Top 10 to Watch For 2013 Halftime Report [Editorial + Mixtapes + Videos]

I have written a series each year called “Top 10 to Watch For”.  My good ear for talent combined with my ongoing search for what’s next has led Top 10 to Watch For to become one of my favorite series and one I am quite proud of.  If you have taken my advice, then you may have introduced your friends to artists like Wiz Khalifa, Big Sean, B.o.B, Joey Bada$$, Macklemore, A$AP Rocky, Freddie Gibbs and many more before they achieved the popularity they enjoy today.  I wanted to follow up this year’s list just in case you haven’t been paying as close of attention as you should!  Here is a chance to catch up on what numbers 10-6 of 2013’s Top 10 to Watch For have done so far this year.

 

Dillon Cooper is a part of the new wave coming from New York that is taking hip hop back.  With an old school sound, this new school provides a fresh perspective on hip hop getting back to complicated rhyming and boom bap tracks.  Dillon has released some clean visuals like “Kung Foo” and a full length mixtape “Cozmik”.  Check em both out and catch up!

For those of you who only think The Bay is about getting hyphy, y’all need to update your iPod.  IamSu! makes music that you can listen to at a party, sure, but also when you are cruising, chilling or spitting game that someone you just met.  He released “Million Dollar Afro”, a joint mixtape with Problem who is also starting to blow up and accompanied it with a tour of the same name.  And just recently, “Kilt 2” which has some real bangers that I know will stay in my rotation.  With the improvement he is showing from tape to tape, song to song, it won’t be long before IamSu! is being talked about everywhere.

Casey Veggies dropped a full length “Life Changes” project of all original material featuring production from 1500 or Nothin, D.R.U.G.S. and many more.  He has done some touring too, even going somewhat International.

Dee-1 has been pretty quiet in 2013.  He dropped “Psalms of David” which was a mix of new and older material.  There is plenty more time for him to make noise and I am sure he has some big things planned.  In the mean time, get familiar with his most recent mixtape.

King Louie took on the month of March by releasing something new every day! That can be found in his “March Madness” mixtape.  In addition, he nabbed a HUGE feature alongside Kanye West on Yeezus’ “Send It Up”.  A big look for King L that should propel him even further!