Controversy and/or “weird as hell” seems to sell these days, so it only makes sense that hip hop stars would surprise music fans with major moves in 2013. So it’s only right to point out some major players of the year so far. Hip hop has just kicked off a new year, and there are a few artists who we love and hate, at the same damn time. Check out 5 Artists that hip hop fans may either love or hate or both, but undeniably, have kicked 2013 off to a grand start.
1. First up is Trinidad James, one Trinidadian-American rapper with a crazy sense of fashion (maybe too crazy for some) and . James got his leap into the industry with his hit single “All Gold Everything” and presented a crazy video to match. Legendary rapper 50 Cent even commented to DJ Whoo Kid in an interview: “His video held more weight than the actual song”. Trinidad James’ attire may consist of leopard print shirts, huge gold “rangs”, designer boxers and high dollar loafers on any given day. One may call it a fashion disaster, but others see it as a unique way of “branding”. Either or, Trinidad James has already began reaping the benefits of his own tour in 2013, called the “All Gold Everything” Tour. Salute him!
2. Next up is 50Cent, the G-Unit founder and mastermind in other departments of the business world. We were all awarded with the news that Fif just recently added rapper/producer Timbaland to his SMS Audio team just weeks ago. Today, at the start of 2013, 50 Cent continues not to just be an hell of an actor, but a leading entrepreneur in black business. 50 Cent also broke up his old friendship with boxing champion Floyd Mayweather last year, and launched a boxing promotions company named SMS Promotions in 2012 as a result. However anyone looks at it, this Vitamin Water founder has a grind that doesn’t stop. This 2013 has started off wonderful for Mr. Curtis Jackson. Hate him or love him man, he’s still on top.
3. Moving right along to Rapsody, the latest female emcee off of Jamla Records (via 9th Wonder). This powerful emcee has started her new year off like the queen lyricist she is. First off, the comparisons between her and 90’s legendary fem-cees like Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, and even the MisEducation Misses, “Lauryn Hill”, have been talked about by many. From the looks of things, the hip hop world is impressed by her very skilled rhyming and cool-chick image. New and old fans have already latched onto her latest album release, “The Idea of The Beautiful”, available on iTunes. With hip hop lacking in the number of quality female emcees out there, Ms. Rapsody is off to a great start in 2013.
4. Next is Cassidy, former Ruff Ryderz artist, who is presently an independent artist who’s going at Maybach Music’s Meek Mill’s head with diss records. The “R.A.I.D.” track creator has managed to get his name in the mouths of hip hop fans for good now. Now, Cassidy was locked up for murder back in the 2005, where he only served almost one year behind bars before acquitted on charges. He’s now in the studio shooting diss record missiles at Meek, providing his second beef record after R.A.I.D., paired with a single image of a cockroach photoshopped picture of Mill to represent rap war. The returning hip hop artist combined a series of legendary hip hop beats from many artists such as Jay-Z, Lloyd Banks, and more. Where he takes his spring into 2013, who knows? Let’s just see.
5. Lastly, but definitely not last, is K.Michelle. Now, this chick didn’t take any punches last year, in fact, she dealt with the most difficult issue of her life in the first season of Love and Hip Hop Atlanta. Despite such a journey, she seems to have blossomed into something so bomb.com it’s just clutch! First off, don’t have a snazzy attitude as an R&B artist, but can’t back it up with your work – and K.Michelle is never that. Even with her Memphis swag, her look is fantastic, her voice is immaculate, and her life lessons are raw and sweet drops of reality. Just recently, she’s tweeted legendary R&B names, such as R.Kelly and Tank, referencing them as guides of her career. If that doesn’t keep real R&B fans on deck, then what does? She smashed the cover of King Magazine so hard, “it shook the table!” Laughs. She consistently brings in real reviews from real women. Plus, she’s funny as hell. K.Michelle has totally flipped the script on the music world. Let’s just sit back and enjoy.
Hip Hop enquirer will continue to bring you the latest updates on your favorite stars in the music industry. We know we left many artists out, but that’s where you come in. Feel free to let us know what artist kicked off 2013 with a big start in their career!
Check out this throwback live performance of K. Michelle singing “Fallin'”:
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