Here Are Ten Black Independent Artists You Need to Know Of

Before I start this article I would like to say rest in peace to George Floyd, and that our thoughts are with his family. No one deserves to be treated differently due to the colour of their skin.

The Murder of George Floyd awoke many people into realising how big of a problem racial inequality is. Many are fighting to be on the right side of history, and many people are trying to fight for equality and against oppression.

We have been able to accomplish many successful things so far; for example we have been able to increase the charges for murderers and get other complacent officers charged. Even on what may seem a smaller scale you have artists and consumers calling out those who make millions off of Black Music to give back and support the black community. Artists like The Weeknd and Russ have called out the likes of Universal Music Group, Sony Music, Warner Music, Spotify and Apple to give back. This has lead to some impressive support from these organisations. For example Sony Music announcing they plan to give $100 million to fund social justice and anti racism initiatives.

This is all wonderful stuff but labels are taking most of the money from when you stream your favourite song, unless if it’s from an independent artist. I feel like we as consumers need to put in more of a conscious effort to support Black businesses. A way of doing this from home is listening to independent Black artists. So Predominantly Hip Hop gives you ten Black independent artists and groups you should know of:

Kota the Friend

Kota has gotten big during quarantine. His very chill and relaxed music is perfect for relaxing in the sun or just chilling in your room. He even released an amazing album “EVERYTHING” during quarantine.

Our favourite songs include Hollywood, Volvo and B.Q.E

 

Rapsody

She can out rap your favourite rapper for sure! A perfect musician if you like that lyrical rap. She works with legendary producer 9^th Wonder and  has been nominated for a Grammy.

Our favourite songs include Cleo, Nobody and Oprah

 

Freddie Gibbs

This is an artist who has arguably released the album of 2019. It also seems like he will be part of the conversation this year for album of the year with his album “Alfredo”, which he recorded with legendary producer The Alchemist. An artist with an amazing flow, perfect if you like cocaine rap.

Our favourite songs include 1985, Fake Names and Scottie Beam

 

Big K.R.I.T.

An artist who we respect a lot. When his label was trying to shelf him, he said he doesn’t need them and started moving independently and creating his own buzz. So when he left his label it made sense to stay independent.

Our favourite songs include K.R.I.T. Here, Mixed Messages and Believe

 

Young M.A

An artist with a strong business mind who we’re happy stayed independent. We feel she has great potential and will able to accomplish some big things in both independent rap and business.

Our favourite songs include Big, Get this Money and Trap or Cap

 Westside Gunn, Conway the Machine and Benny the Butcher

We know these three are a group under the name “Griselda” but while Griselda is signed under Shady records, as solo artists these three are independent. They are releasing music at great speed and high quality. Perfect if you like that really grimy rap.

Our favourite Westside Gunn songs: GODS Don’t Bleed, Lucha Bros and Euro Step

Our favourite Conway the Machine songs: Shoot Sideways, Fentanyl and 14 KI’s

Our favourite Benny the Butcher songs: ’97 Hov, 18 Wheeler, 5 to 50

 

The Underachievers  

This is a duo that brings you old style New York rap mixed with psychedelic rap. A very underrated duo! We look forward to seeing what they will be able to accomplish in the future.

Our favourite songs include N.A.S.A, New New York, Generation Z

 

Flatbush Zombies

We couldn’t mention The Underachievers without mentioning Flatbush Zombies, another group that brings you old style New York rap but mixed with Psychedelics. If you liked The Underachievers you would definitely like this group.

Our favourite songs include Bounce, Vacation and New Phone Who Dis?

 

Childish Major

A very talented producer/rapper that is perfect for chilling in your room. Similar to Kota the friend we would definitely recommend for your quarantine playlists.

Our favourite songs include Not Numb, Supply Luh and I Like You

 

Rimon

This is an artist with a beautiful voice, perfect for your quarantine playlist. She even released a wonderful EP called “I Shine, U Shine” recently.

Our favourite songs include Out Of My Way, Downtown and Dust

 

I hope you find at least one new independent artist that you like in this list, and if not I hope this article makes you put more of a conscious effort to try find and support Black independent artwork.

