at a California show and in January dropped his latest album Case 17 on iTunes receiving raving reviews. Along with Space Academy, dude was also one of the first dope artists to impress us through the KWT email. With a style reminiscent of Odd Future and some songs and videos that admittedly scare us a little, Trizz is riding that wave of shocking hip hop that's such a hot commodity right now.
Artist: The Freedom Fighters Collective
Hometown: Albany, GA
Follow: @FFRevolution
KWT's Favorite Joint: "The Freedom Fighters Cypher"
Although the Freedom Fighters are a collective rather than one artist, we definitely mess with all of them. Hailing from Georgia, FF consists of Monte Carlo, Steve Cantrell, Tony B., Baby Juice, and their in-house producer David Luke. It'd take forever to discuss each and every one of these dudes, so, for now, the only thing I can ask you to do is watch/listen to the above cypher as well as their respective previous posts on KWT. You'll understand why they're included here. With some added support, we think the FF crew is capable of big things. #FISTHIGH!
Hit up the artists above and let them know what you think. Leave a comment in the comment section below with any feedback, it's as easy as typing in your email and creating a name. Any discussion, positive or negative, is appreciated. Share it on Twitter, Facebook, and other social networks. Bookmark us for daily hip hop updates.
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