Welcome The Precedent, this list is a tale of the times, the hottest MCs, as artists and brands in the 617/978 area of the map in 2013, period. This list isn't bout' hating on those who put in the most work and deserve their spot. This list isn't bout one hot freestyle, over somebody else beat or a big name DJ, producer or rapper co-sign!
This list is about music, movement and mula potential but most importantly being an MC! This list isn't about your same old song radio station that doesn't have enough D.O.P.E. Music...where there is only one hot DJ!
LMAO...Let me stop, FOR NOW. Let's get to The Precedent List of Hottest Hip Hop Artists in The (617) and (978)! I didn't make the list, the list made itself and I put it together cause I'm Hip Hop's Pee Wee Kirk!
These ARTIST are not just "Rappers" but modern-day innovators in the Hip Hop game. In an area where local radio is no longer localized, many superstar-talent artists are forced to find other ways to spread their music, their movement and make that mozzarella!
Six-One-Seven (617)
Dutch Rebelle
The Bean been had a Queen and she reminds me of a young Latifah with her authenticity as a female and bars on the mic. The 'Town rides with her, The Famous Nobodies crew and her Black Rose movement is official. In 2013, she followed up her 2012 "Married to The Music" project with her dope "Love Is" single with the soulful Janet Jackson sample, giving you that realness the game has been missing. Even though Ms. Rebelle didn't drop a project in 2013 she definitely kept her buzz up with sold out shows in Boston and an appearance on MTV Rapfix with Sway amongst other accomplishments. This fine, Haitian and Dominican MC has the sex appeal to make the females stunt and make fellas stare, trust! Probably caught me looking a few times, feel me! Jokes aside, she one's one of the few female MCs I've heard that has the woman relate and have the fellas rock with her bars, consistently. She's nice, male or female, saying otherwise then you definitely a hater! All hail the Queen of the Bean, Dutch Rebelle. Be on the lookout for her upcoming 2014 release, Rebelle Diaries! She is 1 of the 5 MC's that set The Precedent in The (617) and the game period in 2013!
Eddy Fish
Eddy Fish stormed onto the scene in 2013 after breaking through the buzz radar with major noise in late-2012 releasing a few freestyles and visuals. The Skyways Music Group general and former manager decided to jump on the mic and ended up flooding the airwaves with his first single titled "Whole Lotta Money" ft. Yo Gotti (even the corny stations in Boston couldn't front on this one, at least when they were highlighting the local talent, but it was hot enough to be on regular rotation as well). The track is a perfect mix of that D-Boy bravado, luxurious lyricism with the knocking beat alongside a southern Hip Hop and street legend. Fish and Skyways Music Group announced their music venture with Yo Gotti's label Cocaine Muzik Group, officially making one of the first Southern Hip Hop to MASS Hip Hop music ventures for a rapper out of the state. Fish followed with other bangers like "Kilo" ft. Supastar LT and other major features like Scarface for example. Straight from the streets to the stage, Eddy Fish helped The (617) certify itself with the raw, ruggedness that The Bean is known for but he made his own lane with the ability to produce radio play music while still representing for the streets. Salute Eddy Fish, he is 1 of the 5 MC's that set The Precedent in The 617 and and all throughout the South and East Coast!
Lou Armstrong
His twitter bio reads "The Undiscovered Leader of My City" but after being co-signed by Nas at his Centro Performance in Lawtown in 2012, Lou Armstrong stepped his game up even more in 2013, coming a long way from the first Hitmakerz compilation in 2004 and many trials and tribulations. Already well known in his own city he took his Hitmakerz movement to many other cities with great success rubbing shoulders with many major players in the industry. With a street banger like "Real Life" ft Ar-Ab, a joint for the ladies "Looks Like She Wants It" ft Nawlage & French Montana in the promo cycle, Lou caught the eye of many labels in the industry. His skills on the mic have steadily improved with every project he's released but it is his hustle and grind off the mic that made the industry recognize his name in 2013. Don't think the big man can't spit though! He proved he's got bars that match his go getter demeanor on his Hip Hop Nation Radio "On Da Spot" freestyle. Nobody can compete with his social media movement as he is the most recognized Hip Hop figure in The Bean from coast to coast. Beantown's Big Papi of Hip Hop was buzzing heavy in 2013. Salute Lou Armstrong, he is 1 of the 5 MC's that set The Precedent in The 617!
