Voice – Ice In My Cup

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R&B is kind of getting a new kick these days with the emergence of artists who halter the vocals but also don’t rely on carrying a sound so traditional. Artists like Frank Ocean have really gasped attention of fans lately with R&B that takes more of a rappers approach which has caught on well. Whilst many people can sing those that actually take it serious are numbered and as talented as the pool of new artists is coming from Portland only recently has it had a onset of singers. Voice from NBG (New Beginin Global) will be amongst the few who try to take his talents from the Northwest on. After appearing on Talentine 2 compilation Voice is releasing the first pre-heater “Ice In My Cup” from his upcoming project “Fallen Angel” which is expected sometime later this year.
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Mikey Vegaz – Oregoon

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Them ducks got it in and won the Rose Bowl for the first time in….wait…..wait for it…a record ninety five years! Now talk that Oregon could be a potential home city to a future NFL franchise as well? Hmmmm they say good news strikes in threes and maybe that’s the case for the future of Portland’s music scene which has its artists ready to make moves. Mikey Vegaz needs no introduction and while young his work has been tough over the years putting him in the respected status in the city. Some artists never give back or reach out to others in their own city whether its hate or just plain lament of possibly being outdone by others the unity lacks heavily. Mikey displays a confident artist who can appreciate good talent to align himself with not feeling opposed but instead striving for the same dream which is seen on his latest mixtape “Oregoonz”. The daunting task of putting the whole city on would be impossible but Mikey gets veterans and young goons united for a twenty one track mixtape massacre. Whole heartily the whole mixtape push really is dead due to overuse where everyone is trying to murk the latest hot beat but admittedly Mikey is one of the few who can still make a mixtape feel like a album. Jacked beat or not Mikey don’t care he’s going to abuse it just like the last one and if you weren’t familiar with the original track chances are you might think it’s his. All this new music its about that time we need the new solo “Premature Millionaire”!
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Bosko – Bombay & Passin Time

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In the nineties everyone wanted to be from the west coast the sunshine and palm trees portrayed in music videos made it look like a different kind of paradise. The upper west now more often recognized as the northwest drew instrumental influence from these artists. During this time a label was trying to take the thought of good music plus good business to put their own city Portland on the map when Cool Nutz and Bosko founded Jus Family Records. While the label had its share of releases in the early nineties things did not really pick up until the mid to late nineties when the label signed some of the better local talent and released several albums plus compilations. Bosko at the time was kind of the in house producer for the label but also was starting to get a buzz with his production outside the label. Round 1995 Bosko released a single for a new sound he was creating called “Bombay” and even garnered a deal with Big Beat Records who had been responsible for the success of quite a few artists over they years. While always recognized for  his production Bosko has always been that multi-threat from rapper, writer, producer, and go to for some of the best talk-box work. Though the full album never materialized his success has never halted. Bosko has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry and still continues to do so giving the Northwest a figure to look up to.
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v1creative & Terminill Present – PDX Pass The Mic

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Who said Portland doesn’t have emcees? Produced by Terminill for Flatline Studios, Pass The Mic is the city’s ultimate rap cipher and the opening track for Flatline Studios Complilation Volume 1. Inspired by the Pepsi Smash campaign of late, the crisp audio-video collaboration puts 8 of the city’s hottest, most explosive rappers on display. Serge Severe (of Animal Farm) leads off repping Portland on an incendiary digital beat loop, and makes way for Th3oryHazit (Humble Beast) and Jon Belz (Chill Crew) to work magic on the track. Aquick skip in the beat and it’s time for Luck One (of Seventh Science) to add his bit before Quiz Zilla flirts with double-time flows. Next, Mila Gordana adds a woman’s touch with her distinctively sultry sound before Cassow gets init, leaving the final verse for Braille (Humble Beast) to drop knowledge. With this project, Portland becomes the latest in a long line of cities to create a Pass The Mic track. Houston, New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Dallas and Chicago have all represented their respective metropolitan areas in this manner with success. Now it’s Portland’ sturn to show and prove. The associated music video – shot and directed byV1Creative – is sure to turn heads, and will hopefully attract more attention to the Northwest’s growing rap scene. In the words of Terminill, “I just want for the world to get a taste of what Portland has to offer hip-hop.” You can rest assured, this collection will not disappoint.
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Milc – Got Milc

