Out in Maryland Erie Ave does his thing and is ready for the prime time action. “Blessing” doesn’t do a lot to really capture you, but that’s not the case with “10 Bands.” This one hits you like a train right off the bat and continues that momentum throughout. That calms down a bit with the quick “Ready or Not.” It’s a short track that leaves you wanting more. Then in walks “Hustle” and there is the “more” you wanted. It has a swag to it that makes it a party starter. Things smooth out with the chilled ways of “Alright” and keep on with the vibe as “Prime Time” takes charge. With each track, you can hear a steady rise for Erie Ave. He’s got a style that fans of artists like Faboulous would appreciate. If you’re a fan of hip hop that’s been chilled like wine, check out Erie Ave. (https://soundcloud.com/ErieAve)

Not every artist starts out knowing the ins and outs. In our musical journey with Dizzie D, we start with an emcee who lets the music guide and then takes the reins and powers through to be the boss man. “Hard Knock” sounds like the start of a movie when it starts. You can see a camera following a winding road and landing on a shot of a haunted house. Then when the rhymes come through, it doesn’t have that same feel. It’s a little less dramatic than the music. With “It’s Good” the rhymes come through very chill for the most part, getting some energy as it goes along but again - it’s the beat that really helps this track glide on. Overall this one is a killer track. As we head into “Bounce” it’s like Dizzie D finally found his footing and comes through strong as an emcee and the music no longer has the upperhand. He shines as the star. That streak continues on with “Fame” and we finally hear him and it’s a stunning performance. His confidence oozes from each line. If you’re a fan of artists like Kendrick Lamar, check out Dizzie D now. (https://soundcloud.com/dizzie_d)

When you get together with your boys and all can spit rhymes, you have to make something happen. That’s what the guys behind 24Gang did. “Whippin” has a very repetitive manner. It’s easy to learn, but doesn’t have a beat that makes it memorable. It might be better if the tempo was sped up just a bit. With “Reckless” we improve and have a slick beat that comes with a sick flow. This one is the shining star of the bunch thanks to it being a full package. Then you have “Gang” and here 24Gang brings it hard. This one sounds more aggressive than the previous but has a clear cut mission to entertain. You’ll want to take a big drink of “Juice.” It has an interesting flow and it’s kind of all over the place and that makes you pay attention even more. With “How I’m Livin’” that’s a great place to cap things. It’s a fresh track that really pulls everything together and showcases what 24Gang is all about. If you’re a fan 50 Cent and Eminem, check out 24Gang now. (https://www.jango.com/music/24Gang?l=0)

Coming straight to you from Hotlanta is Maverick with his EP “Prosperous Psyche." We kick things off with “Only Tonight.” This joint has a hip hop backbone, but the skin of a R&B track. It’s smooth but has those rhymes laid out clean. We get that same smoothness with what sounds like a little Asian influence in the music. It’s a great east meets west fusion. Reality sets in with “Pain and Pleasure.” Those who like to keep it real will gravitate towards this one, for sure. Last up on this EP is “On The Move.” Here Maverick stays positive and offers some advice while keeping it cool. If you like hip hop that has been baked in the oven with an R&B glaze, make sure that Maverick’s “Prosperous Psyche” is put in your iTunes cue. (https://soundcloud.com/maverickworld)

If you’re in Florida and need to give some hometown love to a rapper, make sure it’s BiG Quezzy. “Picasso Plates” has a very classic sound when it starts. Classic in the sense that you could hear it at an art show. Then it’s intertwined with this street sound. It makes for an interesting listening experience. With “Quick Entrance” comes fast, but not as snappy as one would assume. It also has parts that drift off and create a sense of drama and give the song a backbone. In “Translation” is the first one where the lyrics stood out more than the beat construction. That’s also the case with “Reverse Me” thanks to the ear catching Rihanna line.” With “Let’s Go,” that’s when the reality of what BiG Quezzy has been through and what he’ll do to ensure that he makes it far from the bad. It’s the best because it shows the man behind the lyrics. If you’re a fan of well constructed beats and heartfelt rhymes, check out BiG Quezzy today. (https://soundcloud.com/amicoe)

When it comes to making music, Ghetto Glory Family AKA GGF has a lot under their belt and they’re ready to share it with the world. So prepare. “Lovin Music” isn’t what one would expect. It’s crystal clear and has a more mainstream vibe to it with some R&B tossed in the mix thanks to the hook. As we move on, “Look at Us Shawty” has a more club feel than the last. It sounds like a song that would catch on like a trend. With “I Know You Do” we take a little step back into where we started. It’s a back and forth dance between two styles and that’s great because it keeps you on your toes and you’ll never be bored with Ghetto Glory Family. Whether you’re being emotional with “All I Think About Is You” or getting wild with “We Ain’t On That Bullshit.” If you’re a fan of hip hop that can get you going both in a feel good way and set you into party mode, check out Ghetto Glory Family’s plethora of sound now. (https://soundcloud.com/gemini-4)

