A.R.M. As is bluntly hinted by the title of its debut EP, "Two Africans and a Jew," this new trio features Ghana-reared Twin Cities rap star M.anifest with his Ugandan pal and onetime Rawkus Records artist Krukid, plus Seattle-bred (and bar-mitzvahed) DJ/producer Budo, who is Grieves' chief collaborator. Neither political nor preachy, it's driven by hip-hop's most potent forces: a charged libido and a sharp tongue.
I.B.E. Another three-letter acronym (Intelligent Black Enterprise), this Twin Cities-born son of Nigerian immigrants has been I Self Devine's hype man and is now generating his own hype. He turned his family's struggles into a rousing single, "Make the Road by Walkin'" (featuring Toki Wright), and he's finding his footing on stage.
Wiz Khalifa From Pittsburgh, the 22-year-old Wiz kid was on the cover of XXL magazine's Top 10 Freshmen issue and named one of Rolling Stone's Artists to Watch. His indie disc "Deal or No Deal" shot to No. 1 on iTune's hip-hop chart and fell between fellow Rust Belt rappers Lupe Fiasco and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony musically.
Last of the Record Buyers A monthly gathering of local beatmakers hosted by Big Quarters' brothers, it's turning into a live showcase and something of a behind-the-scenes tour for Soundset in the B-Boy/ B-Girl & DJ Tent with help from JEL (Themselves), Domino (Hieroglyphics), Jake One and locals such as Benzilla and Nick Fource.
