Top 10 Rising Artist
Hip-Hop and R&B left a stain that couldn’t be removed in 2018 with a magnitude of artist dropping music within in the year between mainstream and the new comers. Now with us well into 2019 with only 339 days left into the year one would think it maybe slow for the culture with projects, but more blessings are to come with some of our top artist dropping new music in the year. As we can always expect the seasoned veterans in the industry to give us music, we all love nothing comes better than a fresh new sound from an unknown artist generating a buzz into stardom and taking the industry by storm. We made a list for the top 10 new artist to watch out for in 2019 that’s destined to make noise.
YNW Melly
The Career of YNW Melly seem to come out of no where but it’s moving fast. Giving trendy melodies with expertise song writing on his tracks he impressed many with this sound as “Murder on my Mind” is a must listen as an introduction to the artist. 2019 he opened it up a dropping his project “We All Shine” and dropping the video for “Mixed Personalities” featuring Kanye which was directed by Lyrical Lemonade video director Cole Bennett. YNW Melly seems to have study Hip-Hop’s biggest stars stating in a self-released documentary “I watched every video they did, every mistake they made, every good thing they did, [and] every sound they made”. The rising artist has come into the year running strong and leading a marathon into the upcoming months.
Benny the Butcher:
Gaining underground spotlight in 2018 Benny the Butcher is the third act coming out of the Griselda Records camp alongside label-mates Conway and Westside Gunn. Considered a secret weapon to the label he unloaded in 2018 with guest features throughout the year and dropping his debut project “Tana Talk 3” which was filled with quotable punchlines of attitude. Gaining co-signs from Power 105.1 Breakfast Club co-host Charlamagne The God as one of the top lyricist for the year of 2018 and the new year seems to be promising for the rising MC as he states in his standout track “97 Hov” “Where I’m at in my career, one hit and I’ll be set to go”.
Megan Thee Stallion
The Houston rapper started making noise through the soundwaves after her killer freestyle from her standout track “Stalli”. Keeping her cities rich tradition alive with her latest projects “Make it Hot” and “Tina Snow” she delivers strong lyrics with that southern bravado that we all love about the south and standout tracks to reference where she displays her sound to the fullest is the trap production “Cocky AF” and gives the occasionally New Orleans bounce on “Hot Girl”. She’s slated to debut her 3rd upcoming project “Fever” early this year and is looking forward to the continued success from all the buzz in 2018.
BlueFace
Blueface simply dropped out the sky in 2018 as something no one has ever seen before as many weren’t used to the rapper’s offbeat delivery as social media has often joked that the rapper’s flow is like that of Courage the panicky dog off cartoon networks “Courage the Cowardly Dog”. Dropping standout tracks like “Respect My Cryppin”, “Thotiana”, “DM” and “Bleed It” you see him testing the limits of his flow with his internet trendy lyrics and unique style. Nonetheless in 2019 his flow maybe some what genius as he has the look and charisma of a star. Signing with Birdman’s Cash Money West label last year and drawing future collaborations with artist like YG and Drake the young artist seems set up to blowin 2019.
Lil Tjay
“Prince of New York” a pretty bold statement from a rising artist but the young 17-year-old Bronx, NY rapper refers himself as that via his IG page and is manifesting that crown into existence. Only currently having 3 tracks in his catalog so far on streaming services with “GOAT”, “Long Time” and “Brothers” he’s 3-for-3 shooting so far. Delivering a bouncy motivational melody that can get dark when he switches up flow drawing screams that show inspiration from A boogie representing a new era coming out NY. Building a buzz with a strong growing young fan base, and label backing from Columbia Records he’s due for a breakout year in 2019.
Ari Lennox
Discovered out of the Washington D.C. area signing with the Dreamville Label in 2015 Ari Lennox represents the resurgence of classic R&B soul in the industry. The singer/songwriter names artist like Ella Fitzgerald, Whitney Houston, D’Angelo, and Erykah Badu as her biggest influences which you can hear the inspiration in the Neo Soul standout track “Backseat” featuring Dreamville label mate Cozz. In 2016 the artist went on to drop her debut EP “PHO” which took many by surprised as you got a taste of the singer’s vocal ability in songs like “LaLaLaLa” in 2018 she went on to release 4 singles with the standout being “Whip Cream” and went on to feature on tracks with J. Cole on “Shea Butter Baby” of the CREED II:The Album and “Icarus” from labelmate Bas album “Milky Way” that shows just how important her sound is. Looking to drop her debut album in 2019 after the much anticipated Dreamville joint compilation album “Revenge of the Dreamers 3” drops and with her vocal ability there is much promise coming from The First Lady in charge of the label.
Roddy Rich
Every now and then you get a rapper who brings a sound that just gives you a breath of fresh air and Roddy Rich is a great example of that in this new era. The Compton artist has shown that he is exceptionally gifted with his alluring catchy songwriting as displayed in his standout track “Die Young” which was a tribute to the late rappers XXXTENTACION, Lil Snupe, and Speaker Knockerz. Releasing well received quality music debuting his 2nd project “Feed Tha Streets 2”, Featuring on Meek Mill’s “Championships” album, and dropping a single “Project Dreams” with EDM star Marshmello are serving him high-profile looks generating a rapid fanbase. Roddy Rich’s ability to mash meaningful storytelling lyricism with catchy melodies over trap ridden beats show’s he’s set up for a massive outbreak in 2019.
YBN Cordae
Out of all the members of the YBN (Young Boss Niggas) crew Cordae shows to be the most versatile with his complex and thoughtful lyricism. Flowing eloquently on tracks like “Kung Fuu” and “Old Niggas” where he displays, he can hand out blows as his reply to J. Cole’s “1985” prove there’s still young rappers out like him who still write conscious rap lyrics trying to bridge the gap between the new era of rappers and the OG’s who paved the way. On the scene lately collaborating with Dr. Dre, Juice WRLD, bodying freestyles on LA Leakers and The Cyphers from the BET Hip Hop Awards in 2018. YBN Cordae is destined to be in this game for the long haul as his debut project is set to drop in 2019.
Melii
If you were down on energy you can rely on Melii to get you rejuvenated just listen to her standout track “Sh*t Talk”. The Latin rap artist hailing from Harlem, NY show’s up with a aggressive bilingual flow over trap production as it was apparent in standout tracks “Balling”, “Icey” and her recent feature “With the shits” off Meek Mills “Championships” album stealing the show on the track. Gaining recognition through her uprising from artist like Rihanna and Latin rap making a return to the Hip-Hop scene we expect see a big 2019 with her atop a growing list of female MC’s.
Earthgang
Johnny Venus and Doctur Dot make up this Atlanta based hip-hop duo who bare a close reminiscent of Outkast mixed with sounds that hold true to legendary artist like Lauryn Hill, and T-Pain. Flowing with a playful southern cadence with edgy lyricism in some of their top tracks like “Stuck” featuring Arin Ray, “Can’t Call it”, and “UP” which premiered on the Berlin platform “Color Studios”. The two mc’s bounce off of each other so nicely whether it’s a rhyme off a verse or capping off on a addictive hook. Signing to J. Cole’s Dreamville Label in late 2017 the group has released a noteworthy worth of EP’s and is looking to debut their forthcoming project “Mirror Land” in 2019.
Let’s us know and comment if there are any artist that’s on your radar that may not be on my list
