Calvin Valentine – Red Eye Flights

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Working is what Oregon’s Calvin Valentine does and when he’s not playing his alter rap ego you can find him on the boards producing hits under G_Force. In 2011 alone this man had his name associated with five well put together projects and his second solo release “Red Eye Flights” already marks his second release of 2012. Flavin to a new level musically Calvin’s ego puts you into a cosmos where you feel like you’re a playboy sipping the finest, smoking the best, and living life like everyday’s elegant. Valentine in title its assuming as Calvin centers content on women and relationships but often in a playboyish gratuity. Produced entirely by himself (G_Force) this album is just super smooth and soulful which really shows how he stands apart as a genuine producer verses a ordinary beat maker. Guest spots come from TxE group members Epp and Tope as well as Sam Trump, N.VS, plus the vocals of Caitlin Cardier.
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Emperor P – Gangsta Life

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No Limit and Master P made everyone feel like they could be independent millionaires back in the nineties. If you were a rap fan during this time period you were dropping everything to either pick up a mic or keyboard in hopes of becoming the next big record label. Emperor P didn’t hesitate and was really one of the early artists to put a CD out in the northwest when he started his Terrace Records. His debut album would be released in 1999 titled “Gangsta Life” and featured guest spots from Lee, Drew, Sarah, DK, and Gangsta J. We were all die hard fans of some artist and its no straying from the likeness in name as Emperor P was influenced by Master P. Almost like a lost member of the No Limit camp the similarities are there with rap style and voice but Emperor P was definitely more on a west coast vibe with his song writing. The album produced entirely by Rob Jackson featured that basement made mobb sound with local favorites like “Bready & Butter” and “These B’s”.
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Parker & Lace Cadence – Imagination EP

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Collaborating on each others albums is one thing but when talented artists get together to do whole projects it always sparks some curiosity. Lace Cadence has always been dope since his early days up to the group days with Clockwork. His association with a track or project means good things whether its rapping, vocals, or production side of things. Parker is most known for his work with the group SOTA commanding the boards in the sense of engineering and producing. As the rapper Parker wont overly impress or outshine the competition which works in his case as he is trying to make hit songs not be the lyrical miracle. Members Only who has worked with several artists to release projects over the past few years makes it happen it again with Parker & Lace Cadence’s “Imagination” EP. Short at only five tracks the EP is filled with mood setters that kind of give off that lounge-esque feel, mildly clubby with the nightlife references but in a more relaxing tone. You can grab the project for a few bucks on bandcamp!
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JC Flow Ft Jennifer Newberry – Day Dreaming

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How much more under the radar can an artist be and what does it really take to be appreciated? Surely JC Flow knows the answer but seems to see his situation clearly as it progresses and stays humble throughout. The fact that he has amassed a huge following over the past few years is amazing with over 26,000 Facebook likes, 250K downloads, and not to mention a Reverbnation superstar. If no one hears you no one can like you and JC Flow understands that principle best as he gets his music on every outlet possible. Whether you decide to support or download you will have no shortage of JC Flow tracks in your ears. In preparation for his next solo album due out later this year JC has released his ninth single from the upcoming release titled “Day Dreaming” The inspirational song holds back no substance with lessons at its core and the beautiful vocals of Jennifer Newberry make for a classic collaboration. Songs come and go……music lasts forever.
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CeeGoods – Im Not A Rapper 2.0

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These days its damn near an embarrassment to call yourself a rapper so you can easily see why CeeGoods has titled his mixtape series “Im Not A Rapper” with the most recent 2.0 volume being released. On the other hand the Portland based artist could simply be saying that because he is a producer first but the music is what is important. Hearted with a multi-coast flow, you can tell older hip hop draws influence as Cee takes his writtens more serious with thought out lyrics. His delivery seems to be what he emphasizes the most with good adlibs, strong wordplay, and a flow that demands attention. As a producer you like to understand where Cee is coming from as he has soul at the heart of things but at other times just wants to make a banger.  Not in a mimicking way of copying the hot trend but just a head bobbin beat you can appreciate or something soulful you can cruise too. The guest appearances have some city notables like Kenny Mack and Tope but also features appearances from Lance Edward, Derikk Piff, Jay Child, Late Davis, plus Jiminee.
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Dubl J – Full Contact

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The west coast kept it simple in the nineties you were either mobbin with that straight lace smash danked out dark vibe or you kept it funking with the feel good chill laid smooth playa summertime vibe. It was a good time with good music but for every known artist there were probably just as many unknown’s trying to make good music. Oregon was no different at the time drawing influence more so from either the west or the east due to the Mecca’s they were building. While independent artists really bubbled in the nineties it wasn’t really until the turn of the century that a lot of artists really felt like they had what it took as well. Dubl J was an artist coming out of Portland with his Platinum Penny Productions label when he released his “Full Contact” album. Lyricism is one of those things they use these days to really set artists apart but back in the days it was not as important. Dubl J like a lot of west coast artists relied on just being able to go hard on a beat. Let the mobbed out sounds do their job and he would compliment the rest by just telling his story with a catchy hook for the songs given occasion. As simple as the beats were back in the day we loved them and Dubl J along with Patrick Brewer did all the beats with features coming from Cach, D-v-iss, Ru, No dozz, plus Lee Lee.
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Avatar Young Blaze – The Humble Villain

