The Pacific Northwest is gaining momentum as an area to keep eyes on in the hip hop community. Last month, Respect My Region released its Freshest In The Northwest, a list of 10 rising but established stars in the Northwest hip-hop scene. We are back to highlight 16 new artists worth supporting. Coming from Tacoma, Seattle, Eastern Washington, and Portland, these artists are ones that most outside of their cities haven’t heard of. The artists on this list are underground talent on the cusp of a breakthrough.
All of these artists have their own distinct wave and sound, but they all have one thing in common: the great potential to be the Northwest’s next hot new talent. Perhaps another XXL freshman or Grammy winner will come out of the bunch someday. Either way, one thing I can guarantee is these artists will have you amped with all the new heat they can add to your playlist.
Tacoma
LROC
LROC made major waves in Tacoma when he dropped his double-disc album Luxury Trap. Luxury Trap was produced by Kid Culture, an 18-year-old Grammy-nominated producer/writer, who co-wrote Bieber’s “Yummy,” and produced most of Cordae’s latest album. The project consisted of heat-seeking bangers coming from the Trap side of the album. In contrast, a more soothing and soulful vibe is on display with the Luxury side of the album. A lyrical and hard-hitting artist, LROC has risen as one of Tacoma’s top rappers.
Real Kozby
Real Kozby was born and raised in Tacoma until the age of 10 when he moved to Ohio with his family. Growing up he always wanted to be a start, performing at many talent competitions in and around Canton, Ohio. By the age of 16, he and schoolmates created an R&B group called New Soul. Realizing he could do more in the music industry rapping he moved back to Tacoma. When he returned home, he joined forces with the Nu Empire Music Group. After a solid run and getting the chance to work with famous recording artists like Benzino, Real Kozby decided to start his own label Silk Road Entertainment. He started Silk Road Ent to, not only focus on fame but also to make his mark in the hip-hop community.
Cashier
Cashier pulled in people’s attention with the 2019 release of his project Horns & A Halo. Rapping about a lot of relatable experiences and facts about life, Cashier worked his way into people’s playlist in the area with persistent grind and hustle. Working with well established local artists like Papablack Davinci and Lewie, Cashier has proven he can keep up with some of the best.
Z Capone
Z Capone is someone that I’m surprised hasn’t popped onto the scene a little more already. He has a sound that can resonate with the masses and a real take on life in a lot of tracks. Capone is someone I can see making a quick rise in the PNW hip-hop scene. His latest video release “Never Change Up” featuring Berto is on it’s way to 10k views, surpassing the total views from his previous “Ima Gang Member,” a tribute to the late Tanaa Money.
Seattle
2oopaidTK
Recently releasing his vibe cut “Rollin” featuring Segi, 2oopaidTK has been on the steady rise in Seattle for some time now. He has created his own unique sound that stands out tall. His video for “2oopaid,” directed by the Seattle powerhouse TownEnt, has amassed almost 200 thousand views. Marking 2oopaidTK as one of the hottest names on this list.
Livio
Livio is an artist who has been making major moves lately. He recently went to New York to shoot the music video for his song “Mafia World.” A high-tempo, in your face type banger that displays the full depth of Livio’s drip. Consistently dropping new material and keeping his fans interested with his wordplay and metaphors, Livio is an exciting artist here in the Northwest.
Balloutdav
Balloutdav is someone who really caught my eye quickly when coming across his stuff. He has a flow that he seems to be able to effortlessly lay down on a beat. His latest track “Snakeskin” is a smooth vibe on a bounce wave-type beat. I’m excited to see what Balloutdav produces as he builds up his discography and pumps out more content.
Koolin K
Our final Seattle artist worth supporting is Koolin K. Koolin K is a vibrant character that’s been galivanting around the Seattle hip-hop scene. Koolin K loves to blog and create content along with his music. His latest music video “Never Been” has an infectious energy and reminds me a bit of “I Spy” rapper Kyle. While hip-hop is his main, Koolin K is one of those people to watch for a multitude of things. Check out the other content on his YouTube if you rock with what you get from his latest music video.
Eastern Washington
Coaster
Coaster is an artist originally from Selah, Washington. He has been putting on for the local music scene both on and off the stage. Not only performing but, also producing and coordinating his own tours throughout the Northwest. This is no small feat for an underground rapper and it’s a testament to the loyal fan base he’s been able to build. He is currently working on a music video for a new song “Vibe With Me.”
YoungSmoke
YoungSmoke has made a few waves in the Spokane music scene over the last couple of years. He first made noise with his release of “Me, My People, My City,” a hometown anthem spreading love to Spokane and those in it. YoungSomoke has been dropping tracks to maintain buzz and keep fans happy. He is another one of those artists that aren’t far off from reaching his full potential.
Chuck Vibes
Chuck Vibes is still new to me. In my search to find artists for this list, I couldn’t ignore the colorful hair and outspoken style that Chuck brings. A Spokane artist and member of a new hip hop group called Broken Hearts Club with fellow rapper Treveezy, Chuck Vibes is someone I’ll be keeping a close eye on. I look forward to watching him as he continues to grow as an artist and prove he belongs to this list of artists worth supporting.
Young Neeves
Young Neeves has a pretty solid resume for an artist from Eastern Washington. He’s opened for legends like Bone Thugs and received respect from a number of others by way of DMs. A small step, but still a huge sign that he’s the real deal, grinding and spreading his name wherever he can. Neeves has traveled and performed across the West at huge shows in states like Colorado and Arizona. Young Neeves is a well-oiled rapping machine ready for a bigger stage.
Portland
The Last Artful, Dodgr
Kicking off our Portland section of artists worth supporting is The Last Artful, Dodgr. Dodgr has been absolutely killing it in Portland, representing for the Northwest, and it’s time the major scene takes notice. Tracks like “Hot” and “Mornin Dew” have amassed millions of streams. The singer/rapper even caught the eye of Anderson Paak, being featured on his album Oxnard and in an article for Rolling Stone. Truly on an upward trend, it won’t be too much longer until we are talking about The Last Artful, Dodgr as one of the best.
Bocha
Bocha’s fame has started to rise quickly in the Rose City. He recently teamed up with the local music label EYRST to drop his EP I Like U. The project is a six-track EP made over a three year period whose feature track, “Brown Skin” is a lyrical jazzy vibe. Realizing how valuable his voice can be in helping influence the culture of his community, Bocha wants to do more than put on for his city. He wants to put on for his people.
Wavy Josef
I happened to stumble upon Wavy Josef on my search for Portland artists. His name having “wavy” caught my eye got my hopes up. He did not disappoint. The first track I checked out was “Cause” and immediately I was hooked. Wavy Josef holds true to his name and produces some real earworms. He doesn’t have the clearest start to his music career as it was catapulted by a sports injury, however, I’m sure I speak for a lot of people when I say I’m glad he got into music.
K-Wain
K-Wain is a young artist born and raised in Portland, Oregon. He is a versatile musician who not only raps but is also a talented pianist and producer. He recently started his own media company, continuing to prove his mettle in the Portland hip-hop scene and make a name for himself. Like a lot of the rappers on this list, K-Wain’s journey is only beginning but the potential he has offers him no limits.
So, there it is – sixteen artists worth supporting if you are looking for hip-hop from the Northwest Coast of the USA. Of course, there are still many more to find and more areas to scout out, but this list of talent should hold over rabid hip-hop fans on the hunt for new cuts until then.
