By Emmanuel
Finally a drop from Key!
At this point and time I am pissed at KEY! because he has so much fye music that he constantly teases on social media but never puts out. The other day he blessed his fans with “ICE SCREAM HELLO” one of he multitude of hits he lets us hear 20 seconds of daily. Someone tell this man to drop Live Slow Die Old now please. In the meantime listen to this slapper below.
by mannygotbricks
FRVR
Key! just dropped a certified banger last night in “I Love You”. The track is a love song Key uses to show appreciation to his many women. I wonder how his Bm feels about this but I’m glad he risking that drama for the release of this dope record.
https://soundcloud.com/fatmankey/i-love-you-ft-omari-shakir-prod-by-wavy-wallace-key
by mannygotbricks
22. SahBabii
SahBabii is my newest discovery and one of the easiest picks I had to make. Today’s rap fan welcome biters with open arms and SahBabii has the current Atlanta style of rap mastered.
21. Key!
Key is sure to make waves in 2017 as one of the leaders of Atlanta rap culture. His new project Live Slow Die Old will surely propel him to the next level.
20. Rich The Kid
Many would say Rich has already blown but he has yet to get the honors he has been vocal about wanting like the XXL freshman cover. I see him and Dex getting the cover this year, pushing them higher in the ranks.
19. Vic Mensa
Vic is already on a pretty high level having gone on tour in Europe with Beiber and being signed to RocNation, but 2017 is the year his debut album Traffic is supposed to be released a project I have been anticipating for years. Theres Alot Going On was strong but Traffic is sure to be Vic’s first true classic.
18. Vince Staples
Vince has already teased the public with his new hard hitting single BagBak, and an equally as hard album is sure to follow this year. Having Vince on this list is like, duh.
17. Travis Scott
Astroworld is the third album by La Flame, and is set to be released in 2017. Don’t really need to explain why you should pay attention to this guy.
16. Joey Fatts
Joey has been making major moves already by establishing artists for his budding Cutthroat Records label. His next project is called 562. Catch Joey and Dsavage together on the At Your Neck Tour.
15. Lil Bibby
Bibby is poised to drop Free Crack this year and singles “You Aint Gang” and “Thought It Was A Drought” are promising precursors to the project. Bibby will be around a long time and should always be paid attention to.
14. G Herbo
Bibby vs Herb was a common argument that was had in my neighborhood when they first came into the game. I was and still am on team Herbo and in 2017 he should help me shut up the opposition. Herbo has the collab tape with Bibby No Limitations, the collab tape with Southside Swervo, and finally his debut album executive produced by the legendary No I.D Humble Beast. 2017 is Herbo’s year.
13. Nav
Nav is one of the few of today’s current artists to keep a shroud of mystery around him. This mysterious allure causes millions to flock to his Soundcloud whenever he drops anything. I’m sure the results will be the same if not way bigger when he drops the tape all produced by Metro Boomin this year.
12. A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie
A Boogies music is simply undeniable. It’s just too good. Those who deny him are lost in their Bone’s/Lil Peep, pit of despair and need to wake up.
11. Da$H
Da$H and RetcH have some of the most potential out of the entire East Coast. Da$H is dropping Loose Skrew this year and built excitement with the grimy video for the single “Grade A”. You have to pay attention to anyone that Yam$ was trying to put on.
10. RetcH
Similar to the Herbo vs Bibby argument, I had the RetcH vs Da$H argument with many, and I have always favored RetcH’s style. Since being released from jail RetcH has been fucking up the road on tour and if his IG snippets are any indication, his new tape 1UP is going to be crazy. Another one of Yamborghini’s disciples.
9. Uno The Activist
Uno is supremely confident in his rapping ability and the quality of his music. In a recent interview on No Jumper he stated “I think I’m one of the best rappers out, Im a clever muhfucker”. I agree with Uno’s statement and have been listening to multiple records like “What”,”Stomp Em Out”, and “Rackades” non-stop. Uno is going to t’up in 2017.
8. DSAVAGE 3900
Dsavage is one of Joey Fatts young boys signed to Cutthroat Records. He just dropped “I Know II” and it got over 1million plays in just under 35 hours. Dsavage also has a mysterious tape to be released in 2017. Until then I can still listen to Tendencies 10x in a row.
7. Playboi Carti
Well this is kind of a no brainer. Carti is signed to Interscope and his unofficially leaked music gains as much buzz and talk as if he was letting stuff go himself. This kind of ravenous fan base is what is going to propel Carti to the next level.
6. Kodak Black
Kodak Black is going to be one of the next big rap superstars. He is cut from the Ross, Gucci, Jeezy type cloth. If you don’t see Kodak being around for at least 10 years your dumb.
