Whoa, NYC.
January 31st, 2017
Is New York Making Its Comeback?
Originating in the 1970s from the Bronx, began a great subcultural art movement traditionally known as hip hop. New York being the birthplace of hip hop produced some of the most magnificent, influential rappers of all time but somehow lost its prominence when rappers from the South started to come up and takeover. Although, now it seems that New York is creating a comeback with its impressive new artists.
Dave East
Harlem’s David Brewster Jr., better known as Dave East, is a Muslim rapper best known for being a prodigy to Nas on his record label, Mass Appeal. East was featured in XXL Magazine “2016 Freshman Class”, had the opportunity to perform on the BET Hip Hop Awards cypher and left Mass Appeal, still referring to them as family, and signed a major deal with Def Jam Records thanks to the success of his mixtape Kairi Chanel. Currently, Dave has an official, yet untitled album in the works with Nas on board to executive produce. Not only is he making more music, East is also taking his talents to television. Harlem’s MC is set to take on a small role on BET’s Being Mary Jane as a newbie rapper on the rise. With all the work Dave East is putting in, he’s to be the next big thing out of New York.
Troy Ave
Crown Heights’ very own, Troy Ave, has had New York going crazy since 2006. He started off by selling his mixtapes out of the trunk of his car and in local corner stores. Though he was still unsigned, his music was hot enough to lead him to become the first unsigned rapper out of New York to get bootlegged. Inspired by artists such as 50 Cent, Master P, Young Jeezy, and Notorious B.I.G., Troy Ave’s music is autobiographical with a visual sound; he raps about his life. In 2014, he was named a member of XXL Magazine’s ‘Freshman Class’ taking his rap career to another level. Despite his troubles with the law, he finally released his ‘Free Troy Ave’ and ‘Roland Collins’ mixtapes in 2016. As of now, Troy goes on to promote his “White Christmas 4” project after dropping his music video “Pain”.
Remy Ma
The Bronx Savior, also known as Remy Ma, is a Grammy award-winning artist and member of Fat Joe’s hip hop crew, Terror Squad. Before she was sentenced to eight years in prison in 2007, she was on her way to the top. Although she’s been in the game for a while, she lost a lot of time when she was incarcerated. Now that the Queen of NY is back, nothing and no one can stop her. Following her release in 2014, she immediately made her way to the studio, to record ‘They Don’t Love You No More’, produced by DJ Khaled. The Bronx rapper continues her success when she released “All The Way Up” which made its way to the Billboard charts. Right now Remy has a collaboration with Keyshia Cole and French Montana in the works and is currently the only female rapper nominated for two Grammy Awards.
Young M.A
Brooklyn-based rapper, Young M.A., hit the scene in 2014 with her ‘Brooklyn (Chiraq Freestyle)’, followed by her Sleep Walkin’ mixtape. MTV thought of it as a “thoughtful debut project”. She gained nationwide success after she released her debut single, ‘Ooouuu,’ reaching number 19 on the US Billboard Hot 100 Chart. Young M.A. has established herself as a quintessential New York MC and was even referred to as the “female Jay” by Nicki Minaj. The Brooklyn artist had a problem with New York following whatever was the “wave”, in regards to music, at the time. She thought the idea was corny and felt New York needed its original sound again. As of 2017, M.A. prepares herself to release her full-length debut album Her Story with major producer, Swizz Beatz.
A-Boogie wit da Hoodie
Bronx native, A-Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, has New York going crazy with his “trap rap” and R&B sound. He launched his career when he dropped his mixtape Artist and made it to the Forbes list of up-and-coming rappers. With the success of his mixtape, A-Boogie went on to have three opening dates on Drake and Future’s Summer Sixteen Tour and signed a major record deal with Atlantic Records. He also released his first EP, TBA (The Bigger Artist), which reached number 63 on US Billboard 200 Chart and made it to Rolling Stone Magazine’s 40 Best Rap Albums of 2016. A-Boogie is set to go on tour in February and is in the process of working on a joint mixtape with Philly’s up-and-coming artist, PNB Rock. Along with the mixtape, A-Boogie states that he has a project with Atlanta producer, Zaytoven, and new music coming with Drake. As well as new music, the 24-year old is going half on a baby with his current girlfriend, Ella Bandz!
Bishop Nehru
Bishop Nehru, best known for being one of the first to sign to Nas’ Mass Appeal Records, is a young MC as well as a music producer who directs and edits videos. By 16, he was able to open up for Wu-Tang’s 20th anniversary European tour and got Hot97 and Power105 to recognize him. Nehru’s lyrics reflect a deep appreciation for old school hip hop. Last year in 2016 he released his long-awaited mixtape, Magic 19 and explained his split from Mass Appeal Records. Bishop isn’t signed to any record company as of now but he does have an unofficial album in progress that Nas will be the executive producer on. Music video for his new single ‘Ridaya’, just dropped yesterday and topped over Pusha T’s “Number On the Boards”. He hasn’t said much but this year is going to be fulfilled with many great things to come for Nehru.
There’s no place like New York and there’s nothing like hip hop. This new generation of rhymers are bringing back the home and heart of hip hop, New York City. Some are bringing it back to the 90s and others are creating their own lane.
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