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Eight Seattle MCs You’re (Probably) Sleeping On

Written by Jake Greene. Published: Friday, November 13, 2009.

For the past few years, Seattle hip-hop has become synonymous with conscious hip-hop. You won’t hear many complain as some of the big-name local artists have brought classic albums: Blue Scholars (Blue Scholars, 2004 & Bayani, 2007), Common Market (Common Market, 2005) and Macklemore (Language of My World, 2005).

Another group of artists like Grayskul and Boom Bap Project gained recognition through their affiliation Rhymesayers Entertainment, the mecca of indie hip-hop. Even in the past year Seattle has been talked about with Grynch’s Chemistry EP getting national attention, including the cover of Billboard Magazine.

While these artists remain prevalent on the Seattle hip hop scene, a new class of hipster, street and swagger rappers is emerging and soon everyone will know their names. Here is aboveGround Magazine’s guide to the must-know up-and-coming rappers to get familiar with in the Seattle scene:

1. J. Pinder

J. Pinder created noise in Seattle when he dropped Backpack Wax in 2007. Since Backpack Wax, J. Pinder has gained national light in being featured on Jake One’s White Van Music (2008). Pinder comes with a throwback rapper flow, bringing strong lyrical talent that appears almost effortless and has a rhyme scheme that displays a strong Jay-Z influence. To hold fans over until a full length album, J. Pinder just released Pindergarten, a mix of new and old tracks featuring the likes of Grynch, Spaceman and Brainstorm.

2. Spaceman

The eccentric, proclaimed sex symbol of Sportn’ Life records may have all the skills necessary to become the first Seattle MC since Sir Mix-A-Lot to hit the mainstream. Working on a mixtape that is expected to drop soon, Spaceman may rock one of the livest solo sets Seattle has to offer, turning any venue into the wildest club around, throwing himself into the crowd and starting a mosh pit, not to mention a charming personality on stage that makes all the ladies hit the high notes. Spaceman has also been introduced to the national music scene, joining GMK and J. Pinder on Jake One’s White Van Music track “Big Homie Style”.

3. Brainstorm

One-third of Seattle group Dyme Def, Brainstorm may be the most well known of the group, thanks in large part to a recent feature on Justin Beiber’s “One Time (Remix)”, which has had major radio play. Brainstorm may be one of the most lyrically talented MCs in Seattle, and with age on his side is likely to only further develop. The most recent release, part of Dyme Def’s No Beat is Safe, features Brainstorm over Nipsey Hussle’s “Hussle in the House”, the best example to date of his flow in a more traditional style than the fast paced electro-hip-hop sound of Dyme Def.

4. Tay Sean

taysean

MC/Producer Tay Sean is one-half of Helladope, a futuristic group that leaves you dreaming about the day you will actually walk outside and hop into your spaceship. Tay Sean’s music almost brings an essence of Andre 3000 on The Love Below. On top of his MC/producer roles, Tay Sean is also the co-founder of Cloud Nice, a label consisting of a collection of Seattle artists.

5. D. Black

The co-CEO of Sportn’ Life Records, D. Black sets himself apart from everyone else on this list with his religious motivation and slow, easy flow. D. Black’s newest album, Ali’Yah, released in September made noise around the northwest, thanks in large part to his passionate storytelling of his life as a father and a childhood on the streets. The personal connection he has to his music makes D. Black and Ali’Yah easy to put on repeat.

6. GMK

The Bobby Fischer of Seattle hip hop, GMK comes and goes as he pleases, but when present, graces Seattle with great music. GMK fits easily into the mold of a XXL Freshman Class rapper such as Wale and Charles Hamilton with his charm and charisma. With songs about girls, cartoons and spaceships, GMK appeals to a wide range of fans looking for feel good music. Listening to the first two songs on his Myspace, “Music Swinger” and “College Girls” will leave a listener envisioning a future sensation that could play colleges around the U.S.

7. P.Smoov

P. Smoov is a member of two groups, Fresh Espresso (along with Rik Rude) and Mad Rad (joined by Buffalo Madonna, Terry Radjaw and DJ Darwin) that are known for their “ghetto tech” sound, which arises in great part because of P. Smoov’s production genius. While the word of his beat-making has spread (he attended the acclaimed music production institute Full Sail) it’s his lyrical ability displayed on Fresh Espresso’s debut album Glamour that gives reason to believe a lot of people outside of the Northwest will soon know the name P. Smoov. Smoov’s lyrical content sets him apart from most other MCs, rhyming about a period of homelessness or using overt sexual descriptions fit for a Jenna Jameson movie. If the recorded music of Mad Rad or Fresh Espresso doesn’t leave you believing in the star potential, catch a live show and witness the well engineered chaos that ensues and you will leave a believer.

8. Sol

Sol is as much of a throwback 90’s rapper that you’ll find in the Northwest. His album, The Ride (2009) talks about death, drugs and life on the streets, leading listeners back to the 90’s west-coast gangster-rap era. Sol didn’t take any time off, releasing his Dear Friends EP in October, a project that shows continual lyrical growth and a much more polished recording. Aside from his recording efforts is the fact that Sol may be on his grind more than any other local artist, at any show you can find him with a backpack full of albums, leaving no one surprised that titles off of Dear Friends are aptly named “No Sleep” and “Cash Rules!” In “No Sleep”, which features Grynch, the hook says it all, “When I’m on my grind/I don’t sleep at night/man I work so hard/because you can’t live twice.” With this kind of will to make it, it won’t be long until Sol is workin’ his hustle in venues around America.

In addition to profiling these artists, we have compiled an audible guide for our readers. The Seattle Breaking Out mixtape is brought to you by 206 x aboveGround Magazine — a big thank you to all of the artists that contributed songs to our 11-track road map. If you like what you hear, don’t forget to support your local artists.

Download: Seattle Breaking Out (Mixtape)

1. J. Pinder “S on my Chest” (Ft. Brainstorm, GMK, & Thig)
2. GMK “Music Swinger”
3. Spaceman “This is that fire”
4. Sol “Cash Rules”
5. D. Black “The Return”
6. J. Pinder “Fuel 2 Fire” (Ft. Brainstorm)
7. Fresh Espresso (P.Smoov) “The Lazerbeams”
8. Tay Sean “Robin Hood”
9. Spaceman “L’s Up”
10. Brainstorm “Bang It Out Freestyle”
11. GMK “Adult Swim”