5. Divine Council
There isn’t another rap group out like Divine Council. ICYTWAT, $ilkmoney, Cyrax!, and Lord Linco (Free Carvell Smoove) all bring something special to the group that combines to become some of the most exciting and actually new rap music to come out in a long time. Andre 3000 doesn’t just do songs with people who aren’t going to be around for at least a few years.
4. Maxo Kream
I have recently been sitting with Maxo’s two latest projects Maxo 187, and The Persona Tape. After listening to these extensively I have realized that Maxo is also one of raps next big names. The man is like the internet generations response to the Swisher House era and his music, style and persona trumps those niggas ten fold.
3. Wifisfuneral
Wifi has already been making waves this year with his last tape When Hell Falls. He talks on that tape about how XXL had been giving him motivation to go harder in order to make the Freshman cover. Hopefully Wifi uses this motivation to churn out an even greater project and officially solidify him as a very popular entity.
2. Ski Mask The Slump God
Ski and X are two of my favorite artists out right now and they are pioneers to a whole new sub genre of hip hop. Ski’s enigmatic personality and hilarious bars (when I’m in that pussy bitch I’m tryna break ya vertebrae) will help him and X build a cult fan base and give them longevity in the game.
1. XXXTENTACION
In an era of clones being shamelessly accepted and promoted as “new” artists X is one who actually has a different take on rap music. Wait till X is freed and the video for Look At Me drops. No more talking will have to be done.
There are a bunch of guys I left off, and could have been switched with others, I don’t get paid for this yet so please spare me.
by mannygotbricks
Not dat way.
A major standout from the Atlanta based collectives debut album is the luminous, and glossy banger This Way. Key! shines on the track providing an infectious chorus and Jace has a fiery melodic verse that ends the track. Listen to this heat below.
by mannygotbricks
This shit is so fire.
Led by Atlanta underground mastermind Key!, Two-9 have been a major blip on my radar for a couple years now. Last years B4FRVR was a promising prelude to the debut album from the Atlanta group. FRVR to me feels like the total essence of the youth in Atlanta. The project goes from 140 bpm, dabbing anthems,to leaned out drugscapes, to bright and summery slappers. Standout for me include, “None of These”, “Nasty”, “This Way” and “25/8”. Listen to the future of Atlanta below.
by mannygotbricks
A$AP Worldwide
Addy seems to have finally cornered a lane inside of A$AP Mob that he can thrive in. he has had an instrumental part in the discovery of many of the current wave of rappers including Lil Uzi Vert. Addy thrives in the ignorant side of rap Finances is the perfect ode to the moolah for him and his counterparts. Listen below.
Key! and Reese are two staples in the Atlanta underground scene and they collab for a six track mixtape. Seeing as though Key and Reese are some of if not the first people to use the ad lib and pause heavy flow that is so prevalent today they lay it on heavy over these six records. Production is handled by Sladedamonsta, K Swisha, and Franchise the mastermind behind Key’s smash “New Money”. Standouts for me are “Money Phone” ft Offset, and “Bankroll”. Stream the tape below.
-mannygotbricks
This is a list based solely on my personal opinion, eclectic taste in music, and who I listened to most this year. If you don’t agree or think I’m crazy I don’t care and you are right. Enjoy.
10. Famous Dex
Dexter is part if the new wave of artist who’s music is entirely composed of energy. While some disagree with the “mumble rap” title given to artists like Dex I think its fitting and nothing to be ashamed of. They do mumble a lot, and it sounds great. With hits like “2 Times” “Drip From My Walk” and “Hit Em Wit It” combined with all the work he’s put in with Rich Forever captain Rich The Kid it was impossible to ignore Dex this year.
9. Lil Yachty
Back in April when I first started this blog I wrote an article titled “Lil Yachty Is The Truth”. This was upon me first hearing his breakout tape “Lil Boat” and more specifically the song “Out Late”. Obviously a few idiots disagreed with me but Yachty’s output helped me prove them wrong, you can’t front on someone who puts out a 2X platinum single in 2016, when its nearly impossible to sell music. Yachty dominated the internet in 2016 as well as smashed numerous features and his “Summer Songs 2” mixtape. QC is damn near the new Mowtown at this point.
8. Lil Uzi Vert
Uzi’s 2016 was probably one of the most high profile considering the placements and collabs he racked up. From the collab project with Gucci to records with Wiz Khalifa, Meek Mill and Nicki Minaj, ASAP Ferg, and the near flawless “Lil Uzi Vs The World” tape and now buzzing single “Do What I Want” Uzi and his mumble rap counterparts took my playlist by storm in 2016.
