Big Slim is a Gospel musician who takes on hip hop for the Lord. “Jesus Blessed Us” comes on strong and sounds like a sermon put to song. The words are like that of a powerful sermon that’d make a congregation stand and say hallelujah. Then you have “Trump is Going to Sound.” That one is more upbeat and plays like a nice R&B track. At first you’d assume it was a secular song but then Big Slim’s beliefs come through crystal clear. If you’re into Gospel hip hop, and artists like Blac Seed, check out Big Slim now. (https://www.bigslimgospel.com/)

Blac Seed is a Christian rapper from Texas who believes in his Lord and word. In Track 5 Blac Seed lets the man upstairs he’s talking to him, with his friends Tat the Ambassador by his side. This Christian rapper also takes on the hits of others. He’s remixed the best from Drake, “Worst Behavior” as well as another from Drake, a hit featuring Big Sean and 2 Chainz. It’s when he sticks to his own thing that he shines though, like with “Zero and Tray.” He says it all with this one track - the difference between him and other rappers is “that he’s a happy one.” That speaks volumes about what Blac Seed’s all about, so if you’re into positive rap, check him out. (https://soundcloud.com/blac-seed)

If you still through Milwaukee you might find the emcee known as J.O. He brings it with a multitude of tracks and doesn’t stop. “Steadfast” featuring JJ is a bit intimidating. It’s clear this rapper feels his confidence and believes in his word. That sentiment is carried through as you hit play on “New School” featuring T3, “FanFare” featuring Dbeatz and “Prophet.” You get a familiar track with J.O’s sample of “That’s the Way.” It’s a nice homage to the original and only add to it. He takes things down a notch with “Compelling Soul” and makes a well, compelling case out of a song. Surprisingly “Put on a Show” starts off as a breakup song. That’s not that common in hip hop, and was interesting to hear. Rounding things out you have the fitting “Last Chance,” one that goes hard to bring it all home. If you like your hip hop raw, check out J.O. (https://soundcloud.com/ENTs_JO)

Jaydashs hails from the city of Poe and has more than dough to rhyme about…although he does drop that in. “My Techno Beat (WIP) at Phoenix” isn’t the traditional beat you’d think of when it comes to techno. It’s a softer approach that’s welcoming. The same can be said of “Jhene Aiko The Worst” and “Blood Shot Red Eyes.” Both incorporate a sense of tranquility in the delivery. It’s different for hip hop, but “Blood” does bring it up a notch. When you get to “The Introcumentry” you question what that is but then forget about the definition and get into the hype beat. The energy stays up as “Countin Dough” kicks in and plays on. That one would be the one to check out first to get a taste of Jaydashs on the fly. If you like hip hop that’s easy on the ears and not overdone, check out Baltimore’s Jaydashs. (https://soundcloud.com/jaydashs-1)

Southern Bliss is a new emcee from Mobile, Alabama and showcases that southern charm well in his rhymes. When you’ve ever been in a situation that’s a shame, make “It’s A Shame” your theme song. That one felt safe as “Alive” started. It had a faster pace; at least it starts that way but then eases up. He gets some help from TT on “That’s Just Me” as he rounds things out with what might be the best representation at what this young emcee is capable of. If you’re in the market for a fresh face in hip hop, check out Southern Bliss. (https://soundcloud.com/iambliss251)

Uncle Phatt is an emcee who calls Canton home and brings variety to the forefront of his music. “Place to Go” starts off when an endearing vocal by a friend, and once Uncle Phatt comes in the mood is on the serious side. “Solid Ground” picks things up a bit, but it’s still safe to say it’s a chill song. The energy is raised even more with “Caught In,” but not by much. The beat almost sounds like that of Inspector Gadget too. From that point on you have a cascade of tracks that vary from the greatness of “Love Solider” to the eerie ways of “Fortune Teller” and back to reality of “Take Down.” When it comes to liking Uncle Phatt, it all depends on what kind of mood you’re in because his music varies from song to song, while all remaining very hip hop-centric. If you’re interested, check out Uncle Phatt. (https://soundcloud.com/uncle-phatt-of-h-o-b-z)

