Black Music Month: Rookie Class

Black Muisc Month: Rookie Class

The Rookie Class - The last few years have brought us a crop of new hip-hop stars. BET.com dissects this year's heavy-hitting rookie class. Check them out.

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The Rookie Class - The last few years have brought us a crop of new hip-hop stars. BET.com dissects this year's heavy-hitting rookie class. Check them out.

Nicki Minaj - The official first lady of the Young Money camp, Nicki Minaj has already secured her spot as one of the stand-out rookies of 2010. Four mixtapes and a slew of guest features later, Ms. Minaj has what it takes to be the leader of the new school.

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Nicki Minaj - The official first lady of the Young Money camp, Nicki Minaj has already secured her spot as one of the stand-out rookies of 2010. Four mixtapes and a slew of guest features later, Ms. Minaj has what it takes to be the leader of the new school.

Roscoe Dash - Commencing his hip-hop journey at the age of 12, this ATL native released his first solo mixtape in 2007 titled “My Turn.” Years later, Dash arrived on the scene with the high-energy, Soulja Boy-assisted cut, “All The Way Turnt Up.” Now, Roscoe is prepping the release of his solo debut, “Ready, Set Go” via Interscope Records.

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Roscoe Dash - Commencing his hip-hop journey at the age of 12, this ATL native released his first solo mixtape in 2007 titled “My Turn.” Years later, Dash arrived on the scene with the high-energy, Soulja Boy-assisted cut, “All The Way Turnt Up.” Now, Roscoe is prepping the release of his solo debut, “Ready, Set Go” via Interscope Records.

J. Cole - Whether hip-hop needed a breath of fresh air or a new Southern representative, J. Cole delivers both. Hailing from North Carolina, Cole’s lyrical journeys range from his lust for women to living out his dream in NYC, and his “The Warm-Up” mixtape details those notions perfectly. And it doesn't hurt that Jay-Z hand-picked the St. John’s alum to spearhead his Roc Nation imprint.

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J. Cole - Whether hip-hop needed a breath of fresh air or a new Southern representative, J. Cole delivers both. Hailing from North Carolina, Cole’s lyrical journeys range from his lust for women to living out his dream in NYC, and his “The Warm-Up” mixtape details those notions perfectly. And it doesn't hurt that Jay-Z hand-picked the St. John’s alum to spearhead his Roc Nation imprint.

The Cool Kids - Joining forces in 2005 because of a MySpace connection, Mikey Rocks & Chuck Inglish deemed themselves “the new Black version of the Beastie Boys.” With four underground mixtapes and one more on the horizon ("The Tacklebox”), Mikey & Chuck are moving to the beat of their own kick drum. Just ask Lil' Wayne, Bun B, Twista and Styles P how cool these kids are.

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The Cool Kids - Joining forces in 2005 because of a MySpace connection, Mikey Rocks & Chuck Inglish deemed themselves “the new Black version of the Beastie Boys.” With four underground mixtapes and one more on the horizon ("The Tacklebox”), Mikey & Chuck are moving to the beat of their own kick drum. Just ask Lil' Wayne, Bun B, Twista and Styles P how cool these kids are.

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Jay Rock - Featured on XXL’s annual Top 10 freshmen cover, Jay Rock may be California’s next leading man. After releasing nine mixtapes within a three-year span, Warner Brothers snatched the Watts soldier without hesitation. His first mainstream offering, “All My Life,” which featured Lil' Wayne and will.i.am, ignited the attention of many. Let’s see what he does with it.

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Jay Rock - Featured on XXL’s annual Top 10 freshmen cover, Jay Rock may be California’s next leading man. After releasing nine mixtapes within a three-year span, Warner Brothers snatched the Watts soldier without hesitation. His first mainstream offering, “All My Life,” which featured Lil' Wayne and will.i.am, ignited the attention of many. Let’s see what he does with it.

Donnis - This army brat knows the true meaning of discipline. After releasing his critically acclaimed mixtape, “Diary of an ATL Brave," Donnis’ stock jumped higher than one could imagine. Months later, a five-label bidding war ensued with Atlantic Records prevailing as the victor. Donnis is now prepping the release of his EP and mixtape, “Fashionably Late” (both using the same title) on June 22. Now that’s discipline.

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Donnis - This army brat knows the true meaning of discipline. After releasing his critically acclaimed mixtape, “Diary of an ATL Brave," Donnis’ stock jumped higher than one could imagine. Months later, a five-label bidding war ensued with Atlantic Records prevailing as the victor. Donnis is now prepping the release of his EP and mixtape, “Fashionably Late” (both using the same title) on June 22. Now that’s discipline.

Waka Flocka Flame Released - After posting $40,000 bail, the rapper Waka Flocka Flame was released from a Georgia jail Wednesday. He had surrendered to local police on Monday after being issued an arrest warrant in connection with a raid on his home last month. The rapper, whose real name is Juaquin Malphurs, is facing drugs and weapons charges.

