Jarv Dee – Dopamine

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No if, ands, or buts Cloud Nice is that camp right now! The collective which calls themselves family first is full of talent and has to be one of the hardest working efforts with the amount of material released so far. From groups to solo efforts everyone is getting their chance to shine rolling out that good music solidifying that sound and movement which is becoming very pride-worthy for the town. Steezie Nasa and Nacho Picasso really came on with their solo projects but third BAYB member Jarv Dee finally releases his solo debut “Dopamine”. While Jarv is calling this his solo debut in fair regards he was actually one of the first artists to release a project with Cloud Nice back when he dropped his “Talking Shit” EP. Not a bad project by any means but in comparison to the latest effort Jarv is his own kind of beast. Though the Cloud Nice click’s flows can be allied at times Jarv definitely brings a more energetic aggressive voice that is a good change-up. Dopamine stays clever at times with a simple track thoughtfulness approach and expectance is also granted with the usual compliment of smokers anthems. That aside you can always expect a trademark steez of a harder compliment which is coming to be like some new age spaced out gangsta tunes! Spreading like a disease its only due time before everyone is yelling MoorGang. Features stay in house for the most part with production from IBE, Eric G, Raised By Wolves, Rob Skeetz, WD4D, and 10.4.Rog.
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One Kahleo – Washington State (NWA)

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Daniel Warren also known as “One Kahleo” of Young N Brave made history being the second person from Tacoma, WA to ever perform on BET’s 106& Park Wild Out Wednesday; which was also his first National/International exposure.The meaning behind One Kahleo is “One Sound One Voice,” the sound being hip hop; the voice being the god given gift to pursue. He graduated at the top of his history class of 09 from Clover Park High Schoolin Lakewood, WA. Daniel helped raise over $4,000 on the behalf of the Lakewood officers who were killed in a tragic gun assassination Sunday, November 29, 2009.The money was raised and given back to the families of the falling officers and to the police community. The name of the fund raiser was “Gone But Not Forgotten” where Daniel not only helped raise money but performed to lift spirits up. Daniel Warren was also given a chance to work alongside Seattle, Washington number one music station Kube.93 on the behalf of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “Excellence in Hip-Hop” award show.
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Roderic – More Is Code

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We want to be different and recognized as a region for the quality of music we make but it seems that Northwest artists have a hard enough time getting outside their own cities. Issuing blame as to why is a never-ending poll of people who think they have the answer but truth be told there is no exact blueprint for success no matter where your from. Music can be similar but no one artist is the same which is why artists like Roderic rely on just making good quality music. Even as a younger artist going by Hot Rod adversity followed but even then he excelled and just got better. Lack there of is not something we can recount as he has a lot of firsts next to his name. One of the first artists from Tacoma to be on Apollo plus 106and Park, got DJ Ill Will to host his mixtape before it became a trend, making videos before they became the thing to do, as well as countless shows. Accomplishments and praise aside its been awhile since Roderic’s last mixtape. Steady leaks and videos have been leading up to the release of “More Is Code” which finally comes via his Famous Young Rulers imprint. Roderic does not have much competition in the sense that most artists locally shun mainstream sounds but the mix easily is comparable to what is hot right now. What was heard before was raw but this release shows the most complete side of Roderic as a song maker plus writer. No slouch on choosing production as near every song has someone different providing the soundtrack with spots from Superstar O, T-Mic, TMak, Zone Beats, Amadeus, Mellow Boy, Selasse, Team Green, Novastar, Ripley, Cashous Clay, Expired Silence, Trifekta, The Cratez, and iDBeatz.
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Nottus Tre – Money Ova Here

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Over the years street anthems is something you rarely go wrong with and just the nature of it brings something out in you. Nottus Tre has been grinding with his FNS series but really hit us over the head with his street anthem “Da Scrilla” with Glasses Malone. Knowing you cant live on one song forever the first leak from FNS3 is here with one of the bay area’s favorite feature artist making a appearance on “Money Ova Here”. Another anthem with a sampled Jeezy on the hook and though features have been present Nottus does not let anyone overshadow his song. Like the weather in the Northwest it’s a clouded talent pool and good artists like Nottus are going to get overshadowed even though they can really rap. Look for FNS3 in the coming months along with a scheduled freestyle series as the release counts down.
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Undercaste Studios – The Undercaste Mixtape

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Appreciation is full circle and easily enough a lot of Northwest talent would not have their music sounding as crisp as it does without the help of Undercaste Studios. A studio who works with the who’s who of the Northwest has finally brought together a star studded local artists extravaganza of talent for their debut mixtape. Front to back if you have not heard of any Northwest artists this may easily be your overloaded introduction of what the Washingtonregion has to offer. Compiled of expected collaborations its also filled with some unexpected surprises as artists that function outside of normal circles are paired together. Debut mixtape has to be taken into consideration and you get some borrowed production as well as what sounds like a few originals mixed in. It’s a start for now but we need for Undercaste to utilize the talent one more time for the Undercaste album?
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Swindle From Certified – Have Heart Stay Sharp

