Some of these artists are far from ‘new,’ hence the ‘breakthrough’ part. There is still something relatively new about each one of these artists, nevertheless.
10. Charles Hamilton
Haven’t heard of him yet? That’s too bad, because I can’t stop hearing about this guy. Eh, I think he’s dope, or was dope, or will be dope. One of those. He just needs some direction and he’ll be good to go. His production is interesting, but for him it could be worth while to venture out and reach out to some up and coming producers to suit his up and coming style.
9. Blu
His success from 2007’s Below the Heavens, with producer Exile, still hasn’t slowed down and in 2008 everyone wanted him for something. His projects were highly anticipated in the underground circuit and they delivered the goods (more or less). This may be his last romp on this list and to prevent him from becoming over rated, let’s see what he can do on a consistent basis.
8. Shad
Canada represent! This dude is all skill. He’s been around for a minute, but with the drop of The Old Prince and the hit joint, “Brother,” he’s finally getting the attention that he’s deserved. I can’t help but support great hip hop like this; no gimmicks.
7. The Knux
After being wow’ed by their great live show, being wow’ed by their great album, and being wow’ed by their level of awesomeness, I decided that The Knux need to be here. Their critical acclaim will eventually churn out more listeners.
6. Remot
After rolling off the success of 2007’s American Gangster Remoted (Hip Hop DX Contest Winner), this young man has stood out in 2008. Becoming a protégé of Mick Boogie and expanding his resume, he only will continue to turn some heads with his Dilla-esque style. Should be a strong 2009.
5. Illmind
Illmind is still relatively fresh to the game, but seriously, 2008 has been his year. If not for Black Milk’s retardedly strong 2008, Illmind might’ve picked up “Producer of the Year” honors. He was getting hollered at from all angles; from cats ranging from Scarface to Heltah Skeltah. So, expect more dope stuff from him in 09.
4. Wale
Dropping one of the best mixtapes of 2008 wasn’t enough for Wale, he had to be anywhere and everywhere that hip hop news was at. There was rarely a new track that he didn’t turn out or spot up on. He’s still relatively new and will certainly have an even more expanded fan-base after his wildly popular drop on “Rising Up” with The Roots.
3. Drake
Canada, again! He’s been creating a hell of a buzz in 2008. Lil’ Wayne took notice and there’s plenty of word that Drake could be inked to something major in the near future (if he hasn’t been already). He’s got skill when he wants to drop it and not dumb down his stuff, he’s got loads of quotables and loads of talent. It’ll be interesting to see what he can do.
2. Asher Roth
If you guys aren’t excited about this cat, I don’t know what you can be excited about. He’s got so much jump and charisma and while he does remind me of Eminem in plenty of ways, he by no means comes across as a “wannabe.” He’s his own artist, and his subject matter certainly differs from Mr. Mathers, so why can’t he do his own thing? He’s dope. He’s got a great flow, a great style, and most importantly, a great attitude.
1. Jay Electronica
He’s being hailed as the new Nas. I wasn’t impressed by his live show, but I’m confident that he will drop one hell of an extraordinary album. He’s showed the Nasir in him plenty of times in 2008 and has gotten co-signs from all the respected heads possible. He’s got a bright future if he keeps his head on straight and sticks to his bread and butter — strong lyricism. Some great production will go a long way for Jay E, but he seems to be one of the most lyrically gifted cats hip hop has witnessed in a while.
Honorable Mentions
{ 40 comments… read them below or add one }
Am I the only one not feeling Jay Electronica?
i just can’t stand listening to asher roth, his voice reminds me of Em all the time
. But the boy got skills.
.
My fav from this list is of course Wale, he will be huge
Jay is just a question mark, i don’t think he will get mainstream space with his intelligent rhymes (this can change if you put some nice bitches on your music video, lol), but i think he’ll release one of the best and most original albums ever.