Smoke Bulga
The "Smoke Did It" single put him in the game back in 2003. With over a decade in the game, there is no way you could mention Boston Hip Hop and leave the newfound "Donn Lennon" out of the conversation...still, especially in 2013. He is no stranger to hate or controversy and has weathered those storms from the beginning of his career. Helping launch careers like E.Burton, Millyz, Masspike Miles, the late Roc Dukati (RIP) and many more, he has established an influential music movement in Boston, no doubt. In 2013, he got back right to what he does best on "In Da Bean", represent Boston. With the classic 1, 2 punch of Smoke and Masspike, other Dukati Gang rappers let you know what's going on in their part of Beantown. He quickly followed up with another street banger entitled "That Life" ft Gunplay of Maybach Music Group which premiered on MTV Jams! Salute Smoke Bulga aka Don Lennon, he is 1 of the 5 MC's that set The Precedent in The 617!
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Millyz
Before you take a look at him and judge listen to a his lead single "The Plug" ft Jadakiss then tell me if his skin color effects his talent. Millyz heated up the east coast underground airwaves with the original and the remix! Hip Hop has always had white MCs since Day 1 from Beastie Boyz & MC Search to Em and Paul Wall, and so on. The (617) has a long history of white MCs that can really spit from underground legends (Slaine) to hit records ("Jump Around") to pop successes (Mark Wahlberg). The Cambridge MC took it back to the one MC, one producer project collaboration with all but one of the blazing beats being produced by The Colombians. On his 5th mixtape entitled "Future Memories" Millyz hits the 25,000 download mark on Datpiff.com with features from The Lox General, Fat Trel, Freeway & Mad Bwoy. Dropping his first mix tape "White Boy Like Me"(2009) then "WBLM2" (2011), "Fan Appreciation Day" (2012) and "Contagious Lifestyle" (2012). In 2013, Millyz proved his ability to make a D.O.P.E. street radio record will giving listeners different sounds switching up his beats and content throughout the mixtape. His movement has picked up every year since he's been in the game and 2013 was no different! Salute Millyz he is 1 of the 5 MC's that set The Precedent in The 617!
Nine-Seven-Eight (978)
Reks
For every queen, there is a King. He just happens to be The Rhythmatic Eternal King Supreme and hails from Lawtown. And when it comes to being a lyricist there is nobody in the 978, 617 or the whole game who can see Reks as a pure MC, period. Why do you think N.O.R.E. chose the Lawtown Legend to address the Kendrick's "Control" verse on "Jesus Take The Wheel"? We all know N.O.R.E. never hold his tounge when it comes to NYC/East Coast vs. LA/West Coast issues with his legendary "LA, LA" response to the The Dogg Pound "New York, New York". If you don't know what I'm talking about and you already hating on the list then you a hater! Just letting YOU know, HA! There is no debate here, Reks is currently the best. Don't listen to me, listen to his official studio album released in 2013, Revolution Cocktail. Then go back to 2010 and listen to my favorite Reks project, In Between The Line 2, released in 2010, CLASSIC! Continue on down the line with Rhythmatic Eternal King Supreme (2011), Straight, No Chaser (2012), REBELutionary (2012)! With two other album releases in 2001 and 2008 plus many mixtapes released In Between The Lines, Reks reigns supreme, period. He continues to get better lyrically and more diverse musically. He's making more music and is finally gettin' the recognition he deserves! Check out his All On Eyez On Reks mixtape that is just a teaser before his next studio album title Eyes Watching coming in 2014! Salute Reks, he is 1 of the 5 MC's that set The Precedent in The 978 and the game nationally and internationally in 2013!
Termanology
With 10+ years in the game, Termanology is a certified veteran MC, that, no one can debate. The combination of his rapid-fire delivery and unprecedented work ethic has gotten him the most notoriety in both The 978, 617 and Hip Hop game since the Legendary Guru and Scientifik (Rest In Power). Born in Lawrence, raised in Haverhill and earning his stripes in the underground Boston Hip Hop scene, controversy has surfaced about his place of origin. Regardless, as an MC Term has paid his dues. In 2013, he dropped is 6th studio album G.O.Y.A. with the lead single "Straight Off The Block" ft. Kay Slay, Sheek Louch and Lil' Fame. He released two albums in 2012, Fizzyology (Lil' Fame joint album) and 2012 (1982 Part 2) plus a mixtape, Hood Politics 7. Termanology produces, period. Whether you like his music or not or claim he's not from Boston or Lawrence, the bottom line is he is the most productive MC on this list within the last 10 years. He caught fire in 2006 with his single "Watch How It Go Down" produced by the legendary DJ Premier and has been consistent with material since, dropping HP II & HP III (2005), HP IV (2006), HP V (2007) and Hood Politics VI (2009). Including his 50 Bodies & Cameo King mixtapes series' along with many other mixtapes. His "100 More Jewelz" outro track off the album is vintage Termanology, straight bars, no hooks just a D.O.P.E. lyrical display of wordplay. Salute Termanology, he is 1 of the 5 MC's that set The Precedent in The 978 and the game nationally and internationally in 2013!
