5 Rappers to Keep on Your Radar in 2014 Posted by Lucas G. on 01/07/14 | Filed under Top Stories, Opinion, Videos

Now that we are all done with the end of the year lists, it's time to move on to 2014's beginning of the year lists...hope you like lists. One of the ever-popular beginning of the year lists is the "next to blow" or "artists to watch" list. They are good in that they spotlight some of the years most anticipated projects, but like any list they have have to be taken with a grain of salt.

First, picking who is "next up" is like playing roulette with 1,000 spaces, and trying to determine the criteria for "next to blow" or "freshman" emcee can be mind-numbing; there are literally thousands of rappers to choose from, and the ones who end up becoming big names often aren't even on our radars (Chance The Rapper). On the other end of the spectrum, obviously the marquee names like Drake or Kendrick will dominate headlines so they are clearly at the top of the list of "ones to watch" right?

The point I'm getting at is there is often alot of politics, label drama and more involved, so rather than get stuck in the prediction rat race, I thought RefinedHype Nation might (try to) enjoy a drama free 2014 prediction list. Instead of saying these guys are next to blow or are the freshman of 2014, here is a "list of rappers you might not know, or you might now, who we're hoping will make some dope music in 2014 and if you didn't know it would be worth your time to keep on your radar." The name might not be catchy, but the list sure is useful.

Raz Simone

About four days into my vacation, I realized I left Raz Simone and his "Solomon Samuel Simone" EP off all of my year end lists. I felt so bad that I almost got on and wrote an emergency blog praising the Seattle up-and-comer...almost (hey it was my vacation).What better way to make amends than putting him at the top of my list of emcees we hope make awesome music in 2014? There was a long while there where "Solomon Samuel Simone" EP was all I listened to and "Cold" was easily one of my favorite, most played songs of the year (yet somehow I forgot all about it in December). After the EP, he was relatively quiet - perhaps that is why he slipped my mind - but now, with some legal troubles behind him, I am really looking forward to hearing some more music from Raz.

Michael Christmas

Big shout out to Nathan who showed me this guy a few days before break. Since, I have had his stuff on steady rotation and, though the sample size is small, have enjoyed everything he has done. He is unique and creative, but what really gets me is how smooth his music goes down. He is funny, and has a low-key charisma about him; all of which is tangible in his music.  He is still on point lyrically, but his flow gives his sound a much more casual, relaxed vibe to it and it will definitely put a smile on your face. I can't enough of this kind stuff which is why I am excited for his Is This Art? project, dropping in February.

Add-2

With like 40 Mothership features in the past 4 years, Add-2 is by no means a "rookie" or a "freshman". Hell, can we even call him someone to watch since we have been locked in since 2009 (told you those lists were arbitrary)? Regardless you can't help but be excited for his 2014, as the Chi-town emcee is now a member of the Jamla squad. While his skills will definitely be showcased on the Jamla Is The Squad  tape (due out later this month), I look forward to hearing how 9th and his new family influence him on his own. Some things just feel right, and Add-2 with 9th Wonder is one of those things; can't wait to see what's in store.

Tito Lopez

2013 was a big year for me, because I got really into Southern hip-hop, not so much the old stuff, but the new class of Southern emcees like K.R.I.T, SANT, and Tito Lopez, all of whom hail from Mississippi and all of whom dropped an project in '13; I think Lopez' might have had the best one. Y.O.U dropped in June. When I finally checked it out in November, I was amazed there wasn't more buzz around this tape; I really enjoyed each and every cut. To be honest, I still don't know much about him or what his plans are for this year (I can't imagine we won't get some sort of project from him) but I know I won't be sleeping on it.

Bishop Nehru

It wasn't but four days ago when I first found out about Bishop Nehru by way of him being the readers pick for "Best New Artist (Unsigned) of 2013" on the Best of the Booth Awards. Boy am I glad I got to do the write-up, because it was my first introduction to the emcee. If you are into the '90s throwback stuff (and how could you not be?) than Nehru needs to be on your radar. He dropped two tapes last year, so it's not unreasonable to expect that (or more) this year, right? Though I am still just at the tip of the iceberg with project one, I would be lying if I said I didn't want more.

See, isn't it fun not worrying about who will become a giant celebrity with endorsement deals and Katy Perry collabs? Whose technically "underground" or a "rookie" and who's not? While I wish all these guys they best (and do hope they blow up if thats what they want), personally I don't care if any of these artist get deals or become the new face of rap as long as they are making good music. Some of my favorite projects last year came from artists who weren't on any lists so why should this year be different?

Here's to a 2014 full of dope music...list or nor list.

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