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9 To Watch In '09: The Final Four

by Jokesta on September 15th, 2008

Alright so I made you guys wait a week for this when I said I’d post them last Wednesday, but I got distracted with all those photos that hit the web of rappers wearing gear nothing short of ridiculous. So to recap, this is the final four newcomers you should be watching next year.

Here’s a quick rundown of the first five:

9. Nino Bless
8. GemStones (A.K.A. Gemini)
7. Charles Hamilton
6. Corey Gunz
5. Nina B

#4 Mickey Factz

Coming in at number four, we have another Bronx native by the name of Mickey Factz. You may ask yourself why Factz is so high up on the list--and the answer is simple. His style is unique, far beyond that of any of the aforementioned rappers.

As he explains it, his style--”uber music,” is a mixture of genres combined with clever lyrics and wordplay.

“The music my generation and younger are listening to has expanded beyond funk and soul, we're listening to rock, electronic, house and so forth. I'm always going to be clever with the wordplay and lyrics, but very few rappers can do that on a Royskopp record. That's the lane I ride in. I'm going to do me, and trust, you'll love me for it" says Mickey.

Rumor has it Mickey is currently in talks with a few major labels including Duck Down Records.

#3 Wale

In the third slot is Washington DC’s Wale. The Interscope records is sure to make noise in 09’ as he preps his first major album.

He’s currently hitting the airwaves appearing on Solange’s “Fuck The Industry,” and can be accredited with being one of the few rappers to successfully tackle Lil Wayne’s “Mr. Carter.”

He has appeared on tracks with The Roots, Chrisette Michelle, and Rhymefest.

#2 Asher Roth

If you ask a Hip Hop fan what is something the music is currently lacking at the moment, you’ll probably get a bevy of answer ranging from “Lyricism” to “getting rid of t-pain and that god damn auto-tune.” I say, Hip Hop is in dire need of a clown--and that clown is Asher Roth.

With his skillful wordplay and playful lyrics, Roth has definitely grabbed the attention of many and reminded us of the early days of a certain rapper on many of our Top 5 Dead Or Alive Lists.

What’s so refreshing about Roth? Well for one, he’s not trying to be much outside of what he knows and is still managing to show off major skills - --even when speaking about how much he loves college.

Look out for Roth in 09 as he is sure to burst onto the mainstream scene in a major way.

#1 Wiz Khalifa

Finally at number one we have an up and comer who burst out onto the scene with one of the summers biggest hits, “Say Yeah.”

Khalifa has shared the stage with artists such as Ghostface Killah, Styles P, Lupe Fiasco, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Cham, Little Brother, Clipse, Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy, Lil Scrappy, Mario, T.I., Nas, and Rich Boy.

He is currently working on his Warner Bros’ debut album First Flight.

Honorable mentions go to the following:

Kidz In The Hall
Drake
Kid Cudi
Lady Luck

Some of you wondered why artists such as Joell Ortiz, Saigon, and Crooked I didn’t make the list--and the answer is because they bursted onto the scene in late 06, early 2007. Hell, most of them were featured on XXL’s Leaders Of The New School article LAST year.

As far why I put Nina B ahead of rappers such as Charles Hamilton. I think the Hip Hop industry is in more need of a talented female rapper than a Kanye West clone.