#WHO2LOOK4 IN 2016?
Several Newcomers, some reunions, a few returns, and continuous momentum! Check out these artists that we will be looking forward to follow in the new year! Some have a big buzz in the local independent hip hop scene and some have a good following on social media. These are the artists to look for in 2016.
Money June
You've probably seen the countless reposts from our SoundCloud and Instagram feeds and ask yourself, who's Money June?? He's one of the city's quickest rising stars in such a short amount of time. He brings realness and credibility to the Philly music scene. Although with a little bit of controversy, after boxing champion Danny 'Swift' Garcia co-signed and promoted the Dominican artist as his newest protege to DSG Music, and dropped long time partner, NOX. So after a couple of shots, rebuttals and trap remixes where he makes industry songs his own, June's rising power has worked as he's opened up for the likes of Jadakiss and Chris Rivers at the TLA. His original tracks consists of more of the melodic "emo-trap" style, showing that June is going for today's relevant sound, and that's 'where the money's at.' Look for more collaborations and events from Money June in the incoming months of the year.
Follow @money.june on Instagram and check out his SoundCloud Page!
PESO BAG CRU (PBC)
Saga & Prophy have been making music since their high school days. We have chronicled their humble beginnings in North Philly on another article for this very site. After 6 years, they've reunited as Peso Bag Cru, and have picked up where they left off by making incredible music. They've always had their own style, as a team or individually, where they will rip a track to shreds with punchlines and give the listener what they've been yearning for. Whether it's the 'Hip-Hop Head' or the 'Young Bol' that's listening. On top of that, they utilize the most original content. In January, they dropped a jem with their Michael Pippen EP, and it's already reached praises from their fellow peers and now local DJs like DJ Kosmic Kev and DJ Spontane. They've also reached comfortable numbers on the iTunes and Google Play charts. In 2016, look for #LitCity as the movement among their social media, as PBC gets ready for their next moves.
Follow @prophy215, @saga215 and @pesobagcru on Instagram.
Corey Geez
In 2015, Corey Geez released a project that matched up to its' title, Struggle Before Success, where art imitates life. There's street styles anthems throughout the mixtape where he and featured artists (members of 'Never Lookin Back') spit about the way today's North Philadelphia's youth live on a day by day basis. Then he raps about what he wants, which is 'success' in a better life, not just for him, but also for his child. Corey can grasp the listener when he gets personal. He's already gotten the attention of Philly's underground artists like Young Savage and Guala , who are also featured on SB4S. In 2016, he's already released a sequel in EP fashion on his SoundCloud page cleverly dubbed as "The Warm Up."
Follow @coreygeez on IG!
Wezu Falcon
Another newcomer that we have reposted multiple times on our SoundCloud feed is Wezu Falcon. He usually remixes the most current industry beats and also makes those songs his very own. Not only is an artist, but he's also an engineer and sometimes producer; and when he produces original content, he uses great creativity, by going passsed the rap lyricism by utizlizing auto-tuned melodic vocals. But Wezu goes beyond the Future-like sounding tracks, like making 'Caribbean Girls' which has that 'slow wind reggae' feel to it; And that's something a lot of unsigned Philadelphia artists don't touch. He's frequently team up with Hollywood Haz. Look for more tracks from Wezu on our social media feeds, along with any news on an upcoming project.
Follow @wezufalcon on the Gram and his SoundCloud Page!!
JUG the iLLest
Jug the iLLest was originally born in Chicago, but was raised spending most of this young life in Philadelphia and has spent time in Trenton, New Jersey. His artistry was influenced by the grafitti and skater culture. After the tragic loss of his step-father, he expressed his emotions through art and fashion, starting his own line and once working for the famous Miskeen Clothing line; and through hip-hop music - citing the likes of Kool G Rap, Big Pun, Eminem and Wu-Tang Clan, to name a few of the artists that supports his intellectual, gritty-and-witty style of rap. In 2011-2012, he released Reporting from Badlandz but it was under the radar. In 2016, he's returned to making music and has already received rave reviews for his GODSENT project that's he's released on his SoundCloud and AudioMack accounts. The project features all original content, productions from almost different producers for every track; and features guest appearances from Mics Garcia (formerly Murda Mics). Jug has also gotten some co-signs from DJ Spontane (on his S&R Podcast Radio Show) and fellow artists, Peso Bag Cru. Juggie's goal is make timeless music that he can use to give the world a message.
Follow @Jugtheillest on Instagram. Check out his SoundCloud Music Page too.