12 Alabama Hip Hop Acts That You Should Get to Know: Paper Nolassnaym
Over the course of the past 4 years, we have come across countless Alabama-based and Alabama-bred Hip Hop acts. From Mobile to Birmingham to Huntsville to Montgomery, we’ve seen a lot of Hip Hop acts from Alabama. Like most regions where modern Hip Hop is prevalent, the Heart of Dixie also suffers from an oversaturation of similar sound--mainly slight (if any) variations of Atlanta’s ‘Trap’. The sound that has long been a staple of the underground music scene has not so quietly crossed over into the mainstream. In fact, it wouldn’t be much of a stretch to say that it has become one of, if not the Hip Hop status quo, as it pertains to radio. Of course, with popularity comes imitation. By and large, the Trap sound is the most prevalent sound in all of Hip Hop. While that’s neither here nor there, the influence of Trap is, in fact, here--in Alabama. Its abundance makes it not only hard to to distinguish most artists from one another, but it has also created a seemingly never ending wave of repetitivity. This is increasingly frustrating in a state that still remains largely unspoken for in the grand scheme of Hip Hop. However, during this time, we have seen, heard, and met acts who did surprise us with flavor all their own, not just based on their lyrical talent, but on their undeniable uniqueness as songwriters, artists, and individuals. Here are 12:
Name: Paper Nolassnaym
Hometown: Birmingham, AL
We first heard about Paper Nolassnaym last year, by way of his project Nolassnaym Nights. This Birmingham spitter floats seemingly effortlessly over smooth production that might remind many of $pitta Andretti, himself (Curren$y). But, Paper’s different. His flow is delivered casually. As if listening to not just to a friend, but to an OG. There's a certain charm that comes wrapped in every Nolassnaym release. You could call it southern charm, but it's not that general. It's not cordial. It's not forced. And, in many ways, in a time where there isn't a lot of sincerity in Hip Hop, it's not that familiar; not in these 2010’s.
When I listen to a Paper Nolassnaym song, I feel like I’m supposed to be in a box Chevy, cruising around the city, with nowhere to go. That's not an insult. What I mean is just riding for the peace and ambiance. Paper Nolassnaym’s music has, for just over a year been a staple of my riding ambiance. And, while gas prices nowadays do tend to make me think twice about sacrificing even half a gallon in the name of cruisin’, catching up on my Nolassnaym has provided the incentive for me to do just that on more than one occasion. Paper brings a country charm that's often imitated, but never duplicated. Because, I mean, let's face it--southern and country aren’t quite the same. They have different appeal. Different lanes. Paper--who adopted the surname “Nolassnaym” because of constant incomprehension that there actually was no last name--is currently occupying both [lanes].
Ever heard the old saying, “Game is to be sold, not told”? If that's the case, we should all be thanking Paper Nolassnaym. Because--at least for now--all of his slick cadences, witty basketball references, and game soaked bars are available for free stream via Soundcloud. If that's not playa, I don't know what is.
Presenting Alabama’s own, Paper Nolassnaym:
#DailyUndy Selections:
Triple Double
Drippin’
Free Throw Fanga Roll ft. Kevin Carter
Visuals:
Sacriligious | https://youtu.be/vW1wX0gwIao
soundcloud.com/papernolassnaym
twitter.com/cantcopy_paper
Written & covered by Ida Wonyaluv for Elevated Vistas
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Don’t go anywhere yet! Get a step ahead of the pack by checking out our other 11 Alabama Hip Hop subjects before the blog/vlog drops!
Note: Subjects are ordered alphabetically. The order in which they appear on this list is not a reflection of the order they will be featured on this blog.
Cab
Cale Charles
Eugene Eugenius
Jacoby
Jasen Canfly
Jay Dot Rain
Keon Moon
Kikashii
Novacain Cooler
Sip Jackson