With 2012 tucked to bed, we at Hip-Hop Wired are already looking at who is poised to takeover in 2013.
Whether its a new cat, a veteran, or a rapper with something to prove; this weeks Wired 25 is focused on the 25 artists that you have to watch in the coming year. We looked into our HHW crystal ball and tell you who is most likely to have us all by the eyes and ears in the next year.
“Most likely” is the operative word here. So sorry Jay Electronica and Andre 3000, we don’t believe you and yes, you need more people. There was also a ton of new cats who caught the attention of the Hip-Hop community that show that they refuse to be a flash in the pan. There are also a couple of artists whose bark have been way more impressive than their bite (yes, we are looking at you Azealia Banks).
After the jump, check out HHW’s 25 picks on artists to watch in the next year. Hit the jump to check them all out.
25. Travis Scott
One of the most intriguing acts out of the G.O.O.D. Music camp is producer/rapper, Travis Scott. He showed out on the Cruel Summer album on “Sin City” and on Pusha T’s latest, “Blocka.” The table is set, now let’s see if he’s going to eat.
24. Azealia Banks
Its time to put up or shut up for Azealia Banks. Simply put, in 2012 she made more news for her mouth than her music. Broke With An Expensive Taste will be her biggest test to date to see if she’s legit or a flash in the pan. A beautiful flash in the pan, but flash nonetheless.
23. Gunplay
Gunplay is literally an artist to watch because we might not see him for a long time if the law has their way. After his tons of legal issues looming over his head, Medillian is still scheduled to drop under Def Jam Records.
22. Theophilus London
The New York product has been a staple on the fashion and music scene for a while, but his music has been touch and go. However, after announcing his next album will have help from Kanye West, Drake, Travis Scott and more, he might deliver his most successful project to date.
21. JMSN
As R&B stars stepped up to the plate in the form of Frank Ocean, The Weeknd and Miguel, JMSN might be the next in line and one of the most talented of the bunch. The Detroit product is a singer, songwriter and producer whose drawn critical praise for his Priscilla project. He landed placements on Kendrick Lamar’s good kid, m.A.A.d. city and Game’s Jesus Piece. JMSN might not be an underground darling for much longer.
20. Young Scooter
Young Scooter’s gained notoriety with Gucci Mane for his Free Bricks series, but started gaining traction on his own for his single “Colombia.” His affiliation with Future might be the push needed to have a run similar to his Atlanta brethren.
19. Casey Veggies
Casey Veggies and his “young n***a movement” has been bubbling for a while, but 2013 might be the year it boils over. With a new mixtape on the way and an affiliation with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, Young Veggies time is coming.
18. Hit Boy
With his status as a super-producer rock solid, Hit-Boy’s shift to double threat should climb in 2013. His HITstory FreeEP put people on notice, but it is his standout verse on Wale’s Folarin and upcoming remix of Britney Spears’ “Scream and Shout” with Waka Flocka Flame and will.I.am might put the stamp on it.
17. Troy Ave
The New York product had a standout 2012 with Bricks In My Backpack 3 and White Christmas dropping in the same calendar year. The gritty dope boy turned rapper has grown his rapport after standout features with Fabolous, Mac Miller, Pusha T and more. 2013 can only be greater for Harry Powder.
16. Juelz Santana
Now we know what your thinking, but we have it under good authority that Bandana will be back with a vengeance in 2013. He will be dropping a new mixtape God Will’n this year and a new album under Def Jam Records. Those fiendin’ for years for some music from the Dipset’s (not so) young gunner will finally be satisfied. Hopefully.
15. King L.
After Chief Keef and Lil Reese had breakout singles with “I Don’t Like” and “Us” respectively, King L should be the one to complete the Chicago trifecta. After songs like “Val Venis” and “My H**s They Do Drugs,” Louie showed his penchant for creating catchy tunes and most importantly, staying out of trouble. Dope And Shrimp should be just what the doctor ordered in 2013.
14. Ty Dolla Sign
California native, Ty Dolla $ign, dropped one of the most complete projects of the year with Beach House. The accomplished producer went harder on the mic than ever before in 2012, but with the artists distinctive sound it shouldn’t be long before his fame matches his talent.
13. Joey Bad@$$
Joey Bad@$$ dropped one of the most impressive projects of the year with 1999 and was poised to end the year on a positive note with The APROcolapyse with his Pro Era homies. Unfortunately, his friend and group member Capital STEEZ passed away on Christmas Eve. Sadly, its unclear how his friends passing will effect the kid’s limitless potential. We will see in 2013.