One might assume that Obie Won currently resides beachside on an island near Florida. Instead he calls Ohio home, but has that tropical feel in his heart. “Dancehall Nice Again” kicks things off and has a nice overall sound. It’s perfect for kicking back and relaxing. The same goes for “Forever.” It transports you from wherever you are to the sandy beaches of Jamaica. Then in a turn of events, “Baad Up” is unlike the rest. You can still hear that reggae style in the vocals, but it’s a clear cut hip hop track. It’s also harder sounding than the others - like the bad boy of the bunch. Overall, if you’re a fan of reggae and dabble in hip hop, Obie Won is the perfect artist for you. So check him out! (https://soundcloud.com/obiewonmusic)

Mic. Carr’s “Cut The Jazz” makes you think you’re in for one thing and then another pops off. “Give to Get” starts out smooth and then you’re welcomed by a very calm storm of hip hop that has a sense of refinement. With “Second to None” you’re introduced to more singing than rhyming right off the bat. Then vocals like Common come through and you’re taken under a musical spell with a sample of what sounds like “I Wanna Sex You Up.” A little R&B flare settles in nice with “Nothin’ Better” as Ronny Soprano does his thing with Mic. Carr on both “Somethin’” and “The Move.” Wrapping up this record is what appears to be the best, judging by the title, “MVP.” What’s great and what listeners should know about Mic. Carr is that his style comes across as a poet and not as some run of mill rapper like Lil’ Wayne. Mic. does his thing with a sense of class and it’s all on “Cut The Jazz,” out now. So check it if you’re into that neo-soul hip hop scene. (https://micmusic9.bandcamp.com/album/cut-the-jazz)

Out in the Midwest Staticthebeast is doing his thing with hip hop and creating a style that can’t be beat. “For the Money” has a great hook and sounds more on the pop side. It has that Akon feel to it. In that it has a flow, but at the same time can be sung and is fun. That’s all in the hook though. The rhymes follow that beat but come across like a good ol’ fashioned emcee. With “Sex With Me” we hear a sensuality brought on by a guitar played slowly at the start. Then the lyrics kick in and kick things into gear. While the music continues to play sensually, the rhymes come fast. It’s a nice balance of nice and slow. It’s like imitating the lovemaking experience. If you like hip hop that intertwines with mainstream and R&B, check out Staticthebeast now. (https://www.reverbnation.com/staticthebeast4)

Detroit’s known for a lot of things, but soon it’ll be known as the home of Al Luv. “Determined” gets the point across with repetition. If you want a song that’s easy to learn, this is it. Once all the determination sets in, things get more sing-song and the hip hop takes a break with the chorus. Moving on, “Get It Ready” takes the idea of the chorus of the last one and creates a whole song that’s in that style. It’s more mainstream hip hop in that it has a beat that’s more pop-like than street. We go more towards the street though with “G.M.S.” It has a harder feel than we’ve heard so far. It sounds like a song that would be a great listen on a summer day, outside on the porch. “From the Hood to the Hills” lets us continue on this path of harder sounds from Al. This one stands tall as it has a sense of reality in it lyrics. Going into “Dats Me!” we have a track that would get booties shaking on the floor with the hook alone. To close this one out, we’ll end with “Gotta Keep It Movin.’” It’s a great one to end our time with Al Luv because it’s not only a great track that sends positivity through you, but is also a reminder to keep on keeping on. With that, if you’re a fan of hip hop that can be both chill and street, check out Al Luv today. (https://soundcloud.com/al-luvv)

Bigg.T’s “Something That I’m Missing” is a stellar song that could be on your next playlist for the rest of the year, and into the next. It starts with that baby voice element that is sometimes used. It acts as the hook as Bigg.T comes through with with laidback and well constructed lyrics that showcase a sense of maturity. What’s also great about them is that they’re realistic. It’s not about the traditional hip hop lifestyle of money, girls, and whatnot - but Bigg.T really relays about his life and you feel more connected to him as more than artist, but as a person. That connection makes you want to check out more and see what else he has up his sleeve. If you’re into artists like Kendrick Lamar, check out Bigg. T now. (https://janicebanks293.wix.com/upcominggeneration)

Lanza does his best with what he has, and if he keeps it up will be one of tomorrow’s must-listen artists. “Soldier” has an eccentric style. When it starts it’s more like talking than the hip hop flow most are used to, but then it goes on and gets more traditional with a hook. With “Came a Long Way” we get a sample of what appears to be either a sermon or track from way back in the day. Here you hear more flow from Lanza and it really showcases what he can do better than where we started off. With Tool by his side on “Be With You,” we get more of a neo-soul infused track here. “Aiming for the Stars” starts with a fantastic ivory trickle and then when the lyrics come through it’s all about what he’s going to do and what he’s done to get where he wants to go. Lastly we take on the best decade with “90’s.” What would’ve made this one pop off more would be if it was done more with a ‘90s beat or if the lyrics paid homage to those ten years a bit more. All in all Lanza is a young emcee who still has a ways to go, but definitely has a strong platform to spring off of. He’ll be as asset to hip hop soon. (https://soundcloud.com/lancepuesey)