It has been a VERY long time coming, but the Northwest finally has an emcee blowing up the charts right now; and Macklemore is doing it all as an independent artist, at that. This means that there are a lot of labels missing out on paychecks…with multiple commas.
The Northwest has learned to doing things without major label assistance, because until now, it didn’t have a choice. It is only a matter of time before another emcee rises from the northwest to international mass appeal.
WOHM presents our list of Northwest based emcees every label should have on their radar:
1. J Pinder
From: Seattle
Listen to: No Fault of Mine
Highlights: Toured Nationally with Black Milk, Talib Kweli and Slum Village. Nominee for 2013 XXL Freshmen.
2. Nacho Picasso
From: Seattle, of Moor Gang
Listen to: Numbnuts
Highlights: #4 on Forbes Magazine’s top free albums of 2012, #19 on Stereogum’s top albums of 2012.
3. Eighty4Fly
From: Seattle
Listen to: Cool Kids
Highlights: Seattle’s Cool Kid. Made an appearance on “Gold” from Macklemore’s The Heist album (No.1 US Billboard Top Rap Albums, No. 2 US Billboard 200).
4. Sam Lachow
From: Seattle/New York
Listen to: Good Reasons
Highlights: Saavy, talented and hard working. Kid’s dig Sam Lachow.
5. Sapient
From: Portland, of Sandpeople
Listen to: Pieces of Paper
Highlights: Sapient is best known as an emcee/producer; but give him couple of hours and he’ll play any instrument put in front of him. He is also understands how to make money as an independent musician, who hasn’t quite reached the masses yet.
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6. Illmaculate
From: Portland, of Sandpeople
Listen to: Under Their Radar, Over Their Heads
Highlights: Two-time World Rap Champion. Scribble Jam Battle Champion. One of the best battlers in the world. #fact
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7. Luck One
From: Portland, of Airplane Mode Gang
Listen to: Strange Fruit
Highlights: Featured on Sway’s RapFix Live. “We have to admit, we’ve definitely been sleeping, “ -The Smoking Section.
8. Marv Ellis
From: Eugene
Listen to: Now
Highlights: Holds the single-day tickets sale record at the Crystal Ballroom in Portland, Ore. Phenomenal live performer, able to adapt stage show for any crowd.
9. Xperience
From: Olympia, of The Th3rdz
Listen to: On Your Block
Highlights: Toured the country with Macklemore on last year’s The Heist tour. (Also in a group with Macklemore called Step Cousins.)
10. PropaneLV
From: Portland, of LTRMN
Listen to: Weekend Romance
Highlights: Really good at the internet, ha (but seriously). Has generated an online following by doing covers of songs by 2Chainz, Drake, Justin Bieber, Rick Ross and others.
#outhere