Kaby’s record “Just Because” is totally unlike anything in the hip hop realm right now and should be appreciated. “Tea Time At The Apollo” has this omnipresent start that sends chills down the spine and then the cool delivery sets in and it plays like a person who knows they have got that it factor and it goes into a sample of Mariah Carey’s “Make It Last” which was unexpected but a delight. “I Don’t Know” follows that same cool beat but this one doesn’t have as much swag as the last. You come to expect a calm demeanor from Kaby but “Crazy, Happy Times with You” sounds more like the start of a black and white foreign film with its melancholy intro, rather than a rap song. It’s quite beautiful and the difference makes you only appreciate this record more. Others in the game could learn a lot from the song structure found on “Just Because.” If you’re into hip hop that goes the extra mile and makes something worth listening, check out Kaby’s “Just Because.” (https://smokingsection.uproxx.com/TSS/2014/02/kaby-pa-lit-just-because-ep)

Down in New Orleans, Louisiana is Tullis Trouble, an emcee that is different at every turn. “Kissing You” takes almost a minute to get into things, but the lead in is this captivating, soft approach but once Trouble starts, he doesn’t stop. His flow is smooth but has a gritty feel to it too. The energy goes up a bit with “Swag 101” featuring Drastik. It’s a lesson that runs a little longer but then you get into “Overdose” and everything else fades. It’s the fastest you’ll get from Trouble and it’s definitely the best side of his. If you’re into that down south hip hop, check out Tullis Trouble. (https://www.loakermusic.com/)

K3 does something with his hip hop that’ll be greatly appreciated by listeners who like something new. “Signals” starts out with this beautifully sung intro and then goes into a hip hop flow that’s just as good. “Krow” also incorporates a different genre at the start, this time an old soul song and then the music that follows still has that pace but the lyrics come a little harder than the last. By the time “Over & Over” comes through, you’re used to the way K3 lays things out. It’s nice to hear the mixture of two genres in each, while most are R&B – it’s always nice to guess how each with start. This element really makes this emcee stand out in the best way possible. Although he doesn’t do it always, like with “Let Me See It,” a majority have it going on. If you’re into creative hip hop, check ou K3 now. (https://www.hulkshare.com/iamkthree)

Ne Ne Goon’s “Welcome2Gooniversity: Goonin 101” is a hip hop record that showcases the skills of a young emcee that has a tight handle on things. The first two songs are an introduction of to the artist “#Goon In” and “#NeNeGoon.” Their purpose is to let you know NeNe is here and ready to play. Then a lot of the other songs play like a guide into the “Gooniverse” as they incorporate the name…“Gooninterminology,” a spoken word lesson, and “Goonin.” They aren’t all about that Goon life though. You also have club tracks like “GetIt” and “SwaggJackin.” If you’re a fan of hip hop and adopting a lifestyle along wioth your music, check out Ne Ne Goon and that Goon life with “Welcome2Gooniversity: Goonin 101.” (https://www.datpiff.com/NE-NE-GOON-WELCOME2GOONIVERSITY-GOONIN-101-mixtape.434503.html)

Ace Boone Koone’s “Platinum On Everything” is a hip hop record for those who like it to move and groove. “Let’s Ride” and “Da Lyfe” keep it smooth, while the title track makes it hype. The record’s great, but it’s the one off single that’s making waves. “Twerk” is straightforward and to the point. It’s a song about the one trend no one could escape in 2013, twerking. It is more of a command than a dance track. It tells you to do the action that made Miley Cyrus even more of a household name. Even though it’s now 2014, the dance style is still relevant in pop culture thanks to tracks like this. If you like to move in that fast motion and need a soundtrack, check out “Twerk” by Ace Boone Koone. (https://aceboonekoone.com/)

Mafiah Suggz is an emcee who puts his heritage into his sound like no other. “Yuh Pussy Good” isn’t for the prudes of the world. That’s for sure. It’s got a dirty title but a sick Rasta beat. Then you have “She a Roll With Me.” The Rasta doesn’t stop as Mafiah Suggz’s island vibe isn’t going anywhere. It’s his thing and makes him stand in the same crowd as Sean Kingston and Akon. When you ge to “Girlfriend Would You Want to Walk Di Aisle” you get this very upbeat song of romance from Suggz. It’s not unusual for hip hop to have those types of songs, but it’s still interesting to hear that emotion played out during such a festive beat. If you’re into hip hop that resides on that Jamaican feel, check out Mafiah Suggz now. (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8n2Vm7H8B7xg3GHA0ub-bg/videos)