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Certified the duo consisting of artists Church and Swindle really are the exemplar of what street rap is today. New artists and even some of the greats find it hard not to constantly follow the current trends but instead Certified finds a way to make their music appeal even in today’s market. In a sense the group is dealt a bad hand being that if they were to have come out in the nineties they would be in line with other legendary groups we hold in high accord today. No matter at this point as their track record for this era speaks for itself with consistent albums and high standard of quality music. The split of favor towards any which member probably sways as they both come hard and bring the best out in each other. Last years “Tha Skillet Gang” was a long time coming due to un-wanted vacations in which Church is still away but Swindle is keeping things going during his departure with his first solo album “Have Heart Stay Sharp”. Being solo lays a bigger burden as instead of two heads with ideas, concepts, and rhymes it instead falls all on you. Doubt aside fans have no worries as Swindle does not disappoint and instead really gives you a true full length effort with minimal features and twenty four tracks. Stature stands strong throughout the debut as the hunger stays as strong as day one with pulse pounding high energy street music to the highly descriptive street tales we have come to respect. A genre of rap that is almost a mockery in this day and age its artists like Certified who continue to make legitimate genuine street music we appreciate. Swindle’s debut album is summer ready and something he did not shy away from was good production enlisting a ton of producers including Super Nova, Ice Starr, Vans Beats, Pro Kid Ryan, Louis G, Johnny Juliano, Industry Rejectz, Silent Noize, Bravestarr, Maserati Beats, Pumpkinhead Productions, Vyybe Beats, Superstar O, C-Ray, Trackanometry, Zo Town Music, Lexi Banks Music, and Jeff Slahps.
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Stunna Kid – Kingin

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While the category of his music is considered “Swag Rap” Stunna Kid pretty much is giving the term SWAG the tall finger as he readies his summer campaign of new music. Last year’s “InkMeUp” mixtape set a precedence in the northwest music scene which saw support, hate, and others simply calling Stunna extreme. Not phased on his part as he continues to move forward and play ready, set, go with the summer in sight. One word terms are a constant in the rap world and while SWAG has had its day, new ones arise everyday with YOLO seeming to be the word of the moment. With a lack of quality club music Stunna Kid is hoping not only to set the clubs on fire with his new single but also have everyone in the business yelling “Kingin” which happens to be the title of his new single.  Produced by Drew P Baby the motto of the summer may very well be “All The Queens In The Club – I Be Kingin”, for those inclined to support the song is available for purchase on I-Tunes.
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Frankie Hustle – Chasin Paper 2

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Playing a role behind the scenes is the start many get before they ever become a household name. Frankie Hustle in fact has eleven plus years playing his part in the northwest entertainment business and like others before him he steps to the forefront as an artist with his Block Mogul Entertainment. His reasoning is due to success paralleled with disappointment but the ability become an artist and  jump behind a mic to make music is priceless. The Tacoma CEO and now artist debuted himself with his first mixtape “Chasing Paper” with the second installment of the series following pace with a “Rise & Grind” theme. Frankie’s visual stature is almost coincidental as he dons a Rick Ross esque look but favors a Freeway type delivery. Intent on just making good music street ambitions and motivations are the key points for the latest installment which gets collaborations from Slo Poke, Neo, Krusal, Willy Green, General Wojack, plus X.P.
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Young Fame – Welcome To The Social Club

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Forget the baby steps suppose if you going to change one thing you might as well change everything and the artist formerly running as Taj Mahal now presents his future alter ego  “Young Fame”. While west coast is still the heart of his music Young Fame has his eyes set on expansion and being your typical west coast independent artist is no more. The debut album was a start but Fame has pretty much made a “Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is” statement by stepping his game up from all angles. For starters signing with DJ Skee, next a hot single with the games hottest artist “2Chainz” with other features from Mitchy Slick plus Nipsey Hussle, and to top it off top notch production from Tryfe/2Fifty3. No qualms about repping for his home city of Tacoma you can expect Fame’s “Welcome To The Social Club” mixtape to be an almost 360 in appeal with songs that bleed west coast but can stretch to any market. Other features include spots from Writers Block Clemm Rishad, Nonada, Skeme, and Strong Arm Steady.
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Speedy The Artist – Mind Decor

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Speedy The Artist has one of them distinguishable flows you don’t forget but his music has been touch and go over the years. Still respected and while the reasons could be many the focus of albums to EP’s is a blessing. Artistically your always at a different creative point so Speedy making his latest release “Mind Décor” an EP actually makes sense.  Expectance is the biggest hurdle Speedy has to overcome as his style warrants most to expect a certain type of music but as seen with his last EP “Speed & Patron” he begs to differ. Showing the creative mindset once again for the latest project the music is probably going to be reactionary initially with needed digestion for full appreciation. To compliment Speedy makes it easy to listen due to a strong lyrical gruffness and a presence of demand when rapping. All production handled by Speedy himself with features from Mac Gamer, Duranged Pitt, and D. Hu$tal.
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