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The flood gates are open and they have not stopped as Russian Molotov Avatar continues to be a downpour when it comes to releasing new mixtapes. Often referred to as the rapper who doesn’t look like he sounds the frequency of releases seem to feed the fan who constantly wants more but maybe becoming repetitious to others. At this point we know he can rap, his beat selection is always consistent, and his grimy street sense is above par to the common local artist. The first drop for 2012 brings “The Humble Villain” his latest mix structured like a full album with beats by all kinds of hit makers including Sabzi, Jason Correa-Wood, Araab Muzik, Southside On The Track, V Doon, The Olympicks, Johnny Juliano, Chizzy, SkiMask Spec, THC, and S Dot. Likelihood is easy as you know you are going to get them hard street cuts where your forced to bob your head in filthy agreeance while content stays streamlined to what we have come to expect. Changes come in small amounts like the shortened name from Avatar to Av probably due to familiar reasons. Able to see growth even in something simple like willingness to flip a song that normally wouldn’t fit your common rap album but crisscross the two and Av strikes gold. A full complement of songs as always you get features from fellow central district native Fatal Lucciauno as well as Blue Foundation, David Wright, Made In Heights, as well as constant collaborator Isabella Du Graf.
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A-Rawlo – A.C.G.L (A Cool G Life)

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The success of those on top make it look effortless beknownst to most the blood, sweat, and tears that were put in before a single accomplishment was ever made. The glamour, riches, women, cars, jewelry, and whatever other desires make it easy for young artists to embellish on what could be. A-Rawlo yes say it again A-Rawlo because this is a name that might very well be repeated amongst many in the future. This is a game built on hard work which is something A-Rawlo recognizes thoroughly in his music having dreams of the big time but a realist in the sense of his current surroundings. All about movements these days which is good because you need them and A-Rawlo is urging along his A.C.G.L. brand which stands for “A Cool G Life”. It happens to be the title to his second mixtape which showcases his imaginable style as its laid back by choice but flip-able to recourse his point when occasion calls and easily plays into his entrancing storied rhyme scheme. Early praise is in order and while not raising A-Rawlo to the high horse just yet his A.C.G.L. mixtape reaps what future potential could be unleashed with some polish plus devotion. The majority of the production was handled by Antwon Vinson along with the only feature coming from R&B vocalist Tsedey.
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Bobby Lotto – The Off Brand Volume 2

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Preference and taste when it comes to music is only natural but as a listener you like various types of music. Its often a trait a lot artists hate to possess and being one-sided with your music lessens just about everything from potential fan base to opportunities. While there is nothing wrong with being different or happy with the music you make Portland’s Bobby Lotto wants to be the total package. While most jump at the opportunity of becoming an artist it played second choice for Bobby until recently when he decided as a producer/song writer that his skills could probably fare better than the current competition. Under his Breaking New Productions trademark Bobby has started his own mixtape series called “The Off Brand” which currently has two volumes for download. While music continues to congest itself with new artists it’s a fitting title because your simply an off brand until you make yourself into a name brand. Pinpointing the music itself for Bobby Lotto is something that you can’t quite gauge yet because he has the street steez along with the standard west coast principles but hybrids himself with potential diversity. Potential is what any great artist starts with but molding it into something more is where Bobby goes moving forward. He seems to have the right idea of keeping fundamentals but also willing to try anything in his comfort zone to make good music.
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City Hall – Low Blood Sugar EP

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Being a part of a crew or being in a group is how a lot of avid artists start out due to the obvious ease reasons. Burdening as a solo act is not easy but crews and groups sometimes don’t even last past introductions. While the City Hall name will be semi-new to some it may be more familiar if you just say Todd Sykes and EvergreenOne. The two represent a different side of Tacoma musically and are their own vanguard within the city. The City Hall name comes about when you add DJ Hannibal to the equation even though he’s not new to the circle. It has only really been a couple of years since Todd Sykes and EvergreenOne really put us fans on to their music with the release of “Milk On Wax” but as a whole they have been consistent whether its leaks, solos, or beat tapes. Categorizing is what most will do and its easy for most to say these two are your typical boom bap hip hop rappers. While those influential elements exist City Hall has enough individuality in their personas that make their music congruently attentive for new ears. Todd Sykes serves as primary producer and that is his strong point though his slacken laid back style compliments the chemistry well when in cahoots with EvergreenOne’s more boastful slap you in the face nature flow. The latest kick from City Hall comes in EP form with “Low Blood Sugar” a five track holdover while new projects come slated this year including the first solo release from EvergreenOne.
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