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Touting as the highly disputed king of North East Portland, Milc goes HAM all day, everyday when it comes to his music. On stage, in your corner cypher, or as half of the group Load-B (Last Of A Dying Breed), Milc delivers personal penance and punch-lines in between grape-swishers and forty’s. His debut solo endeavor “Got Milc” features tracks that are more like conversations than songs, packed with clean delivery and clever wordplay. Milc says “the bottom line is whether he’s deconstructing another party jam or painting a vivid portrait of urban decay, the rhymes are always as braggadocio as they are politically pointed.” The release comes in under just ten tracks with the only feature coming from Load-B group member Brill on “Go”.
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TxE – Higher

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TxE is combination of some of the youngest fine talent coming out of Portland right now. A long time album in the making the group has played lead along since the release of the “Rain In Cali” EP a few years back. Members include Tope artist/producer who has done some solo work and group projects as part of Living Proof. G_Force Aka Calvin Valentine also dually talented as a producer/artist has had his name attached to a projects with Illmaculate, Planet Asia, Halfmanhalf, N.VS, and even his own solo album! Last but not least is Epp the under-rated artist who has shined at every chance when gracing tracks. The albums first single “Higher” features Strong Arms Phil The Agony and honoree member Illmaculate. The full length debut is set to release in the coming months titled “We Get It In True”.
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Chill Crew – The Good Guys

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Double C’s aka Chill Crew is one of the definite things to look forward to coming out of Portland, composed of members Jon Belz, PC, and Drew. They came onto the scene a few years ago when they dropped their debut mixtape “On The Rocks” which was just some straight course off top new age raw lyrical mixtape music. The project was rough around the edges in sense of diversity but you easily got a feel that these were some talented deviant individuals. With early introductions out the way 2012 marks the real introduction of the crew as they release their long promoted “The Good Guys” mixtape. While the release features outright dope freeverse type tracks the best part is being able to hear actual full length songs being made. You got a combination of old and new comparable to that of maybe a Camp Lo meets some J. Cole which works very well for them. Chill Crew has the modernism in their sound but they also are not forgetting the roots of hip hop which leaves forth the best part of their focus being on creativity for making good music. Production is handled primarily by Swiff D, Chase N Cashe, Audio Perm, Flying Lotus, Afta-1, Koolade, Madlib, and Huzhe.
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InfinitRakz – Lord Knows

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InfinitRakz is preparing the release of his “Music Laundering” mixtape which really has his full focus and will be his most determined project yet. The last leak “Ham & Cheddar” served more as a teaser but now Infinit is moving on to the appetizer as he releases the second single “Lord Knows (I Try)”. While talk is cheap Infinit bleeds his hunger onto the track talking about doing his utmost best in becoming the best artist he can be while also uplifting and supporting this northwest movement. Its just the beginning for this #RakzLife movement, look for more singles and several videos in the coming months as Infinit prepares for the mixtapes release.
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Pimpin & Panderin – Unlimited Game

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Believe it or not Portland has a rich history of the pimp trade and has had its share of coveted pimps. Covered nationally on media outlets it is often a frequent occurrence in the northwest and is probably happening daily without general knowledge. Rap has always been one of those platforms where street trends are commercialized but oftentimes fake vs real is actually happening. When it comes to rap and pimpin a few solid names come to mind but a group coming out of Portland called Pimpin & Panderin took it to a whole new level with their album “Unlimited Game” which was released in 2003. Pimpin is nothing new when it comes to the rap game as we know but often more used as satire and imagery. Difference with this Portland based group consisting of members Million Dollar Mouthpeice, Playboy Day The Mayor, MacDezie, and Suave P The Pimp is their whole album is talking about nothing but pimping. Macking, sex, prostitution, playing your position, pimping, breaking hoes, hustler, mack daddy, and you get the rest this is pretty much what you envision when you hear the word pimp. Produced by Sporty, DJ Chill, Mad Zagg, C Anthony, and many more.
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Mike Bars – Grown Folks

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Pushing forward by doing nearly all the work on his projects independently, Bars has a strong drive for success, and a passion for perfection. The Portland raised emcee uses his musical talents to create a new spectrum in rap by fusing funk, pop, rock, r&b, and soul to create a sub genre that is truly unique. His music has been described as “a cross between Ludacris, Eminem and B.O.B.”. Mike’s charisma and charm are added attractions to his live hip hop shows around the Portland metro area. With a jokester spin on life and the witty punchlines to match, the self producing rapper is a “breath of fresh air”, according to fans. Since the 2007 debut of his solo album, The BarrCode (under his former stage name Mickey Dee), his songs “Like Mike” and “I’ll Be Back” have won fans over not only in the United States, but across Europe andAustraliaas well, even without the help of a major record label.
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