12. G.O.O.D. Music
After dropping Cruel Summer last autumn (go figure), Pusha T and Q-Tip implied that a follow-up to the album will drop called Cruel Winter. Kanye West followed suit with his witner-themed shows at Revel in Atlantic City. While Pusha assures that the album is a “Kanye/Q-Tip thing,” multiple records have been recorded for the album already. As with all things G.O.O.D. music, it’s up to Yeezy if and when that project will hit ear drums.
11. Schoolboy Q
Although Kendrick Lamar had the standout year with good kid, m.A.A.d. city, Schoolboy Q wasn’t too shabby in his own right. With a street banger in ‘Hands On The Wheel” with A$AP Rocky, Q’ caught ears nationwide. Puffy’s Interscope debut, Oxymoron is set to drop in 2013 and will attempt to mimic the success of K.Dot’s debut.
10. Earl Sweatshirt
After Tyler, The Creator kicked in the door and Frank Ocean made them worldwide, Earl Sweatshirt might complete the Odd Future trifecta for the past three years. The most celebrated lyricist of the crew delivered the excellent “Chum” at the end of 2012 and is looking to lock in for his debut album, Doris. Aside from working with Tyler, he’s been in the studio with The Neptunes and Alchemist.
9. Future
Future went from Atlanta street favorite to legitimate Billboard success in 2012. With the ability to craft some of the most memorable melodies in the game right now, Future can be setting himself up for an epic T-Pain-like run on the charts with collaborations with Drake, Rihanna, Lil Wayne and Kanye West.
8. Lil Wayne
Wayne said he was going to retire, but you know he be high. I Am Not A Human Being 2 will be his second to last album before Tha Carter V according to the rapper. The rapper ternt skater has seemed to get his footing back after dropping catchy tracks like “No Worries,” “B****es Love Me” and “Rich As F**k.” It’ll be interesting to see if Wayne has one last run of dominance in him.
7. Pusha T
Pusha T does not like Young Money. At all. Although the G.O.O.D. Music golden child doesn’t want you to call his excellent records “diss records,” his latest records are as enjoyable as they are scathing. His Wrath Of Cain mixtape and yet untitled Def Jam solo debut will both drop in 2013 and by all accounts, might finally set up that YMCMB/G.O.O.D. Music lyrical showdown we all want to see.
6. Ab-Soul
Ab-Soul ain’t eating. In 2013 that will change. As a part of one of the most eclectic rap collectives in quite some time, Soul-o is arguably the most talented of the crop that include Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock and SchoolBoy Q. His Unit 6 project with JMSN is looking to continue the string of impressive releases from the Black Hippy crew.
5. Wale
The well-orchestrated crew of Maybach Music Group sure know how to get behind their artists, and Wale is the next one. After his most commercially successful project, Ambition, helmed the Grammy-nominated “Lotus Flower Bomb,” Wale’s ready to find out if third time is a charm for his next album under Atlantic/MMG.
4. J.Cole
J.Cole’s a risk taker. He took a risk releasing the controversial “Miss America” as a single and took a risk announcing January 28th as a release date knowing that he probably wasn’t going to make it. Although he’s had pushbacks and flopped singles before, is that any reason to doubt Cole? His debut album, Cole World: The Sideline Story left all doubts at the door about the #1 draft pick of Roc Nation. Will J. Cole’s Born Sinner be the victim of the dreaded “sophomore slump?” Don’t bet on it.
3. Big Sean
Big Sean climbed the rungs in 2012 without releasing an album. Detroit, Big Sean’s latest mixtape, topped nearly every “Best Mixtape of the year” list on any publication you find. Sean stepped out of Kanye West shadow and showed that he can do his own thing. Hall Of Fame can quite possible put the rapper into the upper-echelon of rap superstars.
2. Drake
Much like Big Sean, Drizzy dominated 2012 without dropping an album. With a highly-successful Club Paradise tour and a ton of memorable features, the anticipation for Drake’s third album is at an all-time high. He also inked a label deal for October’s Very Own under Warner Bros. Drake’s made all the ducks line-up in 2012, 2013 might be legendary for Toronto’s best.
1. The Throne
Jay-Z had a career year without dropping an album. Kanye West has never disappointed with a solo album. Both are projected to drop a new project in 2013 and Watch The Throne 2 is also in the works. With the lives these two have lived since the success of their first collaborative album, a project from Jay, Kanye or both; we’ll have no choice but to watch The Throne.
