When most people think of Kansas City and it’s Hip-Hop scene they rarely get past the tip of the iceberg, quickly taking note of Tech N9ne and then moving on. But rapper KC Young Boss is out to prove that there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to the talent in Kansas City.

But before KC Young Boss became a boss and before he was a veteran of the KC streets, “Young Boss” tried his hand at an early age rapping in middle school at his talent show. While he wasn’t as good as he had hoped, that experience helped him develop a passion for writing raps and poetry at an early age.

“In middle school I entered a talent show and that was my first real experience as far as rapping,” KC Young Boss said laughing. “I was horrible, but I’ve gotten a lot better since then. I remember riding home on the bus that day and some girl told me I couldn’t rap. That’s what drove me to want to be better and start writing.”

After all his hard work over the years perfecting his craft, KC Young Boss has released his breakthrough effort called Kansas City which he hopes will bring fans into the world of Kansas City, which has been brutally documented as having one of the highest murder rates in America.

“The nightlife suffers from the violence and so that’s why it can be difficult for artists to blow up. The entertainment scene isn’t really there to shine the light on artists, unless you get up out of here, but I’m staying home,” KC Young Boss explained.

“From the name to the feel of this project, I actually tried to mirror it with how Nipsey is doing the Crenshaw project. I was up on Nipsey initially and really became a fan with his Crenshaw project. That’s where the idea came from and so I got the shirts and hats to go with it and people are picking up on it.”

“In Kansas City it ain’t too many artists that get the national spotlight other than Tech N9ne and I wanted to put out something that’s a little different, Shout out to Strange Music, but they have their own lane and I wanted to put something out there that showed a different light than what people normally think about Kansas City.”

Featuring a host of producers that Young Boss was able to find across the internet, KC Young Boss pieced this project together bit by bit.

“This project has a bunch of different producers. Unlike many today, I still enjoy the process of putting song together,” KC Young Boss said. “When I hear a beat, I like I write like 3-4 hooks for it and then I rehearse it and I make songs instead of just rapping. I could have finished the album in a month, but I did it in 6 months and finally got it to where I want it to be. I wanted to show artists that you can still rep KC and still get a buzz, you don’t have to leave.”

Continuing to push this Summmer, KC Young Boss will be hitting the road with performances opening up for Nelly and Juvenile. Other spot dates include a show at the Riot Room in KC and a special 4th of July performance.

“I just want people to know that this music is life to me man – I do this for real. Music saved my life after having lost my first born son and mother in a short period of time. Music got me through it all, I had my familiy, but music kept my sanity. I did a song called I Miss You for my son and I really cried while recording. Music was and is my therapy man. I don’t just put anything out, music saved my life man.”

https://open.spotify.com/track/7dK20gOhWLQjk1DGOMQU3J?si=d1SJUFnITJqIFlPzYufjiA

Grammy Award winning artists Lecrae and Zaytoven have teamed up for a new joint project called Let The Trap Say Amen. The collaborative album spans 13 tracks and includes the previously released singles “Plugged In” and “Get Back Right.” The LP also features appearances by 24hrs, Waka Flocka, K-So Jaynes, ShySpeaks, and more. Stream below via Spotify.

Milwaukee native J Rosco drops his new mixtape titled Trust The Process. The 12-track project includes features from AG Da Gift, Ray Nitti, Munch Lauren, Lil Chicken & YBN Kenny. Stream or download below via Audiomack.

Stream via Audiomack: J Rosco – Trust The Process [Mixtape]

With the online momentum of his single “Running Through The Money” continuing to grow, J360 drops the Sal Thousands directed video. Watch it below via YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QLFlEZ7CEA

Virginia native Tave Getem releases his new single called “Grew Up” produced by Yung Lan. The track premiered on the Strictly 4 The Traps N Trunks 132 mixtape hosted by Bigga Rankin.

“My reason for this single is to pretty much answer what a lot of people always ask me. Why is your music always about drugs or trap? In this single, I tried to paint as vivid of a picture as possible to let the fans and the critics know exactly what and where I come from. The capitol of Virginia, Richmond. This is just the beginning of my story, The Tave Getem story. Follow me thru this real life journey where everybody on my team wins!”

Stream via Audiomack: Tave Getem – Grew Up

Lecrae and Zaytoven return today with an official music video for “Get Back Right,” the first single from their upcoming collaborative project titled Let The Trap Say Amen. Watch the Andrew Averso-directed visual below and pre-order the album via iTunes.

