Dropping basketball references like the old-school but wrapping them in thoroughly modern beats, Post Malone hit in 2015 with his single ``White Iverson.`` Raised in Dallas, Malone was NFL before he was NBA thanks to a father who worked for the Cowboys. He loved music from a young age, and planned on joining a band thanks to the video game Guitar Hero, but when his dad gave him a copy of Terror Squad's hit ``Lean Back,`` Post decided to become an MC. He hung with Dallas crew the IRAS until a move to the West Coast dropped him in Los Angeles. After putting some braids in his hair, he coined the term ``White Iverson,`` and when he posted the track in early 2015, he hit a million views within the month. Malone signed with the Republic label later that year. In 2016, he released the single ``Go Flex`` along with his official debut mixtape, August 26th, which was actually released in May. Months later, his first studio effort arrived. Stoney featured guests like Justin Bieber, Migos' Quavo, and Kehlani. The album peaked at number six on the Billboard 200 and was certified multi-platinum. Following the success of his debut, Post issued the singles ``rockstar`` with 21 Savage and ``Psycho`` with Ty Dolla $ign. The former topped the Hot 100 for weeks while the latter peaked at number two. The tracks landed on his sophomore follow-up, Beerbongs & Bentleys, which landed at number one upon its release. Along with producers like Scott Storch, PartyNextDoor, Louis Bell, and London on da Track, the effort also featured guest rappers Nicki Minaj, YG, and G-Eazy, among others. ~ David Jeffries

Madalen Duke’s voice is not from this dimension. Her lustful vocals over twinkling synths and soft basslines will give you goosebumps on first listen.

At the young age of 13, Madalen began writing her own music taking inspiration from some of her childhood favorites—Daughter, Kanye West, Fleet Foxes, Gwen Stefani and Ben Howard. This singer/songwriter has spent the last few months crafting her forthcoming project which rolls out with her debut, emotion-fueled single, ``Hitlist`` featuring Trinidad James, available everywhere.

Hailing from Atlanta, the Kingston, Jamaica born MC Zuse is one of the young rappers who's starting to gain some momentum. The 23-year-old spitta's music is part reggae, part trap and brings a totally new sound to hip-hop. The up-and-coming talent is affiliated with T.I.'s Hustle Gang label and is gearing up to tour with Tech N9ne this spring. He released his latest project, Illegal Immigrant last December. The album, which features Tip, OG Maco, Money Makin Nique, and Trae Tha Truth, among others, blends music genres into one excellent showcase of how talented he is. ~ Emmanuel C.M.

A relaxed intensity typifies the recordings of Jeremy McKinley, a Pacific Northwest rapper known as Cassow since a friend likened his painterly approach to Pablo Picasso. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, McKinley got into music making through his uncle. He gravitated toward rap, in part, as a way to work through familial issues and other challenges he had been dealt since a young age. McKinley started to build a substantive mixtape discography with Mixtape Off to Mars, issued in 2010 when was 19 years old. Additional titles such as Head of Class, the Fresh Selects-supported Future Classic, and Cold Winter followed in the next three years. In 2016, he made his first major-label appearance through a featured spot on TYuS' Warner Bros. release Never Forget. Following another TYuS collaboration, ``Lifted,`` McKinley issued the singles ``Lit,`` ``Muddy,`` and ``Flashback.`` ~ Andy Kellman

TankGod, who is a 20 year old producer out of New York who recently signed a record deal with Sony/ATV. TankGod found his new fame by producing the beat from the platinum single Rockstar By Post Malone.