Chicago: Kanye, Lupe Fiasco, Common… Way too many to list
Los Angeles: Dr. Dre, Snoop, Kendrick Lamar… Way too many to list
New York: Jay-Z, Busta Rhymes, 50 Cent… Way too many to list
Boston: ???
It’s true: Boston doesn’t immediately come to mind for its hip-hop/rap scene. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t one. Here are 5 tracks from local artists to help change that.
1. Slaine – “Pissed It All Away”
If Eminem with a Boston accent were to go back in time as a medieval minstrel, he’d sound something like Slaine in “Pissed It All Away.” This is the story of a man plagued by narcissism and reputation, a king who is sick of fame. The first words of the final verse are gold.
2. Miles From Nothing – “Better Days” Ft. Sami Stevens
MFN’s simple verses and Sami Stevens’ powerful hook float gently over twinkly piano, together delivering a relatable and heartfelt song about the death of friend. As the track reaches its climax and final chorus, the piano goes up in flames.
3. Eight Feet Tall – “Digital Rewind”
Eight-piece funk/hip-hop group Eight Feet Tall mixes growly bass lines and hearty horns with rap, reminiscent of Ozomatli and Breakestra. Equally suited for basement parties and concert halls, EFT’s music is energetic, lively, and bouncier than an inflatable castle. They’ll have you rewinding over and over again.
4. STL GLD – “Again”
STL GLD’s single “Again” off their debut album My Monday Morning Music evokes images of dusk in the city — sunset-cloaked skyscrapers and sirens trailing off in the distance. A laid back, tight beat with an elegiac edge, this is a track for the after hours.
5. Ed O.G. – “2 Turntables and a Mic”
Ed. O.G. goes back to the basics with legendary producer Pete Rock on “2 Turntables and a Mic,” professing his hip-hop prowess over a tingly, eerie beat.