7. Divine Council
I found about these kids this year and have been obsessed ever since. ICYTWAT, Lord Linco, $ilkmoney, and Cryax! have an undeniably fun chemistry that bleeds through every track they are on together or apart. Songs like “Cant Afford Me” “Council Shit”, “Dick In Da Dope” and “Decemba” were all the convinving I needed. While Divine Council is still pretty unknown to the masses the only other evidence I needed besides their great music is the cosign they received from the legendary Andre 3000. 3 Stacks isn’t just gonna do a song and direct a video for a group that has no talent or isn’t going to go anywhere. Opening up for Young Thug and 21 Savage on the HiHorsed Tour isn’t a bad look either. These kids are in for the long haul trust me.
6.21 Savage
Drake wasn’t lying when he said 21 had all the juice earlier this year.While high profile collabs like “Sneakin” with Drizzy,”Offended” with Meek Mill and “X” with Future cemented 21 in the rap landscape. His solo work to me is what is really compelling. Songs like “Dip Dip”, “No Heart” , “Red Opps” and “Skrt” to me are a better look at what 21 has to offer. This man raps like a fourth grader who got called in class and its game changing, who would have thought?
5. XXXTENTACION
My feature on X is one of the most popular articles on this blog and for good reason. X to me has the most potential to go really big out of anyone currently popular in the underground. Songs like “Look At Me” “I Love It When They Run” and “Yung Bratz” show the promise in XXXTENTACION’S unapologetically genre bending, and boundary pushing music. He will be free soon so look for X to fuck up 2017 properly.
4. Gucci Mane
I listened to more Gucci this year than I ever have in my life. Most likely because in his career which spans decades, he has been putting out some of the best music he ever has. His most recent jail stint has changed him all for the better and the music reflects that. “Everybody’s Looking” “Woptober”, “The Return of East Atlanta Santa” and “1017 Vs The World” are all in the top 10 of his best albums to me and they all dropped in 2016. Gucci fathered the style of most of the popular rappers out today and it was fitting that he received the attention and praise he deserved upon coming home.
3. Kodak Black
As soon as I heard “Skrilla” by Kodak I knew there was something special about the kid. The work he put in the rest of the year proved that fact to me. Songs like “LockJaw” “Shit On Me”, “Vibin In This Bih”, and “Like Dat” are undeniable in my opinion. Having just been released from prison in a Gucci like fashion I’m sure Kodak has plenty of street stories to share come 2017. He’s one of the young legends to appear this year.
2. A Boogie
Artists like A Boogie look to be the saving grace for those who claim New York is dying and has completely lost its identity in the rap world. Boogie’s style has that trademark New York grit combined with the ever popular vibing and melodizing that has taken over the game. Songs like “Macaroni”, “Friendzone, “My Shit”, “Bag On Me”, and “Timeless” should prove to anyone that A Boogie is here to stay.
1. Travis Scott
I have been thoroughly invested in Travis Scott since Owl Pharaoh and “Birds In the Trap Sing McKnight” showed his progression and command of his style that I wanted him to display. The album is damn near flawless to me and he doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. All Hail LaFlame.
Honorable Mentions
G Herbo
Lil Bibby
Rich Chigga
Mac Miller
Ab-Soul
Schoolboy Q
Drake
Mick Jenkins
Chance The Rapper
Kendrick Lamar
Pouya
Fat Nick
Ski Mask The Slump God
Kanye West
Meek Mill
Migos
$uicide Boys
The Underachievers
Denzel Curry
Future
Vince Staples
Xavier Wulf
Young Thug
Playboi Carti
Vic Mensa
Key!
DSAVAGE
Warhol.SS
Lil Durk
2 Chainz
Kid Cudi
Young M.A
-mannygotbricks
Most may know Key! from his instrumental work with Two-9, Makonnen, Father, OG Maco and 21 Savage, but most are probably blind to his solo work and the influence he has had over the youth in Atlanta. I just recently watched an interview where Key! stated he along with Reese Laflare were the inventors of the current wave of aye ad-libs and long pauses that are so prevalent in rap flows today.
Upon learning this I checked out his music and you can definitely hear his mastery of the flow. In the interview Adam 22 characterized Key! as having a “black belt mastery” of the style that so many kids just get high on pills and lean and do, and I for one agree. Key!’s form of swag rap comes from a place of intelligence and a high level understanding of what he’s laying down rather than a drugged out zombie space, where the artist doesn’t know or even cares to know what they are saying.
That interview on No Jumper got me excited for the release of his new music as well as he claims his new project “Live Slow, Die Old”(dopest title ever) is coming soon. Standouts for me from Key!’s extensive catalogue are “New Money”, “Yo Bad”, “38 Hot”, “Puking”, and “Street Fighter” among others. Check out FATMANKEY! below, he’s fye as shit.
https://soundcloud.com/fatmankey/2-38-hot-full
https://soundcloud.com/fatmankey/new-money
https://soundcloud.com/fatmankey/11-key-yachty-yo-bad
https://soundcloud.com/fatmankey/puking
-mannygotbricks
ifudontkno 