Who's HOT in HIP HOP in 2011“How can you keep up with all the talent and new artists in Hip Hop?” you ask.
It’s a good question. A new artist no one’s heard of could drop an album tomorrow and take the world by storm, or a huge name in the industry could put out a flop. With 2011 just underway some might say we’re crazy predicting who the top up-and-coming artists are going to be, but at hh2c.tv we have a few names you will be hearing a lot from in the near future... on the radio, on the net, and downloaded on everyone’s iPod through 2011 and years down the line.
You all know Bobby Ray Simmons, Jr, AKA B.o.B. Where beat and rhymes are everything he has it all. He’s had tons of hits in the Rap Top 100 as well as some chart toppers like “Nothin’ on You,” “Airplanes,” and “Magic.” His debut album The Adventures of Bobby Ray was a huge success and he’s not done.
Remember Lupe Fiasco (born Wasalu Muhammad Jaco)? He hasn’t gone anywhere but between filling his role as producer and CEO of 1st and 15th entertainment, playing front man for the post punk band Japanese Cartoon, and other business ventures he hasn’t released anything since Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool in 2007. His first album was released in 2006 and Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor was a huge success. After several delays Lasers was released March 8 and well worth the wait.
You can’t talk about rap today without talking about Wiz Khalifa. The Stealers might not have won the Super Bowl but his hit single “Black and Yellow” hasn’t stopped “winning” (as Charlie Sheen would say) since its release. You won’t find a more laid back superstar in the industry. And with memorable lyrics and catchy beats based almost exclusively on weed and women, sticking to the script has worked out. He’s been rapping and releasing hot tracks since 2006 and his next album, Rolling Papers, due to release March 29, is going to be huge. An example of how “sticking to what you know” (Rolling Papers) can pay off big.
Peter Gene Hernandez, better known as Bruno Mars, has had his hands (voice and brain) on so many hits it’s hard to keep track, from co-writing chart-toppers like “Right Round” by Flo Rida and “Wavin’ Flag” by K’naan, to lending his unique vocals to hits like “Nothin’ on You” by B.o.B. and “Billionaire” by Travie McCoy, he is well respected and could happily make his mark behind the scenes lending his skills to other artists. But anyone who’s heard Doo-Wops & Hooligans knows this is a talent meant for the spotlight. Look for more of him in the near future.
Some Hip Hop’s too big for one country. You probably haven’t heard much about Bryan King yet, but at only 19 he’s already well on his way to becoming an international star. U.S. born but living and studying out of Shanghai, his aptly titled single “Overseas” is out on Black Box Records. It features Stumik of Wu-Tang Raekwon’s Icewater, and for some European flavor French phenom artist and producer Proff. Bryan King offers a wide range from R&B to rap to electro – and even if you’re not into Hip Hop we have a feeling you’ll be taken in by the diverse sounds and inclusive lyrics.
Those are some of the names we think are going to be big in the coming year. Check them out and let us know what you think at hh2c.tv.
Article written by David H. Comments can be sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