Jay E remains me of Killah Priest (Heavy Mental days) and Nas. Kev check his Star Wars ep. He’s gotta a couple joints with Dilla that are out of this world…production/lyrics wise.
Or listen to “Something to Hold” on our Nottz mix joint.
illmind had a great 08..the kid is dope..mickey factz also had a great 08..one guy who beens out for a minute but i think had a breakthrough year was skyzoo..if u didnt kno who skyzoo was back then, you sure do now..hes a beast..artist to look for in 09 (skyzoo,wale,oddisee,mickey factz,jon hope,notes to self,returners,illmind,jay electronica,emilio rojas,mikkey halsted, and self scientific gonna come hard in 09)
PEACE
naaa kev… im not diggin him too much either… one of my mentorsing producers by the name of D.Twyce was going crazy off of some ep thing he did a while ago. but when he played it for me, i was like… uhhh, i dont get it lol. dont really see what all the hype was about. maybe i gotta hear more or somethin i dunno… but.. to each his own.
my bad.. i mean to put.. MENTORING haha.. thas what i get for typin in the dark huh…
yeah, Skyzoo’s been out for a minute… but he def broke through this year. Oddisee too… one of my fav producers right now. Yup, Emilio Rojas on the come up too!
Kev, you are not alone (no Michael Jackson). I’m not big on Jay Electronica either. Blu probably excites me most on this list. and in no way is that attributed to my West Coast bias
be on the lookout for Remot and Illmind though!
I, by no means, put Jay E up there because I like him either. I Do think he has massive potential though and the fact that many are deeming him the next best thing, thats a pretty big deal
Kev, this picture is so fucking dope.. did you do it?
Nah, it was part of the XXL spread.
word, got it
I think i saw this on another website, someone correct me, but Jay Electronica was slaughtered.
hmmm, Illmind…what all has he done this year…I thought he had a big year last year…Black Milk stepped it up this year from even what he did last year was there a reason he wasnt on here? and yea Wale might be at least 2 to me…I woulda liked to See Kid Cudi on this list too…hmm
oh and we all know, just like last year, this year Remot did WORK
black milk had a great year, but by no means, did he break out this year.
I’m pretty sure we knew who he was in 06 and 07
popular demand was probably his coming out party
these lists are biased as fuck
Dope list Deez, shit is on point, however I personally can’t stand Asher Roth (the voice kills me) and Charles Hamilton (listened to a few of his mixtapes but after that Soulja Boy stupidness, I lost a lot of respect for him). You shoulda had Cudi on that list though mayne, he had like the biggest single of the year for an underground artist without a video, shit was even tearing up the house/electro circuit. Illmind and Skyzoo are already established. The Cool Kids should have been on the list, the EP was sick. It will be interesting to see what type of shit they come with now that their novelty has kind of wore off.
word, well Kudi was an honourable mention. Cool Kids I included on the honourable mentions, but I wasn’t gonna include them at all. 07 they could’ve easily taken one or two on this list.
Illmind seemed to really cement his place in here this year and unlike Black Milk, he didn’t have a year prior to this to really lay his foot down
Scroobius Pip.
He’s also got a track coming out in a couple weeks with Pos from De La.
Yeeeeeuup!
My top 3 will be:
-Shad (omfg so much concept)
-Jay Electronica
first contact was live in montreal before kweli and goddamn yall betta watch out im tellin ya, waaaatcch out. the lil waynez and the 50z gotta bow down to this
-Asher Roth !!!
How about Illa J or Cory Gunz? Not really feeling Jay Electronica or Charles Hamilton. But overall nice list I would have put Drake(not because I’m Canadian) or Wale at #1 #2 spot
Sha stimuli anyone?
Best album of the year=hotter than july!
I can’t stand seeing anything to do with Jay Electronica because his live performance was by far, one of the wackest things I’ve ever seen. And his attitude? Wow.
With Drake, I’m sorry but maaaan, everytime I see him all I can think of is ‘Jimmy’ from Degrassi, haha. He’s a good look though.
