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Best of Instagram: Yaris Sanchez
Virginia’s a state that sits on the East Coast of the United States but draws inspiration from the best of the country’s current Hip Hop trends. D.R.A.M.’s the latest artist to break out of the state, but there’s a ton of talent that sits ready to unveil itself in due time. The influence of Virginia legends Pharrell, Missy Elliott, Timbaland, and The Clipse is evident in the outlandish nature of many of its artists’ styles and has drawn a spotlight to the state as of late. Guessing who’s going to blow up next is anyone’s guess.
That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the biggest artists in the state. Whether they’re actually good or not is up to your discretion – they’ve captured the interests of people at a national level, so go figure. But if you’re not up to date on what’s happening in the Commonwealth State, take a gander at who’s who below.
Young Crazy
Back in 2013 when Crazy released “Get Dumb,” it quickly went viral because of its guttural look into life in Norfolk. Since then, Crazy has consistently released the type of music that his growing base of fans want to hear. He’s worked with legendary producer Timbaland as well as opened up for Young Thug at NSU, promoted to main act when Thugger never showed up. He also recently connected with 40 VAN for a performance in Texas.
He’s poised for a quick takeoff sooner than later. It’s important to know that his success didn’t happen overnight – he’s been about this for a while now. Take a listen to some of his music and become a fan.
Standouts: “Lessons” and “Painter Clique”
Treez Lowkey
When you think of atmospheric trap music in Virginia, Treez should be the first name you think of. He’s been on the scene for years, acting as a mysterious force that drops acclaimed projects that seem to come out of nowhere. He recently connected with the A$AP Mob and has become a member of A$AP Rocky’s AWGE collective. The future is bright for young Treez.
Standouts: “Watch” and “Not At All”
Masego
There aren’t many rappers nowadays that play live instruments on stage. A defining part of Masego’s persona is that he’s a master saxophone player – and it’s not an act. The release of his breakout hit “Girls That Dance” made him an overnight celebrity, serving as a culmination of years of hard work in the college circuit. Now, he amongst relocating to Los Angeles to perfect his sound, he’s been spotted with DJ Jazzy Jeff and J Cole.
Standouts: “Navajo” and “Send Yo Rita”
Levi Carter
Have you ever heard of “Galaxy Trap?” It’s a genre that Levi Carter has created and perfected. His artistry has gotten him a deal with Roc Nation and he continues to release music, albeit slowly. He’s a breath of fresh air in the rap scene, with hard-hitting bars that pave the way for some serious growth potential. We can’t wait to see where he goes.
Standouts: “You Not Gang” and “Dear Mama”
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