Troubled rapper XXXtentacion was killed within the last hour due to a planned attack. Broward police have stated that the rapper was shot several times will sitting in his vehicle. Police are looking for two suspects in the shooting and are described as both wearing black hoodies and the shooter was wearing a red mask. Police say that witnesses saw one of them retrieve a Louis Vuitton bag from the vehicle before fleeing.

TMZ is reporting the following:

The 20-year-old rapper was shopping for motorcycles in South Florida and, as he was leaving the motorcycle dealer, a gunman ran up to his vehicle and shot him.

XXX was in his share of feuds … but, as far as we know, there were no ominous fights between him and anyone else.

He’s had serious legal trouble … he’s awaiting trial for domestic violence against his pregnant girlfriend. He’s facing more than a dozen felony charges. Prosecutors accused him of witness tampering.

XXX was on house arrest but the judge recently let him out so he could tour.

XXX has had real success … his last album debuted at #1.

Developing story.

Philthy Rich Floods the Strip Club with Peezy, Click Cash Boog and Rockin Rolla in New Video

Bay Area luxury rapper Philthy Rich is no stranger to the strip club, but when he connects with Peezy, Click Cash Boog and Rockin Rolla, it’s more than raining dollars–it’s FLOODED. Detroit is like a second home for Philthy Rich, and in “All I Want”, one of the city’s finest Peezy starts the track off with that undeniable Detroit energy.

Who’s Excited?

It looks like the trend for joint albums isn’t dying anytime soon. The two frequent collaborations, Wale and Eric Bellinger recently announced that they’ll be releasing one soon. The only question that’s left to ask is, who can’t wait to hear the hits these two create?

Follow Eric Bellinger @EricBellinger & Wale @Wale to stay updated.

See Any Familiar Faces?

Quincy‘s birthday celebration last week at club Murano in West Hollywood brought the stars out. See anybody familiar?

Photo Credits: VVKPhoto and ShotBySham

Meek Mill is in court right now hoping that judge Grenece Brinkley will grant him a new trial or drop his case altogether. Meek was jailed for five months on a probation violation stemming from him popping a “wheelie” during a video shoot in New York City. The judge in question has been accused of having a bias against the rapper while his legal team has petitioned the higher court to have her removed from the case.

Last week the state Supreme court ruled that Judge Brinkley will stay on the case however there might be another legal fight brewing in the near future.
Meek has purchased billboards throughout the Philly area bringing awareness to the need to have criminal justice reform, something he has pledge to do throughout his musical career.

The rapper was in New Jersey for Hot 97’s Summerjam and interestingly he entered the stage on a dirt bike popping a wheelie. Hopefully this won’t have an impact on today’s outcome of his hearing.

Mississippi rapper Ro Dapper Don releases a new video for his single “Big Ole Playa.” Produced by King Wonka. Directed by Rocky West. Watch below and stay tuned for his Street Monopoly Vol. 1 mixtape coming soon.

Recently South Central rapper Figg Newton dropped the music video for his song, “Been Been Brackin” Ft Big Wy.

The single brings together the two well-respected street rappers for a song anyone in the streets can appreciate.

“The track was produced by L-Finguz out of Sacramento, CA who won Producer of the Year by Thizzler and he’s been setting the West on FIRE!” Figg Newton said.

The L-Finguz produced track comes along with a clothing line called FastLane that’s being released along with his recent string of video releases highlighting his South Central neighborhood.

“The clothing brand’s name Fastlane is a combination of a few things. Of course I’m from a section of South Central LA often referred to as the Lanes, but it also plays on the lifestyle I was raised living and it’s the fuel to the content of my music,”Figg Newton explained

The new song is housed on the new compilation The Woop Vol. 1. which is now available on all digital platforms showcasing talent in Figg’s community.

Despite his clear affiliation with South Central gang culture, Figg Newton is moving toward guidance and a positive message in his music for those that are caught up in the gang life needing inspiration.

“I have evolved overtime musically with the recording process and the business aspect. I’m paying close attention to the message that’s been sent in my music and I’ve definitely moved toward guidance and a positive message.”

In the Steezy Shotz directed visual, you can see Figg Newton doing his dance and Big Wy is posted up with his crew scoping the block. This visual is South Central LA to its core and if you love the West-Coast this is def worth the spins.