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Waka Flocka Flame - When Gucci Mane hit the pen, Waka Flocka Flame hit the mixtape circuit and stepped up to the plate. Fueled by a botched robbery, which resulted in Waka being shot in the arm, Flocka took the tragedy and flipped it to his own benefit. The result: a chart-topping single, “O Let’s Do It,” which was later remixed by Diddy, Rick Ross and Gucci Mane, and a deal with Warner Bros, who will release his debut “Murda-Man Flocka” project later this year.

B.o.B. - While the king was gone, the prince came out to play. After T.I. was hit with a year-long sentence, B.o.B made it known that Grand Hustle was his team to lead. The multi-faceted musician hit the underground running with the coveted mixtape, “May 25th,” then claimed mainstream success with his hit single, “Nothin On You.” With Bobby Ray’s “B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray” in iPods across America, the king can rest, for now.

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B.o.B. - While the king was gone, the prince came out to play. After T.I. was hit with a year-long sentence, B.o.B made it known that Grand Hustle was his team to lead. The multi-faceted musician hit the underground running with the coveted mixtape, “May 25th,” then claimed mainstream success with his hit single, “Nothin On You.” With Bobby Ray’s “B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray” in iPods across America, the king can rest, for now.

Pac Div - L.A. has a new team to cheer for. Pac Div’s attraction rate has hit the roof since inking a deal with Universal Motown last year. After releasing "Church League Champions” in 2009, the trio followed up with the potent “Don’t Mention It” street offering in April of 2010. With several surprise features lined up for their debut, “Grown Kid Syndrome,” Pac Div’s work ethic will make them the team to beat in 2010.

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Pac Div - L.A. has a new team to cheer for. Pac Div’s attraction rate has hit the roof since inking a deal with Universal Motown last year. After releasing "Church League Champions” in 2009, the trio followed up with the potent “Don’t Mention It” street offering in April of 2010. With several surprise features lined up for their debut, “Grown Kid Syndrome,” Pac Div’s work ethic will make them the team to beat in 2010.

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Red Cafe - Brooklyn’s own Red Café has a story to tell. While riding shotgun with Fabolous over the past 5 years, Café has gradually and quietly built his own mini empire. Little did he know, Diddy would soon give him a stage to shine on. Recently inking a deal with Bad Boy Records, Red’s story is set to be told. Are you willing to listen?

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Red Cafe - Brooklyn’s own Red Café has a story to tell. While riding shotgun with Fabolous over the past 5 years, Café has gradually and quietly built his own mini empire. Little did he know, Diddy would soon give him a stage to shine on. Recently inking a deal with Bad Boy Records, Red’s story is set to be told. Are you willing to listen?

Free Drake Concert Canceled - A free NYC concert featuring Drake was shut down Tuesday evening after fans got out of control, according to police. The concert, which also featured ‘90s pop band Hanson, was to be held at Pier 17 on Manhattan’s South Street Seaport, but was halted when 20,000 people (10,000 more than expected) showed up. A spokesman for Drake said the rapper was disappointed he didn’t get to perform before the concert was halted.

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Drake - Drake turned his 15 minutes of fame into a year. With two mixtapes in the can, it was his “So Far Gone” mixtape that threw him into the pit of popularity. 26 featured appearances and two Grammy nominations later, Drake is destined for greatness. “Thank Me Later,” Drake’s debut LP which features Jay-Z, Lil' Wayne and more, is set for a June 15 release date. Looks like this Toronto native’s clock just went into overtime.

Nipsey Hussle - The hustle has paid off. Crenshaw’s own Nipsey Hussle is one of a kind. Reminiscent of Snoop’s early days, Nipsey’s gritty and blunt hip-hop tactics evens out hip-hop’s ringtone playing field that’s been dominating for the past several years. After concluding his “Bullets Aint Got No Name” mixtape series in 2008, Epic Records signed the 25-year-old spitter. To say the least, Nipsey’s hustle is just starting to heat up, and will be showcased on his Epic debut, "South Central State of Mind."

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Nipsey Hussle - The hustle has paid off. Crenshaw’s own Nipsey Hussle is one of a kind. Reminiscent of Snoop’s early days, Nipsey’s gritty and blunt hip-hop tactics evens out hip-hop’s ringtone playing field that’s been dominating for the past several years. After concluding his “Bullets Aint Got No Name” mixtape series in 2008, Epic Records signed the 25-year-old spitter. To say the least, Nipsey’s hustle is just starting to heat up, and will be showcased on his Epic debut, "South Central State of Mind."

Kid Cudi - This young rapper arrived on the scene with the underground track, “Day N Nite” back in February of 2008. But three Grammy nods, 200K copies sold of his 2009 LP “Man on the Moon: The End Of Day," a nationwide tour and a recurring role in Mark Wahlberg’s HBO comedy series, “How To Make It In America” has Cudi permanently on cloud 9.

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Kid Cudi - This young rapper arrived on the scene with the underground track, “Day N Nite” back in February of 2008. But three Grammy nods, 200K copies sold of his 2009 LP “Man on the Moon: The End Of Day," a nationwide tour and a recurring role in Mark Wahlberg’s HBO comedy series, “How To Make It In America” has Cudi permanently on cloud 9.