Hip Hop to Watch

i have been in a deep hip hop mood for the passed two weeks. i can't get out of it! i try to listen to alternative, it's not the same. R&B and Soul subside for awhile but never win out. i need the deep base, the smooth lyrics and the genious production of hip hop.

although classic hip hop is usually the way to go (start with the pre-2000 releases from the following: Common, The Roots, Mos Def, Nas, Jay-Z, OutKast), i've been on the hunt for some good NEW stuff. the diamonds in the rough of soulja boys. here's what i've found:

Wale
apparently i'm behind, because i just discovered Wale yesterday. no exaggeration. i blame it on having two jobs. if blogging was all i had to do, i would have let you guys know about him long ago. i will begin accepting your donations to make sure we are all up-to-date on the latest.
Wale (pronouced "wah-lay") hails from Washington, D.C. he uses go-go-inspired hip hop beneath clever lyrics. the son of Nigerian immigrants, Wale gained airplay after leaving college thanks to a deejay who believed in him. he was featured in the "Unsigned Hype" column in Source magazine. spotted and encouraged by Mark Ronson, Wale created several mixtapes and gained a great deal of press mentions. finally in 2008 he signed with Interscope records and released his full length album, Attention Deficit.
my faves:
90210
Pretty Girls

upcoming release pick:
Felt
okay busted: these guys aren't new on the scene. but they do have a new album, Felt 3: Tribute to Rosie Perez, coming out November 16th. these guys are some of the artists my ex introduced me to that i can't stop listening to. i'll just have to keep bobbing my head to the beat through my tears. Aesop Rock puts a new spin on this album as producer, so hopefully the beats will be so complex i won't think of that loser at all. anyways...
Felt is made up of friends Murs (from Living Legends) and Slug (from Atmosphere). these two are absolutely hilarious. each Felt album is dedicated to a leading lady the two have decided they would like to meet and - ehem- sleep with. this method for naming albums started as a joke and here we are, already on phase three. they're still trying...and cracking us up in the process. but Slug and Murs are not just comedians with rhythm. their lyrics are effortless with countless inuendos. they can make you laugh and then through a curveball that actually makes you use your brain. (rap music that makes you think??? it's out there, people!)
my faves
Dirty Girl
Breaker Down Like A Shotgun
looking forward to:
Felt Chewed Up
Henrietta Longbottom


The Cool Kids
although their new age sound appeals to the kids of today, it's reminiscent of samples from the late 80s. listening to their album will make you feel like you're jammin at a live house party. The Cool Kids (Mikey Rocks and Chuck Inglish) met in 2005 in Chicago. they came together to create beats for other artists but realized they needed to keep it all for themselves. In 2007, The Cool Kids signed with Chocolate Industries after scoring a spot on M.I.A.'s solo tour. they released The Bake Sale, an EP, in January of 2008. they plan to debut their first physical album album soon.
my faves:
A Little Bit Cooler
Bassment Party

Ivan Ives
in a world of "check my new kicks" and "money over everything", Ivan Ives has some of the smartest lyrics i've heard from a rapper in awhile.
Ivan Ives released his first album after graduating from college. a high school buddy, Fresh The Hitman is now Ivan's main producer. together they create a sound that's part DJ premier, part Atmosphere with their own twist.
Ivan has released over twelve albums since 2005. in may he released his album Newspeak, and that's when i spotted him. a cut from this album was featured on the DFest 2009 playlist and i was immediately hooked.
i'm not alone in eyeing Ives. he was recently named by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the next 40 artists to watch. so if my advice means nothing to you, you know you can usually trust Rolling Stone magazine.
my faves:
All The Time That I've Wasted
That Man


local pick:
P.D.A.
tulsa hip hop leader P.D.A. is my current favorite local artist. his latest album, Act III: Wasted Talent, is on repeat in my CD player. (yes, an actual physical CD. goin' old school with the new school!)
P.D.A. stands for Public Display of Afflection: a mixture of affliction and affection which illustrates the struggle between good and evil. His music appeals to hip hop kids and rockers alike. With a list of influences that includes Michael Jackson, Alanis Morrisette and Jim Croce it's easy to see why he's about as well rounded as it gets.
P.D.A. was born in Tulsa as Anthony Jenkins. during his early childhood he moved a lot, relocating to Shreveport, LA, and then around the California area before settling in Cleveland, OK. he played around with music but never really took it too seriously until he released his first album at at 16, an album he basically created in his own home using only his computer. once drummer Chris Cramberg was added to the mix to provide a live element to the music, P.D.A.'s performances became even more creative, professional and unique. these days he takes this music thang to heart; portraying a cocky artist on stage but living as one of the most helpful and personable talents in 'real life'.
catch him live at Hibiscus on Brookside December 11th at 9 p.m. it's one of his last shows before moving to Los Angeles so don't miss it. to learn more about P.D.A. and check out his tunes, visit www.myspace.com/pdaonline
my faves:
It Sucks
Your Girlfriend


so tell me: what new hip hop acts are you impressed with?