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Some “in the soil” Artists of 2016

These artists are being recognized for their talent and positions as under-appreciated musicians due for future prosperity.

400 I$a

Cambridge, MA

400 I$a has a soundcloud of 11 songs. All of them have thousands of listens, with several reaching well over 10k--as high as 30k for his most played song “Let it Go.” This fact does not mean anything on its own, but becomes significant when it is considered that he is a 17 year old (many songs recorded at 16) without much of any promotion or established fan-base. He is not a Boston household name, and he is unknown by many who consider themselves active members of the underground Boston scene. His music gets listens because it is really good- that’s it. For those of us who know him, or who have come across a song of his, it makes perfect sense. There are few artists whose music I listen to as much as his.

Favorite Tracks:

Let it Go

Pray For Me

Double Up

Soap.wav

Cambridge, MA

Relatively new on the scene, Soap.wav is a new breakthrough artist in the Boston hip-hop renaissance. Having only a handful of appearances, he stands out on any track. His voice is captivating and his sound and style is probably best described as “soaped up.” He has quickly become one of my favorites.

Favorite Tracks:

Young Skate

igetit

Irish Spring

Cyrus Brxxks

Boston, MA

Cyrus Brxxks is an enigma that I hope is soon resolved, or the universe is truly a meaningless chaos. He is 28 years old and has an extensive catalog of songs, projects, and collaborations that showcase his remarkable creativity, versatility, and ability in lyricism, melodies, production, and overall song creation. What matters from all of this is that his music is dope. I’ve sprinkled his songs into pre-game, party, and post-party gatherings at universities, and they’ve fit right in with every scene; I’ve had his music come up on-shuffle during a tipsy walk home and shed a tear. For such a longterm worker in music, his internet stats don’t yet match up. What is it gonna be, universe?

Favorite Tracks:

Sinners Prayer

Real Nigga Walk

New Crack

Big Leano

Dorchester, Boston MA

“I got lean for sale! Straight codeine for sale!”

Big Leano is one of my favorite artists. Up until his debut project came out last week, he was another one with a small soundcloud of gold: five songs, each having been listened to at least over 20k times and at the most 113k times--the song “Lean for Sale.” During this period, these songs were like fragments of an elusive Boston myth. Who was this lean-selling man that couldn’t walk unless he had Margielas? A couple weeks ago he dropped his first project, “Tales from the Mud.” With this tape we are fully transported into his world where his sound is both solidified and able to be fully realized. It’s unique, it’s weird, it’s clever, it’s lit. And somehow, after it all, he still feels like a myth.

Favorite Tracks:

All of them. https://soundcloud.com/bigleano

Vintage Lee

Roxbury, Boston MA

Vintage Lee is a surprising and valuable cornerstone to what I see as the Boston hip-hop renaissance. She is young and only has two songs on soundcloud, and they are enough to make you feel like you have a whole project. What I mean by that is I, and everyone I have shown her too, have played both of those songs so many times and at so many pre-games (I’m a college student, give me a pass on these examples) and still the feeling never gets old- as soon as either of those beats begin, we’re going wild. Her voice is so unique, her flow perfectly rides and dances all over the beat, and the style she exudes is just too cool.

Favorite Tracks:

Right Now

Hennything’s Possible

Rothstein

Cambridge, MA

This guy is a standout from the crowd of today’s music. He may not look like what you’d expect from a rapper, but his music is not what you’d expect either. His introspection and vivid imagery, along with his smooth voice and melodic sensibility are some of the characteristics that make listening to his music enjoyable and refreshing. He recently deleted all but four of his songs from his Soundcloud. It previously held a project called “Magazine Beach” (which can still be downloaded from rothsteinraps.bandcamp.com) along with some other tracks. There was one song in particular that remains one of the most incredible songs I’ve listened to, called “Clouds,” but it has since been removed. Nonetheless, a lot of his work is still out there to be heard until he returns with new music.

Favorite Tracks:

Strawberry Calypso

November Sun

Connor Donovan

Cambridge, MA

Connor Donovan has been rapping since his early teenage years, but what excites me the most are some of the works he has produced most recently. His long journey has taken him through an exploration of different sounds and aims of expression. Even today you can still find him employing the style and technique of his old self in light-hearted and somewhat silly raps that show off the ease of his freestyles. But these songs, truthfully, are not what I consider when I see the potential in this artist. It is his exceptional ability to make music that expresses painfully raw reflections of his journey in and out of love that capture me as his true voice, and his specialty. This is a rare and heavy talent to hold, and it is evident it has not come easy, but it has and, I am sure, will continue to produce the gems that move us.

Favorite Tracks:

Gone Too Long

Floating (In & Out)

55 Bagz

Cleveland, Ohio

55 Bagz is an artist that has me continually astounded; I have no doubts about him. His smooth, soft voice couples perfectly with the bittersweet melodies and lyrics that he serenades us with. His voice is actually distinctly bittersweet itself. You can’t help but feel, beneath the fire, reeeeal street, bragging lyrics, a vague plea for something. It’s that subtly sad space we’re pushed to that makes his music so beautiful. It’s a reflection of something more than rap, and it seems to stab at you in every song. Yet all the while you want to nod your head and bounce your arms, and dance and sing along. I also have got to emphasize how great his lyrics are, as well as his melodic and harmonic instincts. They all come together to form a natural and continuous journey through whatever world has been created. His music has made my life a lot better, and I hope it will for you too.

Favorite Tracks:

55 Bagz Playlist