Kid Cudi

The man known as Kid Cudi actually not so underground, but is massively underrated in the Hip-Hop industry. Scott Mescudi was born January 30th 1984 in Cleveland Ohio. He is not only an musical artist, but an actor as well. With his release mix-tape album, "A kid named Cudi," he hit the scene right away. But it was hit single Day and night which put him on the map since it landed on the top 5 songs on the bill-boards charts early in his musical career. This song was on his later album "Day & Night: the end of the day," and critics called this album to be "Gold."

His second album was titled "Man on the Moon: The legend of Mr. Rager." This album released his two hit singles titled 'Erase me" and "Mr. Rager." He got a little bit more creative with this album but turning it into his own story. Every song was considered a chapter rather then a song on a track list. The story was telling the story of Kid Cudi turning into Mr. Rager which is his alter ego. He becomes Mr. rager at times when he i depressed or angry. It is basically his "demonic" self.

After his second album was released he announced he would be working with Dot da Genius rock band, which was also known as "Wizard." This led to his third album titled "Man on the Moon: return of the Wizard." When creating songs for this album Cudi also announced that he would be quitting something he was known for which was marijuana. Many of his fan felt this was going to be his down fall because they felt the drug was what mad his music amazing. After quitting, he started to write and suffered from writers block. Being off of the drug, it truly did have an impact on him and his music. The third album came out, and there was no publicity about it which lead to his early downfall. But he is currently determined on rising back up and becoming the massive star he was at one point.

Hopsin

One of My favorite artist in the rap industry today, Marcus Hopson is an underground rap artist who has had his ups and downs in his young career so far. The reason I respect this man is because of those struggles he had to go through which came mostly with a music label he signed with which was ruthless records. This label was once owned by the legend in hip-hop, Eazy-E.

After Eazy E's, death his widow Tomica Wright took over the label and decided to sign Hopsin, which would be his first signing with a label. After multiple promises telling Hopsin he would get exposure and financial support  from Mrs.Wright, she simply never came through with them. Getting completely frustrated with Tomica and the label, he lashed out at them by saying the most negative things about the company and the owner. According to Marcus himself he wasn't able to listen to the finally product of his album called Gazing at the Moonlight, every decision was up to the company and left Hopsin with no say. Making him feel the product was not even his.

When leaving the company, he met an artist known as SwiZz, who's brother Dan Ritter was starting an independent record  label called Funk Volume. Hop wanted to listen to SwiZz's rap style and flow to see if the signing would be for him. Instantly falling in love the the style, Hopsin signed ASAP. Since being with the label he released an album called Raw, and is currently finishing up his album titled Knock Madness which will release in March.

But other then his ups and downs in the rap game,  a few keys points people should understand about Hopsin is what he is all about:

1)   So far, his career has been defined by the way he makes fun of mainstream rappers that you see everyday. Artist such as Drake, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Soulja Boy, and Lupe Fiasco, have all been made fun all in one song, called "Sag My Pants." Also in this song he talks about his signing with Ruthless Records and how he got screwed over. In the Ill mind of hopsin track he speaks his mind about Tyler the Creator who won the breakthrough artist of the year at the MTV music video awards.
2)The name "Hopsin" is obviously a play off of his last name "Hopson." But the name he created came from the thought of him being the future "Hip-Hop Sinister." Adding the two words to make one, he came with the final creation Hopsin.
3) Everyone is always confused about his white eye contacts. The reason for his is because he wanted to stand out from the rest of the African American rap artist. By putting in the contacts, he had a style, image, something people could remember him by. And by remembering him, he would one day get his name out there to multiple people and one day become a star.
4) He has two styles of rapping which he tries to play off of. The first style is called "Raw." This is something he actually created and eventually titled his album from it. He describes it as just being different from the rest and when you hear the styles its so good it hurts you like messing with an open wound. The second is called "Horror-Core." This is simply having a scary style and use of words. He developed this style from the artist Tech N9ne in there recent song together featuring B.o.B. "Am I a Psycho?"

Here are a few videos of songs i personally enjoy, hope you do as well. 

Playlist in order of videos:

1) Ill mind of Hopsin 4
2) Sag My Pants
3) How You Like Me Know feat SwiZz
4) Pans in the Kitchen
5) Am I Psycho feat Tech N9ne and B.o.B

Machine Gun Kelly

Born and raised in Cleveland Ohio, Machine Gun Kelly is an up and coming artist who is hitting the scene at a fast pace as of late. Richard Colsan Baker received his lyricist name, because of his rapid fire type of flow that hits you so fast you end up wanting to replay the song to fully understand it. Best known for his three mix tapes, Lace up, 100 words and Running, and Rage Pack he his making a statement in the industry.

The reason he even started to rap was he ended up with a kid at a young age, got fired from his fast food job, and ended up being homeless. Him and his friends decided to let their talents shine and build their success from the ground up. Taking popular beat and making it his own, and recording recording booth built in his friends house, which he likes to call the "Rage Cage," he started to get attention of fellow Cleveland people. With the talent everyone saw in front of their eyes they decided to get him out to NYC to perform at the Apollo Theater. He went and performed his material, and became to be the first white rapper to win a contest at the Apollo in 2009.

Finally getting the exposure he felt he deserved to get, he was offered the opportunity to to premiere on MTV's SuckaFree Freestyle show. Presenting a verse from his go to song "Chip Off The Block" it was his television debut. While staying true to his dream, he kept coming out with videos to advertise himself to the public. P-Diddy finally got his eye on him and wanted him to sign to his label. So he flew him over to sign with Bad Boy Entertainment. This being his first label he signed, MGK finally reached what he wanted all these years. His video "Wild Boy"  was his 1st televised music video. I want everyone to keep their eye out for this artist because i promising him to rise to fame and be a big start in this industry.

What its all about

In this blog, i would like to talk about hip-hop music, both main-stream and underground. Many people may know about mainstream hip-hop, or what i like to call "radio" rap which i do like, but i would also like to inform everyone about artist from the underground, who are moving up in this particular genre, and share certain songs and news I feel are hot topic and hits. Hope you all enjoy.