Compared to everyone else, 2013 thus far has been a clear battle for #1 Freshest in the Northwest between Sam Lachow and Nacho Picasso. After a long debate it was the question of who hit harder in the Northwest and Nacho was named this year’s #1. Sam Lachow has been on national tours, released an EP called 5 Good Reasons withRaz Simone, and plans a new EP later this July. On the other hand, Nacho Picasso has done more local shows and an EP called Vampsterdam with last year’s #7 Avatar Darko. Clearly, the two are just as big as each other but for completely different reasons. When D-Money introduced both artists at the same time the panel was instantly split, so he made them review the criteria to make the right choice.
The criteria for Freshest in the Northwest are impact, lyrics, buzz, and style in the last 6-8 months. With impact the panel was still split with Q mentioning that Nacho is “here” more and Sermon adding “and when he’s here you know he’s here.” Then, Swervewon countered that Sam has that Mac Miller quality that when he shows up in the park 20 people instantly gather. Nacho got the push when it came to lyrics based on his originality in his bars while M-Pyre applauded Sam’s melodies, cadences, producing, and camera skills while explaining that lyrics may not be his strong suit. Nacho Picasso is a rapper’s rapper while Sam Lachow is a better artist. The comparisons continued when this year’s #0 artist Macklemore came up yet again. Before taking over the industry, Mack toured all the time and was applauded as an excellent songwriter much like the very same qualities the panel said they loved about Sam Lachow. With label’s looking his or this year’s #6 Sol’s way as a possible “next Macklemore” it appears the national media will favor Sam Lachow. When talking about buzz, Mac Smiff brought out that Nacho Picasso hits only in the Northwest while Sam Lachow holds more national appeal.
Q Dot summed up the whole debate between Nacho and Sam that it’s all apples and oranges and that their both fruit and eating off it. Following it up, Luvva J asked “Which fruit is more organic?” The question instantly swayed everyone on the panel because even though Sam’s buzz hits nationally more, Nacho Picasso is a pure Northwest product. D-Money asked for a final vote and it was unanimous that 2013’s Freshest in the Northwest title goes to Nacho Picasso! Do you agree with the decision on Nacho Picasso for #1? Sound off and debate it on Twitter and Facebook with the hashtag #FreshestintheNW.
Keep watching for an exclusive interview with Nacho Picasso at the end and stay tuned for the whole TV special on Seattle Community Media coming soon!
The full 2013 Freshest in the Northwest list:
#1 – Nacho Picasso
#2 – Sam Lachow
#3 – Cassow – https://www.respectmyregion.com/cassow-lands-at-3-freshest-in-the-northwest/
#4 – Luck-One – https://www.respectmyregion.com/portlands-own-luck-one-makes-4-on-the-freshest-in-the-northwest-list/
#5 – Clemm Rishad – https://www.respectmyregion.com/clemm-rishad-drops-in-at-5-on-the-freshest-in-the-northwest-list/
#6 – Sol – https://www.respectmyregion.com/sol-hits-8-on-freshest-in-the-northwest/
#7 – J. Pinder – https://www.respectmyregion.com/j-pinder-lands-at-7-for-freshest-in-the-northwest/
#8 – Xperience – https://www.respectmyregion.com/xperiences-hits-8-freshest-in-the-northwest/
#9 – Thaddeus David – https://www.respectmyregion.com/thaddeus-david-freshest-in-the-northwest-10/
#10 – Neema – https://www.respectmyregion.com/neema-freshest-in-the-northwest-10/
