"Fayetteville's Finest"

The city of dreams or maybe the city most slept on. I guess it depends on who you ask. “Tha ville” is slowly waking up from a nightmare full of social misconceptions and stereotypes, thanks in part to the music and the artist/producers behind the sound.

The likes of Drake, Wale, Kid Cudi, and now Fayetteville’s own and Jay-Z’s Roc Nation signee J.Cole, are being deemed hip hop’s newest phenoms.

But while J. Cole (TS) has the buzz, AP (EES) makes em move (what up Craig D), CP (SF) is the sleeper, and Ernest (EES) is up next. As for the person who hold’s the crown…that would be SLIM (EES). And like a basketball team, I introduce to all my starting five from “tha ville.”

Slim (carolinacoolslim)
First up is the captain of the group. To call him lyrically and soulfully innovative is an understatement. I shared his music with a friend who said ‘you can paint a picture with every lyric to his songs.” I agree in a sense that his lyrics suggest that there is no struggle without progress. Maybe he’s just waiting for his turn. Recommended tracks include Listen to the Melody and Hard Being Black in America which can be found here.

J. Cole
I have to admit that I had no idea who this guy was until a friend hit me up a few months ago. The rookie who cracks the starting lineup, but not the star…yet. While he has the buzz after being featured on Jay-Z’s the blueprint III, his mixtape the Warm Up gives him the instant credit now. But mixtapes only tell half of the story. Notable tracks includes the Jay-Z “A Star is Born and Dreams.




APXclusive
Every squad has a set up person or a point guard. Like passing the ball, when making a beat, it’s almost like putting the artists in the best position to succeed. I’ve never been a studio. But on this night in the lakes (what up D.Berry), I felt like I was. I watched this guy make a beat with a computer and an earth wind and fire CD or whatever that old school CD was in the crib. This was years ago. I still got a copy of the Boom Boom Room crew first demo (thanks to S.Jones). When that crew is together, beautiful music is made. Joints to check for include Ville Life and Hard Being Black in America.

CP (coolpeoplesmusic)
There is always someone that comes out of nowhere, dares to be different therefore you have to keep them on the floor because they make plays. We use to freestyle all the time in addition to a whole lot of other things. For some of us (ME), it’s a hobby. CP done made it a life. From Miami to Cali, from Cali to all over the world. Never forget the Nam. I am cool peoples. One of my favorite tracks is the Every Girl joint. Click here for more CP music.

Applejaxx (FadacyMusic)
The epitome of iTooDream to be different. Because his music is just that. It’s also reminiscent of the player who starts but don’t do much of the scoring, yet delivers. From street ball to the mic, YES, who would have ever thought? If you’ve ever had a chance to hear EO speak, there was always a positive message in his words. Much like his music. I like the 805 joint, the beat is crazy. The latest single is below.

Much like life these days, everything is subject to an opinion. You are more than welcome to it, especially if it means helping someone else become better.