Since I was born and raised in Washington, I felt the need to highlight west coast artists. It’s the classic west coast versus east coast debate, though I love artist from both coasts. I’ll begin with a place I know best, The Pacific North West. DAVE B Seattle’s own Dave B., should be someone on your radar, especially if you are into artists like Chance the Rapper, Vic Mensa or Action Bronson because like them, Dave B also works with jazz, funk and soul-poetry inspired beats. He has played many shows locally throughout Seattle and has opened for SOL. Bellingham would be more than lucky if they could book this guy. “On,” has just been released a few days ago and with and old school beat and slowed break down. This track is one worthy of being on repeat. About a month prior to “On,” being released, Dave B dropped “The Way.” Smooth beats, a fluid voice and a new school flavor fill this track. This dreamy song has flow that is beyond insane. Finally, I will grace you with the “Loosies,” mixtape. The songs, “Leaves,” “Church Clothes,” and “Do That,” fill this tape. I assure you, you will listen to it at least three times. When I first found out who Dave B was I was blown away that this guy came from Seattle and that I had never heard of him. Now I feel like I must share everything I can and know about this guy. FREDDIE GIBBS I could revert back to the classic California rappers, but I think we’ve all heard enough of Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg and Too $hort. Though they will forever fill my personal playlist, I think it’s time to discuss how Freddie Gibbs is really stepping up, and representing the west coast in the old school way. There is a laundry list of tracks and videos that I would love to share, though I don’t think it would be too welcomed on this site. So, allow me to share my favorite, most recent project of his that was just released. It’s a project with Freddie and producer, Madlib. Freddie has worked with a variety of artists like Young Jeezy, Devin the Dude and T.I. and almost every collaborated track is a banger. With that being said, here is my all-time favorite collaborated track from him, featuring B.J. The Chicago Kid, “Shame.”
