When it comes to hip-hop, Chris Fields isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel. He’s just shining his rims to blind his competitors. The Brooklyn native enlists the help of heavyweights like Timbaland, DanjaHandz, Brandy and T-Pain on his new record, Phantom Muzik, and the results are potent. On the Danja-produced “I Am What I Am,” Fields comes out shooting over an anthemic synth beat: “I’m pulling words out the air like Bluetooth,” he raps, showing a knack for clever chest-thumping. “Come And Get Some,” another Danja single, serves as Field’s weapon of mass destruction. An organic drum beat and the rapper’s serpentine flow give way to a chorus of sirens—it’s a club banger sure to burn rubber on the dance floor.
Published by
mikesplain on
February 24, 2009 in
Artist News.
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To ring in the new year, we here at OurStage thought it would be a good idea to step back and reflect on some great new artists that emerged on the scene in 2008 and are likely to be the ones to watch in 2009. This is our list of top hip-hop and R&B artists:
The Press Project
This 7 piece group blends the styles of hip hop, soul, funk, and jazz into a sound that is completely their own. Though best compared to acts like The Roots, Soulive, and Jurassic 5 they are more different than they are the same. In 2008 they watched their debut album climb the CMJ music charts eventually breaking into the top 40 and reaching number 12. Along with their album climbing the college radio charts the band had marquee performances playing Bonnaroo and opening for Soulive making 2008 a great year for these guys from Boston.
Twank Star
This Houston rapper kicked off 2008 by releasing his single, Free, in January. He got a distribution deal through Universal in November and was also chosen as the winner of the Step in the Ring with T-Pain contest on OurStage.com. His album “First Impressions” is out now on Wide Boy Music as well as the single “Everybody Else” with T-Pain out on Nappy Boy Digital.
Tori Alamaze
With a sound similar to the soul of the 1960’s Tori Alamaze has added a modern twist to those like Diana Ross and Tina Turner. After having her song “Don’t Cha” swiped and made famous by the Pussy Cat Dolls it has been a long road back to the top for this Atlanta native. Spending most of 2008 working on a new album with Gnarls Barkley’s Cee-lo it’s only a matter of time until Tori Alamaze is as recognized as The Pussy Cat Dolls.
LockBoyz
These five Arkansas natives have a sound similar to Mike Jones. All five members of Lockboyz are pursuing a college degree as well as their musical careers and are having success juggling the two. Their biggest feat in 2008 at was a spot on Little Rock Arkansas’ Juneteenth Festival along side Mike Jones and Lil Mama.
DK aka Wayne Watts
This Baltimore native channels the flow and passion of Lupe Fiasco and Kanye West in his songs. After showcasing at the NACA music conference in March DK released his “About A Girl” mixtape in July. Since the release of his mixtape he has toured the country playing clubs, colleges, festivals and anywhere people will listen.
Last month over 1000 artists chose Step In The Ring with T-Pain. 700,000 head-to-head battles later, our congratulations go to Twank Star whose track stood out amongst all others to T-Pain. Twank hails from Houston and proves, “Everything’s bigger in Texas.” Standing 6′ 5”, 350 pounds this up-and-comer, backs it up with a big sound. In addition to receiving promotional support for the winning song, Twank Star will also receive a one-track recording contract with Nappy Boy Digital, with the option to extend. The winning track is also available for download on iTunes and streaming on OurStage.com.