Gutta Butta
Since dropping his first mixtape entitled "2 Sides 2 Every Story" in 2004 his progression as an MC and song maker is evident when listening to the music. Even though he is a true MC, Good Business has also collaborated with artists from the Pop, Reggae, R&B and Tembo/Reggaeton genre's like Kim Davis, Mitch, Frank Vocals, C-Scharp, Nawlage and many more. He followed his debut with 2 solo mixtapes "The Other Side of Da Story" (2007) and "Tales of a Dominican G" (2010) as well as a collaboration mixtape with C Scharp & Starks of Bladerunnaz entitled "IV:XXI When The Smoke Clears" (2012) which produced the hit "Blow It Away" that was chosen for New England Hip Hop.com's "For The Love Of Music 1" compilation hosted by Clinton Sparks. He released his 5th mixtape entitled "Love Me, Luv Me Not" in December 2012. In 2013, Gutta Butta started off the year with releasing "Lawtown LOUD" one of the biggest Lawrence, MA anthems since Scientifik's "Lawtown" (Co-Signed By Scientifick's Son) and the biggest street banger of his career. The highly anticipated "Lawtown LOUD" (Remix) ft. Reks has been released in snippets and is expected to drop Summer 2014. Salute Gutta Butta, he is 1 of the 5 MC's that set The Precedent in The 978!
Stein
Nobody on the 617/978 rap scene has ascended quicker in 2013. Hailing from Lowell, MA aka Mill City is a challenge in itself as Boston and Lawrence are the Hip Hop homes with the most history in the state. In 2013, Stein blazed the airwaves with the hottest single of the year "All Day" ... with no major feature. The song was in rotation on The Launch Pad, 889@Night (RIP) and WUML consistently for months. The prime example of the power of a hit record with Stein dropping just his debut mixtape in 2013 entitled "Good Will Hunting" but receiving more airplay than any artist on this list on local radio. Stein has showed he can make tracks for the radio and uplift your mind with his conceptual lyricism and skill. He represents Lowell and encourages the focus on Hip Hop as an art and not just the streets. Him and his Moody Projects movement has been one of the fastest growing music brands in The Mills in years! Salute Stein, he is 1 of the 5 MC's that set The Precedent in The 978!
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Supnater
The Lawtown streets have not had an MC with a stronger Hip Hop presence at such a young age since the late great Scientifik in his early 20's. Supnater's music and movement is undeniable if you ever heard one of his tracks, seen one of his performances or met the humble Haitian-Dominican poet, MC and activist. Last year he dropped many loose tracks not on a mixtape but on his Soundcloud to build a buzz and the streets were loving the single "Slumvillany" with its funky instrumentation and rugged rap tales mirroring the feel of the early 90s with a 2010 decade sound. Nate shows you why he is amongst the Top 5 with his signature lyrical display and flawless flow not to mention the storytelling all in one track, a real single...with no chorus. Even the Rhythmatic Eternal King Supreme blessed a track entitled "Resurrection" co-signing Supnater by way of the legendary DJ Lus. His unique style, embodies the state of mind of the youth facing cultural and musical oppression in The City of Lawrence today. In 2013, he dropped his 2nd mix taped entitled "Raw Meds"with 22 tracks of straight fire for your soul through the Steve Cool production and Sup's lethal lyrics. He does not hold back with the music as he has over 50 original tracks out as new solo artist. With a superstar sound, true passion for the music and more music consistently hitting your ear drums each D.O.P.E. track/mixtape at a time Supnater is a promising artists looking to make his mark in the game. Salute the youngest MC on the list, he is 1 of 5 MC's that set The Precedent in The 978!
-Hip Hop Pee Wee Kirkland
