2009 Artist to watch: Jay Rock
Pop & Hiss offers a look at some of the artists we expect to make noise in 2009.
Artist: Jay Rock
Why him: Rap music is increasingly a Southern man's game, but 2009 might see Los Angeles' return to prominence on national urban airwaves, thanks to Dr. Dre’s highly anticipated and long-in-the-works release, "Detox." But one up-and-comer might steal just a bit of the spotlight away from the usual suspects (Dre, Snoop and the Game) this year: Watts' Jay Rock. Warner Music has high hopes for the 23-year-old rapper, who is a known quantity in South Los Angeles via a series of self-released mix-tapes and localized underground anthems. His single "All My Life" features chart-topping guest Lil Wayne.
What's next: A collaboration with Ne-Yo on Rock's spring debut (tentatively scheduled to drop in March), "Follow Me Home," may break the Nickerson Gardens resident nationwide this year. At the very least, fans of rap music in the vein of Tupac Shakur have a fresh face from L.A. to obsess over in '09.
--Charlie Amter
Photo credit: Warner Music
Asher Roth,
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Posted by: Dave | January 02, 2009 at 10:26 AM
Jay Rock, Maino, top 2, new realiest rappers in 2009!!!!
Posted by: Rico | January 05, 2009 at 10:16 AM
Also look out for Long Beach Power House Blocrebel Media in 2009
First up is a slew of projects coming from Techniec Tha Blocstar / Tha Rebel
www.myspace.com/aaamusicgroup
Posted by: Dom | January 05, 2009 at 10:16 AM
Jay Rock, Maino, top 2, new realiest rappers in 2009!!!!
Posted by: RICO | January 05, 2009 at 10:16 AM
Nice to see a watts artist in the spotlight
hope he makes it big in tha game
Posted by: Alonzo | January 05, 2009 at 10:16 AM