Since Travis Scott announced the title of his third album, ASTROWORLD, in 2016, along with last year’s collaborative project, Huncho Jack, Jack Huncho, with Migos front man, Quavo, fans’ anticipation arose to seemingly immeasurable bounds. As their expectations grew, Travis continued to tease the project’s release, announcing the album's progress while performing on his “Birds Eye View” tour.
Read MoreIn a year’s time, TrigNO has emerged from the depths of the city’s pool of talented artists, setting the stage for his third project, Rawest 4m. Upon its release, the rapper/dancer performed at Native Tongues, linked with the city’s hottest producer, Sean Starks, and made the 11th issue of the fastest growing magazine in Columbus, Fly Paper Magazine. Shameless plug, yes, I know.
Read MoreHistorically, Columbus’ music scene has honed a lengthy spectrum of artists who blur the perception of the "ideal" artist. And with Tieran Cline present, its only broadened the image and sound of Columbus hip-hop.
He’s unapologetically white, but that’s not what separates him as a creative -— nor should it. Instead, it’s his decision to pursue rap stardom by night, while balancing his life as a civil engineer by day.
Read MoreBizz is the quintessential conscious rapper. He embodies the qualities hip hop purists have revered, as he stirs from the new legion of artists who supplement substance for repetitive ad-libs and an overreliance on 808’s. Bizz opts to retain the components of alternative rap music, mirroring the styles of artists like J. Cole, Joey Badass and Kendrick Lamar.
Read MoreFRVRGOLD, the name of Big James and Kent’s collaborative effort sounds like a continuation of James’ latest project, NASAGOLD, which garnered praise upon its release in December 2016.
But it’s clear from track one that this isn’t an attempt to imitate his last project's sound.
Read MoreWith the emergence of Columbus artists pushing boundaries that transcend beyond the city, it’s hard to ignore this reality: Columbus is changing. One could even say the city’s evolving, as its artists are re-establishing some of the elements that made Columbus a cultural hub during the 1980s and 90s when creativity was arguably at its purist form.
Read MoreBig James’ “NASAGOLD EP” guides us on a blunt ash-filled trail through his life as a rising artist in the city. James illustrates his experiences with mystic and aerial production crafted by longtime producer, Sean Starks.
Similar to 2015’s “NASA EP,” Starks’ production offers a sound that seamlessly blends with James’ laidback vocals, which he uses to note how his success has led to the presence of women, recognition, praise, and criticism. All of which he talks about throughout the project’s eight tracks.
Read MoreAspiring rap collective King Cold, formed by artists AC Cold, Charle Sky, Absolutely Deplorable and producer StuntinSteve, offer a follow up to their debut project “King Cold EP1,” which encompassed a blend of R&B and atmospheric hip-hop production.
The group's latest project “#ChampionsAdjust,” however, diverges from its predecessor’s vocal-heavy choruses and introspective subject matter, instead embracing a humorous and creative tone.
Read More