You might remember last year XXL put a nice list together about the up and coming hiphop artists (if you don’t remember, check this link: Class of ‘09). Reading the article made me make my own list. Although I’m only going to name 5 new names (for now), I hope you will see some new faces and will enjoy their music.  See the list below.

Let’s start the list with this guy from Miami. I first met with the name ‘QuESt’ at earlier this year, when I downloaded his Distant Travels Into Soul Theory mixtape, and it really impressed me. The beats, the flow really made me enjoy his music, and I’ve been following him since then. His new project (entitled ‘Broken Headphones‘) is coming in July, and I’m going to make sure to check that out.

His latest track: QuESt – Stay Up (Viagra) Freestyle

The next artist in my list is TreaZon from Cleveland. I had the chance to talk to him (as well as with every other guys from the list), and I can say he is a really kind person. His music is what I like in hiphop music. When I first heard his ‘The Storm EP‘, I seriously coulnd’t stop listening to it. And then the same happend when I got his ‘9 Steps‘ tape. I’m sure that we will see a lot of unforgettable songs by him in the future (as he had already done some already).

His latest mixtape: TreaZon – 9 Steps (Mixtape)

As the third member of my list, let me introduce Cymarshall Law. I have first heard when he released his album called ‘Hip Hop In The Soul‘ with a Hungarian producer called Mr. Joeker. After giving a listen to the album, I wasn’t really impressed, but I gave it some more chances, and it has really grown on me since then.
At these days he is doing freestyles, I don’t know if he is wroking on a new album or mixtape. His new video for ‘Love, Sex Or What’ (which is on Hip Hop In The Soul) is out now, make sure to check that out.

His latest track: Cymarshall Law – Must Be Love (remix)

Nickelus F is a newfound (well, at least for me) guy from Richmond. I’ve recently get known with his music, after I had downloaded his ‘Thank You‘ mixtape. His flow is what really got my attention, but the beats are really enjoyable also. He’s got a new album coming out soon teamed up with Portishead (entitled ‘Rare‘). Before the album, he will also release a mixtape, so be on the lookout.

His latest video: Nickelus F – 16oz = 1lb Freestyle

At last, but not least, let’s get familiar with the name ‘D.Julien’. He is the youngest guy from the list (he is only 17 years old), but he has already worked with DJ Premier. I think that means something. He is working on a new project now, which will be done in June. You will see an interview with him here, on MixMakers and on M2’s unofficial hiphop blog, MiUnEx.

His latest track: D.Julien – Horizon

This is my (first) list of the up and coming hiphop artists you sould check out. You can also expect another list with 5 different names later.