 

 

Predominantly Hip Hop’s Top 10 Rap albums of 2019

Before we start I want to put some honourable mentions “Please excuse me for being Antisocial – Roddy Ricch”, “Herstory in the Making – Young M.A” “Revenge Of The Dreamers III”- Dreamville and “Survival – Dave East”. Now let’s begin.

10. Heavy Is the Head – Stormzy

This was Stormzy’s sophomore album and usually, artists go through a ‘Sophomore Slump’. Stormzy didn’t seem to have that problem. We at Predominantly Hip Hop love an artist who is confident in their work and throughout the album you can hear Stormzy’s confidence. Even though this album wasn’t as good as his first album “Gang Signs & Prayer”, It still found its place in our top 10.
Our Favourite tracks: Wiley Flow, Bronze and Handsome

9. Scriptures – Tee Grizzley

Another Sophomore album and for me, this album was better than his first “Activated”, with limited features you can focus and hear Tee Grizzley’s growth in his lyricism and content. The album was executive produced by Timbaland and they worked well together in producing Predominantly Hip Hop’s number 9 album of 2019.
Our Favourite tracks: Sweet Thangs and Had To

8. Everythings For Sale – Boogie

Shady Records seemed to have a pretty good year this year with Griselda dropping 1,000 great projects, and Boogie dropping “Everythings For Sale”. This album was the first time we were introduced to him and what a great album to be introduced to.
Our Favourite tracks: Self Destruction, Soho and Rainy Days

7. Psychodrama – Dave

What a deep meaningful album, an artwork. Dave was able to tell his story of Streatham and he told it well on his debut album. For all the Americans reading this who don’t listen to much British hip hop, I’d urge you to listen to this album.
Our Favourite tracks: Streatham, Black and Environment

6. So Much Fun – Young Thug

We are big fans of Young Thug here at Predominantly Hip Hop. I love artists who can flow with the beat. This album had a lot of that. We’re glad he was able to come back after releasing the disappointing “Slime Language” last year. This album finds itself in number 6 of our top 10 albums in 2019.
Our Favourite tracks: Hot, Ecstasy and Cartier Gucci Scarf

5. K.R.I.T. IZ HERE – Big K.R.I.T.

Hip Hop OG, Big K.R.I.T released his 4th Studio album; this album was made fully independent. So we as fans got to support extra hard. This album has 19 tracks and it’s perfect if you enjoy lyricism. K.R.I.T is working with younger artists and it has us questioning what K.R.I.T will do with his label “Multi Alumni” in the next few years.
Our Favourite tracks: Believe and M.I.S.S.I.S.S.I.P.P.I.

4. Diaspora – Goldlink

Goldlink comes through with his Sophmore album and even though it was a different vibe from his debut. It was still a great album and arguably better than his debut or at least on par. He said in an interview he made this album while living in London. This explains the heavy Afrobeat usage during this project. I believe this is an underrated album because Goldlink kills the Afrobeat vibe, we’d love to see him work on more Afrobeat production in the future.
Our Favourite tracks: Cokewhite, No Lie and Maniac

3. Brandon Banks – Maxo Kream

If you want that Storytelling Trap, this album is for you. Maxo Kream tells his story of growing up with his family. Listening to this album you lose yourself in the story he’s telling. You learn about his father Emekwanem (Brandon Banks) who is also in the intro and outro of a few songs. It was a great album concept and executed perfectly that’s why its number 3 on this list.
Our Favourite tracks: Bissonnet, Dairy Ashford Bastard and Still

2. Is He Real? – IDK

An easy to follow album about IDK questioning God’s existence. An album that you can listen from start to finish because the tracks are very coherent makes it a great piece of art. The thing we enjoyed the most is that the features on this album aren’t there to increase sales but they are there because they are perfect for the song whether that is DMX praying or Tyler the Creator talking about god.
Our Favourite tracks: N/A you need to listen to album from start to finish.

1.Bandana – Freddie Gibbs & Madlib

Freddie Gibbs and Madlib come together and made their second project together. New age gangster rap is this. There isn’t a single song we skip during the whole album. We were disappointed that this album wasn’t nominated for a Grammy but it’s still number 1 for us.
Our Favourite tracks: Half Manne Half Cocaine, Fake Names and Giannis