Who is?

My new favorite rapper…

is Rhymefest. Not because his label is a client or because he rocked the Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival. Because he is the freshest voice I have heard in a while. Not a Jay Z clone, not a Slum Village clone, not a Tribe clone, or Tupac clone this cat is his own man. Even though he runs with Kanye and that original Chicago crowd he is not a Kanye clone.

This cat is a pure MC. Creative. Funny. Charismatic. And from what I understand a smart enough artist to make sure his label is on his side. Not afraid to call a fee gouging produce out, even if that is his boy Kanye to the…

His manager sent some copies of the new mixtape over to the office. Burned it to the funky fresh Dell laptop and been banging it all week. The first mixtape ‘A Star Is Born’ was hot, but I am feeling this one a bit more. It’s got the new single ‘Brand New’ (which is also the title of the mixtape).
‘Don’t Fuck with Fest’, ‘More Seductive’ and ‘Still Singin’ are my joints.

We are trying to bring him back for our CMJ showcase on Sept 15th at BB King’s. So if you missed him June 18th don’t front on us twice in one year.

I guess I am relay feeling Chicago right now. I am eagerly anticipating the Kanye album, a supporter of Common, probably one of the few bloggers who can quote lines from the NO I.D. solo album, and now I am singing the praises of Rhymefest. Not really up on Molemen and JUICE, though.

These Chicago dudes are like the ‘original’ backpackers – Brand Nubian, ATCQ, EPMD, Black Moon, Artifacts. Not the avant garde, dissonant, teenage angst backpacker.
The beats are hard and funky. The subject matter is not senseless violence. Has its community message along with its admiration of the fairer sex. Its braggadocio along with its homophobia and misogynous lyrics(unfortunately). Battle raps along with its catchy hooks. Students of the masters.

Real life.