And lla J, by no means, should be on the list. He didn’t ‘breakthrough’ with anything, really. He has a lot to work on, before being considered a look-out artist for 2009.
Oh, and The Returners deserve an honorable mention!
eA, I was at that show. Sure, his live act was weak, but apparently he showed up in Miami, I believe my man Keezy went to that and he said Jay E is a dope cat and did a great live show. I feel you on Drake hahaha people, he was on Canadian television…now close to being signed on Lil Wayne’s Label?!
Cory Gunz had his year last year
I think y’all are putting far too much emphasis on the live show. Not trying to downplay its significance, but Nas’ live show sucks as well, and he’s my favourite artist. If you have enough classic material, the stage show will take care of itself. Deez, I didn’t get there in time to see him, only caught up with him in the crowd, he was mad humble and cool to me.
Nas is one of my favorite artist as well, but he didn’t have any command during his show…didn’t draw the crowd into his performance. Now that was over 7 years ago…he may have stepped his live show game up…but I’m not sure.
For what he did when I went I could have popped in my Cd’s and listened.
My live show days are probably over unless its Jay-Z…cause I’ll have to take the wife with me…she won’t go see anyone else.
Eh not really my personal list, but I guess if it’s for who heads are checking for, then I can see it. Blu, Remot, Knux and Illmind (who either makes beats that I love or hate) are the only ones I care to check for in the coming new year. I suppose one of the other cats will surprise me though…Nice work though.
Buff1 needs to be on this list..for reals*
Jay Electronica dope, Asther Roth too similar to Em, not impressed
Great list, all the artists u mention are really quite good. Jay E really stands out to me tho, he’s an exceptional artist. I saw him at Rock The Bells in SF and his live performance wasnt that great, but after the show he jumped off stage and started interacting with the crowd. There wernt that many ppl cuz its was like 10 am but he started kicking some amazing freestyles with some of the kids and invited us to smoke a blunt backstage with him. If that isnt legit ionno what is, hes all about the people.
Jota Flowers #1. Let alone getting recognition. I’m glad SOMEONE said SOMETHING.
I disagree with Asher Roth. Kid is overrated. Chunnel.TV has a breakthrough artists of 2009 list. They predict Drake taking 09. Click on the link for music from the artists. http://chunnel.tv/music/439/chunneltvs-top-6-music-acts-to-bust-out-in-09
I’ve never heard of Remot, The Knux, or Shad before, never seen any of their names mentioned anywhere at all, so how are they on this list? I’ve at least heard of everyone else on this list aside from them.
Not saying they don’t deserve to be on the list, but there’s definately other people that deserve to replace them on this list.
Remot was on two of the biggest mixtapes of the year and won one of the biggest hip hop contests of the last year
The Knux had a highly critically acclaimed album and toured with Q Tip and The Cool Kids on the 2K Sports tour
Shad got nominated for a Juno, garnered one of OkayPlayer’s highest album ratings of the year and has gotten over millions of hits for his videos on Youtube..
The Knux
http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2008/12/22/5-things-about-the-knux/
http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/breaking/2008/11/breaking-the-knux.php
Remot
http://fakeshoredrive.com/2008/12/adele-feat-naledge-first-love-remot.html
http://kevinnottingham.com/2008/10/28/mick-boogie-terry-urban-jay-zcoldplays-viva-la-hova/
Shad
http://www.okayplayer.com/reviews/april-2008/shad-200804145591/
Blaow, keep an eye out. If you hadn’t heard of them by now, I guarantee you will soon! I hope their mention in this list alone makes you wanna go check for their work… you won’t be disappointed.
B.o.B should be in the top 10, as well as Kid Cudi…
How B.o.B isnt on this list blows my mind actually.
No disrespect to our boy, Remot, but I dont think he should be on the list. And HM, maybe, but def not over B.o.B or Kid Cudi who have both had massive buzz years.